Week 9 brought us a pretty boring daytime college football game schedule.
And a memorable nightcap!
The playoff race got pretty tense after Saturday night’s competitive results. The Texas A&M Aggies fought back to beat LSU and move into the top 10. Did the Tigers show up? perhaps. The SMU Mustangs remained in the playoff race with an overtime win over Duke, but may have been eliminated from playoff consideration. Penn State remained undefeated by ending Wisconsin’s slim playoff hopes. The Buckeyes survived a scare from Nebraska and eliminated the Huskers.
TCU cut the deficit to 13 points midway through the fourth quarter, but stormed back in the fourth and defeated in-state rival Texas Tech. Notre Dame removed Navy from the list of undefeated FBS teams (there are currently eight undefeated teams remaining).
Then there’s the Indiana Hoosiers, who soared to 8-0 for the first time in more than 50 years. Steve Sarkisian’s Longhorns survived on Vanderbilt after losing to Georgia, and Kansas easily escaped a game against rival Kansas State to keep its CFP and Big 12 title hopes alive.
Now on to the top 10!
Oregon State has revealed itself as the No. 1 team in the nation in college football this season. (Tom Hawk/Getty Images)
1. Oregon Ducks
This week: 38-9 win over Illinois.
Next week: in Michigan
The first-place Ducks wasted no time against the Illini, increasing their lead to 14-0, then 21-3, and never looked back. After a mentally and physically exhausting win over Ohio State two weeks ago, all coach Dan Lanning’s team did was earn a shutout win at Purdue and dominate a top-25 team at home. Just what I did. No team can be more debatable for the top spot.
2. Penn State Nittany Lions
This week: 28-13 win over Wisconsin.
Next week: vs Ohio State
Coach James Franklin’s team scored twice in the fourth quarter, turning a one-point lead at the end of the third into a two-touchdown victory. Running back Caitron Allen added to his strong performance of 11 carries for 86 yards with the decisive score from 24 yards left. The Buckeyes will head to Happy Valley next.
3. Georgia Bulldogs
This week: Goodbye
Next week: vs. Florida (Jacksonville)
Get your cocktails ready! The world’s largest outdoor cocktail party kicks off next Saturday between the Jacksonville Gators and Bulldogs. Both teams had a bye before this game, but Georgia needed it after an emotional blowout win in Austin, where they played their best game all season. Can they keep their mojo up against a hopeless Gators team?
4. Miami Hurricanes
This week: 36-14 win over FSU.
Next week: vs. Duke
Mario Cristobal and the Hurricanes poured it on the 1-7 Seminoles. Cam Ward wasn’t the main character this time. Running back Damian Martinez rushed for 148 yards and two touchdowns as Miami looks to improve to 9-0 on the season with former coach Manny Diaz back.
5. Ohio State Buckeyes
This week: 21-17 win over Nebraska State.
Next week: At Penn State.
The Buckeyes have some really serious problems with their offensive line. They struggled in pass protection and couldn’t open holes for their running backs. Is this a cause for concern heading into Happy Valley? Yes, it is. Ohio State still has Jeremiah Smith at receiver, and he caught another touchdown on Saturday.
6. Clemson Tigers
This week: Goodbye
Next week: vs. Louisville
The Tigers have been getting a lot of stew from people since their season-opening loss to Georgia in Atlanta. Although Pitt’s undefeated streak is looming in the next few weeks, the path to the ACC Championship Game is crystal clear. And don’t look now, but quarterback Cade Klubnik is putting up some of the best numbers in the country (260 yards passing, 20 TDs, 3 interceptions per game).
7. Indiana Hoosiers
This week: 31-17 win over Washington.
Next week: At Michigan State University.
For the first time since 1967, the Hoosiers are 8-0. One of college football’s best and most unlikely stories in 2024 continues to move forward. First-year coach Curt Cinetti didn’t need an explosive offensive performance in this game (IU had just 312 total yards). The defense used the No. 6 pick and held the Huskies to three third-down conversions.
8. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
This week: 51-14 win over Navy.
Next week: Goodbye
With six straight wins and three straight, the Irish are starting to look more like the team that started the year with a win over Texas A&M than the team that misfired against Northern Illinois. Quarterback Riley Leonard doesn’t need to be a hero through the air because ND’s defense is loaded with talent. Leonard and Jeremiah Love combined for 17 rushing touchdowns.
9. BYU Cougars
This week: 37-24 win over UCF.
Next week: Goodbye
The Cougars didn’t need a last-minute comeback in this game and took a 17-0 lead in Orlando. Kalani Sitake’s team won all five games last season, going 8-0. They will get some rest before the Utah Crusade on Nov. 9.
10. Texas A&M Aggies
This week: 38-23 win over LSU.
Next week: South Carolina
Hello, Marcel Reid! The sophomore came off the bench and led the Aggies from a 10-point deficit to a two-touchdown victory. Mike Elko went 5-0 in his first season, leading the SEC, and the road ahead won’t be too difficult. The Aggies are a legitimate playoff team.
Dropout: Iowa State University (10)
