College Football Playoff rankings 2022: Projected Week 10 CFP rankings after Ohio State survives, Georgia & Tennessee dominate

Projected College Football Playoff rankings after Week 9: No. 10-9

10. UCLA Bruins

Through the team’s first six games of the season, it looked very well like UCLA could be the shocker that emerged unscathed out of the Pac-12 and made a bid for a spot in the Playoff. That, of course, all came crashing down as the Bruins went on the road to Autzen Stadium and had precisely zero answers for Bo Nix. Even with Dorian Thompson-Robinson having a great game of his own, it wasn’t enough to escape UCLA’s first loss.

It was a step down in competition for the Bruins after that loss, but it was a game that they sorely needed to bounce back in as they welcomed Stanford to the southern part of the state. UCLA came out hot in this game as they jumped out to a 24-3 lead, but it was hard not to notice that it often felt like they mailed it in from there. Stanford still didn’t have any challenge for the Bruins, but Chip Kelly’s team still has a lot to prove.

9. USC Trojans

On the heels of Lincoln Riley’s first loss since taking over at USC and then a bye week, this was very much a prove-it week for the Trojans as they went on the road to Tuscon to face a pesky Arizona team with a potent offense.

Despite being down the team’s top three pass-catchers on the season by the end of the game, Caleb Williams put the offense on his back with a truly masterful performance from the quarterback and Heisman candidate. And that was enough to propel USC to a high-scoring victory.

With that said, the win did precisely nothing to alleviate any concerns about the Trojans defense. The team gave up consistent drives throughout the night and, if they want to have hope of climbing back up the rankings, that’s something that needs to improve, even if only marginally.