In the CFB Week 9 preview for this very interesting college football season, we’re putting you on notice: Vanderbilt is good.

This is not a drill, everyone: The Vanderbilt Commodores are in the top 10. Did you ever think you’d live to see the day? I’m sure Vanderbilt fans hoped to, but it has finally arrived for them. Not only are they in the top 10, but they would most likely make the College Football Playoff if the season ended today. Aye, there’s the rub: If the season ended today. It does not, and Vandy has a few big games left in between them and their impossible dream coming true.

One of those important contests is this week, and Bracket Yard features that and three other games in this wild season of ups and downs.

CFB Week 9 Preview: More Coaches Getting Fired

The big name in college football to go down this week was Billy Napier, formerly the head coach of the Florida Gators. Even though Florida won its game against Mississippi State, the boosters and athletic department had had enough. At least Napier went out on a win, which most fired coaches cannot say they did.

Otherwise, Jay Norvell was dismissed as head coach of Colorado State. Meanwhile, Mike Norvell of Florida State may share a last name with him, but not the same fate. He is still the coach of the Seminoles, but he got the “dreaded vote of confidence” after the Noles lost their fourth game in a row. I’m sure many people have googled “Mike Norvell buyout” in the last few days.

CFB Week 9 Preview: Featured Games

This week, as we do every week, Bracket Yard put a spotlight on four college football games of importance. It is not an exhaustive list of big games.

• Ole Miss at Oklahoma. If you still can’t believe this is a conference game, well, neither can I. However, it’s an important one for both teams, as neither can afford a second loss with all of November still to play.
• Missouri at Vanderbilt. Who could have ever guessed this, of all games, would be one of the more important contests in the SEC this season? The winner will move to 3-1 in the SEC and keep hope alive for the conference title game.
• Texas A&M at LSU. There is a team which could win the SEC championship in this game. If you thought it would be LSU, that is not right. A&M is in the top three and look like they are on a mission, but will they survive the trip to Death Valley?
• Houston at Arizona State. We could not have all SEC games on the card this week. Arizona State and Houston are two good teams, and both are still very much alive in the Big 12 for now.

Week 9 Is Brought to You by the Number…

79. This is the number of points scored by UMass, our number 136 team on the Bracket Yard CFB 136, so far this year. That works out to about 11 points per game.