Top College Football Playoff Predictions After Week 9 Excitement
Week 9 in college football has been wild, honestly. Conference leaders and playoff hopefuls are scrambling after a weekend full of upsets and statement wins.
Indiana, Georgia Tech, BYU, and Texas Tech all came away with double-digit victories. These teams are making it clear they’re not just along for the ride.
BYU, for one, shook off a rough start and steamrolled Iowa State in the second half, outscoring them 24-3. Over in the SEC, things got even more chaotic.
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Week 9 Highlights: Key Victories and Turnarounds
Ole Miss finally grabbed their first road win against a ranked team since Lane Kiffin took over. They beat Oklahoma 34-26, which feels like a long time coming.
Trinidad Chambliss and the Rebels jumped out to a 12-point halftime lead. Then Oklahoma came roaring back in the third quarter with 16 points, briefly taking control.
But Ole Miss’ defense slammed the door in the fourth, keeping Oklahoma scoreless and hanging on for the win. After last week’s loss to Georgia, this was a must-have for their SEC title hopes.
Texas A&M’s Second-Half Surge
Texas A&M is still the only undefeated team left in the SEC. They trailed LSU 18-15 at halftime but then exploded for 35 points in the second half.
The Aggies looked every bit like playoff material. That kind of comeback doesn’t happen by accident.
Expert Playoff Predictions
So, what do the experts think? The latest College Football Playoff predictions are in, and Ohio State and Indiana are getting a lot of love at the top.
Here’s how the top 12 shakes out according to a few of the most-followed analysts:
Andrea Adelson’s Picks
- 1. Ohio State
- 2. Indiana
- 3. Texas A&M
- 4. Alabama
- 5. Georgia
- 6. Ole Miss
- 7. Georgia Tech
- 8. Miami
- 9. Oregon
- 10. BYU
- 11. Texas Tech
- 12. Navy
Kyle Bonagura’s Picks
- 1. Ohio State
- 2. Indiana
- 3. Texas A&M
- 4. Alabama
- 5. Oregon
- 6. Georgia
- 7. Ole Miss
- 8. Georgia Tech
- 9. Miami
- 10. BYU
- 11. Texas Tech
- 12. South Florida
Bill Connelly’s Picks
- 1. Indiana
- 2. Ohio State
- 3. Texas A&M
- 4. Georgia Tech
- 5. Alabama
- 6. Georgia
- 7. BYU
- 8. Oregon
- 9. Miami
- 10. Ole Miss
- 11. Texas Tech
- 12. Navy
Key Takeaways from Week 9
Ohio State and Indiana keep popping up at or near the top of every list. Their consistency is tough to ignore.
The SEC, though, is still a mess—in a good way. Texas A&M’s unbeaten run and Ole Miss’ big win over Oklahoma just add fuel to the fire.
Five SEC teams have one or fewer conference losses. This race is nowhere close to settled.
Looking Ahead
The playoff picture is still fuzzy, honestly. Teams will have to keep pushing if they want to lock up a playoff spot.
The next few weeks should be a blast, with more upsets and wild finishes almost guaranteed. Buckle up—things are just getting interesting.
Crucial Matchups to Watch
Several matchups in the coming weeks are set to shake up the playoff picture. If you’re a fan, these games are worth your attention:
- Ohio State vs. Michigan – This rivalry never gets old, and this year, playoff hopes are on the line.
- Indiana vs. Penn State – Indiana really needs this win to hang onto their top ranking.
- Texas A&M vs. Alabama – SEC fans are eyeing this one; it could decide who heads to the title game.
If you want a deeper dive into predictions and expert opinions, check out ESPN’s College Football Playoff predictions for Week 9.
