Another wild week in college football is in the books. Week 8 brought statement wins, devastating losses and plenty of intrigue heading into the business end of the season.
Alabama continued its SEC dominance with a 37-20 victory over Tennessee, marking four straight wins against ranked conference opponents. Quarterback Ty Simpson has turned Alabama’s offense into a well-oiled machine. He’s no longer surprising anyone; he’s dictating terms, and no one’s found a way to stop him. Georgia also stayed unbeaten with a 43-35 shootout win over Ole Miss. Quarterback Gunner Stockton threw four touchdown passes, three of which went to devy-relevant tight end Lawson Luckie, who finally broke out in a big way. Devy players have long seen flashes of Luckie’s potential, but this was his true arrival.
The weekend’s biggest off-field news came Sunday when Florida fired head coach Billy Napier. Despite a win over Mississippi State, a 22-23 record in four seasons was enough to end his tenure. The Gators, now 3-4, head into a bye week before facing Georgia. Napier’s firing leaves two storied programs searching for new leadership. The situation will be one to watch for sophomore quarterback DJ Lagway, a strong supporter of Napier. His name could surface in transfer portal speculation. Washington’s Jedd Fisch, a Florida alum, will likely be linked as a potential replacement. Could he and devy-relevant quarterback Demond Williams make their way to Gainesville together in this NIL-fueled era? Pure speculation, but it’s what makes this sport endlessly fascinating!
Now, onto Week 9, where playoff runs begin and contenders separate from the crowd.
2025 College Football Week 9 Preview: Best Bets & Devy Fantasy Football Storylines
Week 9 Games of the Week & Devy Storylines to Watch
Ole Miss Rebels (8) @ Oklahoma Sooners (13)
Memorial Stadium, Norman, Okla. – Saturday, Oct. 25
Betting Odds: Oklahoma -4 | Total: 52.5
This is what John Mateer came to Norman for. The Washington State transfer had no shortage of suitors but chose to join an Oklahoma program hungry to prove itself in the SEC. After returning from thumb surgery, Mateer struggled in the Red River Rivalry loss to Texas, but he found his rhythm again in last week’s decisive win over South Carolina.
The next five weeks will define his NFL draft stock, with Ole Miss, Tennessee, Alabama, Missouri and LSU ahead. The spotlight is his; now he must seize it.
For Ole Miss, replacing the Jaxson Dart–Tre Harris connection hasn’t been easy. The Rebels have a committee approach offensively, which works for the team but frustrates Campus to Canton (C2C) and College Fantasy Football (CFF) managers. Keep a close eye on tight end Dae’Quan Wright, who has emerged as a matchup problem in Lane Kiffin’s offense. He’s physical enough to block but shines most when finding soft spots in coverage and making defenders miss after the catch.
My Picks
Oklahoma -4
The Sooners’ balanced offense and improving defense at home should be enough to outlast an inconsistent Ole Miss team.
Kewan Lacy Under 70.5 Rushing Yards
I like Kewan Lacy as a running back, but Oklahoma’s defense is no joke. They are third nationally in rush yards allowed, with an average of 74.3 yards per game. Lacy contributed two short rushing touchdowns versus Georgia, but was bottled up as the game script moved away from the run and towards a shootout. I expect this game could follow a similar suit.
UCLA Bruins @ Indiana Hoosiers (2)
Memorial Stadium, Bloomington, Ind. – Saturday, Oct. 25
Betting Odds: Indiana -24.5 | Total: 54.5
Indiana is one of the hottest teams in college football, boasting a 7-0 record, led by quarterback Fernando Mendoza and head coach Curt Cignetti. Cignetti just inked a new deal, possibly to ward off attention from programs like Penn State and Florida, but the Hoosiers can’t afford a letdown here.
UCLA, on the other hand, has found life under interim head coach Tim Skipper. The Bruins have won three straight, including the game that ended James Franklin’s run at Penn State. Young offensive coordinator Jerry Neuheisel has resurrected Nico Iamaleava’s devy stock, with the quarterback accounting for nine touchdowns during this streak.
This matchup has “trap game” potential written all over it, and Indiana must stay sharp to avoid a shocking upset.
My Picks
UCLA +24.5
Indiana should win, but UCLA’s newfound offensive rhythm makes this spread too wide.
Omar Cooper Over 5 Receptions
Indiana wideout Omar Cooper has cleared this mark on four occasions this season, including in his two most recent performances. He has shown upside, especially against weaker opposition (e.g., ten catches versus Indiana State) and has produced big yardage and multiple touchdowns in one standout outing.
Devy Spotlight
Bo Jackson (RB, Ohio State Buckeyes; 2028)
One of the Midwest’s premier offensive talents coming out of high school, Bo Jackson combines NFL-ready size (6-foot, 205 pounds) with elite acceleration and short-area burst. He excels both between the tackles and outside the hashes, displaying top-tier contact balance and fluid lateral agility.
He’s still refining his vision and patience on inside runs, but already shows impressive versatility as a pass-catcher. Jackson’s blend of power, speed, and burst makes him a prototype for modern backfield committees. He has the time to polish the finer points, but it is no surprise to see he is commanding touches in the Buckeyes’ backfield. He simply looks like the most dynamic back in the rotation, leaving the much-fancied James Peoples in the dust right now. Bo Jackson projects as an immediate contributor in C2C and a long-term feature dynasty back.
Lotzeir Brooks (WR, Alabama Crimson Tide; 2028)
A dynamic slot weapon listed at 5-foot-9, 170 pounds, Lotzeir Brooks brings elite footwork, acceleration and body control. The South Jersey high school record-holder for career receiving yards and touchdowns, Brooks thrives on short and intermediate routes where his quickness and run-after-catch instincts shine. He’s also a vertical threat who can stretch defenses from the slot.
While he must improve against press coverage and add functional strength, his instincts and fearlessness over the middle give him high-end production potential. Brooks has made an impact as a gadget receiver and even led the team in receptions and yards in the win over Missouri. He’s cleared Campus 2 Canton’s wide receiver zero metrics and looks like an exciting prospect moving forward.
RELATED: Alabama’s Lotzeir Brooks: The Devy Sleeper You Need To Draft Now
Andrew Marsh (WR, Michigan Wolverines; 2028)
Andrew Marsh is a wiry, explosive receiver who makes big plays look routine. At 6-foot, 180 pounds, he combines long-striding speed with balance and contact strength after the catch. His background in track and field underscores his leaping and body control in contested catches He racked up over 1,100 yards as a junior in high school, proving both reliable and dangerous with the ball in space. Marsh could add muscle to his frame, but already profiles as a multi-level threat with special teams upside.
Michigan’s offense doesn’t funnel targets to their wide receivers, but when they do go to the air, Bryce Underwood has a tendency to look Marsh’s way. He has 17 targets over the last three games and a touchdown in each of the games against USC and Washington. This duo will look to continue developing their chemistry for the Wolverines and could be a problem in the Big 10 for the next couple of years. Andrew Marsh is a high-upside devy prospect with long-term NFL potential.
Check out all our Preseason Devy Freshman Fever Profiles:
- Freshman Fever | Devy Freshman QB Profiles (2025)
- Freshman Fever | Devy Freshman RB Profiles (2025)
- Freshman Fever | Devy Freshman WR Profiles (2025)
2025 Heisman Trophy Outlook
- Fernando Mendoza (QB, Indiana) | +340
- Ty Simpson (QB, Alabama) | +350
- Julian Sayin (QB, Ohio State) | +400
- Diego Pavia (QB, Vanderbilt) | +700
- Marcel Reed (QB, Texas A&M) | +1000
A clear top three has emerged with Fernando Mendoza, Ty Simpson, and Julian Sayin separating from the pack. Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia cracks the list for the first time, fresh off a statement win over LSU; his only loss remains to Alabama. Meanwhile, Georgia’s Carson Beck plummeted to +6000 after a disastrous four-interception performance against Louisville.
Thanks for reading my article on “2025 College Football Week 9 Preview: Best Bets & Devy Fantasy Football Storylines”. For more Devy and College Fantasy Football content, follow me on Twitter/X @PoshplaysFF.
*Photo Credit: Joseph Maiorana – USA TODAY Sports*
