Amway College Football Poll 2015: Top 25 Rankings for Week 10

The slate of college football games in Week 9 wasn't as strong as in previous weeks, but that didn't prevent the sport from providing enough drama and plot twists to fill a novel. And, of course, there was a wild, game-winning play as time expired to leave jaws on the floor, too. 

So let's take a look back at the action that was as we review this week's updated Amway coaches poll and the Bleacher Report edition. Much changed in Week 9. Much, much more will change in Week 10. 

Analysis

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It wouldn't be a Saturday in the fall without a crazy finish. 

This week, it was the Miami Hurricanes who provided the drama in a wild weekend in the ACC. Trailing 27-24 with just six seconds left, the Hurricanes fielded Duke's squib kick, lateraled the ball eight times and eventually scored, impossibly, as Corn Elder raced into the end zone. 

"It was kind of like, just keep playing. Just keep playing," Miami's interim head coach, Larry Scott, said after the game, per ESPN. "We used a joke earlier in the week about it being like a playground, about it being kind of like recess. And you know what? How about that? That's what it kind of turned into—a kids' game."

Referees would review the play to determine whether Mark Walton was guilty of a block in the back during the crazy return and if Walton's knee hit the ground before he got rid of his lateral during the play. But the officials waved off the flag and upheld the touchdown. 

The loss was potentially devastating for Duke, as North Carolina's win over Pittsburgh left it solely in first place in the ACC Coastal division. The Blue Devils will have the opportunity to separate themselves from both North Carolina and Pittsburgh, however, as they face those schools in the next two weeks. 

Meanwhile, Notre Dame kept its playoff hopes alive with a 24-20 win over a scrappy, tough Temple team Saturday night. DeShone Kizer (299 passing yards, one passing touchdown, 143 rushing yards, two rushing scores) single-handedly willed the team to victory, leading Notre Dame on a late touchdown drive to escape Philadelphia with a win. 

For a Temple program that has been notoriously weak throughout its history and was underestimated heading into this game, the showing was a good one, as John Keim of ESPN tweeted:

Still, a loss is a loss, and while the Owls are comfortably in first place in the American Athletic East division, a tough matchup against undefeated Memphis looms. If nothing else, however, the Owls proved they were a dangerous team Saturday night.

Minnesota nearly did the same. The Golden Gophers had the Michigan Wolverines on the ropes Saturday night, trailing 29-26 with the ball on the 1-yard line and just two seconds left. Minnesota decided to go for the win rather than the tie, but the Wolverines came up with a crucial stop, stuffing Mitch Leidner's quarterback-sneak attempt as time expired to seal the win.

The Wolverines have already been the victims of a crazy finish to lose a game this year. This time around, they managed to hold on and, in the process, hold onto their slim chances of reaching the Big Ten title game. 

Much will be decided in college football next week, meanwhile. The ACC has two huge matchups, as Duke faces North Carolina and Clemson takes on Florida State. The undefeated Tigers would surely be in the driver's seat for a playoff berth if they can get past the Seminoles. 

Notre Dame will face another test against a solid Pittsburgh team, while undefeated schools TCU and Oklahoma State will face off in a game that will have huge implications for the Big 12. And, as if all of that wasn't enough, Alabama and LSU will go head-to-head in a game that will decide quite a bit both in the SEC and in the College Football Playoff picture. 

Week 9 turned into a very entertaining one for college football fans. Week 10 should be downright epic.