We’re entering a crucial phase of the college football season where games are highly significant and the pressure is mounting on teams and coaches alike.

This weekend’s slate features five matchups between ranked teams with playoff implications, as some fall out of contention while others improve their standings.

With these heightened stakes, we can expect surprising performances and potential upsets. But which games might lead to these unexpected outcomes this Saturday?

That’s where we step in. The YSL News Sports team – Scooby Axson, Jordan Mendoza, Paul Myerberg, Erick Smith, Eddie Timanus, and Dan Wolken — share their bold Week 9 predictions.

Vanderbilt Fights Hard But Won’t Last in Rankings

Vanderbilt has had a surprising season, defeating both Alabama and Kentucky, with their only setbacks by a mere combined seven points. This week, they’ll face Texas, which has spent time reflecting on its recent home loss to Georgia.

The No. 25 Commodores won’t go down easily, but Texas possesses more talent where it counts, and this will become evident in the second half. By the end of the game, Vanderbilt fans may need to stay put in their seats, as the goalposts—the ones that made headlines after the Crimson Tide upset—won’t be making another journey. — Scooby Axson

Colorado Emerges Strong in Big 12 Race

Despite all the hype around Colorado, it’s important to note that the Buffaloes are performing well in the Big 12. After suffering a tough loss to Kansas State, they bounced back by dominating Arizona. Now, Deion Sanders is set to host a Cincinnati team that is just a few plays away from being unbeaten. The Bearcats offer a robust defense that may pose challenges for Colorado, but Shedeur Sanders is likely to lead his team to another victory. A win would elevate the Buffaloes to 4-1 in Big 12 play as they approach a less challenging series of games. A College Football Playoff appearance with Coach Prime could be within reach! — Jordan Mendoza

Brigham Young Faces Off Against Central Florida for First Loss

Brigham Young’s unbeaten streak may end in an upset against Central Florida. The Knights nearly shocked Iowa State last week, losing 38-35. Does this mean they can defeat the Cougars? BYU narrowly escaped a tough win against Oklahoma State last week and might be running out of luck despite a 7-0 record. The bright side is that their first loss won’t eliminate them from the playoff or Big 12 title race. — Paul Myerberg

Kansas Keeps It Close Against Kansas State

This rivalry might not be as famous as some, but the rivalry between these two Kansas teams is fierce. Kansas had a rough start, losing five of their initial six games after starting ranked. However, they bounced back with a victory over Houston last week; an upset against K-State would boost their second-half season prospects. The Wildcats, riding high after recent road wins against Colorado and West Virginia, could face a letdown. Notably, Kansas was leading in the fourth quarter of four out of their five losses. Expect a closely contested game and possibly a surprising result that could shake up the Big 12 standings. — Erick Smith

Penn State Must Stay Cautious Against Wisconsin

Penn State has been buzzing this week, but not about their upcoming opponent, which could be quite risky.

It appears some people in State College may be a bit upset that their game against Ohio State on November 2 is scheduled for noon ET instead of primetime. This frustration is valid; having that evening atmosphere can significantly impact performance. However, allowing this to distract them could lead to underestimating Wisconsin in the meantime.

The last time we saw the Badgers, they faced a tough loss against Alabama, which also resulted in their starting quarterback being sidelined for the year. Things didn’t improve much afterward in their matchup against Southern California.

Yet in October, Wisconsin seems to have found their stride. They’ve dominated their last three Big Ten teams, outscoring them 117-16. We acknowledge that the teams faced weren’t exactly top-tier competition. If Penn State has their sights more set on Ohio State than Wisconsin when they head to Madison, they could be in for quite a surprise. While Penn State is expected to win, don’t be surprised if it ends up being a nail-biter. — Eddie Timanus

Michigan State Upsets Michigan

In the recent Michigan showdown between first-year coaches, Jonathan Smith has clearly outperformed Sherrone Moore. Although both teams stand at 4-3, and neither has been remarkable, the atmosphere at Michigan State is more positive given the low preseason expectations. The Spartans appear to be improving, highlighted by a 32-20 win over Iowa last week. With those indicators, it’s puzzling that Michigan is a five-point favorite, considering their quarterback situation is uncertain and they haven’t shown much scoring power. Expect the Spartans to secure a victory at the Big House.

This time. — Dan Wolken