USA Today Coaches Poll top 25 rankings released following Week 9

Week 9 of the college football season was another memorable weekend. Plus, with the first edition of the College Football Playoff rankings being released on Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET, the fallout from this weekend could have major ramifications on the postseason outlook. Following the Week 9 action, the latest USA Today AFCA Coaches Poll top 25 has been released.

Coaches Poll top 25 following Week 9

1. Georgia (8-0)
2. Cincinnati (8-0)
3. Alabama (7-1)
4. Oklahoma (9-0)
5. Ohio State (7-1)
6. Michigan State (8-0)
7. Oregon (7-1)
8. Notre Dame (7-1)
9. Wake Forest (8-0)
10. Michigan (7-1)
11. Oklahoma State (7-1)
12. Texas A&M (6-2)
13. Baylor (7-1)
14. Auburn (6-2)
15. Ole Miss (6-2)
16. Iowa (6-2)
17. Kentucky (6-2)
18. UTSA (8-0)
19. Houston (7-1)
20. BYU (7-2)
21. Coastal Carolina (7-1)
22. NC State (6-2)
23. Penn State (5-3)
24. SMU (7-1)
25. Pittsburgh (6-2)

Nine ranked teams lose, six to unranked opponents

The Week 9 action was headlined by a few matchups between top-25 teams. Penn State was able to hang with Ohio State, but the Buckeyes were able to walk away with a 33-24 victory to improve to 7-1 on the season. Michigan and Michigan State were engaged in a back and forth shootout, but it was the Spartans that walked away with a huge victory, winning 37-33. Michigan State is now 8-0 on the year, with Michigan falling to 7-1. Auburn also took down Ole Miss 31-20.

Iowa’s offense again faltered, only putting up seven points against Wisconsin. The Badgers walked away with a 27-7 victory. Iowa, once coming in at No. 2, continues to fall after Week 9. Kentucky also lost to Mississippi State 31-17 to fall to 6-2 on the year, causing some changes in the middle of the top 25 in the Week 9 poll.

Miami earned its second consecutive upset victory with a 38-34 victory over Pittsburgh. Despite the losing effort, Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett threw for 519 yards and three touchdowns. Previously undefeated SMU also lost its first game of the season, falling to 7-1 after Saturday’s loss to Houston. San Diego State also lost 30-20 to Fresno State while West Virginia took down Iowa State 38-31.

Top-ranked Georgia remained unbeaten and had no issues against Florida in a 34-7 victory. Cincinnati struggled a bit out of the gate against Tulane, but the Bearcats eventually won 31-12. Oklahoma had no issues against Texas Tech. Oregon also earned a convincing win over Colorado.

The top five remained unchanged in the poll after Week 9. But after that there was major movement throughout. Notre Dame rose three spots to enter the top 10, and Wake Forest rose four spots to do the same. Michigan fell four spots to round out the top ten. Oklahoma State (four spots), Baylor (five spots), and Auburn (seven spots) all saw big rises into the top 15. Ole Miss and Iowa each fell six spots, while Kentucky dropped five spots.

Houston joins the top 25 after rising 10 spots to 19. BYU also re-enters the top 25, rising six spots to 20. Penn State (six spots), SMU (eight spots), and Pittsburgh (six spots) all saw significant drops to round out the top 25. San Diego State and Iowa State fell out of the poll after Week 9. UL Lafayette and Fresno State are the top two teams on the outside.

This college football season has been entertaining in a lot of ways. As November hits, the College Football Playoff picture will become clearer each week. But if Week 9 was any indication, the polls will constantly change throughout the rest of the year.