Big 12 Week Nine Highlights, ACC Viewership Surges

Big 12 Week Nine features Oklahoma State traveling to No. 14 Texas Tech as the Cowboys continue searching for their first conference win, amid a league with multiple bowl‑eligible teams, numerous one‑loss squads and a record number of one‑possession games. The conference also shows strong FPI and individual statistical performances, including five quarterbacks among the FBS top‑10 in passing touchdowns and two players near the top in sacks. The ACC is experiencing a ratings surge, averaging about 2.8 million viewers across ESPN networks and The CW (up 98% year‑over‑year), and now ranks second in average viewership behind the SEC. Alabama enters Week 9 at 6‑1 (4‑0 SEC) with Ty Simpson leading a six‑game win streak; while analysts favor the Tide over South Carolina, an EA Sports College Football 26 simulation projects a 27–24 Gamecocks upset led by LaNorris Sellers, though betting analysis still leans toward Alabama given South Carolina’s offensive struggles. Other weekend notes include 178 Alabama high‑school games (18 featuring top‑25 teams) and NFL draft scouting attention on prospects such as Fernando Mendoza, Elijah Sarratt and tackle Carter Smith.