SEC showdowns with rules-packed schedule of top 25 games

Week 9 features another action-packed lineup of the top 25 teams in the US LBM Coaches Poll. There are five competitions in which ranked teams compete, three of which are in the SEC. This isn’t a surprise, but those ranked might be if you haven’t followed the season closely so far.

A somewhat unexpected development is that the trip from No. 7 LSU to No. 14 Texas A&M will be for clear leadership of the conference. Another reason is that Vanderbilt has a number in front of its name, 25^ThThe No. 1-ranked Commodores will host No. 6 Texas, with the Longhorns needing to bounce back from their loss to Georgia. Elsewhere, No. 15 Alabama hosts No. 17 Missouri in what could ultimately become a playoff elimination game.

In Saturday’s Big Ten race, Oregon puts its No. 1 ranking on the line for the first time and hosts No. 21 Illinois. The day begins with No. 24 Navy putting together its dream season in its annual showdown with No. 11 Notre Dame at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. But even before that, the weekend starts early as No. 20 Pittsburgh and No. 19 Boise State compete in key conference rounds on Thursday and Friday night, respectively.

Here’s how our expert prognosticators rate these games and the rest of the Top 25 action.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Expert Picks for College Football Week 9: Rules Day SEC Matchups