Fansided

College Football AP Top 25: Winners and losers of Week 9

By Connor Muldowney

SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 21: Drue Tranquill #23 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates with teammates after recovering a fumbled punt in the second quarter of a game against the USC Trojans at Notre Dame Stadium on October 21, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 21: Drue Tranquill #23 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates with teammates after recovering a fumbled punt in the second quarter of a game against the USC Trojans at Notre Dame Stadium on October 21, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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PULLMAN, WA – OCTOBER 21: Quarterback Luke Falk #4 of the Washington State Cougars carries the ball against the Colorado Buffaloes in the first half at Martin Stadium on October 21, 2017 in Pullman, Washington. (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images)
PULLMAN, WA – OCTOBER 21: Quarterback Luke Falk #4 of the Washington State Cougars carries the ball against the Colorado Buffaloes in the first half at Martin Stadium on October 21, 2017 in Pullman, Washington. (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images) /

Winner: Washington State Cougars (Stayed at No. 15)

This was more of a win for the sake of keeping the team’s spirits high and staying at No. 15 was huge after a demoralizing loss a week ago. This shows that the team can bounce back and win tough games.

You wouldn’t know it by listening to Mike Leach’s post-game comments on his team’s performance, but Washington State bounced back from an ugly loss to Cal in Week 7 to dominate Colorado in a 28-0 win on Saturday night in a little Pac-12 After Dark madness.

The Cougars didn’t look like the potent offense-first team that we have been used to watching, but rather it was the defense that impressed. Well, that and the torrential downpour that hovered over Pullman all night long. The defense allowed just 174 total yards to the Buffaloes.

After the win, Leach called his players “soft” for not wanting to get hit or catch the ball in the bad weather. That type of coaching is the reason Washington State’s expectations are rising by the season. He’s starting to pull a Nick Saban — he’s not content with 28-point wins. Heck, he even made his players do down-ups on the sideline after a second straight three-and-out.

Still, Luke Falk bounced back after throwing five interceptions last week, tossing three touchdown passes and completing 17-of-34 passes in the awful weather. Oh yeah, and Washington State continued to develop a run game, going for 194 yards.

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