CBS Sports Network’s continued coverage of the 2024 college football season features seven games for the Week 9 slate, including a trio of weeknight battles ahead of a Saturday quadruple-header. The action kicks off with a Tuesday night Conference USA showdown between UTEP and Louisiana Tech, two teams that are still trying to find their footing late into the season.
Conference USA returns to the spotlight Wednesday evening when Liberty travels to Kennesaw State in a battle of polar opposites. The Flames are trying to maintain their unblemished record on their path towards the C-USA Championship Game, while Kennesaw State has yet to get into the win column yet as it struggles to adjust to the FBS level.
It all leads into a monumental clash Friday night when UNLV hosts No. 17 Boise State in a clash with major implications for both the Mountain West Conference and the College Football Playoff race. Saturday’s slate is highlighted by a big Mid-American Conference clash between Ohio and Buffalo, and an intriguing nonconference nightcap featuring Washington State and San Diego State.
CBS Sports Network will be with you every step of the way once the Week 9 games begin. In the meantime, get caught up on viewing information, storylines, betting odds and more for each matchup.
All times Eastern | Odds via SportsLine consensus
UTEP at Louisiana Tech
Date: Tuesday, Oct. 22 | Time: 8 p.m.
Location: Joe Aillet Stadium — Ruston, Louisiana
TV: CBS Sports Network [Channel finder]
Live stream: CBSSports.com | Mobile: CBS Sports App (Free)
Spread: Louisiana Tech -7.5 | Will the Bulldogs cover? Check out SportsLine’s Week 9 projections here
UTEP picked up its first win of the Scotty Walden era in Week 8, downing FIU 30-21 at home. Maybe that was the moment the Miners turned a corner during what has been a lackluster 2024 season so far. Louisiana Tech will certainly provide an opportunity to keep momentum rolling. The Bulldogs lost, in overtime, to New Mexico State on a Tuesday night game last week and suffered a 17-10 loss to FIU on Sept. 28. Transitive wins don’t really matter in college football, but that could be an encouraging sign for UTEP.
Liberty at Kennesaw State
Date: Wednesday, Oct. 23 | Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Fifth Third Stadium — Kennesaw, Georgia
TV: CBS Sports Network [Channel finder]
Live stream: CBSSports.com | Mobile: CBS Sports App (Free)
Spread: Liberty -24 | Will the Flames cover? Check out SportsLine’s Week 9 projections here
Liberty’s had an odd month. The Flames have played just one game in the past four weeks, and that was an uninspiring 31-24 win against that pesky FIUl team. They’re technically still in the College Football Playoff conversation but have faded from the limelight a little bit while other Group of Five teams surge ahead. Liberty is doing all it can to keep those hopes alive. Kennesaw State, meanwhile, is still looking for its first win as an FBS program after transitioning from the FCS level in the offseason.
No. 17 Boise State at UNLV
Date: Friday, Oct. 25 | Time: 10:30 p.m.
Location: Allegiant Stadium — Las Vegas, Nevada
TV: CBS Sports Network [Channel finder]
Live stream: CBSSports.com | Mobile: CBS Sports App (Free)
Spread: Boise State -3 | Will the Broncos cover? Check out SportsLine’s Week 9 projections here
Talk about massive stakes. As things stand, this could very well be a College Football Playoff eliminator game. There’s a good chance that these two meet again in the Mountain West Conference Championship Game, but it’s hard to fathom a two-loss Group of Five team making the field either way — especially since the likes of Army and Navy are making the race extremely tight. Boise State obviously has a Heisman Trophy frontrunner in Ashton Jeanty, but UNLV certainly should not be discounted. New quarterback Hajj Malik-Williams, who took over after Matthew Sluka’s public NIL dispute led him to take a redshirt year, has been a revelation for the Rebels. They also have a pair of the nation’s best defenders in linebacker Jackson Woodard and defensive back Jalen Catalon. This is a heavyweight battle and one of the most important games on the Week 9 slate.
Buffalo at Ohio
Date: Saturday, Oct. 26 | Time: Noon. ET
Location: Peden Stadium — Athens, Ohio
TV: CBS Sports Network [Channel finder]
Live stream: CBSSports.com | Mobile: CBS Sports App (Free)
Spread: Ohio -6.5 | Will the Bobcats cover? Check out SportsLine’s Week 9 projections here
The race for the MAC Championship Game is extremely tight right now. Buffalo and Ohio are two of six teams that currently have a 2-1 record in conference play, so winning Saturday afternoon’s contest is imperative for both teams. Buffalo’s offense doesn’t rank well among its conference counterparts, but the Bulls have put plenty of points on the board over the last month. They’re averaging 31.3 points per game against MAC opponents, but they’ll have their hands full against Ohio. The Bobcats currently rank second in the MAC in total defense (331.3 yards per game) and fifth in scoring defense (24.3 points per game).
Rice at UConn
Date: Saturday, Oct. 26 | Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Pratt & Whitney Stadium — East Hartford, Connecticut
TV: CBS Sports Network [Channel finder]
Live stream: CBSSports.com | Mobile: CBS Sports App (Free)
Spread: UConn -6.5 | Will the Huskies cover? Check out SportsLine’s Week 9 projections here
UConn is for real this year, at least by UConn standards. The Huskies came just three points short of a massive upset against Wake Forest in Week 8, falling 23-20 at home. In spite of that, they’re just two wins away from bowl eligibility for the second time in three years under coach Jim Mora. This certainly isn’t going to be an easy break from American Athletic Conference play for Rice. The Owls are just 2-5, but one of those wins was an impressive triumph against UTSA. They haven’t struggled slowing opposing offenses down, but their own offense hasn’t been able to keep up. Rice currently ranks 10th in the AAC while averaging just 23.3 points per game.
Utah State at Wyoming
Date: Saturday, Oct. 26 | Time: 7 p.m. ET
Location: War Memorial Stadium — Laramie, Wyoming
TV: CBS Sports Network [Channel finder]
Live stream: CBSSports.com | Mobile: CBS Sports App (Free)
Spread: Wyoming -2.5 | Will the Cowboys cover? Check out SportsLine’s Week 9 projections here
Not much has gone right for either team. Both squads are trying to keep their heads above water and, at least for another week, avoid being eliminated from the bowl conversation. With a combined 2-12 record, neither squad is really thinking about the postseason at this point, anyway. Each has struggled in their own way. Wyoming’s offense is averaging a paltry 279.6 yards and 17.1 points per game. The Cowboys have scored more than 30 points just once this season. Utah State’s offense hasn’t been quite as ineffective, but the Aggies cannot keep opponents off of the field or out of the end zone. Utah State ranks dead-last in the Mountain West in both total defense while allowing 502 yards per game — which is also second-worst in the FBS — and scoring defense, surrendering a whopping 43.9 points per game.
Washington State at San Diego State
Date: Saturday, Oct. 26 | Time: 10:30 p.m. ET
Location: Snapdragon Stadium — San Diego, California
TV: CBS Sports Network [Channel finder]
Live stream: CBSSports.com | Mobile: CBS Sports App (Free)
Spread: Washington State -14.5 | Will the Cougars cover? Check out SportsLine’s Week 9 projections here
Washington State has quietly had a phenomenal season. If the Cougars counted towards the Mountain West Conference standings, they’d be a contender. Their only loss this year is to a really good Boise State team. Otherwise, they’ve downed the likes of Washington en route to a 6-1 start. San Diego State made a splash by hiring former Colorado offensive coordinator Sean Lewis, but the Aztecs have had their fair share of struggles putting points on the board. They are coming off two straight 27-24 wins, which are tied for their highest point totals against FBS opponents this season, but they hadn’t scored more than 21 points in a non-FCS game before that.
