Here’s how the college football Power Five stacks up following a wild Week 9.
A highly-anticipated Saturday in college football did not disappoint with a number of instant classics that will have a huge impact on the playoff race.
Seven ranked teams went down in Week 9, including two undefeated squads in the top four. Ohio State erased an 18-point deficit to top Penn State in the best game of the season to date, while Iowa State continued its magical run with a victory over TCU.
That lists nearly grew to three teams, as No.8 Miami survived yet another close contest against 1-8 North Carolina. Other playoff contenders like the Georgia Bulldogs, Clemson Tigers, Oklahoma Sooners and Oklahoma State Cowboys had an easier time with impressive double-digit victories.
With just five undefeated teams remaining in FBS, a number of one-loss teams are right back in the national championship discussion, with the Buckeyes likely checking in at No. 4 in the first College Football Playoff rankings of the year on Tuesday. The chaos means both the Pac-12 and Big 12 have a shot at the playoff despite not having a perfect team through nine weeks, while the SEC can dream about getting both Alabama and Georgia in.
For the 10th straight week, the Big Ten retains the top spot in the college football conference power rankings, holding off the top-heavy SEC. Here’s how the Power Five stacks up following a thrilling Week 9 across the nation.