Wake Up! Week 9 Viewing Guide and Bye Week Open Thread

Alabama is on a bye this week, so you could be forgiven for sleeping in, or just getting out of the house. But for the true degenerates among you, we have plenty of good football hitting the TV today.

The Big 12 has #22 Arizona and #13 Texas Tech squaring off first thing at 11:00, with both teams entering the game with only a single loss. While Utah is likely a lock to make the playoffs at this point, a loss from TTU will push them further away from the top 12, which is only a positive for those SEC teams hoping to squeak in.

You also have an old-school Big 10 game with Wisconsin and #25 Iowa – both teams that have been improved and fairly plucky this season. This could be a fun one.

And for the SEC, Auburn takes on #12 Ole Miss at 11:30. Can the Tigers rebound in Yo-Yo fashion following the crazy high of beating Georgia and then losing in a blowout to LSU last week? Who even knows what they’re going to do at any given week.

At the 2:30 slot, the headliner is #17 Florida vs #3 Georgia for the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party. Can the Gators get themselves back into the playoff conversation by knocking off the Dogs? This game should be the all-eyes-on-the-TV game of the day.

The night time has some interesting games, if nothing particularly big.

Miami is taking on North Carolina. Can Belichick pull off the win over the #1 team in the country? Probably not, but it would be hilarious. You also have a Big 10 matchup between and Ohio State team with a new QB and a USC squad that might be firing their coach.

Meanwhile, Mississippi State is taking on Texas and Missouri is playing Arkansas. Most likely neither will be too much of a game, but you never know in the SEC.

Finally, you also have Clemson vs Florida State in an ACC slap fight.

Enjoy your day, and consider this your open thread.

As always, here’s a nice schedule graphic courtesy of CFBGrid.com. All times are in Central Time.