College football AP Top 25: Week 9 winners and losers

WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - OCTOBER 20: Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Dwayne Haskins (7) throws downfield during the college football game between the Purdue Boilermakers and Ohio State Buckeyes on October 20, 2018, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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PULLMAN, WA – OCTOBER 20: Butch the mascot for the Washington State Cougars performs during the game against the Oregon Ducks at Martin Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Pullman, Washington. Washington State defeated Oregon 34-20. (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images) /

Winner: Washington State Cougars (No. 25 up to No. 14)

Speaking of Washington State, Mike Leach has the Cougars playing some of the best ball since he’s taken over as head coach.

Much of the success can be attributed to East Carolina transfer quarterback Gardner Minshew who has been a revelation for the Cougars. He’s one of the most prolific passers in college football and he’d led Washington State to a 6-1 start to the season, putting behind it a loss to USC.

Just how good has Minshew been? He’s passed for over 2,400 yards and 19 touchdowns with nothing but 300 and 400-yard games to his name. He finished the Oregon win with over 320 yards and four touchdowns with two picks, but looked like the star of the show — impressive considering he was squaring off with Justin Herbert.

The Cougars snuck into the AP Top 25 a week ago and were subject of Week 8’s College GameDay and lived up to the hype. They moved up considerably following the convincing win over Oregon and Leach has to feel good about his team’s Pac-12 North standing.

Don’t be surprised if Washington State is mentioned as a dark-horse playoff contender in the coming weeks.

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