--- title: "College Football Rankings See Significant Changes After Week 9 Games" url: https://newscentral.site/college-football-rankings-see-significant-changes-after-week-9-games/ language: en publisher: "News Central Site" section: "Sports" published: 2026-11-01T03:53:53.000Z updated: 2026-11-01T07:53:13.239Z id: a01a35c9-3339-461c-b0a2-da0ec815e0bb source: "CBS Sports \n https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/college-football-rankings-tomorrows-top-25-ap-poll-ohio-state-usc/" attribution: "Link to https://newscentral.site/college-football-rankings-see-significant-changes-after-week-9-games/ and name News Central Site when you quote or summarize this story." --- # College Football Rankings See Significant Changes After Week 9 Games USC's upset victory over Ohio State and other notable upsets have led to significant changes in the college football rankings. A dramatic week of college football has come to a close, leaving its mark on the rankings. The results of the Week 9 games have been nothing short of chaotic, with several top-ranked teams suffering losses that will have a significant impact on the upcoming polls. Among the most notable upsets was USC's victory over Ohio State in Los Angeles. The Trojans were previously unranked after falling from the AP Top 25 poll following their loss to Wisconsin, but they answered their critics with an impressive performance against the Buckeyes. Riding an early momentum boost, USC cruised to a rain-soaked win that marked coach Lincoln Riley's first victory over a top-five opponent. Ohio State, meanwhile, will likely suffer a significant drop in the rankings despite having several wins under its belt in conference play. While the team is predicted to remain within the top 10, it will have to contend with the losses suffered by other high-ranked teams this weekend. The door has been opened for new arrivals in the rankings following the losses of SMU, Northwestern, Arizona, Oklahoma State, and Wisconsin on Saturday. With several teams vying for a spot in the top 25, Sunday's AP poll is expected to feature some significant changes. Miami remains at the top of the rankings after a thrilling win over its opponents. The Hurricanes' wide receiver Malachi Toney was instrumental in their success, finishing with an impressive seven catches for 75 yards and two touchdowns despite his team trailing in the second half. The Trojans' upset victory will undoubtedly propel them back into the AP Top 25 poll. With this win under their belt, USC can now look to build momentum heading into the final stretch of the season. As the college football landscape continues to shift, Sunday's rankings are sure to reflect the dramatic changes that have taken place over the past week. With several teams vying for a spot in the top 25, it will be interesting to see how the pollsters weigh the various performances and losses suffered by these teams. Georgia's convincing win over Florida has cemented its position in the top three, with the Bulldogs now boasting a 7-1 overall record. The team's defense continues to be a major factor in its success, having delivered another strong performance in the Cocktail Party rivalry. Notre Dame's victory over Navy was not without its challenges, as it took some time for the Fighting Irish to find their rhythm on offense. However, despite this slow start, Notre Dame's overall performance has earned it a spot in the top five, where it will remain until next week's showdown with Miami provides a more comprehensive assessment of its abilities. Utah's dominant win over Cincinnati sent a clear message that the Utes are a force to be reckoned with. The team's early 42-6 halftime lead set the tone for the rest of the game, as Utah cruised to an 8-0 record and validation from voters. Next Saturday's showdown with BYU will provide another opportunity for the Utes to assert their dominance. UCLA's shutout win over Nevada has not prompted any major changes in its ranking, with the Bruins maintaining their position at number seven. The team's impressive defensive performance, highlighted by four takeaways, has reinforced UCLA's strong resume, which includes a zero-loss record and a victory against three-loss Oregon earlier this month. Indiana's overtime win over Purdue was a nail-biter, but it may not be enough to keep the Hoosiers in their current position. With a less-than-stellar resume compared to other top-five contenders, Indiana could lose ground to teams like Notre Dame and Utah, which have more impressive wins on their record. The Hoosiers' best wins are against Nebraska and Northwestern, but these victories do not hold up well under close scrutiny. While the four-point loss to Ohio State can be argued as a "quality loss," it is unlikely to sway voters who will be looking for more convincing evidence of Indiana's abilities. A closer look at the top 25 reveals that several teams are vying for a spot in the top 10, making it an intriguing challenge for pollsters. With various performances and losses to consider, it will be interesting to see how these factors weigh on voters' decisions. The competition is heating up as teams like Utah and Notre Dame look to solidify their positions. Meanwhile, UCLA's continued dominance has earned it respect from voters, who are taking note of its impressive resume and zero-loss record. The Cougars' defense shone brightly early on, limiting their opponents to just three points at halftime as they took a commanding 17-3 lead. However, Arizona State mounted an impressive second-half charge that had BYU's fans on the edge of their seats. A late surge from the Sun Devils ultimately fell short, and the Cougars were able to hold on for a 27-20 win. The narrow margin of victory may have raised some eyebrows, but it was enough to keep BYU securely ahead of Kentucky and Alabama in the rankings. The Wildcats took a well-deserved break in Week 9, opting not to take to the field as they prepare for their next challenge against Tennessee. When they do return, they will be looking to bounce back from an off-week that saw them fall behind other contenders. Alabama also chose not to compete in Week 9, but will get another chance to prove themselves when they face LSU in a highly anticipated matchup. The Crimson Tide's absence from the rankings may have been brief, but it has given their opponents time to catch up and make their move. The Longhorns continued their winning ways on Saturday with an impressive 31-3 victory over Mississippi State. With this win, Texas improved its record to 6-2 and solidified its position in the rankings. Ohio State's fall from the top 10 will be a significant blow for the Buckeyes' fans. Their loss to USC was not only a setback on the field but also marked a change in their status as a two-loss team. This development will undoubtedly impact how voters view Ohio State, particularly when it comes to comparing them with other top teams. Ole Miss made quick work of Auburn at home, securing a convincing 45-17 victory that showcased their impressive skills. With this win under their belt and Georgia coming to town next week, the Rebels are poised to make a strong statement in their upcoming matchup. Texas Tech's win over Arizona has undoubtedly strengthened their resume, but it remains to be seen whether voters will place too much emphasis on this single victory. The Red Raiders' offense, now led by Thomas Castellanos, is showing promise with each passing game. However, a one-score home win against a ranked opponent may not be enough to propel them significantly up the rankings. Wake Forest's 51-7 thrashing of Virginia was a resounding success for the Demon Deacons, who saw Carlos Hernandez excel once again. The wide receiver accumulated eight catches on nine targets for 136 yards and a touchdown, marking his fourth game with over 100 receiving yards this season. This dominant performance has contributed to Wake Forest's impressive overall record of 7-1, setting them up for an intriguing matchup against FCS Merrimack next week before they face SMU in the following week. LSU had a bye in Week 9 and will return to action next week when they host Alabama in Baton Rouge. The Tigers' break from competition may have been welcome, but they will be eager to get back onto the field and assert their presence in the rankings. Tennessee also took the week off and will resume play against Kentucky next week. Like LSU, the Vols will be looking to bounce back strong after a brief hiatus from action. The Tigers are back on track after a 34-10 victory over Arkansas, improving their record to 6-2 on the season. Ahmad Hardy's return to the lineup was a significant factor in this win, which ended Missouri's 21-day drought without a victory. The team's resurgence has earned them a spot among the top 25 teams, and they are now set to face Texas at home next weekend in what promises to be an intriguing matchup. Iowa's impressive performance against Wisconsin has caught the attention of voters, who have seen fit to reward the Hawkeyes with a spot among the top 25. The team's dominant victory over the Badgers has earned them respect and a bump up in the rankings, as they now find themselves closer to No. 24 Oklahoma State than they were last week. South Carolina's resurgence continues, with their third consecutive win coming at the expense of Oklahoma on Saturday. LaNorris Sellers was instrumental in this victory, leading his team to a 42-25 win behind another standout performance. The Gamecocks' recent form has seen them overcome a three-game losing streak and silence talk of the hot seat. The New Mexico Lobos have made themselves known with their impressive record of 7-1 so far this season. With several ballots already featuring the team, they are now being considered as a viable option for inclusion among the top 25 teams. Their performance has piqued interest, particularly when compared to other teams on the cut line who have multiple losses. The Oregon Ducks' inconsistent record continues to make them a topic of debate in terms of their ranking. Despite boasting victories over USC and Northwestern, they are also weighed down by defeats to UCLA, Oklahoma State, and Illinois. However, with three-loss teams now being considered more favorably, the door remains open for Oregon to bounce back into the rankings. Oregon's chances of re-entering the top 25 will likely be influenced by their upcoming matchup against Northwestern in Week 9. A win could prompt a reassessment of their standing among the top teams, particularly given the recent upheaval in the rankings. The current state of the college football landscape is one of flux and change, with several teams vying for inclusion among the top 25. As the season unfolds, we can expect to see further adjustments to the rankings as teams continue to navigate their respective schedules. Florida's recent performance has raised concerns about its ranking, despite having impressive wins against Ole Miss and Texas. The Gators' woeful offense has led to three losses in their last four games, leaving them struggling to find consistency. Projected teams to drop out of the top 25 include No. 19 SMU, No. 20 Northwestern, No. 22 Arizona, No. 24 Oklahoma State, and No. 25 Wisconsin, as they face uncertain futures in the rankings. --- Source: [CBS Sports]( https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/college-football-rankings-tomorrows-top-25-ap-poll-ohio-state-usc/ ) Published by News Central Site: https://newscentral.site/college-football-rankings-see-significant-changes-after-week-9-games/