College Football Week 9 Recap: Buckeyes Jump Up to Number One, While Sooners Fall Out of Top Ten

 

Marvin Harrison Jr. is seen here carrying the Buckeyes to another victory.

Eight undefeated teams remain as Ohio State, Georgia, Florida State, and Washington won on Saturday. Michigan rounds out the rest of the Power 5 schools (they were off this week working on their defense case for the NCAA no doubt), while Air Force, James Madison, and Liberty represent the Group of 5 schools still staying out of the loss column.

Marvin Harrison Jr. and the Buckeyes' defense handed Wisconsin their first night loss at home since 2016 when OSU smashed their dreams again. Florida State and Georgia were dominant over Wake Forest and Florida respectively. Meanwhile, Washington struggled again to eke out a win late-night in the Pac 12, this time escaping Stanford, 42-33. 

The Jayhawks did everyone a favor and beat Oklahoma.

Elsewhere in the Pool Poll Top 25, Utah was pummelled by Oregon, Fresno State rallied past UNLV, but the biggest shocker happened at Lawrence, KS. The Jayhawks scored with 50 seconds left to upset Oklahoma and snapped an 18-game losing streak to the Sooners. Louisville blanked Duke to stay in the running for the ACC Championship after UNC was blindsided again by a mid-tier conference foe. Georgia Tech rallied back to knock the Tar Heels completely out of the playoff picture and possibly ACC contention.

Speaking of conference races, here's a quick look with just four weeks left to see how each conference is shaking out.

Jordan Travis (left) has stepped up big for Mike Norvell (right).

ACC: Florida State remains in total control as the lone undefeated school. Louisville is the surprise this season with wins over Duke and Notre Dame, but a bad loss to Pitt. UNC and Miami are still in the running as well, but the Hurricanes and Tar Heels have both been stung late by the Yellow Jackets.

The Horns are up in their final season in the Big 12.

Big 12: Texas and Oklahoma look destined for a rematch in the Big 12 title game, but there are three other teams vying for the top two spots. With some help, Kansas, Kansas State, or Oklahoma State could all jockey into position. The Wildcats still have to face Kansas and Texas; the Cowboys have Oklahoma this week; and the Jayhawks own the tiebreaker over Kansas and still face their in-state rival.

Everyone's got jokes, but they certainly don't have the defense to stop Michigan.

Big Ten: Ohio State should be on coast mode with Rutgers, Minnesota, and Michigan State representing their next three games before the big showdown in Ann Arbor. The Wolverines have a much tougher task in Penn State at Happy Valley, but the Maryland game looks easier after their stunning loss to Northwestern. The Nittany Lions need to win against Harbaugh's boys and then need OSU to lose two if they want to go to Indianapolis.

The Big Ten West is the normal dumpster fire you expect as there are no teams that have truly been eliminated from contention. Right now the front runners are Wisconsin and Iowa, but by next week Minnesota or Nebraska could be just as close, and who knows, maybe Northwestern rallies to sneak in. Nobody wants to play whichever monster comes out of the East.

Washington loves to make it close at the end.

Pac 12: This conference has never been so deep, which is slightly ironic that they are going to blow the whole thing up next season. Washington is still on top despite trying to lose each week. Oregon's lone loss is because of a missed field goal at the end of regulation against who else, the Huskies. USC is struggling to get by, Oregon State was upended by Arizona this week, and UCLA is on the rise as they were the latest team to shut down Primetime. Utah took another body blow with a beatdown by Oregon, but any of these teams could be in the final two because from top to bottom, there are no off weeks. Arizona State, Stanford, and Cal are the bottom three teams, but they have all pushed teams near the top to close games.

Georgia is unphased by the SEC East.

SEC: The Bulldogs have taken command against the bottom of the SEC East, but should be tested in the next three weeks. They will likely have three straight Top 25 matches against Missouri, Ole Miss, and Tennessee with two of those three trying anything to take UGA's spot in Atlanta.

Unsurprisingly, Alabama has established a dominance over the SEC West and faces their last true test this week against LSU. After that it's Kentucky who has been inconsistent, the annual sacrifice of an FCS school in late November, and then the Iron Bowl against a disappointing Auburn.

Will anyone step up and stop the inevitable? Wouldn't we all like to see a Missouri and Ole Miss SEC Championship?

The Mustangs are part of a crowded field in the AAC.

AAC: Tulane tried again to blow a huge lead, but was able to hold on. Their lone loss is to Texas and they should be the favorites in their final four games. UTSA and Florida Atlantic will each get a shot to sandbag the Green Waves' chances at making it to the title game. SMU is also undefeated in the conference but will have to get past another contender in Memphis. These five teams can score points and give up points, so if you are looking for entertaining football, look no further.

If Jamey Chadwell keeps winning like this, look for him to get a Power 5 job soon.

CUSA: The dredges of college football can be seen Tuesdays through Thursdays as CUSA and their six eligible teams showcase their mid-tier talents. Jamey Chadwell hasn't missed a beat after his great success at Coastal Carolina and has Liberty sitting at 8-0. Old Dominion is the only team left on their schedule with four or more wins. The second spot in the CUSA Championship looks to be New Mexico State, which is headed to back-to-back bowl games for the first time since 1959-60 and for only the sixth time in school history.

MACtion is coming to the weekdays.

MAC: Toledo has complete control in the MAC West as the rest of the division cannibalizes. Miami took care of business against Ohio and is set up for the top spot in the MAC East. Of course, they have to watch out for a 3-5 Buffalo team, because they are 3-1 in conference play. The Bulls can really do some damage as their next three games are against the Rockets, Redhawks, and Bobcats, before they feast on some of the worst QB play in the MAC, when they take on EMU in the final week.

Not even snow can ground the Falcons' rise to the top.

MWC: Despite snowballs being thrown by the Colorado State crowd, the Rams were unable to stop the Air Force ground attack. That may seem like an oxymoron, but the Falcons led all of the FBS with 306 yards rushing per game, a good 30 yards over Liberty. Fresno State is trying to lock up the second spot with a win over the surprise Rebels. UNLV dropped a game-tying touchdown and then threw an interception on the next play. Boise State slingshotted past Wyoming when they throttled the Cowboys 32-7 and have moved into a tie for second. The Broncos control their own destiny as two of their last four are against Fresno State and Air Force.

Kimani Vidal is on his way to another 1,000-yard season.

Sun Belt:

You may not know but the two top rushers in the FBS reside in the Sun Belt. Vidal ranks second and has Troy in the driver's seat of the conference only because James Madison is unable to win the crown thanks to the NCAA's idiocy. Georgia State's Marcus Carroll is the top rusher having already amassed over 1,000 yards, but he wasn't enough to overcome rival and fellow hopeful Georgia Southern. With the win, the Eagles have positioned themselves for a spot against Troy in the SBC. Eight other teams are within a game from the top spot, so it could truly be any one of them wearing the crown.

Top 25:

The Buckeyes are sitting pretty at No. 1 this week.

1. Ohio State (8-0, 57, 0)

Last Week Rank: 2

Last Week: 24-10 over Wisconsin

This Week: Rutgers (6-2, 40)

2. Florida State (8-0, 61, 0)

LWR: 3

LW: 41-16 over Wake Forest

TW: Pitt (2-6, 108)

3. Washington (8-0, 65.8, 0)

LWR: 1

LW: 42-33 over Stanford

TW: USC (7-2, 21)

4. Michigan (8-0, 80.8, 0)

LWR: 5

LW: Certainly not sending anyone to watch Purdue play.

TW: Purdue (2-6, 109)

The Dukes have won 11 straight.

5. James Madison (8-0, 83.8, 0)

LWR: 6

LW: 30-27 escape from Old Dominion

TW: Georgia State (6-2, 35)

6. Georgia (8-0, 87.5, 0)

LWR: 8

LW: 43-20 over Florida

TW: Missouri (7-1, 13)

7. Liberty (8-0, 90, 0)

LWR: 7

LW: 42-29 over WKU

TW: La Tech (3-6, 106)

8. Air Force (8-0, 97.1, 0)

LWR: 9

LW: 30-13 over Colorado State

TW: Army (2-6, 117)

9. Texas (7-1, 51.3, 11)

LWR: 14

LW: 35-6 over BYU

TW: Kansas State (6-2, 27)

Like a plague that never goes away.

10. Alabama (7-1, 59.4, 20)

LWR: 10

LW: Bye

TW: LSU (6-2, 32)

11. Oregon (7-1, 62.6, 2)

LWR: 17

LW: 35-6 over Utah

TW: Cal (3-5, 101)

12. Oklahoma (7-1, 68.4, 38)

LWR: 4

LW: 38-33 loss to Kansas

TW: Bedlam for the last time as Big 12 foes (OKST, 6-2, 31)

13. Missouri (7-1, 70, 61)

LWR: 11

LW: Bye

TW: Georgia (8-0, 6)

14. Louisville (7-1, 74.9, 120)

LWR: 19

LW: 23-0 over Duke

TW: Va Tech (4-4, 70)

Tulane is riding the Green Wave of success.

15. Tulane (7-1, 83.4, 28)

LWR: 22

LW: 30-28 over Rice

TW: ECU (1-7, 129)

16. Ole Miss (7-1, 86.1, 47)

LWR: 18

LW: 33-7 over Vandy

TW: Texas A&M (5-3, 48)

17. Penn State (7-1, 87.7, 5)

LWR: 21

LW: 33-24 over Indiana

TW: Maryland (5-3, 62)

18. Fresno State (7-1, 91.9, 29)

LWR: 23

LW: 31-24 over UNLV

TW: Boise State (4-4, 72)

19. Toledo (7-1, 102.1, 44)

LWR: 12

LW: Bye

TW: Buffalo (3-5, 98)

The Fighting Irish romped Pitt.

20. Notre Dame (7-2, 71.3, 14)

LWR: 25

LW: 58-7 over Pitt

TW: Clemson (4-4, 66)

21. USC (7-2, 85.9, 33.5)

LWR: 28

LW: Cal missed their two-point conversion at the end of the game, USC 50 Cal 49

TW: Washington (8-0, 3)

22. Miami, OH (7-2, 90.6, 44)

LWR: 29

LW: 30-16 over Ohio in the Battle of the Bricks

TW: Bye

23. Jacksonville State (7-2, 100.6, 26.5)

LWR: 30

LW: 41-16 over FIU

TW: South Carolina (2-6, 114)

24. North Carolina (6-2, 50.5, 102)

LWR: 13

LW: 42-46 loss to Georgia Tech

TW: Campbell (FCS)

The Utes stumbled against the Ducks.

25. Utah (6-2, 57.2, 27)

LWR: 15

LW: 35-6 drubbing by Oregon

TW: Arizona State (2-6, 112)

Dropped Out: Oregon St, Georgia St, UNLV

Waiting List: Oregon St, Kansas St, Kansas, UCLA, Troy, OKST, LSU, Iowa, Tennessee, Georgia St, Miami, FL, Georgia Southern, UNLV, Memphis, and Rutgers

Bottom 10

One Bottom 10 school is getting a trophy this week when Kent State and Akron square off.

124. Temple (2-6)

125. UMass (2-7)

126. Hawaii (2-7)

127. Vanderbilt (2-7)

128. UConn (1-7)

129. ECU (1-7)

130. Kent State (1-7)

131. Southern Miss (1-7)

132. Akron (1-7)

133. Sam Houston St (0-8)