So good it’s scary

The GIST: The first season of the expanded 12-team CFP rolls on, with Week 9 already underway. ICYMI: Eight more teams will make the field, with automatic bids awarded to the five highest-ranked conference winners and the remaining seven spots going to at-large squads.

• TL;DR? Every game matters — here are some you can’t miss.

Mountain West matchup: Two mid-major CFP contenders who are undefeated in conference play — No. 17 Boise State and UNLV — meet tonight at 10:30 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network. Boise State also boasts a Heisman hopeful in running back Ashton Jeanty, who has amassed a whopping 1,248 yards in just six games. Unreal.

• Meanwhile, UNLV’s had a rollercoaster of a season ever since quarterback (QB) Matthew Sluka announced he’d sit out the year over a reported NIL payment dispute. That said, the Rebels are 3-1 since Hajj-Malik Williams took over under center.

SEC showdowns: No. 15 Alabama will be hungry for a bounce-back win when they take on No. 21 Missouri tomorrow at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC. Something to watch? Mizzou could be without QB Brady Cook, who injured his ankle in last week’s win over Auburn. Conference bragging rights and any hopes of making the CFP are on the line — no pressure.

• No. 8 LSU and No. 14 Texas A&M, both riding six-game winning streaks, meet tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. ET in a game with major playoff implications. LSU is coming off a stellar defensive performance against Arkansas, while A&M’s Le’Veon Moss rushed for two touchdowns to top Mississippi State. Will defense or offense prevail in the quest to top the SEC?

The GIST: The midseason top 16 — which gives teams an idea of the current playoff picture — was released last weekend, but the playoffs are still over a month away, meaning ​teams still have plenty of time to change their destiny. This weekend isn’t a bad place to start.

No. 18 TCU (14-4) vs. No. 23 Baylor (12-6) — Tonight at 6 p.m. ET — ESPN+: Baylor will be looking to avenge an early-season loss to the Horned Frogs and make a case for entering. the top-16. But they’ll have to contend with TCU’s Melanie Parra, who recorded 25 kills and two aces to lead the Horned Frogs to a 3-1 victory earlier in October.

No. 1 Pitt (17-1) vs. No. 4 Louisville (16-2) — Tonight at 7 p.m. ET — ACCNX: These conference foes have a whole lot of history, including last season’s playoff battle that sent Pitt to the Final Four. It’s also a matchup between two of the country’s best blockers in Louisville's Cara Cresse and Pitt’s Bre Kelley.

No. 8 Wisconsin (13-4) vs. No. 10 Purdue (16-4) — Tomorrow at 3:30 p.m. ET — NBC: A top-10 showdown featuring two teams projected to make the postseason and a chance to see the reigning Player of the Year in Wisconsin’s Sarah Franklin? Say less. Plus, it’s always a killer matchup when the Badgers and the Boilermakers — neither team has recorded a sweep against the other since 2018.

• If that’s not enough to spike your interest, the Panthers will be looking to make a statement after being handed the No. 2 spot in the aforementioned top-16 ranking, despite their top-billing in the AP Top 25 poll. Drama.

🏑 Field hockey: No. 4 Virginia Cavaliers (12-2) vs. No. 2 UNC Tar Heels (12-0) — Today at 5 p.m. ET — ACCNX

• The Tar Heels have a tough weekend slate ahead in their quest for a natty three-peat. The stacked Cavaliers are ranked No. 4 for a reason, and UNC also hosts No. 9 BC — who are undefeated in ACC play — on Sunday at 12 p.m. ET.

⚽ Men’s soccer: No. 25 Indiana Hoosiers (7-3-5) vs. No. 15 UCLA Bruins (6-3-5) — Tonight at 10:30 p.m. ET — BTN

• The preseason No. 7 and a legacy program, Indiana just rejoined the rankings after a brutal season start. But the Hoosiers are consistently a threat in the postseason, no matter their record. If they can beat this red-hot UCLA squad, you’ll know that this year is no different.

🏒 Men’s ice hockey: No. 3 Boston University Terriers (3-0-0) vs. No. 7 North Dakota Fighting Hawks (2-1-0) — Tonight at 8:07 p.m. ET and tomorrow at 7:07 p.m. ET — NCHC.tv

• The Terriers have barely missed a beat since last year’s Frozen Four run, notching at least four goals in each of their early-season games. But a road series against the formidable Hawks will truly test whether they have what it takes to recreate last season’s success.

⚽ Women’s soccer: No. 1 Duke Blue Devils (12-1-1) vs. No. 2 Wake Forest Demon Deacons (11-2-2) — Sunday at 6 p.m. ET — ACCNX

• A Halloweekend showdown between Devils and Demons, who just happen to be the two best teams in the country? This one’s going to be so good, it’s scary. Duke’s 12-match win streak ended with last night’s 3–3 draw against No. 7 Notre Dame, so they’re especially hungry for a dub.

Looking for more of The GIST? Hit play on our twice-weekly podcast, The GIST of It. Hosts Ellen Hyslop and Stephanie Rotz are sports fans, feminists and childhood besties. They bring a fresh, female perspective on trending sports news that feels just like the chatter around your brunch table.

• Hear it for yourself by tuning into The GIST of It wherever you listen to pods. Turn it up.