College Football Rankings 2014: Power Ranking All 128 Teams for Week 9
Eight weeks down, plenty to go.
The 2014 college football season has reached the halfway point, with 83 FBS schools sporting .500 records or better. Sixteen schools have already achieved bowl eligibility, while on the other end, only two are officially eliminated from postseason consideration.
We're also down to just four unbeaten teams, and the ranks of the winless have been whittled down to a lone member in SMU. But records aren't everything, as you'll see in the latest power rankings.
The Bleacher Report power rankings are comprised of an average of five ratings: The Associated Press media and Amway Coaches polls, Bleacher Report's Top 25, ratings guru Jeff Sagarin's computer ratings and my personal ranking.
Take a look at how the 128 FBS teams are ranked heading into Week 9 and then give us your take in the comments section.
Nos. 128-91
1 of 54
For most teams, two wins isn't a significant milestone. But in the case of Massachusetts, winning for the second time in one season is a monumental achievement for the fledgling FBS program.
The Minutemen won 36-14 at home against Eastern Michigan on Saturday, just their fourth victory in three seasons at the FBS level, yet also their second in a row after they beat Kent State the week before. Shadrach Abrokwah rushed for four touchdowns in the win, while quarterback Blake Frohnapfel threw for 337 yards and receiver Tajae Sharpe had 13 catches for 193 yards.
- 128. Eastern Michigan (2-5, 1-2 Mid-American)
- 127. Georgia State (1-6, 0-4 Sun Belt)
- 126. New Mexico State (2-6, 1-3 Sun Belt)
- 125. Troy (1-6, 1-2 Sun Belt)
- 124. SMU (0-6, 0-2 American)
- 123. Kent State (1-6, 0-3 Mid-American)
- 122. Idaho (1-6, 1-4 Sun Belt). The Vandals snapped a 13-game losing streak with a 29-17 home win over New Mexico State. Jerrel Brown ran for 151 yards and a touchdown, while Joshua McCain caught 11 passes for 139 yards and a score.
- 121. Tulsa (1-6, 1-3 American)
- 120. Miami, Ohio (1-7, 1-3 Mid-American)
- 119. Army (2-5)
- 117. (tie) Massachusetts (2-6, 2-2 Mid-American)
- 117. (tie) Connecticut (1-5, 0-2 American)
- 116. UNLV (2-5, 1-2 Mountain West)
- 115. Appalachian State (2-5, 1-2 Sun Belt)
- 114. Wake Forest (2-5, 0-3 ACC)
- 113. Buffalo (3-4, 1-2 Mid-American)
- 112. Old Dominion (3-4, 1-3 Conference USA)
- 111. New Mexico (2-5, 0-3 Mountain West)
- 110. Texas State (3-3, 1-1 Sun Belt)
- 108. (tie) Tulane (2-5, 1-2 American)
- 108. (tie) North Texas (2-5, 0-3 Conference USA)
- 107. Southern Mississippi (3-4, 1-2 Conference USA)
- 106. Ohio (4-4, 2-2 Mid-American). Josiah Yazdani kicked a 22-yard field goal with 1:55 left to give the Bobcats a 23-20 win over visiting Akron to remain in the hunt for the MAC East Division title.
- 105. UTEP (3-3, 1-1 Conference USA)
- 104. Hawaii (2-5, 1-1 Mountain West)
- 101. (tie) Florida International (3-5, 2-2 Conference USA)
- 101. (tie) Florida Atlantic (3-4, 2-1 Conference USA)
- 101. (tie) Ball State (2-5, 1-2 Mid-American)
- 100. Kansas (2-5, 0-4 Big 12)
- 99. Louisiana-Monroe (3-3, 2-1 Sun Belt)
- 97. (tie) Wyoming (3-4, 1-2 Mountain West)
- 97. (tie) Central Michigan (4-4, 2-2 Mid-American)
- 96. UTSA (2-5, 1-2 Conference USA)
- 95. South Florida (3-4, 2-1 American). The Bulls rallied from a 27-7 halftime deficit to win 38-30 on the road against Tulsa. Andre Davis caught three second-half touchdown passes, while Marlon Mack ran for 130 yards and two TDs.
- 94. South Alabama (4-2, 3-1 Sun Belt)
- 92. (tie) Vanderbilt (2-5, 0-4 SEC)
- 92. (tie) Louisiana-Lafayette (3-3, 2-0 Sun Belt)
- 91. Western Kentucky (2-4, 0-3 Conference USA)
Nos. 90-61
2 of 54
North Carolina's defense continues to be a major issue, but the Tar Heels offense was finally able to score enough to temporarily negate that problem in a 48-43 home win over Georgia Tech.
UNC, which has allowed 247 points in its last five games, got a two-yard touchdown run from T.J. Logan with 11 seconds left for the winning score. Quarterback Marquise Williams threw for 390 yards and four touchdowns and added 73 rushing yards and a score.
- 90. Western Michigan (4-3, 2-1 Mid-American). The Broncos got 149 rushing yards and a touchdown from Jarvion Franklin in a 26-14 upset win at Bowling Green. Franklin, a freshman, is the FBS leader in rushing touchdowns with 16, to go along with his 992 yards.
- 88. (tie) Illinois (3-4, 0-3 Big Ten)
- 88. (tie) Colorado (2-5, 0-4 Pac-12)
- 87. UAB (4-3, 2-2 Conference USA)
- 85. (tie) Bowling Green (5-3, 3-1 Mid-American)
- 85. (tie) Air Force (5-2, 2-2 Mountain West)
- 84. Fresno State (3-5, 2-2 Mountain West)
- 83. San Jose State (3-3, 2-1 Mountain West)
- 81. (tie) Navy (3-4)
- 81. (tie) Akron (4-3, 2-1 Mountain West)
- 80. Purdue (3-5, 1-3 Big Ten)
- 79. Indiana (3-4, 0-3 Big Ten)
- 78. Washington State (2-5, 1-3 Pac-12)
- 77. North Carolina State (4-4, 0-4 ACC)
- 76. Northern Illinois (5-2, 2-1 Mid-American)
- 74. (tie) Texas Tech (3-4, 1-3 Big 12)
- 74. (tie) Rice (3-3, 1-1 Conference USA)
- 73. San Diego State (4-3, 3-1 Mountain West)
- 72. Iowa State (2-5, 0-4 Big 12)
- 71. Middle Tennessee (5-3, 4-1 Mountain West)
- 69. (tie) Temple (4-2, 2-1 American)
- 69. (tie) Syracuse (3-4, 1-2 ACC). The Orange ended a four-game losing streak with a 30-7 win at Wake Forest. Quarterback AJ Long ran for a touchdown, and Syracuse scored TDs on interception and fumble returns.
- 68. Michigan (3-4, 1-2 Big Ten)
- 67. Georgia Southern (5-2, 4-0 Sun Belt)
- 65. (tie) North Carolina (3-4, 1-2 ACC)
- 65. (tie) Nevada (4-3, 1-2 Mountain West). The Wolf Pack scored 29 straight points to erase a 15-point halftime deficit and win 42-35 at BYU in a nonconference game. Quarterback Cody Fajardo had 332 yards of total offense and three touchdowns in the victory.
- 64. Rutgers (5-2, 1-2 Big Ten)
- 63. Louisiana Tech (4-3, 3-0 Conference USA)
- 61. (tie) Northwestern (3-4, 2-2 Big Ten)
- 61. (tie) Cincinnati (3-3, 1-1 American)
Nos. 60-52
3 of 54
The ACC's Coastal Division is a muddled mess, with all seven teams owning at least one loss in league play, yet none having more than two conference setbacks. Pittsburgh finds itself in a three-way tie for first in the division after its 21-16 home win over Virginia Tech last Thursday.
The Panthers got 118 rushing yards from quarterback Chad Voytik, while James Conner added two rushing TDs, and their defense held Virginia Tech to just 26 rushing yards.
- 60. Toledo (4-3, 3-0 Mid-American)
- 59. Texas (3-4, 2-2 Big 12)
- 58. California (4-3, 2-3 Pac-12)
- 57. Houston (4-3, 2-1 American). The Cougars got a masterful effort from quarterback Greg Ward Jr. in a 31-10 home win over Temple on Friday. Ward completed 29 of 33 passes for 268 yards and two touchdowns in his second start since being converted from wide receiver.
- 56. Arkansas State (4-2, 2-0 Sun Belt)
- 54. (tie) Utah State (4-3, 1-1 Mountain West)
- 54. (tie) BYU (4-3)
- 53. Memphis (3-3, 1-1 American)
- 52. Pittsburgh (4-3, 2-1 ACC)
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
50. (tie) Penn State Nittany Lions
4 of 54
Average rating: 50.5
Week 8 result: Bye
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 25 vs. Ohio State
Penn State (4-2, 1-2 Big Ten) dropped two straight before its bye week, games in which the Nittany Lions managed a combined 19 points and 480 yards.
Christian Hackenberg has thrown for 1,637 yards but only five touchdowns, while his offensive line has led him to be sacked 20 times. He was sacked only 21 times all of last season.
50. (tie) Boston College Eagles
5 of 54
Average rating: 50.5
Week 8 result: Lost 17-13 vs. Clemson
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 25 at Wake Forest
Boston College (4-3, 1-2 ACC) was held to 120 rushing yards, far below its season average, in its third home loss of the season.
The Eagles had been averaging 315.7 yards per game on the ground, with quarterback Tyler Murphy carrying the load. But Murphy only managed 55 rushing yards, and while he threw two touchdown passes, he was just 8-of-19 through the air for 108 yards.
49. Tennessee Volunteers
6 of 54
Average rating: 50.0
Week 8 result: Lost 34-3 at Ole Miss
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 25 vs. Alabama
Tennessee (3-4, 0-3 SEC) had played its previous two conference opponents close, only to fall late. That wasn't the case at Ole Miss, where the Volunteers never had a shot against a defense that was unrelenting and never allowed them to get going.
Justin Worley threw for 191 yards on 19-of-34 passing, and he was intercepted three times. He was sacked seven times, leading to the Vols managing minus-two rushing yards.
Tennessee has fallen to 120th in rushing offense, gaining only 94 yards per game with just a 2.83 yards-per-carry average.
47. (tie) Florida Gators
7 of 54
Average rating: 48.0
Week 8 result: Lost 42-13 vs. Missouri
Week 9 matchup: Bye
Florida (3-3, 2-3 SEC) hit rock bottom at home against Missouri, falling behind 42-0 and watching the Tigers score touchdowns on kickoff, punt, fumble and interception returns.
The Gators turned the ball over six times, including giveaways on back-to-back possessions that Missouri returned for TDs. Despite holding its opponent to just 119 yards, Florida couldn't overcome its mistakes in losing for the third time in four games.
Jeff Driskel threw for only 50 yards on 7-of-19 passing, turning it over four times. Treon Harris came in and threw a TD pass and ran for a score, but also had two turnovers.
47. (tie) Arkansas Razorbacks
8 of 54
Average rating: 48.0
Week 8 result: Lost 45-32 vs. Georgia
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 25 vs. UAB
Arkansas (3-4, 0-4 SEC) had an early 6-0 lead on Georgia, missing the extra point in an ominous reminder of how it lost the previous game to Alabama. That TD was the high point for the Razorbacks, though, who trailed 38-6 at halftime and were blown out for the first time after a season full of SEC close calls.
The Razorbacks outgained Georgia 422-386, but much of that was because of yardage and scores (including two fourth-quarter touchdowns) that came after the game was out of hand. During a 38-0 run by the Bulldogs, Arkansas couldn't do anything on offense and also had four turnovers, including one which was returned for a touchdown.
Arkansas' SEC losing streak is now 16 games.
46. UCF Knights
9 of 54
Average rating: 47.5
Week 8 result: Won 20-13 vs. Tulane
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 25 vs. Temple
UCF (4-2, 2-0 American) won its fourth straight despite very little offensive production, as it managed only 233 yards and turned the ball over four times.
Justin Holman threw two interceptions and only had 113 yards passing, and the Knights managed just 94 yards on the ground. They're averaging 289.8 yards per game, ranking 123rd nationally. The defense has managed to carry the load, though, holding opponents to just 14 points per game during UCF's four-game win streak.
45. Kentucky Wildcats
10 of 54
Average rating: 46.67
Week 8 result: Lost 41-3 at LSU
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 25 vs. Mississippi State
Kentucky (5-2, 2-2 SEC) scored its fewest points since November 2012, managing just a field goal and 217 yards against LSU's solid defense.
Patrick Towles threw for 146 yards but completed only 19 of 36 passes, and the Wildcats defense gave up 303 rushing yards. It ended a three-game win streak for Kentucky, which remains a victory away from being bowl-eligible for the first time since 2010.
44. Virginia Cavaliers
11 of 54
Average rating: 46.5
Week 8 result: Lost 20-13 at Duke
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 25 vs. North Carolina
Virginia (4-3, 2-1 ACC) scored a season low in points despite gaining more than 450 yards, falling out of sole possession of first place in the Coastal Division.
Matt Johns threw for 306 yards and a touchdown, but only completed 21 of 44 passes, while Miles Gooch had six catches for 129 yards.
43. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
12 of 54
Average rating: 46.0
Week 8 result: Lost 48-43 at North Carolina
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 25 at Pittsburgh
Georgia Tech (5-2, 2-2 ACC) ran for 376 yards and gained 611, scoring its most points this season, but still suffered a second straight loss by allowing North Carolina to score the go-ahead touchdown with 11 seconds left.
The Yellow Jackets took a 43-38 lead thanks to two touchdowns in a five-minute span, the last on a 75-yard run by DeAndre Smelter on a reverse. Smelter also had a 46-yard TD catch from Justin Thomas, who threw for 235 yards and three TDs.
42. Oregon State Beavers
13 of 54
Average rating: 44.0
Week 8 result: Lost 29-23 (2 OT) vs. Utah
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 25 at Stanford
Oregon State (4-2, 1-2 Pac-12) found itself in a defensive slugfest for three quarters against Utah, with only field goals converted in the game. Then both teams began to score, but the Beavers couldn't match touchdowns and fell in two overtimes.
OSU's offense has been subpar this season, with quarterback Sean Mannion failing to reach 300 yards for the fourth straight game. The senior did move into No. 2 on the Pac-12's all-time passing list, with 12,012 yards, but this season he's thrown for only seven touchdowns after tossing 37 a year ago.
41. Miami (Florida) Hurricanes
14 of 54
Average rating: 41.0
Week 8 result: Bye
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 23 at Virginia Tech
Miami (4-3, 1-2 ACC) returns to conference play after an out-of-league win over Cincinnati and a bye. The Hurricanes are tied for last in the Coastal Division, yet are only one game out of first in the tight lineup.
Quarterback Brad Kaaya has thrown for 1,806 yards and 16 touchdowns, with receiver Phillip Dorsett hauling in 550 yards and six TDs on just 16 receptions. Running back Duke Johnson has gained 787 yards with six TDs.
40. Boise State Broncos
15 of 54
Average rating: 38.67
Week 8 result: Won 37-27 vs. Fresno State
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 24 vs. BYU
Boise State (5-2, 3-1 Mountain West) had a balanced approach to knocking off rival Fresno State and winning back the Milk Can trophy, with quarterback Grant Hedrick temporarily solving his turnover issues and Jay Ajayi putting up big yards on the ground.
Ajayi ran for 158 yards and two touchdowns, giving him 867 with 10 scores for the season. Hedrick, who has been picked off 10 times in 2014, was 21-of-30 for 190 yards and a TD with no interceptions. He also caught a nine-yard TD pass from Thomas Sperbeck midway through the fourth quarter to break a 27-27 tie.
39. Iowa Hawkeyes
16 of 54
Average rating: 38.5
Week 8 result: Lost 38-31 at Maryland
Week 9 matchup: Bye
Iowa (5-2, 2-1 Big Ten) got into another shootout, but unlike the week before when they were able to outrun Indiana, the Hawkeyes couldn't keep up with Maryland in the second half in suffering their first Big Ten defeat.
Although the Hawkeyes outgained Maryland thanks to 317 yards and two touchdowns from quarterback Jake Rudock and two rushing TDs from Mark Weisman, three turnovers contributed to their blowing a 14-0 lead.
Iowa has allowed 67 points in its last two games after giving up only 17.2 points per game in the first five.
38. Virginia Tech Hokies
17 of 54
Average rating: 38.0
Week 8 result: Lost 21-16 at Pittsburgh
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 23 vs. Miami (Florida)
Virginia Tech (4-3, 1-2 ACC) posted season lows in points and yards and fell into a tie for last place in the mediocre Coastal Division, continuing the Hokies' season-long trend of uneven play.
Tech managed only 26 rushing yards at Pittsburgh, though quarterback Michael Brewer had his first interception-free game of the season. The Hokies didn't score a touchdown until 4:52 left in the fourth quarter, and for the year have dropped to 83rd in total offense.
37. Colorado State Rams
18 of 54
Average rating: 37.0
Week 8 result: Won 16-13 vs. Utah State
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 25 vs. Wyoming
Colorado State (6-1, 2-1 Mountain West) got a pair of 46-yard field goals from Jared Roberts in the final 1:40, including the game-winner as time expired, to give the Rams their fifth straight win.
Roberts also had a 52-yard field goal, while Dee Hart had Colorado State's only touchdown on a one-yard run in the first quarter. CSU was held to 318 yards, getting only 75 on the ground, but got another huge game from wide receiver Rashad Higgins.
Higgins had 10 catches for 187 yards, giving him 175 or more yards in three straight games. According to ESPN, he's the first player to do that since Texas Tech's Michael Crabtree in 2007.
36. Washington Huskies
19 of 54
Average rating: 36.33
Week 8 result: Lost 45-20 at Oregon
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 25 vs. Arizona State
Washington (5-2, 1-2 Pac-12) lost its 11th straight game against Northwest rival Oregon, and in doing so put itself likely out of the running for the North Division title after losses to the Ducks and Stanford.
The Huskies were only down 7-6 after the first quarter, but then gave up 28 unanswered despite the tandem of Hau'oli Kikaha and Danny Shelton registering three more sacks to give them 20 total.
Washington managed only 184 passing yards and for the year ranks 106th through the air at 181.4 yards per game.
35. Maryland Terrapins
20 of 54
Average rating: 35.0
Week 8 result: Won 38-31 vs. Iowa
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 25 at Wisconsin
Maryland (5-2, 2-1 Big Ten) saw oft-injured quarterback C.J. Brown go down again, only to come back and rally the Terrapins to their first home win in conference play.
Brown injured his back during the third quarter, but returned and finished with 99 rushing yards to offset a pair of interceptions. His backup, Perry Hills, threw a 53-yard touchdown pass to Stefon Diggs and Maryland's defense chipped in with three takeaways and a 45-yard interception-return TD by William Likely.
34. South Carolina Gamecocks
21 of 54
Average rating: 33.67
Week 8 result: Won 41-10 vs. Furman
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 25 at Auburn
South Carolina (4-3, 2-3 SEC) took a break from its tough conference slate by pounding on an in-state FCS team, getting 100-yard rushing games from Mike Davis and David Williams as part of a 548-yard effort for the Gamecocks.
Dylan Thompson threw for 262 yards and two touchdowns, completing 14 of 22 passes, while Davis scored twice on the ground. It was the 51st win in as many tries for the Gamecocks against non-power-five-conference opponents under coach Steve Spurrier, according to the Associated Press (h/t ESPN.com).
33. Texas A&M Aggies
22 of 54
Average rating: 30.63
Week 8 result: Lost 59-0 at Alabama
Week 9 matchup: Bye
Texas A&M (5-3, 2-3 SEC) gets a well-deserved week off after playing eight games in a row. The Aggies started with four impressive conquests before going downhill the last four games. Saturday's loss at Alabama was a low point for the Aggies, marking the first time coach Kevin Sumlin has been on the bad end of a shutout since he was A&M's offensive coordinator in 2001.
The Aggies had only 172 yards of total offense, 283 fewer than in any other game and less than one-third of what they were averaging heading into the Alabama game.
Kenny Hill threw for only 138 yards and, after starting the year off explosively, has been intercepted eight times in the past five games.
32. Louisville Cardinals
23 of 54
Average rating: 30.5
Week 8 result: Won 30-18 vs. North Carolina State
Week 9 matchup: Bye
Louisville (6-2, 4-2 ACC) got a key offensive weapon back from injury, while another had his best effort in years to power the Cardinals to their most points in nearly a month.
DeVante Parker had nine catches for 132 yards in his first game since suffering a toe injury in the preseason, Michael Dyer ran for 173 yards and a TD and Will Gardner threw two TD passes.
The Cardinals iced the game with 44 seconds left on a 46-yard TD run by Dyer, who had his most yards since gaining 177 while playing for Auburn in 2011.
31. Missouri Tigers
24 of 54
Average rating: 30.0
Week 8 result: Won 42-13 at Florida
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 25 vs. Vanderbilt
Missouri (5-2, 2-1 SEC) rebounded from its embarrassing shutout loss at home to Georgia by destroying host Florida, doing so despite only gaining 119 yards.
The Tigers scored on punt and kickoff returns as well as on fumble and interception runbacks, offsetting an offense that managed seven first downs and got only 20 passing yards from quarterback Maty Mauk.
Marcus Murphy returned the opening kickoff 96 yards for a TD, then added a five-yard rushing score. He later scored on an 82-yard punt return, then Missouri added scores on a 21-yard fumble return from Markus Golden and Darvin Ruise's 46-yard interception return.
All told, Mizzou forced six turnovers.
30. Minnesota Golden Gophers
25 of 54
Average rating: 29.4
Week 8 result: Won 39-38 vs. Purdue
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 25 at Illinois
Minnesota (6-1, 3-0 Big Ten) needed every bit of its season-high (against FBS teams) 39 points to hold off a much-improved Purdue team while moving into sole possession of the the Big Ten West Division heading into a tough final stretch.
Mitch Leidner threw two touchdown passes and ran for a score, while David Cobb ran for 194 yards and a TD on the ground as part of 285 team rushing yards. That made up for the Gophers' allowing 451 yards to Purdue and trailing 38-29 with six minutes left in the third quarter.
The Golden Gophers are off to their best overall start since 2003 and first 3-0 start in the Big Ten since 1990.
29. Stanford Cardinal
26 of 54
Average rating: 29.3
Week 8 result: Lost 26-10 at Arizona State
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 25 vs. Oregon State
Stanford (4-3, 2-2 Pac-12) saw its offense reach new lows, failing to reach 20 points for the third time this season and managing just 288 yards against an Arizona State team that had allowed 96 points in its previous two games.
The Cardinal are now 93rd in the country in total offense, and their three losses are the most in any season since 2009.
Stanford's defense had another good game, but not as good as others. The 26 points were nine more than it allowed in any other contest, yet the Cardinal are still second nationally in total defense at 254.9 yards allowed per game.
28. Wisconsin Badgers
27 of 54
Average rating: 29.0
Week 8 result: Bye
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 25 vs. Maryland
Wisconsin (4-2, 1-1 Big Ten) had last weekend off and, during the break, likely worked on improving a passing game that ranks 121st in the nation at 141 yards per game. Thankfully the Badgers have one of the best run attacks in the country, led by Melvin Gordon.
Gordon is averaging 174.3 yards per game, tops in FBS, and has scored 13 touchdowns. Corey Clement has added 476 rushing yards and four TDs and quarterback Tanner McEvoy has contributed to a run game that's averaging 343 yards per game.
27. Duke Blue Devils
28 of 54
Average rating: 27.8
Week 8 result: Won 20-13 vs. Virginia
Week 9 matchup: Bye
Duke (6-1, 2-1 ACC) broke out the jump pass from backup quarterback Thomas Sirk to break a fourth quarter tie and put the Blue Devils into a tie atop the ACC's Coastal Division by knocking off the last team without a league loss.
Anthony Boone threw for 176 yards and a touchdown and ran for 48 yards, while Duke's defense only allowed 13 points despite yielding 465 yards.
The Blue Devils are bowl-eligible for the third straight year, the first time in school history that's happened, and the 6-1 start is their best since they opened the 1994 season at 7-0.
26. Oklahoma State Cowboys
29 of 54
Average rating: 27.4
Week 8 result: Lost 42-9 at TCU
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 25 vs. West Virginia
Oklahoma State (5-2, 3-1 Big 12) saw its five-game win streak snapped while having its worst offensive performance of the season, failing to score a touchdown for the first time since 2009.
Ben Grogan's three field goals were all the Cowboys could muster along with only 258 yards, 162.7 yards below their season average. Daxx Garman only completed 10 of 25 passes and was intercepted twice, while Desmond Roland failed to rush for a touchdown for the first time this season.
OK State's defense was torn apart to the tune of 676 yards and the team suffered its most lopsided loss since 2008.
25. UCLA Bruins
30 of 54
Average rating: 25.2
Week 8 result: Won 36-34 at California
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 25 at Colorado
UCLA (5-2, 2-2 Pac-12) avoided a third straight loss thanks to an interception near the goal line in the final minute of play, along with another big game from Brett Hundley.
Hundley threw for 330 yards and two touchdowns, adding 94 rushing yards and a 15-yard TD run late in the third quarter. The Bruins got a game-winning field goal from Ka'imi Fairbairn with 3:40 left.
UCLA has given up 30 or more points in three straight games, and for the season ranks 86th in total defense.
24. Marshall Thundering Herd
31 of 54
Average rating: 23.6
Week 8 result: Won 45-13 at Florida International
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 25 vs. Florida Atlantic
Marshall (7-0, 3-0 Conference USA) now has the most prolific quarterback in FBS history when it comes to consecutive games with a touchdown pass, as Rakeem Cato tossed four to make it 39 straight games with a scoring pass.
Cato, who also moved into second on the school's career passing yardage list, has piloted an offense that is second in yards at 574.9 and has scored at least 42 in every game this season.
The Thundering Herd also average 284.7 rushing yards, with Devon Johnson leading the way with 931 yards and 11 touchdowns.
22. (tie) West Virginia Mountaineers
32 of 54
Average rating: 22.6
Week 8 result: Won 41-27 vs. Baylor
Week 9 matchup: Bye
West Virginia (5-2, 3-1 Big 12) has played three teams this season that were ranked in the Top Five at the time of kickoff. After playing Alabama close and wearing down late against Oklahoma, the Mountaineers broke through with an impressive victory over unbeaten Baylor that has them right in the thick of the conference race.
Clint Trickett had another big game, throwing for 322 yards and three touchdowns, with Kevin White again showing his mettle as one of the top receivers in the country with eight catches for 132 yards and two TDs. The production might have been better if not for 14 penalties that resulted in 138 yards, though that paled in comparison to Baylor's 18 flags for 215 yards.
Yet the Mountaineers' sound attack wasn't the MVP of the game. It was the defensive unit that held Baylor far below its season averages for points and yards and kept Bryce Petty from having any sort of rhythm.
"While the offense deserves plenty of accolades, the performance by (the) Mountaineers' defense shouldn't go overlooked," wrote Steven Lassan of Athlon Sports.
West Virginia is allowing 382.3 yards per game, which is 72 yards fewer than it surrendered last season when it went 4-8.
22. (tie) LSU Tigers
33 of 54
Average rating: 22.6
Week 8 result: Won 41-3 vs. Kentucky
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 25 vs. Ole Miss
LSU (6-2, 2-2 SEC) held a fourth opponent to one score or less this season, limiting Kentucky to 217 yards while churning out 303 rushing yards itself.
The Tigers got 127 rushing yards and two touchdowns from Terrence Magee, while Leonard Fournette added a one-yard TD run and Travin Dural caught a 32-yard TD pass from Anthony Jennings. Tre'Davious White added a 67-yard punt return score.
LSU has moved up to 14th in the country in total defense, allowing 318.8 yards per game.
21. Utah Utes
34 of 54
Average rating: 21.2
Week 8 result: Won 29-23 (2 OT) at Oregon State
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 25 vs. USC
Utah (5-1, 2-1 Pac-12) has found itself a dominant offensive player in running back Devontae Booker, who, after rushing for 229 yards and three touchdowns (all in the fourth quarter or overtime) at Oregon State, has gained 563 yards and five TDs over his last three games.
Booker has helped pick up a Utes offense that has struggled to throw the ball, as last game they managed only 62 passing yards between quarterbacks Kendal Thompson and Travis Wilson.
Utah is now 3-0 on the road, winning in Corvallis as well as at UCLA and Michigan. Its only loss was at home, by one point, to Washington State after they led by 17.
20. East Carolina Pirates
35 of 54
Average rating: 20.8
Week 8 result: Bye
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 23 vs. Connecticut
East Carolina (5-1, 2-0 American) took a four-game winning streak into its bye, and now will look to keep putting up wins to try and earn the Group of Five's at-large bid into a College Football Playoff side bowl.
The Pirates are averaging 564.7 yards per game this season, which ranks third in the FBS. Shane Carden has thrown for 2,129 yards and 16 touchdowns, with receivers Justin Hardy (47 receptions, 593 yards, five TDs) and Isaiah Jones (42 catches, 478 yards, four TDs) leading the production.
19. USC Trojans
36 of 54
Average rating: 20.6
Week 8 result: Won 56-28 vs. Colorado
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 25 at Utah
USC (5-2, 4-1 Pac-12) was clicking on all cylinders offensively against Colorado, particularly in the passing game, as quarterback Cody Kessler set a school record with seven touchdown passes. Four of those were in the first quarter as the Trojans jumped ahead 28-0 and never looked back.
Kessler threw for 319 yards and had only 19 completions with his seven TDs, three of which were caught by Nelson Agholor. Javorius Allen added 128 yards and a score, putting him at 909 yards and eight TDs this season.
The Trojans reached 50 points for the second time this year and have had at least 28 in five straight games.
18. Clemson Tigers
37 of 54
Average rating: 19.2
Week 8 result: Won 17-13 at Boston College
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 25 vs. Syracuse
Clemson (5-2, 4-1 ACC) had to survive a defensive struggle for the second week in a row, as the absence of Deshaun Watson due to a hand injury the previous week sapped the explosiveness from the Tigers offense until late.
C.J. Davidson scored on a 32-yard run midway through the fourth quarter for the winning touchdown, as Davidson had to take over the rushing load following an injury to Adam Choice. Choice tore his ACL on Clemson's second play from scrimmage and is done for the year, the team announced Monday.
With the Tigers offense hit again by injury, it was the defense that took charge to hold onto victory. Boston College was held to 120 rushing yards—only 55 by quarterback Tyler Murphy—after coming into the game averaging 315.7 yards per game.
17. Arizona Wildcats
38 of 54
Average rating: 18.0
Week 8 result: Bye
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 25 at Washington State
Arizona (5-1, 2-1 Pac-12) was off last week, giving it extra time to fix what went wrong in a 28-26 home loss to USC. The Wildcats missed a field goal in the final minute after rallying from down 15 in the fourth quarter, but they allowed more than 200 rushing yards to Trojans running back Javorius Allen.
The Wildcats rank fourth in total offense at 557 yards per game, but could be without top two running backs Nick Wilson and Terris Jones-Grigsby because of injury. That will force freshman quarterback Anu Solomon to continue throwing a lot, as he has attempted 278 passes in six games while producing 2,136 yards and 15 touchdowns.
16. Nebraska Cornhuskers
39 of 54
Average rating: 17.0
Week 8 result: Won 38-17 at Northwestern
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 25 vs. Rutgers
Nebraska (6-1, 2-1 Big Ten) used its usual blend of dependable running from Ameer Abdullah and great decision-making from quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. to turn a three-point halftime deficit into a runaway victory.
Abdullah ran for 146 yards and four touchdowns, and for the year has 1,024 yards and 14 TDs. Armstrong had 276 yards of total offense and no turnovers and also caught a TD pass from De'Mornay Pierson-El late in the second quarter.
The Cornhuskers held Northwestern to 290 yards, and the 17 points was their best defensive production since allowing seven to Florida Atlantic in the season opener.
15. Oklahoma Sooners
40 of 54
Average rating: 15.8
Week 8 result: Lost 31-30 vs. Kansas State
Week 9 matchup: Bye
Oklahoma (5-2, 2-2 Big 12) has been up and down this season with its offense and defense, but the one place there had been no struggles had been on special teams. That is, until the second half against Kansas State, when extremely reliable kicker Michael Hunnicutt not only missed two field goals, but also had an extra point blocked in a one-point loss.
Hunnicutt, who had tied the conference's all-time field-goal record in the first half, shanked a 19-yard try with 3:53 left that would have given the Sooners the lead. That field goal was needed after Oklahoma failed to punch it in from two yards out via questionable play-calling in the red zone.
Trevor Knight completed 26 of 32 passes for 318 yards and three touchdowns and the Sooners ran for 198 yards, as they managed to move the ball for most of the game against Kansas State's strong defense. The red zone was the issue, though, as Oklahoma failed to score on three of six trips after entering the game having scored on 23 of 24 possessions.
14. Arizona State Sun Devils
41 of 54
Average rating: 15.4
Week 8 result: Won 26-10 vs. Stanford
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 25 at Washington
Arizona State (5-1, 3-1 Pac-12) scored the most points anyone has managed this season against Stanford's lockdown defense, while at the same time putting forth a solid defensive effort of its own while avenging last season's two losses to the Cardinal.
The Sun Devils only had two touchdowns, getting four Zane Gonzalez field goals to help the cause, but their 26 points were nine more than Stanford had previously allowed in a game in 2014. The Devils had 356 yards, with Mike Bercovici throwing for 245 yards and a touchdown in his third start in place of injured quarterback Taylor Kelly.
ASU's defense held Stanford to only 288 yards and just 76 on the ground after allowing 452.6 yards per game previously and giving up 62 points to UCLA three weeks ago.
13. Ohio State Buckeyes
42 of 54
Average rating: 12.2
Week 8 result: Won 56-17 vs. Rutgers
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 25 at Penn State
Ohio State (5-1, 2-0 Big Ten) continued its offensive onslaught with another big effort fueled by quarterback J.T. Barrett, who is on pace to have the biggest season ever for a Buckeyes passer after struggling early.
Barrett threw for 261 yards and three touchdowns, adding 107 rushing yards and two scores, part of a 585-yard team effort that included 324 yards on the ground. Barrett is averaging 333 yards per game, 10th-best in the country.
The Buckeyes have won 18 straight Big Ten regular-season games, and during their four-game win streak this year are averaging 56 points and 614 yards.
12. Kansas State Wildcats
43 of 54
Average rating: 12.0
Week 8 result: Won 31-30 at Oklahoma
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 25 vs. Texas
Kansas State (5-1, 3-0 Big 12) matched Oklahoma point-for-point despite playing on the road, then made a huge play on special teams down the stretch to help preserve a big victory that put the Wildcats alone atop the conference standings.
A blocked extra point midway through the fourth quarter proved to be the final margin, while a goal-line stand late led to Oklahoma missing a 19-yard field goal with 3:53 left.
K-State's offense had balance through the air and on the ground, with quarterback Jake Waters providing 276 yards of total offense and three touchdowns. And the Wildcats didn't turn the ball over, as they have just two giveaways in the three games since three turnovers contributed to their 20-14 loss to Auburn.
With everyone in the Big 12 having at least one loss, that conference's chance of making the semifinals is in jeopardy. K-State could have the best shot, though, thanks to its perfect record in the league and the close result against Auburn.
11. Baylor Bears
44 of 54
Average rating: 11.2
Week 8 result: Lost 41-27 at West Virginia
Week 9 matchup: Bye
Baylor (6-1, 3-1 Big 12) still has the nation's top-rated scoring and total offenses, but those numbers dropped significantly after it scored a season-low 27 points and amassed only 318 yards in losing for the first time.
The Bears had to settle for a pair of field goals during the first quarter, yet led 13-7 after that period and were up 20-14 midway through the second quarter before their offense disappeared. Without that production, the defense couldn't hold up and Baylor was outscored 24-7 over the final 34 minutes of play.
Bryce Petty had an off game, throwing for 223 yards and two touchdowns but only completing 16 of 36 passes. The run game wasn't productive, either, as Shock Linwood only had 69 yards and a TD on 21 carries.
Now likely on the outside of the playoff race because of its weak nonconference schedule, Baylor faces a tough road to be able to win the Big 12 with remaining games at Oklahoma (where it has never won) as well as home contests against Kansas State and Oklahoma State.
10. TCU Horned Frogs
45 of 54
Average rating: 10.4
Week 8 result: Won 42-9 vs. Oklahoma State
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 25 vs. Texas Tech
TCU (5-1, 2-1 Big 12) showed no ill effects from its late collapse at Baylor, rolling over Oklahoma State to remain in the hunt for the conference title, as Trevone Boykin had his best game as a quarterback.
Boykin threw for a career-high 410 yards and three touchdowns on 26-of-39 passing, a week after he completed only 21 of 47. Against OK State, he hooked up with Josh Doctson on 77- and 84-yard TD passes in the first quarter alone, and he got great rushing support from B.J. Catalon. Catalon ran for 102 yards with rushing scores of 34 and 35 yards.
Doctson had 225 yards on seven receptions, his yardage total missing the school record by one yard.
The Horned Frogs defense held the Cowboys to just three field goals and forced two turnovers, and outside of the 61 points allowed to Baylor, has given up 12.6 points per game.
9. Georgia Bulldogs
46 of 54
Average rating: 8.2
Week 8 result: Won 45-32 at Arkansas
Week 9 matchup: Bye
Georgia (6-1, 4-1 SEC) was thought to be dead in the water when Todd Gurley was suspended two weeks ago. Instead, the Bulldogs might have found their motivation to play top-notch football heading into the second half of the season following a second straight dominant road performance.
Nick Chubb, the man tasked with replacing Gurley's production, ran for 202 yards and two touchdowns on 30 carries. In his two starts, the true freshman has 345 yards, three TDs and 68 carries, and his consistency has enabled the offense to rely less on quarterback Hutson Mason, which has led to better results.
Mason has completed 32 of 45 passes for 335 yards and three TDs the last two games.
The offensive production has been solid all year, regardless of the players in the game. Yet where Georgia has seen its most improvement as the season has progressed has been on defense, according to ESPN.com's Ivan Maisel:
"With four takeaways and no turnovers against Arkansas on Saturday, Georgia leads the FBS in turnover margin at plus-13. That is an attribute the Bulldogs share with the past two BCS champions. Florida State finished last season at plus-17, and Alabama finished the 2012 season at plus-14. Georgia shares one other attribute with those two teams -- defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt. Funny how that works.
"
Georgia has a 1.5-game lead on the field in the SEC East and is in position to possibly lock up the division before facing Auburn on Nov. 15.
8. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
47 of 54
Average rating: 8.0
Week 8 result: Lost 31-27 at Florida State
Week 9 matchup: Bye
Notre Dame (6-1) went into Tallahassee, its first hostile environment of the season, and controlled much of the game before coming up short in the end. The pass-interference call on what would have been Corey Robinson's third touchdown of the game in the final minute notwithstanding, the Fighting Irish might have played their best game of the year.
"This is going to make us even more hungry," quarterback Everett Golson told Chris Hine of the Chicago Tribune.
Golson had another two turnovers, giving him 11 in four games, but one came on the final play after Notre Dame was backed up to the 18-yard line on 4th-and-goal. Overall, he was solid in throwing for 313 yards and three touchdowns, while the Irish had a balanced attack thanks to Tarean Folston's 120 rushing yards.
Robinson, the son of NBA great David Robinson, had a breakout game by catching eight passes for 99 yards and two TDs after collecting just 19 receptions in Notre Dame's first six games.
Despite the loss, Notre Dame should still be considered a playoff contender that can win its way back into the discussion with upcoming games still at Arizona State and USC.
7. Oregon Ducks
48 of 54
Average rating: 7.6
Week 8 result: Won 45-20 vs. Washington
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 24 at California
Oregon (6-1, 3-1 Pac-12) has rediscovered its offensive groove with back-to-back games of scoring 40 or more, while its defense is making more stops and helping to flip the field.
Against Washington, the Ducks had 554 yards and didn't commit a turnover. Marcus Mariota threw for 336 yards and two touchdowns, while freshman running back Royce Freeman ran for 169 yards with four TDs to give him 11 scores this season.
Freeman has back-to-back 100-yard rushing games, the only player to reach that milestone for Oregon this season. Having the added dimension has made Oregon's offense less reliant on Mariota to do it all, which contributed to struggles when the offensive line was dealing with injuries.
The Ducks defense has forced at least two turnovers in each of the past six games, and for the year Oregon has a plus-11 turnover margin.
6. Michigan State Spartans
49 of 54
Average rating: 7.2
Week 8 result: Won 56-17 at Indiana
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 25 vs. Michigan
Michigan State (6-1, 3-0 Big Ten) has found its offense the past two weeks, courtesy of two of the conference's worst defenses. Still, the Spartans are getting increased production each week from quarterback Connor Cook and their run game, as was the case at Indiana.
Cook threw for 332 yards and three touchdowns on 24-of-32 passing, and for the year has 1,641 yards and 16 TDs. Jeremy Langford and Nick Hill combined for 287 rushing yards and four TDs, three by Langford, as MSU moved up to 15th in the country in rushing at 261.4 per game.
MSU also didn't have its late fallback problems as in previous games, scoring the final 42 points after falling behind 17-14. It was the first time against a power-conference opponent that the Spartans didn't allow any fourth-quarter points.
5. Auburn Tigers
50 of 54
Average rating: 5.2
Week 8 result: Bye
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 25
Auburn (5-1, 2-1 SEC) is coming off its first loss of the season, at Mississippi State on Oct. 11, and, after a bye week, faces very few breathers on the remaining schedule. Of the five FBS teams the Tigers still have to play, their combined record is 28-8.
The Tigers defense has been the biggest surprise of the year, allowing only 18.3 points and 333.7 yards per game. The offense is down somewhat from the big numbers of 2013, but the run game is still 14th in the nation at 262 yards per game.
4. Alabama Crimson Tide
51 of 54
Average rating: 4.0
Week 8 result: Won 59-0 vs. Texas A&M
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 25 at Tennessee
Alabama (6-1, 3-1 SEC) looked vulnerable in its previous two games, particularly on offense in losing at Ole Miss and then managing only 14 points at Arkansas. That all went away, at least for one game, after an absolutely dominant performance against Texas A&M.
"I think this is as close as we can get to the Alabama football that we want to try to get from our players in terms of effort, toughness, emotional excitement and execution that we got throughout the game," coach Nick Saban told the Associated Press (h/t ESPN.com).
The Crimson Tide gained 602 yards and scored on their first eight possessions, while defensively they handed A&M its first shutout loss since 2003. They held the Aggies to 172 yards, while their own production was balanced between Blake Sims' passing (16-of-27, 268 yards, three touchdowns) and a rushing attack that gained 298 yards and scored five times.
Amari Cooper had another big game, with eight catches for 140 yards and two TDs, and now sits one game from tying D.J. Hall for most 100-yard games (13) in Alabama history.
3. Florida State Seminoles
52 of 54
Average rating: 3.6
Week 8 result: Won 31-27 vs. Notre Dame
Week 9 matchup: Bye
Florida State (7-0, 4-0 ACC) got the call it needed, then made the stop it had to in order to remain undefeated and extend its win streak to 23 games. In doing so, the Seminoles remained in the hunt to defend their national championship through the College Football Playoff.
FSU didn't lead until midway through the fourth quarter, when Karlos Williams scored the second of his two rushing touchdowns. Then the Seminoles had to make a goal-line stand to beat Notre Dame, benefiting from an offensive pass-interference call in the final minute on what would have been a go-ahead touchdown pass by the Fighting Irish. One play later, Jacob Pugh intercepted a pass in the end zone.
It wasn't a perfect game for the Seminoles, who were outgained 470-323 and struggled again to run the ball with just 50 yards on the ground. But like the overtime victory over Clemson and the comeback at North Carolina State, FSU found a way in the end.
"Barring any missteps, injuries or blunders, the Seminoles seem destined to complete an unbeaten regular season," wrote Paul Myerberg of USA Today.
FSU's remaining regular-season opponents are a combined 21-14, but all have at least two losses. The best of the lot is up next, as the Seminoles travel to Louisville on Oct. 30.
2. Ole Miss Rebels
53 of 54
Average rating: 2.6
Week 8 result: Won 34-3 vs. Tennessee
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 25 at LSU
Ole Miss (7-0, 4-0 SEC) showed off its Land Shark defense once again in holding an opponent without a touchdown for the third time this season. Having a unit that's become so stout at stopping others has helped prevent a mediocre offense from being an issue yet.
The Rebels lead the nation in scoring defense, at 10.6 points per game, and they've now intercepted 15 passes after picking off Tennessee's Justin Worley three times. They held the Volunteers to minus-two rushing yards, and for the year rank sixth in rushing defense by allowing 97.1 yards per game.
Quarterback Bo Wallace hasn't put up big numbers—against Tennessee he threw for 199 yards and two touchdowns on 13-of-28 passing—but he's also been avoiding mistakes. Wallace has 17 TD passes against just six interceptions, none in the past three games.
Ole Miss has turned the ball over only twice in four SEC games.
1. Mississippi State Bulldogs
54 of 54
Average rating: 1.6
Week 8 result: Bye
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 25 at Kentucky
Mississippi State (6-0, 3-0 SEC) held onto the top spot without having to play a game, getting in its last bye week before finishing with six straight against a lineup that includes November road trips to Alabama and rival Ole Miss.
The Bulldogs are 10th in the country in total offense at 529.7 yards per game, led by junior quarterback Dak Prescott's 22 total touchdowns and 689 rushing yards from running back Josh Robinson. MSU has managed at least 34 points in every game, and its defense has intercepted 11 passes.
All statistical information courtesy of CFBStats.com.
Follow Brian J. Pedersen on Twitter at @realBJP.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
