Week 9 College Football Rankings: Top 25 Teams Revealed
The college football world just got turned upside down during what everyone’s calling Carnage Saturday. Upsets were everywhere, and nine teams in the top 25 went down swinging.
So, what actually happened, and what does it mean for the teams (and for us watching)? You can dig into more details in the original piece over at Sports Illustrated, but let’s break down the highlights here.
Contents
Major Upsets and Their Impact
These games were wild. Miami, ranked second, lost to unranked Louisville—did anyone see that coming?
That loss shattered Miami’s perfect season. Ole Miss had a chance to take down Georgia on the road but couldn’t finish the job, so they’re out of the top five now.
Texas Tech was the Big 12 favorite until they stumbled and lost for the first time, knocking them out of the top 10. LSU also fell, dropping a game to Vanderbilt.
Tennessee’s loss to Alabama is another big one. Now Alabama’s jumping into the top five, which shakes up the whole picture.
Miami’s Fall from Grace
Miami’s loss to Louisville is a gut punch. They were undefeated, but now they’re sliding down the rankings fast.
This could really mess with their playoff dreams. Can they pick themselves up in time?
Ole Miss Misses the Mark
Ole Miss had a real shot to make some noise against Georgia. Instead, they came up short and dropped out of the top five.
That’s a tough blow for their hopes this year. The next few weeks won’t be any easier, so they’ll need to find something extra.
Big 12 Shake-Up: Texas Tech Stumbles
Texas Tech’s first loss was a big one. They were riding high, but now they’re out of the top 10.
Other teams in the Big 12 are definitely smelling opportunity. The Red Raiders have to fix their mistakes fast if they want back in.
LSU’s Costly Defeat
LSU losing to Vanderbilt? Not what anyone expected. That’ll send them tumbling in the rankings at a really bad time.
Every game matters now if they want to stay in the hunt. The pressure’s on.
Tennessee vs. Alabama: A Turning Point
Alabama beat Tennessee, so now they’re in the top five. That game could change everything for both teams.
Tennessee’s got some soul-searching to do. Alabama, on the other hand, looks like a real threat again.
When to Expect the New Rankings
Everyone’s waiting for the new rankings to drop. The Coaches Poll should come out around 1 p.m. Eastern, and the AP’s top 25 will probably follow at about 2 p.m.
But those times aren’t set in stone—sometimes things run late or early depending on ballots or tech hiccups. Just keep an eye out.
How the Rankings Are Determined
Rankings come from a group of voters who each make a list of the top 25 teams. Teams earn points based on their position in each list—first place gets the most, and so on down.
The Associated Press adds up all the points, and that’s how the order is set. Not exactly rocket science, but it does stir up plenty of debate every week.
Upcoming College Football Playoff Rankings
The big rankings everyone’s waiting for—the College Football Playoff (CFP) ones—are almost here. The first CFP rankings drop Tuesday, November 4 at 8 p.m. Eastern.
After that, new rankings come out on November 11, 18, 25, and December 2. Selection Sunday, when it all gets decided, lands on December 7 at noon.
What to Watch For
Week 9 is set up for some serious drama. How’s Miami going to respond after their first loss?
Can Ole Miss claw their way back into the top five? Texas Tech and LSU both have something to prove now. And will Alabama keep that momentum rolling?
Key Games to Watch
- Miami vs. North Carolina: Huge for the Hurricanes if they want to bounce back.
- Ole Miss vs. Auburn: Ole Miss needs this one to keep playoff hopes alive.
- Texas Tech vs. Oklahoma State: Big 12 shake-up on the line here.
- LSU vs. Florida: Both teams desperate for a boost in the rankings.
- Alabama vs. Mississippi State: Let’s see if Alabama can keep the hot streak going.
Conclusion
This past weekend? Wild. College football never fails to surprise—one minute you think you know who’s on top, and then, boom, everything’s shaken up.
Major upsets hit hard, and the rankings did a little dance of their own. Now, Week 9 is looking like it could be even crazier.
Honestly, if you’re a fan, keep an eye out for those new rankings. They’ll be dropping soon, and you never know who’s going to climb or fall.
For updates and the kind of deep-dive analysis that actually makes sense, check out Sports Illustrated. That’s where I’ll be, probably refreshing way too often.
