College Football Top 10 Poll - Week 9

 

 

1. Michigan 

 

Michigan has looked like the most dominant team in the country this year, as the Wolverines have won their first eight games by an average of 29.5 points. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy is the betting favorite to win the Heisman Trophy — his 92.6 grade leads all quarterbacks in the country. The Wolverines’ defense has been sensational this year and J.J. McCarthy leads an offense that rarely makes mistakes. Michigan’s next opponent after the bye is Purdue, the No. 69 team in that ranking. Then, the Wolverines close out the regular season with three straight top-40 opponents in Penn State, Maryland and Ohio State. For now, Washington, Ohio State and Florida State have all proven themselves, we’re still waiting on that from UM. Next Opponent: WEEK 9 BYE

 

 

Georgia enjoyed its bye week before beginning the most brutal stretch of its season. Over the next four weeks, the defending national champs must face Florida, Missouri, Ole Miss and Tennessee. All four are currently in the top 30 of PFF’s power rankings. The Brock Bowers injury is a massive blow for the Georgia Bulldogs offense.Making the next month even more challenging is the fact that the Bulldogs’ star, tight end Brock Bowers, will miss the next three to five weeks with ankle surgery. We still think Georgia has a great shot at making the CFP, but those looming tests against Missouri, Ole Miss and Tennessee look much tougher now. Next Opponent: Florida vs Georgia

 

3. Ohio St 

 

As evidenced by their final scores, the defense leads the way in Columbus. The Buckeyes are currently fourth in the country in expected points allowed per play. Even in a matchup against one of the best defenses in the nation, Marvin Harrison Jr. (162 yards, 1 TD), Cade Stover (70 yards) and Miyan Williams (62 yards, 1 TD) came through with big plays on scoring drives. The Buckeyes boast the best resume in college football. Ohio State most recently took down then-No. 7 Penn State 20-12 this past Saturday. This is in addition to a 17-14 road victory over then-ninth-ranked Notre Dame. Great defense!! Next Opponent: Ohio State @ Wisconsin

 

 

Two of the teams FSU beat, LSU and Duke, remain in the top 25 of this ranking. Florida State Seminoles quarterback Jordan Travis might not have the numbers of a Heisman Trophy candidate, but he has more signature wins than anyone in the mix.Travis is picking up right where he left off a year ago. The sixth-year senior’s 86.8 grade this season is a top-15 mark among all quarterbacks in the country. He led FSU to another top-25 win, further demonstrating why they belong in the College Football Playoff. Next Opponent: Florida State vs Wake Forest

 

5. Washington 

 

The Washington Huskies can only consider themselves lucky they won on Saturday. Washington’s normally elite offense didn’t score a single touchdown and then-Heisman frontrunner Michael Penix Jr. posted just a 48.0 grade, his worst performance over his two years in Seattle. Washington barely survived its hangover this week. The Huskies beat Arizona State 15-7 despite entering the contest as 28-point favorites. Was this a letdown? Perhaps this was just an instance of the Huskies letting their guard down after beating the Oregon Ducks, but it nearly proved devastating to their playoff hopes. Washington has a get-right game in Week 9. Next Opponent: Washington vs Stanford

 

6. Oklahoma 

 

Oklahoma endured a scare from UCF on Saturday, as the Sooners trailed with fewer than 10 minutes left before escaping with a 31-29 victory. Escaping with a two-point victory over 3-4 UCF isn’t a good look for the Oklahoma Sooners. The defense looked more reminiscent of last season’s unit, allowing nearly 400 total yards. Fortunately for the Sooners, Dillon Gabriel came through once more in a big moment. Oklahoma’s offense has been incredibly efficient this season, placing seventh nationally in EPA per play. Next Opponent: Oklahoma vs Kansas 

 

 

The Texas Longhorns rarely like to make it easy on themselves and Week 8 wasn’t to different. Like the two teams preceding them, Texas nearly lost to an unranked opponent but prevailed for the victory. The Longhorns made a crucial stop on the 10-yard line to take down Houston 31-24. Texas starting quarterback Quinn Ewers suffered a Grade 2 AC joint sprain to his throwing shoulder and will “miss some time”. Fortunately for Texas, the best version of Quinn Ewers showed up and it’s because of him that the Longhorns’ playoff hopes aren’t evaporating heading into the final weekend in October. However, the whole nation is eager to see if his backup, 2023 No. 1 overall recruit Arch Manning, makes his debut. Next Opponent: BYU vs Texas

 

 

Jalen Milroe continues to prove that he’s the right man for the job in Alabama’s quarterback room. Since being benched against USF, the redshirt sophomore’s 90.1 grade trails only Jayden Daniels and J.J. McCarthy among Power Five quarterbacks.If the version of the Alabama Crimson Tide from the second half against Tennessee sticks, Nick Saban’s team is back in the playoff picture. Last week, after going down 20-7 at halftime, Alabama scored 27 unanswered in the second half to take down then-No. 17 Tennessee. Far more importantly in advance of a matchup against LSU, the Crimson Tide’s defense looked better than we’ve seen in some time. Next Opponent: LSU vs Alabama

 

 

Oregon’s offense continued to show why it’s the most efficient in college football with a 38-24 victory over Washington State on Saturday. The Ducks averaged 7.8 yards per rushing attempt and 11.7 yards per pass attempt in the win. However, performances like that one certainly won’t help the Oregon Ducks climb back up the college football rankings, but they did enough to win. With Bo Nix missing a few more throws than usual, Bucky Irving led the way for the Ducks’ offense. Oregon will need to clean things up offensively as it prepares to face the Utah Utes defense. That offense will be tested this week against our 11th team on this ranking, Utah. The Utes are currently 11th in the Power Five in EPA per play and are coming off a statement 34-32 win over then-No. 18 USC. Next Opponent: Oregon @ Utah

 

 

Ole Miss deserves more love for what it’s accomplished this season. Lane Kiffin can thank Quinshon Judkins and Tre Harris for saving the day and pushing Ole Miss into the top 10. The Rebels have beaten two teams that are currently in the top 25 in LSU and Tulane, the former being in the top 15. Ole Miss’ only loss was on the road to a top-10 team in Alabama. Jaxson Dart has been the star for the Rebels as his 91.5 grade is tied for fifth among FBS quarterbacks. Next Opponent: Vanderbilt vs Ole Miss