Week 9 College Football Recap: Top 25 Rankings and Highlights

Week 9 in college football? It was wild—nonstop action, wild comebacks, and some games that’ll absolutely shake up the playoff picture. Texas A&M’s second-half explosion and North Dakota State’s big win in the Dakota Marker rivalry were just a couple of the weekend’s best moments.

Honestly, there was a lot to take in. Let’s look back at some highlights and what really stood out.

Texas A&M’s Second-Half Surge Over LSU

No. 3 Texas A&M made a statement with a 49-25 win over No. 20 LSU at Tiger Stadium. The Aggies, now 8-0, absolutely took over in the second half, outscoring LSU 35-7 after halftime.

Quarterback Marcel Reed was everywhere—four touchdowns, 310 total yards. He threw two scores and ran for two more, even breaking off a 41-yard touchdown to start things off.

Key Performances

• Marcel Reed: 310 total yards, four touchdowns
• KC Concepcion: 79-yard punt return touchdown
• Defense: Held LSU to 14 yards in the second half

LSU led 18-14 at the break, but just couldn’t handle the Aggies’ pressure. Garrett Nussmeier got sacked seven times. Now the Tigers drop to 5-3, and A&M keeps rolling toward the playoffs.

North Dakota State Dominates South Dakota State

The Dakota Marker game was supposed to be close, but No. 1 North Dakota State steamrolled No. 2 South Dakota State, 38-7. The Bison are 8-0 and just snapped SDSU’s 33-game home win streak.

Cole Payton was unstoppable—four rushing touchdowns and 243 passing yards. That’s a day.

Game Highlights

• Cole Payton: 131 rushing yards, four touchdowns
• Bryce Lance: 103 receiving yards
• Defense: Held South Dakota State to 43 rushing yards

North Dakota State’s defense barely gave up anything—just one scoring drive and forced six punts. Now their series lead is up to 66-47-5, with three straight Dakota Marker wins.

Tennessee’s Offensive Showcase Against Kentucky

No. 17 Tennessee ran right through Kentucky, 56-34. Quarterback Joey Aguilar threw for 396 yards and three touchdowns, and the Vols jumped out to a 14-0 lead before Kentucky could even get settled.

The receivers were everywhere—Chris Brazzell, Mike Matthews, and Braylon Staley all went over 100 yards. That’s just tough to defend.

Standout Players

• Joey Aguilar: 396 passing yards, three touchdowns
• Chris Brazzell: 138 receiving yards, one touchdown
• Defense: Two turnovers, limited Kentucky in key moments

Even though Kentucky made a push, Tennessee’s offense was just too much. They keep climbing in the rankings.

Michigan Triumphs Over Michigan State

No. 25 Michigan handled Michigan State, 31-20, in their rivalry matchup. The Wolverines pounded the ball for 276 rushing yards.

Freshman backs Justice Haynes and Jordan Marshall combined for 262 yards and three touchdowns. That’s a backfield duo to watch.

Key Contributions

• Justice Haynes: Multiple third-quarter scores
• Jordan Marshall: 56-yard touchdown to seal the win
• Defense: Forced a key fumble, held MSU to 97 rushing yards

Michigan’s defense forced turnovers and bottled up Michigan State’s ground game. That’s four straight wins in the series now.

Alabama’s Dramatic Comeback Against South Carolina

No. 4 Alabama pulled off a wild comeback, beating South Carolina 29-22 after scoring 15 points in the last 2:16. Ty Simpson led a 14-play, 79-yard drive and tied it up with a two-point pass to Josh Cuevas.

Then Germie Bernard ripped off a 25-yard touchdown run with just 34 seconds left. Talk about drama.

Game-Changing Moments

• Ty Simpson: Game-tying two-point pass
• Germie Bernard: 25-yard game-winning touchdown
• Defense: Key fumble recovery to shift momentum

Alabama’s defense locked it down at the end. That’s their first comeback win under coach Kalen DeBoer, keeping those SEC title hopes alive.

BYU’s Resilience Against Iowa State

No. 11 BYU shook off a rough start to beat Iowa State 41-27. Bear Bachmeier threw multiple touchdowns and added a rushing score.

Even after Iowa State’s early 75-yard touchdown, BYU’s defense answered with a pick-six and a late interception.

Notable Performances

• Bear Bachmeier: Multiple touchdowns, rushing score
• Faletau Satuala: Pick-six to secure the win
• Defense: Key late interception

BYU stays unbeaten at 8-0 and keeps chasing that Big 12 title.

Vanderbilt’s Gritty Win Over Missouri

No. 10 Vanderbilt kept their breakout season rolling with a 17-10 win over No. 15 Missouri. Diego Pavia’s game-winning touchdown run capped a wild fourth quarter.

The Commodores’ defense came up huge, stopping Missouri at the goal line as time ran out. That’s the kind of grit you want in November.

Game Highlights

• Diego Pavia: Game-winning touchdown run
• Makhilyn Young: 80-yard touchdown run
• Defense: Crucial stop on the goal line

Vanderbilt’s defense and just-in-time offense made the difference. Their playoff hopes are still alive, and honestly, who saw that coming?

Other Notable Games

The weekend brought a bunch of wild matchups. Honestly, some of these scores surprised me:

• Memphis: Pulled off a gutsy upset over No. 18 South Florida, 34-31, storming back in the fourth quarter.
• Virginia: Barely escaped UNC, edging them out 17-16 in overtime. That one had everyone on edge.
• Georgia Tech: Kept their undefeated streak alive, rolling past Syracuse 41-16.
• Ole Miss: Grabbed a big win on the road against No. 13 Oklahoma, 34-26. That’s not easy.

If you want more highlights or the nitty-gritty from Week 9, check out the NCAA’s live updates. There’s plenty there for football junkies.