Week 9 College Football Rankings: Oregon Falls, Memphis Rises
College football fans, get ready—Week 9 brought plenty to talk about. The Playoff race is heating up, and honestly, it’s anyone’s guess how this season shakes out.
Every game feels like it matters more than ever. Upsets, close calls, wild finishes—there’s a lot to unpack, so let’s dig into what’s been happening and maybe even what could be coming next.
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Week 9 Highlights: Surprises and Shifts in Rankings
Week 9 didn’t have earth-shattering upsets, but it definitely shook up the conference races. Ole Miss and Vanderbilt both jumped ahead of Miami after taking down Oklahoma and Missouri.
Miami struggled early against Stanford, and that slow start didn’t do them any favors, even with a decent finish. BYU, meanwhile, pulled off a comeback at Iowa State and is now hanging just outside the top 10.
Top Teams and Key Performances
Oregon slogged through a rainy 21-7 win over Wisconsin but slipped in the rankings anyway. Their best win so far? Northwestern—so yeah, they really need to beat Iowa on the road if they want to move up.
Virginia keeps finding ways to win close games, but you have to wonder how long their luck lasts. Cincinnati handled Baylor, and Houston beat Arizona State, so both teams are now in the top 25 and looking dangerous.
Conference Races: Who’s Leading the Pack?
Honestly, most leagues feel wide open right now. The Big Ten stands out as a bit top-heavy, but that’s about it.
Indiana, Vanderbilt, and Georgia Tech in the top 10? Didn’t see that coming. Texas Tech and BYU are right on the edge, making every week a must-win for their Playoff dreams.
Big Movers and Shakers
Iowa made a statement with a 41-3 blowout over Minnesota, jumping up the rankings. Pitt’s won four straight and could play spoiler for some big names.
Wake Forest snagged a win over SMU with a last-second field goal, giving them a nice boost. Navy’s undefeated at 7-0, but their schedule is about to get tougher.
Teams on the Rise: Who to Watch?
Some teams are really starting to turn heads. Kansas State crushed Kansas, and Washington State keeps playing well.
Southern Miss is 6-2 and perfect in the Sun Belt, which is impressive. Virginia Tech’s win over Cal has them moving up, too.
Under-the-Radar Teams
Miami (Ohio) is still unbeaten in MAC play, which not many people are talking about. Arkansas State’s on a three-game win streak and climbing.
Wyoming shut out Colorado State and stays in the hunt, though they’re still behind Air Force. South Alabama beat Georgia State, and Rice edged out UConn in overtime—both teams are getting noticed now.
Struggling Teams: Who Needs to Bounce Back?
It’s not all sunshine for everyone. Oklahoma State is still the lowest-ranked Power 4 team after getting blown out by Texas Tech.
UConn lost in overtime to Rice and dropped further. Buffalo’s loss to Akron has them in a tough spot, and Colorado’s heavy defeat at Utah, plus UCLA’s blowout at Indiana, didn’t help their cases either.
Teams at the Bottom
Kent State’s three wins under interim coach Mark Carney finally snapped a two-year losing streak. That’s at least something to celebrate.
UMass, though, is still stuck at the bottom after a rough loss to Central Michigan. It’s just been that kind of season for them.
Looking Ahead: Key Matchups to Watch
The next few weeks could get wild. Oregon has to win at Iowa if they want to prove they’re for real.
Navy will be tested at North Texas, and Pitt’s upcoming games against Notre Dame, Georgia Tech, and Miami could really shake up the Playoff conversation. Buckle up—it’s far from over.
Potential Upsets
With how tight things are this season, upsets feel almost inevitable. Virginia’s had some close calls lately, so it’s fair to wonder if they’re due for a stumble soon.
Houston’s been climbing, and Cincinnati’s looking sharp—both seem ready to take on the big names. These matchups could get interesting fast, maybe even shake up the rankings more than folks expect.
For more details and the latest rankings, check out the full article on The New York Times.
