College Football Rankings 2015: Power Ranking All 128 Teams for Week 9
What was supposed to be a relatively uneventful week of college football once again proved that the worst schedules can produce some of the craziest results. We lost a pair of unbeaten teams—as well as two more head coaches, bringing the total to seven FBS jobs that have opened up this season—and also had a pair of games require four overtimes to decide a winner.
We also have a new set of Bleacher Report power rankings, which have been impacted by this past weekend's weirdness.
Bleacher Report's power rankings are comprised of an average of five sources: B/R's weekly Top 25, the Associated Press Top 25, the Amway Coaches Poll, ratings guru Jeff Sagarin's computer rankings and the author's personal rankings for every FBS school. The top 50 teams are broken down individually, while the rest of the 128 FBS teams are summarized in a few easy-to-digest chunks.
Check out where everyone ranks after eight weeks, and then give us your thoughts in the comments section.
Nos. 128-91
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Teams in the bottom portion of our rankings went a combined 8-25 this past week, with all but one of those victories coming against other teams ranked 91st or lower. The exception: Buffalo, which gave head coach Lance Leipold his first Mid-American Conference win with a 41-17 victory over the Ohio Bobcats.
Elsewhere, Idaho notched a 27-13 home win over Louisiana-Monroe for its first two-game win streak since November 2010. That's also the last time the Vandals had more than two victories in the same season.
- 128. New Mexico State Aggies (0-7, 0-3 Sun Belt)
- 127. Charlotte 49ers (2-5, 0-4 Conference USA)
- 126. North Texas Mean Green (0-7, 0-4 Conference USA)
- 125. Eastern Michigan Eagles (1-7, 0-4 Mid-American)
- 124. Miami (Ohio) RedHawks (1-7, 0-4 Mid-American)
- 123. Georgia State Panthers (2-4, 1-1 Sun Belt)
- 122. Wyoming Cowboys (1-7, 1-3 Mountain West)
- 121. Old Dominion Monarchs (3-4, 1-3 Conference USA)
- 120. Florida Atlantic Owls (1-6, 1-3 Conference USA)
- 119. Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks (1-6, 0-3 Sun Belt)
- 117. (tie) UTEP Miners (3-4, 1-2 Conference USA)
- 117. (tie) UCF Knights (0-8, 0-4 American)
- 116. Idaho Vandals (3-4, 2-2 Sun Belt)
- 115. Kansas Jayhawks (0-7, 0-4 Big 12)
- 113. (tie) Massachusetts Minutemen (1-6, 0-3 Mid-American)
- 113. (tie) Kent State Golden Flashes (3-5, 2-2 Mid-American)
- 112. Army Black Knights (2-6)
- 111. UTSA Roadrunners (1-6, 1-2 Conference USA)
- 110. Fresno State Bulldogs (2-6, 1-4 Mountain West)
- 109. South Alabama Jaguars (3-4, 1-2 Sun Belt)
- 107. (tie) Tulane Green Wave (2-5, 1-3 Conference USA)
- 107. (tie) Ball State Cardinals (2-6, 1-3 Mid-American)
- 106. SMU Mustangs (1-6, 0-3 American)
- 104. (tie) New Mexico Lobos (4-4, 2-2 Mountain West)
- 104. (tie) Hawaii Warriors (2-6, 0-4 Mountain West)
- 103. Troy Trojans (2-5, 1-2 Sun Belt)
- 102. Texas State Bobcats (2-4, 1-1 Sun Belt)
- 101. Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns (2-4, 1-1 Sun Belt)
- 100. UNLV Runnin' Rebels (2-5, 1-2 Mountain West)
- 98. (tie) Connecticut Huskies (3-5, 1-3 American)
- 98. (tie) Akron Zips (3-4, 1-2 Mid-American)
- 97. Florida International Golden Panthers (4-4, 2-2 Conference USA)
- 96. Rice Owls (4-3, 2-1 Conference USA)
- 95. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (3-5, 1-4 ACC)
- 93. (tie) Purdue Boilermakers (1-6, 0-3 Big Ten)
- 93. (tie) Buffalo Bulls (3-4, 1-2 Mid-American)
- 91. (tie) Tulsa Golden Hurricane (3-4, 0-3 American)
- 91. (tie) Nevada Wolf Pack (4-4, 2-2 Mid-American)
Nos. 90-61
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San Diego State is the lone unbeaten team in Mountain West Conference play after its 48-14 home win over Utah State on Friday, the Aztecs' fourth straight victory. Donnel Pumphrey ran for 181 yards and two touchdowns in the win, which moves SDSU within a game of a school-record sixth straight bowl bid.
While SDSU remained perfect in league play, two others schools ended long conference losing streaks with narrow home wins on Saturday. Vanderbilt scored a 10-3 win over Missouri to end an 11-game skid in the SEC, while Colorado's 17-13 win over Oregon State snapped a 21-game losing streak in the Pac-12.
- 90. Ohio Bobcats (5-3, 2-2 Mid-American)
- 89. Oregon State Beavers (2-5, 0-4 Pac-12)
- 88. San Jose State Spartans (4-4, 3-2 Mountain West)
- 87. Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (3-5, 2-2 Conference USA)
- 86. Arkansas State Red Wolves (4-3, 3-0 Sun Belt)
- 84. (tie) Virginia Cavaliers (2-5, 1-2 ACC)
- 84. (tie) Iowa State Cyclones (2-5, 1-3 Big 12)
- 83. Colorado State Rams (3-4, 1-2 Mountain West)
- 82. Syracuse Orange (3-4, 1-2 ACC)
- 80. (tie) Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles (5-3, 3-1 Conference USA)
- 80. (tie) Colorado Buffaloes (4-4, 1-3 Pac-12)
- 79. Central Michigan Chippewas (4-4, 3-1 Mid-American)
- 78. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (3-4, 1-3 Big Ten)
- 76. (tie) South Florida Bulls (4-3, 2-1 American)
- 76. (tie) Boston College Eagles (3-5, 0-5 ACC)
- 75. Indiana Hoosiers (4-4, 0-4 Big Ten)
- 74. Maryland Terrapins (2-5, 0-3 Big Ten)
- 73. Air Force Falcons (4-4, 3-1 Mountain West)
- 72. Western Michigan Broncos (4-3, 3-0 Mid-American)
- 71. Vanderbilt Commodores (3-4, 1-3 SEC)
- 70. East Carolina Pirates (4-4, 2-2 American)
- 69. Northern Illinois Huskies (5-3, 3-1 Mid-American)
- 68. Georgia Southern Eagles (5-2, 3-1 Sun Belt)
- 67. San Diego State Aztecs (5-3, 4-0 Mountain West)
- 66. Miami, Florida Hurricanes (4-3, 1-2 ACC)
- 65. South Carolina Gamecocks (3-4, 1-4 SEC)
- 64. Illinois Fighting Illini (4-3, 1-2 Big Ten)
- 63. Minnesota Golden Gophers (4-3, 1-2 Big Ten)
- 62. Kentucky Wildcats (4-3, 2-3 SEC)
- 61. Virginia Tech Hokies (3-5, 1-3 ACC)
Nos. 60-51
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Georgia Tech used some last-second dramatics to end a five-game losing streak, blocking a field goal on the last play of the game and having Lance Austin return the block 78 yards for the game-winning touchdown in a 22-16 home upset of previously unbeaten Florida State.
"That's college football," a matter-of-fact Tech head coach in Paul Johnson said afterward, per TheACC.com.
- 58. (tie) Utah State Aggies (4-3, 3-1 Mountain West)
- 58. (tie) Nebraska Cornhuskers (3-5, 1-3 Big Ten)
- 58. (tie) Cincinnati Bearcats (4-3, 1-2 American)
- 57. Missouri Tigers (4-4, 1-4 SEC)
- 56. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (5-3, 3-1 Conference USA)
- 55. Kansas State Wildcats (3-4, 0-4 Big 12)
- 54. Marshall Thundering Herd (7-1, 4-0 Conference USA)
- 53. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (3-5, 1-4 ACC)
- 52. Louisville Cardinals (3-4, 2-2 ACC)
- 51. Arizona Wildcats (5-3, 2-3 Pac-12)
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48. (tie) Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
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Average rating: 46.0
Week 8 result: Lost 48-20 at LSU
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 31 at Old Dominion
Western Kentucky (6-2, 4-0 Conference USA) faced an already-monstrous task trying to win at night in Tiger Stadium, and the horrible conditions brought on by heavy rain made the game even more difficult. But despite the loss, the Hilltoppers showed they can still move the ball even against a top-level defense.
Brandon Doughty threw for 325 yards and three touchdowns but was only 37-of-61, his worst completion rate of the season, and he had an interception for the third game in a row. The senior has thrown for 3,304 yards with 27 TDs and five picks and is completing 71.6 percent of his passes.
Western Kentucky is now 1-2 against power-conference teams this year, having won at Vanderbilt and lost at Indiana. It's won C-USA games by an average of 24.3 points.
48. (tie) Washington Huskies
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Average rating: 46.0
Week 8 result: Lost 31-14 at Stanford
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 31 vs. Arizona
Washington (3-4, 1-3 Pac-12) didn't have freshman quarterback Jake Browning, and it was noticeable, resulting in a season-low 118 passing yards and just nine completions while Browning sat out with a shoulder injury. That put an extra emphasis on the Huskies' other freshman weapon, with running back Myles Gaskin going for 108 yards and a touchdown for his third straight 100-yard game.
The Huskies are averaging only 18.8 points per game in Pac-12 play, and they rank 116th in total offense.
48. (tie) Texas Tech Red Raiders
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Average rating: 46.0
Week 8 result: Lost 63-27 at Oklahoma
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 31 vs. Oklahoma State
Texas Tech (5-3, 2-3 Big 12) has seemingly become resigned to giving up points and yards in bunches, assuming its offense will be able to keep pace. But when the Red Raiders make mistakes with the ball and can't match their opponents' production, results like Saturday's 36-point road loss will happen.
Patrick Mahomes II threw four interceptions, giving him 10 this season, and in Tech's last two losses it has given the ball away eight times. It still has a plus-four turnover margin compared to minus-13 a year ago.
Mahomes threw for 253 yards, fewest by a Tech team since last November.
46. (tie) North Carolina State Wolfpack
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Average rating: 45.5
Week 8 result: Won 35-17 at Wake Forest
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 31 vs. Clemson
North Carolina State (5-2, 1-2 ACC) used a 28-point first quarter to snap a two-game skid, carried by the offensive tandem of quarterback Jacoby Brissett and running back Matt Dayes as has been the case most of the season.
Brissett threw for 227 yards with two touchdowns, and he is completing 67 percent of his throws with just one interception. Dayes, who ran for 205 yards and two TDs on 16 carries, has 12 rushing scores this season and gains 6.34 yards per carry.
46. (tie) Bowling Green Falcons
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Average rating: 45.5
Week 8 result: Won 48-0 at Kent State
Week 9 matchup: Bye
Bowling Green (6-2, 3-0 Mid-American) again showed off one of the best offenses in the country led by FBS passing leader Matt Johnson, but by recording its first shutout since November 2013, it's also added another element with the ability to make stops on defense.
The Falcons average 43.9 points and 595.5 yards per game, with quarterback Johnson averaging 415.1 passing yards per game with 29 touchdowns and three interceptions in 345 attempts.
44. (tie) Texas Longhorns
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Average rating: 44.5
Week 8 result: Won 23-9 vs. Kansas State
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 31 at Iowa State
Texas (3-4, 2-2 Big 12) didn't let an off week slow the momentum gained from its win over Oklahoma; instead the strong defensive play from that win carried over for a second straight low-scoring win.
The Longhorns have allowed 26 points in their last two games after giving up 38.2 points per game during a 1-4 start. Oklahoma and K-State were held to 4.13 yards per game compared to 6.17 for the first five games.
44. (tie) Arkansas Razorbacks
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Average rating: 44.5
Week 8 result: Won 54-46 (in 4 OT) vs. Auburn
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 31 vs. Tennessee-Martin
Arkansas (3-4, 2-2 SEC) has matched last season's conference win total after outlasting Auburn at home, and with a game against an FCS team this weekend, it can try to mount some momentum before a final stretch that includes three straight games against teams currently ranked in the Associated Press Top 25.
However, the Razorbacks' hope of returning to a heavy run presence has taken another hit with freshman Rawleigh Williams being lost for the season with a neck injury. That's their second running back to go down with a season-ending injury, as Jonathan Williams hurt his foot in the preseason.
43. Washington State Cougars
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Average rating: 43.0
Week 8 result: Won 45-42 at Arizona
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 31 vs. Stanford
Washington State (5-2, 3-1 Pac-12) has won three straight in conference play for the first time since 2003, making a complete turnaround since opening the season with a home loss to an FCS school.
The Cougars live and die by the pass, and Luke Falk had another monster game. He threw for 514 yards and five touchdowns on 47-of-62 passing, giving him 2,885 yards with 26 TDs and a 72.9 percent completion rate this season.
42. Auburn Tigers
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Average rating: 42.0
Week 8 result: Lost 54-46 (in 4 OT) at Arkansas
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 31 vs. Ole Miss
Auburn (4-3, 1-3 SEC) can't catch passes and can't make stops on defense, a combination that has led to a disappointing season, including Saturday's marathon loss at Arkansas. In that game, the Tigers dropped seven passes, per Matthew Stevens of the Montgomery Advertiser, and they allowed more than five yards per play for the sixth time in 2015.
Sean White threw for 254 yards despite the drops, helping Auburn rally to tie the game twice in the fourth quarter and force overtime, while Peyton Barber scored four touchdowns and ran for 120 yards but needed 37 carries.
Auburn's defense, which was supposed to see major improvement under new coordinator Will Muschamp, is giving up slightly more yards per play (5.73 vs. 5.67) than in 2014.
41. Penn State Nittany Lions
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Average rating: 41.0
Week 8 result: Won 31-30 vs. Maryland (in Baltimore)
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 31 vs. Illinois
Penn State (6-2, 3-1 Big Ten) rebounded from the blowout loss at Ohio State behind junior quarterback Christian Hackenberg, who a week after getting sacked five times threw for 315 yards and three touchdowns on just 13 completions.
Hackenberg has been taken down 28 times this year, but when he has had time to throw, there have been some strong results in 2015. He's gone more than five games without an interception and has been picked off just twice in 206 attempts after throwing 15 interceptions last season.
40. Appalachian State Mountaineers
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Average rating: 40.75
Week 8 result: Won 31-13 vs. Georgia Southern
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 31 vs. Troy
Appalachian State (6-1, 3-0 Sun Belt) has won nine consecutive league games and is atop the standings after winning a showdown with fellow second-year FBS program Georgia Southern. The Mountaineers' only loss came in their second game, at Clemson, and since then, they've won five straight by 32.8 points per game.
Three of Appalachian's remaining five games are at home, including a potential conference title match Oct. 5 against Arkansas State. After being ineligible for postseason play in 2014, the Mountaineers are the first team in the Sun Belt to secure bowl eligibility.
39. Navy Midshipmen
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Average rating: 39.33
Week 8 result: Won 31-14 vs. Tulane
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 31 vs. South Florida
Navy (5-1, 3-0 American) has yet to lose a league game in its history, though this is its first season not playing football as an independent.
Quarterback Keenan Reynolds ended an individual two-game scoreless streak with two rushing touchdowns last week, giving him 11 for the season and 75 for his career. That's second all-time in FBS and only two behind career leader Montee Ball of Wisconsin.
38. Oregon Ducks
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Average rating: 36.67
Week 8 result: Bye
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 29 at Arizona State
Oregon (4-3, 2-2 Pac-12) already has more losses than in any season since 2010, and it still has four more games against teams with winning records, including two of the net three on the road.
The Ducks have gained 218.9 yards per game via the pass, which would be their lowest average since 2009. The return of Vernon Adams Jr. last time out boosted that rate, with 272 yards and two touchdowns, though the 60.5 percent team completion rate is still only 56th in the country.
37. Arizona State Sun Devils
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Average rating: 36.5
Week 8 result: Bye
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 29 vs. Oregon
Arizona State (4-3, 2-2 Pac-12) has had its season revolve around the performance of its offense, which has averaged 38.8 points per game in wins and 16.3 in losses. That inconsistency has put a strain on the Sun Devils' aggressive defense, which last time out wore down late and allowed 20 fourth-quarter points in a 34-18 loss at Utah.
Quarterback Mike Bercovici is completing 58.6 percent of his passes and has been sacked 21 times, 16 of those coming in the losses.
36. Tennessee Volunteers
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Average rating: 36.0
Week 8 result: Lost 19-14 at Alabama
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 31 at Kentucky
Tennessee (3-4, 1-3 SEC) has held the lead in the fourth quarter of each of its losses this season, though unlike the previous three, its advantage against Alabama didn't occur until the final period as well. Though the Volunteers allowed a touchdown with 2:24 left and then turned the ball over a minute later, the performance provided things to build off for the remainder of 2015.
The 117 rushing yards were the second fewest of the season thanks to five sacks and 10 tackles for loss, and the Vols didn't allow a passing TD against a power-conference team for the first time since last November.
However, the 4.97 yards per play were their worst since the home loss to Oklahoma and came after gaining 519 yards last time out against Georgia.
35. Northwestern Wildcats
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Average rating: 33.6
Week 8 result: Won 30-28 at Nebraska
Week 9 matchup: Bye
Northwestern (6-2, 2-2 Big Ten) ended a two-game losing streak (during which it was outscored 78-10) to become bowl-eligible for the first time since 2012.
The Wildcats defense had let the team down the last two weeks but was integral in a road win over Nebraska, with Nick VanHoose's 72-yard interception return for a touchdown combining with strong run stopping. For the year, Northwestern ranks 17th in yards allowed per play at 4.5.
34. West Virginia Mountaineers
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Average rating: 33.5
Week 8 result: Bye
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 29 at TCU
West Virginia (3-3, 0-3 Big 12) had arguably the toughest start to conference play of any team in the country before its off week, losing to a trio of teams that are a combined 20-1 and allowed 139 points in the process. But the road doesn't get easier any time soon, since the Mountaineers return to action from a shorter-than-normal bye with another whopper of an opponent.
After allowing only 23 points during nonconference play, West Virginia has slipped to 72nd in total defense, while its own offense has become mistake-prone. The Mountaineers have 10 turnovers in their past three games, with quarterback Skyler Howard throwing five interceptions with a 51 percent completion rate during the three-game losing streak.
33. Boise State Broncos
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Average rating: 32.25
Week 8 result: Won 34-14 vs. Wyoming
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 31 at UNLV
Boise State (6-2, 3-1 Mountain West) is tied atop the Mountain Division but will need some help from the rest of the league to make a second straight conference title game by virtue of its loss at Utah State two weeks ago.
The Broncos had only one turnover against Wyoming after giving it away eight times the week before. The return of Jeremy McNichols from injury helped take the pressure off freshman quarterback Brett Rypien, and McNichols responded with a career-high 166 rushing yards and a touchdown.
McNichols has scored 16 TDs, second most in FBS.
32. BYU Cougars
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Average rating: 32.2
Week 8 result: Won 70-6 vs. Wagner
Week 9 matchup: Bye
BYU (6-2) has made the most of home cooking this season, going 5-0 and averaging 43.6 points per game in those victories. The four-game win streak has all been in Provo, Utah, but after the break, only one of the Cougars' last four games will be at home.
After putting up 741 yards against FCS school Wagner, the Cougars are averaging 454.9 yards per game and 6.23 per play. Quarterback Tanner Mangum has 14 touchdown passes, 10 during the four-game win streak.
31. California Golden Bears
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Average rating: 31.4
Week 8 result: Lost 40-24 at UCLA
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 31 vs. USC
California (5-2, 2-2 Pac-12) remains a game away from bowl eligibility after a second straight loss, one that has continued head coach Sonny Dykes' struggles against the conference's top programs.
In two-plus season, Dykes and the Golden Bears are 0-9 against Oregon, Stanford, UCLA and USC, and seven of those losses have been by at least 16 points.
Jared Goff rebounded from a five-interception performance at Utah to throw for 295 yards and three touchdowns, but he was sacked five times and has been taken down 20 times this season.
28. (tie) Texas A&M Aggies
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Average rating: 26.6
Week 8 result: Lost 23-3 at Ole Miss
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 31 vs. South Carolina
Texas A&M (5-2, 2-2 SEC) has gone from a team on the rise to one amid another midseason spiral in just two weeks, losing for the second week in a row and looking completely listless on offense.
The Aggies' 192 yards were their fewest since last year's 59-0 loss at Alabama, which was in the middle of a three-game losing streak after starting that season 5-0. That's how this season also started, but the past two weeks they've been outscored 64-26 and turned it over seven times. Four of those giveaways have been on interceptions by Kyle Allen, who was benched Saturday in favor of unheralded sophomore Jake Hubenak over freshman Kyler Murray.
Allen missed 18 of 20 passes at one point, and his completion percentage has dipped to 56.8 percent. And with Murray seemingly in the doghouse and no run game to speak of, A&M might end up having to rely on a defense that has improved but isn't yet ready to carry the team.
"Simply put, Texas A&M's offense is a mess, and that's the one aspect of the program that (coach Kevin) Sumlin should have complete control of," Bleacher Report's Barrett Sallee wrote.
28. (tie) Temple Owls
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Average rating: 26.6
Week 8 result: Won 24-14 at East Carolina
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 31 vs. Notre Dame
Temple (7-0, 4-0 American) has been one of the best second-half teams in the country this season, and it came through again last time out with two touchdowns in the final 3:31 to avoid its first loss of the season and secure a spot on the national stage for one weekend.
The Owls will host ESPN's College GameDay pregame show on Saturday ahead of their game against Notre Dame, one that could push them into the front of the race for the "Group of Five" bid to a New Year's Six bowl game. They beat Penn State at home earlier this year and also host unbeaten Memphis in November.
28. (tie) North Carolina Tar Heels
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Average rating: 26.6
Week 8 result: Won 26-13 vs. Virginia
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 29 at Pittsburgh
North Carolina (6-1, 3-0 ACC) is on a six-game win streak, its longest since 1997, and defense has fueled this run as much as anything that quarterback Marquise Williams and his offensive teammates have done.
The Tar Heels forced five turnovers against Virginia, and they allow 4.89 yards per play, a huge improvement from 6.53 per play last season, when they yielded 39 points per game. At 16.7 points allowed per game, they rank 16th in FBS.
27. Wisconsin Badgers
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Average rating: 26.5
Week 8 result: Won 24-13 at Illinois
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 31 vs. Rutgers
Wisconsin (6-2, 3-1 Big Ten) lost its most consistent offensive player to injury, but a backup and continued strong defensive play paced a third straight win.
Bart Houston replaced Joel Stave early and threw for 232 yards and two touchdowns, the seventh time this year the Badgers have gained more via the pass than the run. That happened only twice last season and eight times in the past three years.
Wisconsin's defense allowed 13 or fewer points for the sixth time and ranks second nationally at 11.1 points allowed per game.
26. Georgia Bulldogs
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Average rating: 25.8
Week 8 result: Bye
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 31 vs. Florida (in Jacksonville, Florida)
Georgia (5-2, 3-2 SEC) lost two of three before the break and managed only nine points in the victory against Missouri. The time off allowed the Bulldogs to reconfigure their offense to make better use of the assets they have now that workhorse running back Nick Chubb is recovering from season-ending knee surgery.
Greyson Lambert has completed only 54.5 percent of his passes with two touchdowns in three games since going 33-of-35 with five TDs in the previous two games. Sony Michel, now the featured back, has 48 carries the past two games, but against Missouri he ran for just 87 yards on 26 carries to end Georgia's streak of 19 games with a 100-yard rusher.
Georgia allows 4.64 yards per play on defense, which ranks 21st in FBS, but in losses to Alabama and Tennessee it allowed 5.87 yards per play.
25. USC Trojans
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Average rating: 25.13
Week 8 result: Won 42-24 vs. Utah
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 31 at California
USC (4-3, 2-2 Pac-12) will remain one of the most dangerous teams in the country as long as its overabundant talent base can perform as it did in knocking off previously unbeaten Utah. A week after a strong effort in a 10-point loss at Notre Dame just days after Steve Sarkisian was fired as head coach, the Trojans were solid on offense and impactful on defense.
Linebacker Cameron Smith, one of USC's many talented freshmen, had three of the team's four interceptions and returned one for a touchdown. That performance paired with an efficient offense, which despite a fifth game this season converting less than 40 percent of its third downs scored TDs on four of five trips to the red zone.
Cody Kessler threw for 264 yards and a TD on 21-of-28 passing, his first game without an interception since Sept. 19. And the four rushing TDs the Trojans produced were more than in their previous four games.
24. Pittsburgh Panthers
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Average rating: 24.6
Week 8 result: Won 23-20 at Syracuse
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 29 vs. North Carolina
Pittsburgh (6-1, 4-0 ACC) has a half-game lead on Duke and North Carolina in the Coastal Division after its second road win on a late field goal, furthering this team's separation from past Panthers units.
Bowl-eligible for the seventh year in a row, the previous four Pitt teams were all 6-6 after the regular season and didn't get to six wins until November or later.
While its offense hasn't been very explosive, it still has gotten major production from receiver Tyler Boyd. Fourth in the country in receptions per game, his 53 catches are more than Pitt's next eight targets.
22. (tie) UCLA Bruins
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Average rating: 24.4
Week 8 result: Won 40-24 vs. California
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 31 vs. Colorado
UCLA (5-2, 2-2 Pac-12) put a temporary end to its home struggles by dominating on offense and playing solid defense on Thursday night, thus getting back on track a season that was in jeopardy of becoming a lost one because of injuries and mistakes.
Josh Rosen, who has gone back and forth looking like a true freshman and a superstar, had his best performance of the year with a career-high 399 passing yards with three touchdowns while setting a school record with 34 completions. He didn't throw an interception against a secondary that had 12 in its first six games, and he was sacked only once.
He'll be the key to what UCLA does on offense from here on out, especially if a leg injury to star running back Paul Perkins keeps him out for an extended time period.
22. (tie) Mississippi State Bulldogs
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Average rating: 24.4
Week 8 result: Won 42-16 vs. Kentucky
Week 9 matchup: Bye
Mississippi State (6-2, 2-2 SEC) has scored 132 points during a three-game win streak, all at home, though only the last one came in league play. The Bulldogs' early losses to LSU and Texas A&M have them back in the pack in the West Division, but after a bye, they'll get chances to impact the race with November home games against Alabama and Ole Miss.
Dak Prescott accounted for 465 yards of total offense and all six of MSU's touchdowns, continuing his season-long trend of being far and away its only consistent weapon. Prescott upped his per-game average to 302.4, which is 67.9 percent of the Bulldogs offense, and he's been responsible for 21 of their 33 offensive TDs.
21. Toledo Rockets
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Average rating: 24.2
Week 8 result: Won 51-35 at Massachusetts
Week 9 matchup: Bye
Toledo (7-0, 4-0 Mid-American) scored 41 second-half points to win its 10th straight game, rallying from an 18-point deficit to head into its pre-#MACtion break on a high note.
The Rockets play their next three games on Tuesday nights, facing teams that are among the best in the MAC after four of the worst in the league. How they fare in those weeknight clashes will determine if they can win the West Division and remain in contention for the Group of Five's bid to a major bowl game.
Phillip Ely had 355 passing yards and five touchdowns along with three interceptions against Massachusetts. The former Alabama passer has 14 TDs in MAC play.
19. (tie) Houston Cougars
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Average rating: 21.4
Week 8 result: Won 59-10 at UCF
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 31 vs. Vanderbilt
Houston (7-0, 4-0 American) is now averaging 47.6 points per game after putting up 50-plus for the third time this season thanks to scores on seven straight possessions after trailing 10-7. The Cougars ended up with 600 yards, their fourth time reaching that mark in 2015.
Quarterback Greg Ward had a season-low 256 yards of total offense. But he still accounted for two touchdowns, while Kenneth Farrow contributed 167 rushing yards and three TDs on just 13 carries.
Houston's defense continues to be an underrated asset, giving up 280 yards and forcing four turnovers.
19. (tie) Duke Blue Devils
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Average rating: 21.4
Week 8 result: Won 45-43 (in 4 OT) at Virginia Tech
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 31 vs. Miami (Florida)
Duke (6-1, 3-0 ACC) is one of three teams without a loss in the suddenly deep Coastal Division, but it's the only one that has survived a quadruple-overtime game on the road thanks to a stuff on a two-point conversion. It was one of the few stops the Blue Devils made in a game that featured no turnovers and more than 900 yards of offense.
While it allowed a season-high 452 yards—200 more than its average coming in—Duke responded by having quarterback Thomas Kirk make all the big plays on offense. He had 379 yards of total offense, including 109 rushing yards, with four touchdown passes.
The Blue Devils have won six straight road games with three more to go this season.
18. Ole Miss Rebels
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Average rating: 18.2
Week 8 result: Won 23-3 vs. Texas A&M
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 31 at Auburn
Ole Miss (6-2, 3-1 SEC) put forth its best defensive effort of the season to get back on track after the harrowing loss at Memphis, and that figures to be the Rebels' best hope at winning the West Division.
They allowed a season-low 192 yards to Texas A&M, forcing three turnovers and limited the Aggies' passing game to 18 completions on 45 attempts. Opponents had completed 63 of 83 throws for 655 yards with seven touchdowns in their losses.
After ranking No. 1 in scoring defense last season, Ole Miss is still allowing fewer than 20 points per game, but three teams have topped the 30-point mark. That only happened twice in 2014.
17. Memphis Tigers
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Average rating: 17.6
Week 8 result: Won 66-42 at Tulsa
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 31 vs. Tulane
Memphis (7-0, 3-0 American) shook off a slow start to put up season highs in points and yards (704) to avoid any hangover from the historic win over Ole Miss the week before. Now the Tigers can focus on locking up the AAC's West Division, though their remaining two road games are against currently unbeaten teams.
Paxton Lynch threw for 447 yards and four touchdowns, and he has moved to fifth in FBS in passing efficiency, with 17 TDs and only one interception while averaging 338 passing yards per game.
The Tigers are scoring 48.9 points per game but allow 5.99 yards per carry, which ranks 102nd overall.
16. Florida State Seminoles
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Average rating: 15.6
Week 8 result: Lost 22-16 at Georgia Tech
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 31 vs. Syracuse
Florida State (6-1, 4-1 ACC) lost to a conference opponent for the first time since October 2012, and though it took a freak play—a blocked field goal returned for a touchdown as time expired—at the end to make it happen, that just masks several other issues that contributed to the Seminoles' first regular-season loss in almost three years.
Everett Golson committed his first turnover of the season, an interception thrown in the end zone that kept FSU from extending a 16-13 lead, and the 'Noles managed only 280 yards, including a season-low 70 rushing yards.
FSU's offense has been spotty all year, but it's been very bad on the road. According to Curt Weiler of Tomahawk Nation, FSU scores 3.2 points per possession at home but only 1.69 on the road.
It only has two more road games, but those are at Clemson and Florida, both of whom rank in the top 20 in scoring defense.
15. Michigan Wolverines
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Average rating: 15.2
Week 8 result: Bye
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 31 at Minnesota
Michigan (5-2, 2-1 Big Ten) had its bye at the best moment possible, since it allowed for extra time to recover from the harrowing end to its loss to Michigan State. Aside from ensuring punter Blake O'Neill has a better understanding of how to handle a muffed snap, the rest of the recovery from that final play is more mental than procedural.
The Wolverines play three of their next four on the road before ending at home against Ohio State. All of those games figure to follow the same formula they've used to this point, which is a combination of ball-control offense and stifling defense.
14. Utah Utes
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Average rating: 13.0
Week 8 result: Lost 42-24 at USC
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 31 vs. Oregon State
Utah (6-1, 3-1 Pac-12) can no longer dream of its first perfect season since 2008, but the playoffs and a conference title are still very much in play despite losing big at USC.
"We're still in the driver's seat," said receiver Britain Covey, per Dirk Facer of the Deseret News, referring to the Utes' one-game lead on the field in the South Division.
Utah turned it over four times, all on interceptions by Travis Wilson, and USC turned three of those picks into scores. One was returned for a touchdown right before halftime, putting the Utes down 28-14.
Devontae Booker had season lows in carries (14) and yards (62), and despite Utah's efforts to have a balanced offense, it lives and dies by Booker's production.
13. Florida Gators
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Average rating: 12.4
Week 8 result: Bye
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 31 vs. Georgia (in Jacksonville, Florida)
Florida (6-1, 4-1 SEC) had its first loss of the season before the bye week, but with at least a one-game lead on everyone in the East Division, it's still in control of its destiny. Knock off Georgia in the annual World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party, and the Gators will have nearly locked up a trip to their first SEC title game since 2009.
And as Bleacher Report's Barrett Sallee noted, Florida winning the East is integral to the conference ensuring it doesn't get shut out of the playoffs.
"The Gators are the key to making the SEC Championship Game a de facto national quarterfinal in 2015," Sallee wrote.
First, though, Florida has to make sure it can perform as well with Treon Harris at quarterback as it did with Will Grier, who is done for the year while serving an NCAA suspension for performance-enhancing drug use. Harris threw for 271 yards and two touchdowns in the loss to LSU, but he completed only 53.1 percent of his passes.
12. Oklahoma Sooners
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Average rating: 12.2
Week 8 result: Won 63-27 vs. Texas Tech
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 31 at Kansas
Oklahoma (6-1, 3-1 Big 12) is committed to a pass-oriented offense, but at least for one week it remembered its backfield included the FBS single-game rushing record holder. If there's a way for the Sooners to balance what Samaje Perine is capable of with what quarterback Baker Mayfield has done this season, they'll stay in the hunt for the conference title and a playoff bid.
Perine, who ran for 427 yards in a game in 2014 but had only 420 in Oklahoma's first six games, ran for a season-high 201 yards with four touchdowns against Texas Tech. He nearly outgained the pass attack, which went for 212 yards and two TDs and is averaging 313.1 yards per game.
"Lo and behold, the Sooners' record-setting runner does still hold a spot in OU's Air Raid offense," Stewart Mandel of Fox Sports wrote.
The other promising development from Saturday's win came on defense, where four interceptions gave the Sooners seven picks in the last two games and 11 for the season. Last year they had 12 in 13 games.
11. Oklahoma State Cowboys
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Average rating: 11.6
Week 8 result: Won 58-10 vs. Kansas
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 31 at Texas Tech
Oklahoma State experienced an unspeakable tragedy before its game versus Kansas when an allegedly alcohol-related car wreck occurred at its homecoming parade, resulting in the deaths of four people. The game went on as scheduled, and with the wreck casting a pall over the day, the players kneeled in prayer before kickoff.
Despite the extremely trying circumstances, Oklahoma State dominated in winning for the ninth straight time. The victory was the Cowboys' first in more than a month that wasn't decided in the final minute or in overtime. OK State gained 583 yards and allowed 221, with quarterback Mason Rudolph bouncing back from his worst performance of the season in his previous game.
Rudolph averages 313.9 passing yards per game with 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions, and he'll need to be more consistent in order to help OK State through a final stretch that includes facing four of the top offenses in the country.
10. Iowa Hawkeyes
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Average rating: 10.6
Week 8 result: Bye
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 31 vs. Maryland
Iowa (7-0, 3-0 Big Ten) is the only team to beat Pittsburgh this season and has road wins over its two main challengers in the West Division. The Hawkeyes are in the driver's seat to make the conference title game for the first time while also remaining a dark horse in the playoff race thanks to a remaining schedule that features only one team with an above-.500 record.
The Hawkeyes average 32.9 points and 421.1 yards per game, tallies that aren't in the top 40 nationally but are far above normal during head coach Kirk Ferentz's long tenure. The 5.97 yards per play is their best average since 2010, and they're on pace to average more rushing yards per game than via the pass since 2008.
This has been due to a deep backfield, first with Jordan Canzeri handling the workload and then Akrum Wadley taking over last time out when Canzeri was injured.
Iowa's defense has also been strong, allowing nearly one yard fewer per game than in 2014 while forcing 15 turnovers compared to 16 all of last season.
9. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
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Average rating: 9.8
Week 8 result: Bye
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 31 at Temple
Notre Dame (6-1) played three straight games against teams with winning records before its break, good preparation for the next two Saturdays, when they visit the state of Pennsylvania to face teams with a combined 13-1 record.
The Fighting Irish finish the year with four of five away from South Bend, Indiana, and in their two road games this season they needed a last-second touchdown to win at Virginia and fell to Clemson. Both of those results saw freshman quarterback DeShone Kizer show his mettle, though, first in relief of injured starter Malik Zaire at Virginia and then with a career-best 321 passing yards against Clemson.
C.J. Prosise is ninth in FBS at 163 all-purpose yards per game, while Will Fuller's 21.94 yards-per-catch average is best among receivers with at least 30 receptions.
8. Stanford Cardinal
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Average rating: 8.4
Week 8 result: Won 31-14 vs. Washington
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 31 at Washington State
Stanford (6-1, 5-0 Pac-12) didn't continue its streak of outscoring itself from the game before, but that might be the only thing the Cardinal failed to do in winning their sixth straight game. Still, they topped 30 points for the sixth time since losing at Northwestern, their longest streak of 30 or more points since doing so in 14 consecutive games in 2010-11.
Christian McCaffrey added to his FBS-leading all-purpose-yards average, gaining 300 (including rushing and receiving touchdowns) to sit at 259.7 per game. And Kevin Hogan threw for 290 yards with two TDs, his sixth straight game with at least two TD passes.
Stanford allowed only 231 yards and limited Washington to just 45 offensive snaps after giving up 408.3 yards per game in its previous four Pac-12 contests.
7. Michigan State Spartans
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Average rating: 8.0
Week 8 result: Won 52-26 vs. Indiana
Week 9 matchup: Bye
Michigan State (8-0, 5-0 Big Ten) returned to its habit of playing down to its opponents, save for the final five minutes, when it added three insurance touchdowns after only holding a two-point lead entering the fourth quarter. The Spartans have won 12 in a row and are on a collision course with Ohio State in November.
Connor Cook has come on strong the last few weeks, throwing for a career-best 398 yards with four TDs against Indiana. He has 17 TDs and only two interceptions this season, averaging 354.3 yards over the last three games.
Cook is making up for a run game that has scored 17 times but has slipped to 3.92 yards per carry. That rate is 2.6 the last three games.
6. Alabama Crimson Tide
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Average rating: 5.8
Week 8 result: Won 19-14 vs. Tennessee
Week 9 matchup: Bye
Alabama (7-1, 4-1 SEC) needed a late touchdown run by Derrick Henry and then one last defensive stop to hold off Tennessee at home, continuing its trend in 2015 of playing uninspired ball at home compared to in road and neutral-site games. That's among the things the Crimson Tide will likely spend the off week working on, since after the break is a visit from unbeaten LSU.
Another way to look at Saturday's result, though, was the byproduct of a challenging October, as Bleacher Report's Christopher Walsh noted.
"There aren't too many teams that could have survived a monthlong run of at No. 8 Georgia, Arkansas, at No. 9 Texas A&M and Tennessee without a loss," Walsh wrote. "All four of those Southeastern Conference opponents have been ranked this season, and the last two were coming off byes when they faced the Crimson Tide."
Henry ran for 143 yards and a TD, his fifth 100-yard game of the season and 10th of his career, but Alabama is still looking for offensive balance. Jake Coker hasn't thrown a TD pass the past two games.
5. LSU Tigers
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Average rating: 5.4
Week 8 result: Won 48-20 vs. Western Kentucky
Week 9 matchup: Bye
LSU (7-0, 4-0 SEC) wrapped up its nonconference schedule with an impressive win over one of the top mid-major teams in the country, doing so with an offense that continues to show growth in the passing game after being so reliant all year on Leonard Fournette.
While the nation's top rusher still got his yards, getting 150 on 26 carries with a touchdown for his school-record ninth straight 100-yard game, it was Brandon Harris' 286 passing yards and three TDs that stood out more for the Tigers.
Harris has thrown for 716 yards with seven TDs the past three weeks after averaging 95.5 per game in the first four games, and the sophomore has yet to throw and interception in 128 attempts.
"His maturation is coming at the right time for the Tigers," Bleacher Report's Bryan Manning wrote.
After ranking last in the SEC in passing last season, LSU is still below the 2014 average but has been far more efficient throwing the ball.
4. TCU Horned Frogs
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Average rating: 4.0
Week 8 result: Bye
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 29 vs. West Virginia
TCU (7-0, 4-0 Big 12) is on the cusp of a season-defining final month of the season, when it is set to play three teams who have combined for just one loss. The Horned Frogs' opponents to this point all have at least three defeats.
That relatively soft schedule hasn't been without challenges, though, as three of TCU's four road games have been decided by seven or fewer points, and it has trailed in all three Big 12 road games.
The Frogs average 50.1 points and 616.3 yards per game, and their 7.84 yards per play are second-best in the country. Much of this is due to Trevone Boykin, who has accounted for 2,979 yards and 30 touchdowns and gains 9.11 yards per play.
3. Clemson Tigers
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Average rating: 3.6
Week 8 result: Won 58-0 at Miami (Florida)
Week 9 matchup: Oct. 31 at North Carolina State
Clemson (7-0, 4-0 ACC) handed Miami its worst loss in program history and also helped send Hurricanes head coach Al Golden packing, as the team fired him on Sunday. It was the latest in a series of impressive achievements for the Tigers this season, and as the only remaining unbeaten team in the conference, they might be the league's only hope to make the playoffs.
If that happens, it will be due to the combination of electric playmaking quarterback Deshaun Watson and a defense that been solid all year.
Watson had 241 yards of total offense and two touchdowns on 27 plays before heading to the bench for the rest of the game, letting his backups contribute to 416 yards of rushing and six scores. He also got to watch Clemson's defense give up only 146 yards, moving it to fourth nationally in total defense.
2. Ohio State Buckeyes
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Average rating: 2.4
Week 8 result: Won 49-7 at Rutgers
Week 9 matchup: Bye
In the past two games Ohio State (8-0, 4-0 Big Ten) has looked very much like the team we saw through most of last season and had expected to watch again in 2015. Since quarterback J.T. Barrett has become more involved in the game plan, the Buckeyes have averaged 43.5 points per game and gained nearly 600 rushing yards.
Barrett has gained 100-plus yards on the ground in both games, including in his first start of 2015 last week, when he had 324 yards of total offense and accounted for five touchdowns. Ezekiel Elliott has also benefited from this change and now has topped 100 rushing yards in 13 straight games.
Now comes an opportunity to do a little more tinkering during the bye before a stretch run where every remaining opponent has no worse than a 4-3 record.
"With the quarterback switch, the running game is producing explosive plays despite defenses gearing up to stop it," Bleacher Report's David Regimbal wrote. "But for Ohio State's offense to hit the next level, it will have to get more from the passing game."
1. Baylor Bears
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Average rating: 1.8
Week 8 result: Won 45-27 vs. Iowa State
Week 9 matchup: Bye
Baylor (7-0, 4-0 Big 12) had its lowest offensive numbers of the season on a rain-soaked field Saturday, almost as if the Bears were looking ahead to the bye week and wanted to get done as soon as possible. But before that could happen, they suffered a major loss to their armory when quarterback Seth Russell suffered a neck injury.
The team announced Monday that Russell, who leads FBS in quarterback rating and yards per pass attempts and is tied for the national lead with 29 touchdown throws, is out for the season after needing neck surgery. That means the keys to an offense that averages 61.1 points and 686.1 yards per game have been handed over to a true freshman, Jarrett Stidham.
Stidham has thrown six TDs and completed 24 of 28 passes along with a rushing score in limited duty this season.
The loss of Russell will be significant, but he's hardly Baylor's only weapon. It averages 338.3 rushing yards per game and has a receiver in Corey Coleman who has 18 TD catches on just 47 receptions.
Statistics provided by CFBStats.com unless otherwise noted.
Follow Brian J. Pedersen on Twitter at @realBJP.
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