College football rankings 2022: Projected Week 9 AP Top 25 after Alabama rebounds, Clemson survives, UCLA & Ole Miss stumble

Projected AP Top 25 college football rankings after Week 8: No. 10-9

10. USC Trojans

There are varying schools of thought about what a team would prefer to do after a tough loss. Some coaches, players, fans and more would prefer to get right back on the field the following week so the team can show some fire. Others would prefer to get the week off so the team is able to regroup in practice before getting back out there. The latter was the option handed to the USC Trojans after their last-minute defeat against Utah.

Even though it was a loss, it’s hard to feel too much differently about USC after that game. Caleb Williams and the offense are one of the best units on that side of the ball in the country but the defense has plenty of holes that can be exploited by a good offense. That could still take the Trojans to a Pac-12 title when it’s all said and done but, for now, they’ll get back in the saddle next week with a trip to face Arizona.

9. Oklahoma State Cowboys

There were points on Saturday when it appeared as if Mike Gundy was about to lead his Oklahoma State team to its second consecutive loss, despite being in Stillwater this week for a matchup against Texas. But it’s an immense credit to the Cowboys that they didn’t roll over after entering the fourth quarter down by a touchdown. Instead, the defense dug deep while the offense found its mojo again, scoring 14 unanswered points and picking off Quinn Ewers twice in the fourth quarter to seal the 41-34 victory.

This remains a Pokes team that’s imperfect. Their defense is undoubtedly still trying to find its overall form after the departure of coordinator Jim Knowles and some key pieces this offseason. But the offense is dangerous and it’s a team and coaching staff that knows how to find their intestinal fortitude to claw out a win. That makes them dangerous entering the home stretch of the season.