College Football Predictions: Picks for Top games of Week 9

Oklahoma's Dillon Gabriel (8) celebrates scoring a touchdown with Oklahoma’s Troy Everett (52) in the first quarter during an NCAA football game between University of Oklahoma (OU) and Iowa State at the Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023. /

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No. 20 Duke at No. 18 Louisville (-4.5) (3:30 PM EST, ABC)

There are four ACC teams with one loss, trailing unbeaten Florida State. Duke and Louisville are among that group and this is a huge game for both teams if they want to make the ACC title game.

Riley Leonard and company led Florida State 20-17 last week before the Seminoles ran away with three touchdowns in the fourth. Notre Dame also beat Duke late.

This week, Louisville is the opponent. Jack Plummer leads an offense that’s 17th in college football in yards and 28th in points per game with 34. Both defenses rank in the top 26 in terms of yards allowed, and the Cardinals are especially stout against the run, allowing less than 100 yards per game.

However, Duke’s running game behind Leonard, Jordan Waters (465 yards, 9 touchdowns), and Jaquez Moore (390 yards, 7 touchdowns) will be too much for Louisville to handle. Leonard only has three touchdown passes this season but he’ll manage the game well enough for Duke to win.

Of course, if Leonard is unable to go or has to leave the game due to injury, that could change things.

Duke 24, Louisville 20

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