We Speak College Football
Cocktail Party Moves Indoors: No. 3 Georgia, No. 17 Florida Meet in Atlanta With SEC Stakes
The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party is moving indoors, and the stakes are making the trip with it. No. 17 Florida (5-2, 3-2 SEC) and No. 3 Georgia (6-1) meet Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, the rivalry’s first trip away from Jacksonville while EverBank Stadium undergoes renovations. It is also the first time since 2020 that both teams arrive ranked.
Georgia has owned this series lately, winning eight of the last nine meetings and five straight, but the Bulldogs walk in with something to answer for. Their last time out, they were upset by Auburn, and a bye week has given Kirby Smart’s team two weeks to sit with it. The offense remains one of the most efficient in the country behind quarterback Gunner Stockton, and the Bulldogs have allowed more than 20 points just once all season. Linebacker Chris Cole and the back seven will be the X-factor against a Florida rushing attack built on misdirection.
Florida, meanwhile, has already proven it can win the game nobody expects it to win. In first-year coach Jon Sumrall’s signature result, the Gators went into Austin and beat Texas 27-24 behind backup quarterback Tramell Jones Jr., who threw for 155 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions in his first career start while starter Aaron Philo nursed a shoulder injury. Running back Jadan Baugh drives an offense that started the season 4-0, but the Gators’ defense is the concern: Florida is allowing 34.2 points per game against SEC opponents, a number that will not survive Stockton and company if the tackling and coverage busts follow them to Atlanta.
The matchup that decides it is Georgia’s offense against that leaky Florida defense. If the Gators can force field goals and steal a possession or two, their Playoff hopes stay alive into November. If Georgia’s efficiency shows up early, the Bulldogs take another step toward the SEC title game and Florida’s margin for error disappears.
Kickoff: Saturday, October 31, 3:30 p.m. ET. TV: ABC. Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta.
Dream Season Meets Desperation: No. 20 Northwestern Walks Into Autzen Against Reeling Oregon
Surprise of the ACC: No. 14 Wake Forest Hosts Virginia With a Title-Game Path in Sight
No. 12 Ole Miss Must Beat Auburn Without Its Star Running Back to Keep Playoff Hopes Alive
Pride Game in Tallahassee: Clemson and Florida State Meet on Halloween With Seasons on the Line
Revenge on Senior Night: Hewitt-Trussville Rides a Roller-Coaster Season Into the 6A Playoffs
GameDay in Bloomington: No. 4 Indiana Hosts a Minnesota Team Built to Frustrate
The Skipps Twins Deliver Alaska’s Title, and Dimond’s Run Ends One Game Short
Marana Makes Its Statement: A 17-0 Shutout of No. 2 Salpointe Catholic
We Speak College Football
Dream Season Meets Desperation: No. 20 Northwestern Walks Into Autzen Against Reeling Oregon
One sideline is living the season nobody predicted. The other is trying to save one that has come apart. No. 20 Northwestern (6-1, 3-1 Big Ten) visits Oregon (4-3, 2-2) on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET on Peacock at Autzen Stadium, in the strangest role reversal on the Week 9 schedule: the Wildcats, picked 14th in the preseason Big Ten media poll, are the ranked team with Playoff hopes, and the Ducks are home underdogs in the court of public opinion if not the betting line.
Northwestern’s formula travels. Quarterback Aidan Chiles accounted for five touchdowns last week against Rutgers, throwing for 219 yards and three scores while rushing for 83 yards and two more. Running back Caleb Komolafe leads a punishing ground game with 551 yards and five touchdowns at 6.3 yards per carry, and the offense, rejuvenated under Chip Kelly, has jumped more than 100 yards per game from last season. The Wildcats’ only loss is a six-point defeat at Indiana, and their defense allows just 16.6 points per game.
Oregon, a preseason national title favorite, has lost three games and its identity. Star quarterback Dante Moore is out injured, Dylan Raiola threw for 246 yards in last week’s 21-10 loss at Illinois, and the Ducks have managed just 14 points per game across their last three. The school fired offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer this week, leaving Dan Lanning to rebuild a game plan on the fly.
The matchup that decides it is Northwestern’s run game against a desperate Oregon front. If Komolafe and Chiles control the clock, Autzen’s noise fades and the Wildcats’ dream season gains its loudest win. If Oregon’s talent finally wakes up at home, this is where the slide stops.
Kickoff: Saturday, October 31, 3:30 p.m. ET. TV: Peacock. Venue: Autzen Stadium, Eugene, Ore.
Surprise of the ACC: No. 14 Wake Forest Hosts Virginia With a Title-Game Path in SightNo. 12 Ole Miss Must Beat Auburn Without Its Star Running Back to Keep Playoff Hopes AlivePride Game in Tallahassee: Clemson and Florida State Meet on Halloween With Seasons on the LineGameDay in Bloomington: No. 4 Indiana Hosts a Minnesota Team Built to FrustrateRevenge on Senior Night: Hewitt-Trussville Rides a Roller-Coaster Season Into the 6A PlayoffsThe Skipps Twins Deliver Alaska’s Title, and Dimond’s Run Ends One Game ShortMarana Makes Its Statement: A 17-0 Shutout of No. 2 Salpointe Catholic
No. 2 Ohio State Heads to the Coliseum Without Its Quarterback as USC Plays Spoiler-
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