Trio of SEC showdowns lead college football games to watch in Week 9
Week 9 of the college football season features several significant showdowns in the SEC. We break down the biggest games to watch on the weekend.
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Week 9 of the college football season features several significant showdowns in the SEC. We break down the biggest games to watch on the weekend.

College football's Week 9 schedule features multiple conference matchups between ranked teams. The day's games include three Southeastern Conference contests between ranked opponents, plus additional matchups across the Big Ten, Big 12, and American Athletic Conference.
At noon ET on ABC, No. 8 Mississippi plays No. 11 Oklahoma. Mississippi enters after a game against Georgia, while Oklahoma returns from a scheduled bye week. Mississippi's offense features quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and running back Kewan Lacy, who will compete against Oklahoma's defensive line of Jayden Jackson and Taylor Wein. Quarterback John Mateer continues medical treatment following hand surgery for Oklahoma.
No. 14 Missouri and No. 12 Vanderbilt meet at 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. Both teams have recorded one conference loss this season. Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia leads an offense with running back Sedrick Alexander and tight end Eli Stowers. The Missouri defense includes linebacker Josiah Trotter. On offense, Missouri fields quarterback Beau Pribula and running back Ahmad Hardy. Vanderbilt's defensive unit features linebackers Bryan Longwell and Langston Patterson.
No. 3 Texas A&M plays at No. 19 LSU at 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC. Texas A&M maintains an undefeated conference record. Quarterback Marcel Reed works with receivers K.C. Concepcion and Mario Craver in the passing game. For LSU, quarterback Garrett Nussmeier directs the offense against an Aggies defense that includes lineman Cashius Howell.
No. 10 Brigham Young takes on Iowa State at 3:30 p.m. ET on Fox. BYU's offense pairs quarterback Bear Bachmeier with running back L.J. Martin against Iowa State's defense, anchored by linebacker Caleb Bacon. Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht guides the offense. Running back Carson Hansen awaits medical clearance to play.
Houston meets No. 25 Arizona State at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN2. Arizona State's offense returns quarterback Sam Leavitt, while receiver Jordyn Tyson remains inactive. Houston's defense includes defensive back Kentrell Webb. On offense, Cougars quarterback Connor Weigman connects with receiver Amare Thomas, facing Arizona State defensive backs Myles Rowser and Adrian Wilson.
UCLA faces No. 2 Indiana at noon ET on Fox. Indiana's offense features quarterback Fernando Mendoza throwing to receivers Elijah Sarratt and Omar Cooper, with running backs Roman Hemby and Kaelon Black. UCLA's defensive unit includes linebackers JonJon Vaughns and Isaiah Chisom. Quarterback Nico Iamaleava leads UCLA's offense against Indiana defenders cornerback D'Angelo Ponds and linebacker Aiden Fisher.
No. 20 South Florida plays Memphis at noon ET on ESPN2. Memphis quarterback Brendon Lewis's status remains undetermined following a leg injury, with freshman A.J. Hill prepared to play. South Florida's defense features linebacker Mac Harris. Quarterback Byrum Brown leads South Florida's offense against Memphis linebackers Sam Brumfield and Drue Watts.
Alabama surges forward while Indiana stays No. 1 in the USA TODAY Sports NCAA Re-Rank 1-136 after the action in Week 8 of the college football season.