College football Power Rankings after Week 9

The past October play of the assemblage shot play looked ripe for upsets. And we got them -- conscionable not wherever we thought.

Oklahoma State traveled to Manhattan to instrumentality connected Kansas State successful what was expected to beryllium a conflict for the wrong way to the Big 12 title game. Instead, it turned into the Wildcats' champion show of the play and the Cowboys' worst outing successful decades. K-State handed manager Mike Gundy & Co. a 48-0 decision to firmly works itself successful the league rubric race.

In akin fashion, Louisville utilized a ascendant 3rd 4th to rout a top-10 Wake Forest squad 48-21 successful different astonishing outcome. The Demon Deacons would've needed a batch of assistance to scope the ACC rubric game, but with a 2nd loss, their chances are each but over.

Elsewhere, Notre Dame upset a ranked Syracuse squad connected the road, portion Cincinnati and South Carolina fell retired of the apical 25 pursuing losses to unranked opponents.

There was plentifulness of turnover successful the rankings this week contempt the apical teams continuing to clasp serve, truthful it's a cleanable clip to cheque retired this week's Power Rankings.

1. Ohio State Buckeyes (8-0)

Ohio State manager Ryan Day came distant from Happy Valley thrilled with his team's fourth-quarter effort. Defensive extremity J.T. Tuimoloau delivered 1 of the champion single-game performances successful squad past (two interceptions, 1 pick-six, 2 sacks, a portion sack and recovery, and a tipped walk that led to different interception), however, and backmost C.J. Stroud, wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., moving backmost TreVeyon Henderson and the discourtesy came live successful the last 9 minutes. The archetypal 3 quarters included respective Buckeyes blunders, though, particularly with the tally discourtesy and execution successful cardinal situations. Ohio State passed its archetypal large roadworthy test, though, and displayed the toughness Day craves and demands of his champion teams. -- Adam Rittenberg

Up next: at Northwestern (Saturday, noon ET, ABC/ESPN app)

2. Tennessee Volunteers (8-0)

Another week, different violative amusement for Tennessee. The Vols jumped connected Kentucky successful the archetypal fractional with a mates of agelong Hendon Hooker touchdown passes and cruised to a 44-6 triumph implicit a Wildcats squad that managed conscionable 1 TD. The Vols (8-0) person scored much than 40 points successful their past 4 games, and they again had their mode with a Kentucky defence that did its champion to assistance the Wildcats bent around. But Tennessee's defence intercepted Kentucky backmost Will Levis 3 times and played 1 of its astir implicit games of the play successful a sold-out Neyland Stadium. Tennessee has present won 35 of the past 38 meetings successful the series. -- Chris Low

Up next: at Georgia (Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS)

3. Georgia Bulldogs (8-0)

The Bulldogs avoided a dilatory start, which has plagued them astatine times this season, and jumped retired to a 28-3 pb astatine the fractional against Florida successful Jacksonville. Then a sloppy 3rd quarter, successful which Georgia turned the shot implicit doubly and gave up a 78-yard touchdown walk connected a busted coverage, allowed the Gators to chopped its pb to 28-20. The Bulldogs answered the telephone again, scoring touchdowns connected each of their adjacent 2 possessions for a 42-20 victory. It was Georgia's 5th triumph against Florida successful the past six meetings. Georgia volition person to cleanable things up earlier adjacent week's showdown against No. 3 Tennessee astatine Sanford Stadium that mightiness determine which squad wins the SEC East. -- Mark Schlabach

Up next: vs. Tennessee (Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS)

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Brock Bowers makes the juggling drawback and takes it 73 yards for the Georgia touchdown to pad its pb to 21-0.

4. Michigan Wolverines (8-0)

Michigan bushed Michigan State 29-7 successful Jim Harbaugh's archetypal triumph implicit Mel Tucker successful the past 3 years. Running backmost Blake Corum led the mode for the Wolverines, rushing for 177 yards, which is the astir by a Michigan subordinate against Michigan State since Mike Hart had 218 successful 2005. The Wolverines defence held Michigan State's discourtesy to conscionable 63 yards successful the 2nd fractional and pulled away, scoring 16 points implicit the last 2 quarters. Michigan moved to 8-0 connected the play with Rutgers up next. -- Tom VanHaaren

Up next: at Rutgers (Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network)

5. Clemson Tigers (8-0)

The Tigers had an unfastened day to statesman preparing for Notre Dame and get rested for what they anticipation volition beryllium a tally to different College Football Playoff appearance. Clemson played 8 consecutive games earlier its bye week, but it has yet to enactment unneurotic a implicit crippled from some its discourtesy and defense. DJ Uiagalelei remains the starter contempt getting benched successful Clemson's comeback triumph implicit Syracuse, and each eyes volition beryllium connected his show adjacent Saturday successful South Bend, Indiana. -- Andrea Adelson

Up next: at Notre Dame (Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET, NBC)

6. TCU Horned Frogs (8-0)

Absorb immoderate punches past decorativeness strong. It's the TCU mode this year, and the Horned Frogs finished beardown capable to instrumentality down West Virginia 41-31 successful Morgantown connected Saturday. As has go customary, they did it with large plays. Five antithetic players scored touchdowns of 29 yards oregon much -- Taye Barber, Quentin Johnston and Savion Williams done the air; Kendre Miller and Emani Bailey connected the crushed -- and TCU scored 34 of its 41 points successful the 2nd and 4th quarters. The Frogs are present 8-0 for the archetypal clip since 2015, and they should person a beauteous tiny fig adjacent to their sanction (fifth? sixth? seventh?) successful this week's archetypal College Football Playoff rankings. -- Bill Connelly

Up next: vs. Texas Tech (Saturday, noon ET, Fox)

7. Alabama Crimson Tide (7-1)

Losing that heartbreaking crippled astatine Tennessee inactive stings for a squad with title aspirations. But with that said, the past 2 weeks person fixed Alabama an fantabulous accidental to bounce backmost -- archetypal by dominating Mississippi State astatine location past play past by taking this past week disconnected to regroup and retrieve up of a pivotal crippled astatine LSU. Going to Tiger Stadium volition trial an Alabama squad that has struggled successful hard environments, including with penalties and dropped passes. -- Alex Scarborough

Up next: at LSU (Saturday, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN app)

8. Oregon Ducks (7-1)

Seven consecutive wins. Seven consecutive games with astatine slightest 41 points. And it could -- should? -- person been adjacent much against Cal successful Berkeley connected Saturday, wherever the Ducks turned it implicit connected downs doubly successful the reddish portion successful a 42-24 victory. The Golden Bears had not allowed much than 31 points successful a crippled each play and came into the contention giving up an mean of conscionable 22.6 points. Oregon backmost Bo Nix surpassed the 400-yard passing people for the 2nd clip this twelvemonth to spell on with 3 passing touchdowns and 3 rushing scores. -- Kyle Bonagura

Up next: at Colorado (Saturday, 12:30 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN app)

9. USC Trojans (7-1)

Down a fistful of starters, including wide receiver Jordan Addison and seasoned violative lineman Andrew Vorhees, Southern California was capable to outlast Arizona successful a shootout acknowledgment to a five-touchdown, 411-yard passing show from backmost Caleb Williams. The Wildcats' ain violative firepower (543 full violative yards) highlighted erstwhile again the betterment that USC's defence (though hampered by injuries) needs to marque successful bid to get the Trojans to an elite level this play and beyond. -- Paolo Uggetti

Up next: vs. Cal (Saturday, 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN app)

10. UCLA Bruins (7-1)

The lone crushed Stanford held a pb astatine 1 constituent during Saturday's matchup astatine the Rose Bowl was due to the fact that the Cardinal started with the shot and kicked a tract goal. It was each Bruins for the adjacent 4 quarters arsenic they bounced backmost from their archetypal nonaccomplishment of the play against Oregon with a resounding triumph implicit Stanford thanks, successful ample part, to moving backmost Zach Charbonnet's sixth crippled this play with 100 rushing yards oregon more. -- Uggetti

Up next: at Arizona State (Saturday, 10:30 p.m. ET, FS1)

11. Ole Miss Rebels (8-1)

The Rebs' moving crippled returned successful a large way, racking up 391 yards en way to a 31-28 triumph astatine Texas A&M. Quinshon Judkins continued to pb the discourtesy with an eye-popping 205 yards connected 34 carries. But what made this crippled antithetic was the instrumentality of Zach Evans, who was sorely missed during past week's nonaccomplishment astatine LSU. Evans' burst, which is simply a bully alteration from the bruising benignant of Judkins, came successful useful against the Aggies, arsenic Evans racked up 105 yards connected 10 touches (eight carries, 2 receptions). -- Alex Scarborough

Up next: BYE

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Quinshon Judkins rushes for 205 yards and a touchdown, mounting the Rebels' grounds for freshman rushing TDs, successful a 31-28 triumph astatine Texas A&M.

12. Utah Utes (6-2)

Possibly the astonishment of the week successful assemblage shot came erstwhile Utah initially trotted its discourtesy onto the tract astatine Washington State connected Thursday. The Utes were without moving backmost Tavion Thomas, arsenic expected, but backmost Cam Rising remained connected the sideline, with Bryson Barnes successful his place. Barnes filled successful admirably, but for Rising to beryllium unavailable aft trying to springiness it a spell successful warm-ups enactment the Utes successful a pugnacious spot. "He conscionable didn't consciousness similar helium was right. It was Cam's decision," Utah manager Kyle Whittingham said. "If Cam says helium can't play, helium can't play." Still, the Utes near Pullman with a 21-17 win, and they stay successful the heavy of the Pac-12 rubric hunt. -- Bonagura

Up next: vs. Arizona (Saturday, TBD)

13. Kansas State Wildcats (6-2)

The Wildcats delivered 1 of the astir improbable scorelines of the play with a 48-0 determination implicit an Oklahoma State squad that was averaging 44.7 points. It was Kansas State's biggest shutout triumph against a top-10 squad since 1966. Will Howard, starting for an injured Adrian Martinez, threw for 296 yards and 4 scores, and Deuce Vaughn ran for different 158 yards. Everything clicked for a preseason Big 12 sleeper, and present the Wildcats are legit contenders. -- Wilson

Up next: vs. Texas (Saturday, 7 p.m. ET, FS1)

14. Illinois Fighting Illini (7-1)

The Illini are 7-1 connected the play aft beating Nebraska handily. Running backmost Chase Brown went implicit the 100-yard rushing people for the eighth clip this season, which hasn't happened for a Big Ten shot bearer since Ezekiel Elliott had 10 consecutive 100-yard outings successful 2015. Brown besides had a rushing and receiving touchdown successful the aforesaid half, and helium is 1 of lone 2 FBS players this play to bash truthful (Bijan Robinson, Texas). With the win, it's lone the sixth clip that Illinois has started the play 7-1 oregon amended done 8 games and the archetypal clip since 2001. -- VanHaaren

Up next: vs. Michigan State (Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network)

15. North Carolina Tar Heels (7-1)

When Pittsburgh scored to marque it 24-14 aboriginal successful the 3rd quarter, it looked similar the Tar Heels' unbeaten ACC play would spell up successful smoke. Instead, QB Drake Maye took over, starring Carolina to 28 unanswered points to win, 42-24. Maye finished 34 of 44 for 388 yards and 5 touchdowns successful a show that volition support the Heels successful the AP Top 25. It was Carolina's 4th consecutive win, heading into a brace of roadworthy games against Virginia and Wake Forest. -- Bonagura

Up next: at Virginia (Saturday, noon ET, ACC Network/ESPN app)

16. Oklahoma State Cowboys (6-2)

Whatever could've gone incorrect did for the Cowboys successful a blowout nonaccomplishment to Kansas State. Spencer Sanders completed conscionable 50% of his passes, threw an interception, and got injured successful the 4th quarter. OSU got unopen retired for the archetypal clip since 2009 and suffered their worst nonaccomplishment nether Mike Gundy successful 18 seasons. All successful a crippled that was could find who has the wrong way for the Big 12 rubric game. Gundy took the blasted for the nonaccomplishment and said helium apologized to his squad for a deficiency of preparation. The Cowboys volition person to close the vessel rapidly to enactment successful the unpredictable Big 12 race. -- Dave Wilson

Up next: at Kansas (Saturday, TBD)

17. Penn State Nittany Lions (6-2)

The Nittany Lions looked similar the amended squad for overmuch of Saturday's game, playing overmuch sounder defensively than they had 2 weeks earlier astatine Michigan. But acquainted errors surfaced successful crunch time, particularly for elder backmost Sean Clifford, whose 3 interceptions and a mislaid fumble blighted an different beardown show (371 passing yards, 3 touchdowns). Penn State's defence struggled with Buckeyes wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. (10 receptions, 185 yards) but handled the tally well, and it tin physique disconnected of its show entering November, erstwhile the squad should beryllium favored successful each game. -- Rittenberg

Up next: at Indiana (Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN app)

18. LSU Tigers (6-2)

All of a sudden, LSU is 6-2 (4-1 successful the SEC) and playing its champion shot of the play coming disconnected a bye week. Coach Brian Kelly said backmost successful September the squad was inactive learning to play together, and that collaboration has been paying dividends lately, particularly connected offense. Quarterback Jayden Daniels has accounted for 11 touchdowns implicit the past 2 games, a 45-20 location triumph versus Ole Miss and a 45-35 triumph astatine Florida. Daniels looks much comfy successful the offense, and his quality to tally the shot has made it particularly hard connected opposing defenses. -- Low

Up next: vs. Alabama (Saturday, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN app)

19. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (6-2)

There is lone 1 mode to picture what happened to the Demon Deacons astatine Louisville: nightmare. Wake Forest backmost Sam Hartman turned the shot implicit six times successful the 3rd 4th -- including 2 pick-sixes -- turning a 14-13 halftime pb into an embarrassing blowout loss. Hartman did not play successful the 4th quarter, and Wake Forest finished with 8 turnovers successful all, its astir since a nonaccomplishment astatine Florida State successful 2013. The Demon Deacons person made unthinkable advancement arsenic a programme -- with consecutive seasons ranked arsenic a top-10 squad -- but what happened against Louisville is highly uncharacteristic. Wake Forest had 5 full turnovers successful full earlier Saturday. -- Andrea Adelson

Up next: at NC State (Saturday, 8 p.m. ET, ACC Network/ESPN app)

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Kei'trel Clark gets the prime and takes it 46 yards to the extremity portion for a Louisville touchdown.

20. Tulane Green Wave (7-1)

A four-game winning streak had Tulane heading into its unfastened week connected a high. Since losing to Southern Miss connected Sept. 24, the Green Wave person averaged 33.5 points implicit those 4 victories, and it has led to the Tulane being the lone 4-0 squad successful AAC play. Behind inferior backmost Michael Pratt (1,718 passing yards, 12 TDs, 67.5% completion rate), its discourtesy has been balanced passim the archetypal 8 games (252.6 passing yards, 158.1 rushing yards), helping to technologist a turnaround from past season's 2-10 record. Tulane's defence has been stingy, arsenic well, permitting 17.4 points (first successful AAC) and 313.6 yards per crippled (second successful AAC). -- Baumgartner

Up next: at Tulsa (Saturday, noon ET, ESPNU/ESPN app)

21. NC State Wolfpack (6-2)

All seemed mislaid 2½ quarters into the Wolfpack's crippled against visiting Virginia Tech. But aft NC State turned to freshman backmost MJ Morris successful the archetypal fractional to find immoderate answers, helium responded, starring the Wolfpack from an 18-point shortage to a 22-21 triumph to clinch vessel eligibility. With Devin Leary sidelined for the season, the Wolfpack archetypal called connected transportation Jack Chambers to pb the offense. But Morris appears to beryllium the subordinate to pb the Wolfpack for the remainder of the play aft going 20-of-29 passing for 265 yards and 3 touchdowns. -- Adelson

Up next: vs. Wake Forest (Saturday, 8 p.m. ET, ACC Network/ESPN app)

22. Syracuse Orange (6-2)

Notre Dame information Brandon Joseph's pick-six of inferior backmost Garrett Shrader connected Syracuse's archetypal play from scrimmage was a harbinger of the unsmooth time astatine the bureau to come. The Orange, who fell 41-24 to the Fighting Irish, managed a season-low 286 full yards (73 successful archetypal half) and rushed for conscionable 68 yards (38 successful archetypal half) successful a 2nd consecutive nonaccomplishment aft a 6-0 start. Shrader (5 of 14 passing, 35 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception) was mislaid successful the 2nd 4th owed to a lower-leg wounded precocious and sat retired the 2nd half. The Orange were tied with Iowa State for sixth successful scoring defence astatine 15.1 points per crippled coming in, but they surrendered a season-high 41 points. -- Baumgartner

Up next: astatine Pittsburgh (Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ACC Network/ESPN app)

23. Oregon State Beavers (6-2)

The bye week allows america to instrumentality banal of what's becoming an progressively coagulated programme nether Jonathan Smith. This season, the Beavers person won each crippled they were expected to connected their schedule; and their lone losses came against USC and Utah, 2 of the champion teams successful the Pac-12. In the lawsuit of the USC contest, the Beavers were 1 halt distant from victory. Given that this is simply a squad that won lone 1 crippled successful 2017 and hadn't been to vessel games successful back-to-back seasons since 2012 and 2013, it is harmless to accidental it's been different palmy season, with plentifulness much to play for. -- Uggetti

Up next: at Washington (Saturday, 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2/ESPN app)

24. UCF Knights (6-2)

UCF snapped Cincinnati's 19-game AAC winning streak connected Saturday down an highly balanced violative onslaught en way to a 25-21 decision. The Knights churned retired 505 full yards, including 258 connected the ground, connected an day that saw elder backmost John Rhys Plumlee exit pursuing a hard deed successful the 2nd quarter. Junior RJ Harvey's 17-yard touchdown tally with 48 seconds near successful regularisation sealed the win. He finished with 18 carries for 84 yards and 2 scores. -- Baumgartner

Up next: at Memphis (Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2/ESPN app)

25. Liberty Flames (7-1)

Liberty enjoyed a bye week aft moving to 7-1 with a blowout of BYU past week. The biggest quality of the week: Coach Hugh Freeze's lucrative declaration hold that runs done the 2030 season. He is present 33-12 with the Flames, 25-7 since the commencement of 2020 and 7-1 a twelvemonth aft losing prima backmost Malik Willis to the pros. The discourtesy has been inconsistent but explosive, and an assertive defence ranks 22nd successful points allowed per drive. This is simply a well-rounded program, 1 that has a accidental to wreck Arkansas' homecoming adjacent Saturday. -- Connelly

Up next: at Arkansas (Saturday, 4 p.m. ET, SEC Network/ESPN app)