Week 9 CFBRanking Top 26

By
Kyle Huesmann
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(photo courtesy of CBS Sports)

Week 9 CFBRanking Top 26

1. LSU (Last week: 2)

Last Week: W over Miss State 36-13

The Tigers finally had a good defensive game and continue to roll. They got the bump to #1 and are playing like the nation’s top team. LSU gets a huge test this week when they face Auburn at home.

2. Ohio State (3)

Last Week: W over Northwestern 52-3

Ohio State blew out the Wildcats in Evanston and have looked really good so far this year. The first big test comes this week when the Wisconsin Badgers come to town looking to comeback from an upset loss.

3. Oklahoma (4)

Last Week: W over West Virginia 52-14

Oklahoma looks really good on offense and has a formidable defense this year. If the Sooners can keep the defense going, they will be a real title contender. They travel to face Kansas St on the road this week.

4. Alabama (1)

Last Week: W over Tennessee 35-13

Alabama won handily, but it wasn’t always pretty vs the Vols. The big news is QB Tua Tagovailoa’s ankle injury. He will sit vs Arkansas, and his status for their showdown vs LSU is uncertain.

5. Clemson (5)

Last Week: W over Louisville 45-10

The last 2 weeks Clemson has started to look like Clemson, as they have blown out FSU and Louisville. The Tigers will look to keep it rolling as Boston College travels to Death Valley this week.

6. Penn State (7)

Last Week: W over Michigan 28-21

The Nittany Lions raced out to a 21-0 start, but almost gave it up late. They bring up the end of a very closely contested Top 6. Penn State will travel to Michigan State this week looking to move to 8-0.

7. Notre Dame (8)

Last Week: Bye

The Irish had a bye week to prepare for a huge must win game at the Big House vs Michigan this week. Notre Dame has a shot at the playoff, but the must win out.

8. Florida (13)

Last Week: W over South Carolina 38-27

The Gators and the Gamecocks played in a poorly officiated game, but Florida came out on top. The Gators get a bye week this week to get ready for a huge game vs Georgia with SEC and CFP implications.

9. Auburn (9)

Last Week: W over Arkansas 51-10

Auburn dominated the Razorbacks by 41 and stay solid at #9. This week they travel to LSU and it’s a must win. A loss and the Tigers will be essentially eliminated from the CFP.

10. Oregon (10)

Last Week: W over Washington 35-31

The Ducks got a come from behind win on the road vs the Huskies to move to 6-1 on the season. Up next, Washington St comes to Eugene. Oregon still has a chance at the CFP, but they must take it one week at a time.

11. Utah (12)

Last Week: W over Arizona State 21-3

Utah dominated the Sun Devils offense and scored enough for a convincing win. The Utes get a home game against a tough Cal Bears defense this week. Looking ahead an Oregon/Utah Pac 12 Title game could have CFP implications with 2 one-loss teams.

12. Georgia (11)

Last Week: W over Kentucky 21-0

It wasn’t pretty and it hasn’t been pretty, but UGA won in a downpour. The Bulldogs offense has been struggling, but the D has been very good. Georgia has some issues to address during the bye week, before a CFP elimination game vs Florida.

13. Baylor (15)

Last Week: W over Oklahoma State 45-27

The Baylor Bears continue to win and this one may be their best one yet. The Bears are playing at a high level and are right in the thick of the Big 12 Title picture. Up next is a bye week to settle down and get ready for a home game against West Virginia on a Thursday to get to 8-0.

14. Minnesota (17)

Last Week: W over Rutgers 42-10

WHEN WILL THEY BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY?! The Golden Gophers are 7-0 after a win over Rutgers and get Maryland at home to get to 8-0. November 9th looms as they get Penn State at home in what would be a massive game in Minneapolis.

15. Wisconsin (6)

Last Week: L vs Illinois 24-23

WOW! A very surprising upset loss dropped the Badgers 9 spots. That’s all there is to it. Up next, Wisconsin can either play well vs Ohio State or lay down and get blown out. We will see what happens.

16. Cincinnati (19)

Last Week: W over Tulsa 24-13

The Bearcats have snuck into the G5 NY6 bid front runner spot with the Boise State loss. They beat Tulsa by 11, who almost beat undefeated SMU. Up next is a bye week and they will probably stay in that front runner spot.

17. SMU (23)

Last Week: W over Temple 45-21

The Mustangs were very impressive in every way vs Temple last weekend. They made a 6 spot jump and are right on the heels of Cincinnati for that NY6 spot. SMU travels to Houston this week to try to get to 8-0.

18. Michigan (16)

Last Week: L vs Penn State 28-21

The Wolverines almost made the comeback in State College, but came up just short. They looked a lot better, so they only dropped 2 spots in my poll. Up next is a home game vs Notre Dame and this could potentially be a big game for Jim Harbaugh’s job.

19. Appalachian State (21)

Last Week: W over UL Monroe 52-7

The Mountaineers are ROLLING. The blew out the Warhawks by 45. Up next for App State is a trip to South Alabama to try to move to 7-0.

20. Memphis (26)

Last Week: W over Tulane 47-14

The Tigers smashed Tulane every single way possible. That gave them a good jump up to #20 in my poll. Up next is a possible trap game at Tulsa, with a home game vs SMU looming.

21. Iowa (NR)

Last Week: W over Purdue 26-20

The Iowa defense continues to play really well, but the offense finally scored some points. They still have a really solid shot in the Big Ten West as well. Up next is a trip to play a struggling Northwestern.

22. Texas (20)

Last Week: W over Kansas 50-48

Texas almost lost to Kansas again, but snuck it out late. The defense is not that good, but luckily the offense is explosive. Up next is a trip to TCU and if they play like they did vs the Jayhawks, I won’t have to worry about them being ranked next week.

23. Virginia (NR)

Last Week: W over Duke 48-14

The Cavs blew out a pretty solid Duke team and that got them back into my Top 26. They are still very much in the thick of the ACC Coastal race and a trip to Louisville will be important in staying alive for the ACC Conference Title game.

24. Pittsburgh (NR)

Last Week: W over Syracuse 27-20

The Panthers took down a struggling Orange squad and they still only have 1 loss in the ACC. Up next is a big divisional game at home vs Miami Fl, who will likely be stumbling in off their loss to Georgia Tech.

25. Boise State (14)

Last Week: L vs BYU 28-25

There goes the Broncos undefeated season. An upset loss to BYU drops them to 5th in the NY6 running. The Broncos will need to win out and will need QB Hank Bachmeier back. They have a bye week to clean things up in practice.

26. Wake Forest (NR)

Last Week: W over Florida State 22-20

The Demon Deacons barely snuck out a win vs the Seminoles to get to 6-1. They have a bye week before a home game vs NC State. A 10-win season still isn’t out of the question.

-Next Teams Up-

Iowa State

Last Week: W over Texas Tech 34-24

Navy

Last Week: W over USF 35-3

San Diego State

Last Week: W over San Jose St 27-17

Louisiana Tech

Last Week: W over Southern Miss 45-30

UAB

Last Week: W over Old Dominion 38-14

 

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