NCAA Football Rankings 2016: Early Predictions for Week 10 College Polls

In Week 8, Penn State earned a shocking upset of second-ranked Ohio State and sent playoff projections into flux. In Week 9, we'll likely need another shocker to make things change at the top.

Top-ranked Alabama gets a week off from its midseason SEC slog, while Michigan should dominate an in-state matchup with Michigan State. The Spartans, a Top 25 team at the season's outset, have lost all four of their games in the Big Ten.

Mark Dantonio's team has only come close in one of those contests, a 24-21 road defeat at the hands of Indiana. The No. 17 team in the country at the time, that loss continued a monthlong descent for a team that was ranked as high as No. 8.

Michigan has rampaged through the first seven games of its schedule, winning six of those contests by three or more scores. The Wolverines lead FBS in points allowed, are third in points scored and have done it all despite not having one superstar playmaker on offense.

“We have to go up there and finally get that win," defensive end Taco Charlton told reporters of playing Michigan State. "The last play stung [a year ago]. Now it’s just them standing in our way. They are a big rivalry game. We are extra motivated for that game.”

Michigan, of course, lost last year's matchup on a fumbled snap on a punt that would have ended the contest with a Wolverines win.

Assuming the Wolverines atone for their mistake, we'll have to look down the rankings for a potential major change. With No. 3 Clemson, No. 4 Washington and No. 5 Louisville all heading on the road, the likelihood might be higher than most weeks.

The Tigers make the trip to Tallahassee, where they'll play a Florida State team that is still trying to put their season back together. The Seminoles have recovered from losing their first two conference games by getting two consecutive Ws, but they haven't looked convincing. They put up just 17 points at home in a win over Wake Forest and 20 on the road at Miami.

Clemson is likewise coming off a dispiriting offensive performance. The Tigers were held to 24 points in a one-touchdown win over North Carolina State two weeks ago. They needed a botched field goal in the last second to force overtime against the Wolfpack—much in the same way Florida State beat Miami thanks to a bad extra point.

“This is a good time for one of those, I like to call, 'Jesus moments,'” Florida State center Alec Eberle said, per Alfy Flores of FSUNews.com. “It's one of those times to look at it, look at what’s not going right, what we’ve got do to fix it, and turn around and fix it and get ready for the next game. I think that’s what we are going to do this week and next week.”

If Florida State can't get the upset job done, perhaps Utah will. The Utes host fourth-ranked Washington, which has run the ball down the throat of all comers this season. The Huskies have won six of their seven games by 24 or more points. Jake Browning has been one of college football's most efficient passers, and Washington is averaging nearly six yards per rushing attempt.

While it's clear this is a big down year for the Pac-12, Washington can put near-lock status on its playoff chances with a win. There are no more ranked teams remaining on the schedule, and likely conference championship game opponent Colorado is a fine story but no real threat.

Ranking	Team
1	Alabama
2	Michigan
3	Clemson
4	Washington
5	Louisville
6	Ohio State
7	Nebraska
8	Baylor
9	Texas A&M
10	West Virginia
11	Boise State
12	Florida
13	Auburn
14	Oklahoma
15	Wisconsin
16	Florida State
17	Tennessee
18	North Carolina
19	Western Michigan
20	Colorado
21	Penn State
22	LSU
23	Utah
24	Washington State
25	Houston

Speaking of no threat, Louisville should rampage over Virginia despite having to make the trip north. The Cardinals got out of their post-Clemson malaise by beating up on North Carolina State, and Lamar Jackson seems to have re-established his stranglehold over the Heisman.

While it's possible one of those Top Five teams will fall, it's likelier one or more of the following will drop a game: No. 25 Virginia Tech, No. 22 Navy, No. 10 West Virginia or No. 13 Boise State. Virginia Tech gets things started Thursday by visiting 5-2 Pittsburgh, and Navy goes on the road Friday for 6-2 South Florida. 

West Virginia and Boise State can prove their legitimacy as undefeated teams by defeating Oklahoma State and Wyoming, respectively. Also be on the lookout in prime time, as 11th-ranked Wisconsin could end No. 7 Nebraska's undefeated run.