Fox Sports college football expert Joel Klatt released his top 10 college football rankings after an entertaining Week 9. There were several battles between ranked opponents and some near upsets this week, but most of Klatt’s rankings remain the same.
Week 9’s headline matchup was another SEC showdown, where the LSU Tigers took on the Texas A&M Aggies in College Station, Texas, in a game with massive playoff implications for the college football. It looked good for the Tigers early on, taking a 17-7 lead off of a Garrett Nussmeier touchdown pass to Aaron Anderson, but then Texas A&M was able to make it a blowout, going on a 31-6 run, winning 38-23 thanks to their insane running game, which ran for 242 yards and five touchdowns in this one.
Texas at Vanderbilt was another intriguing SEC game. Georgia fans who watched the Commodores upset Alabama a few weeks ago were hoping for another upset, but the Longhorns were able to secure the 27-24 win.
A few matchups with intrigue were never close. Alabama knew they needed to win this game against Missouri to still have a shot at the College Football Playoff, so they completely shut them out, winning 34-0. Oregon continued to prove why they were the No.1 team in the country, dominating No. 20 Illinois 38-9.
Next week, could prove to be more fruitful in moving these rankings. Penn State and Ohio State duke it out in a heavyweight Big Ten matchup. Pitt and SMU clash in a game that could see one of them head into the top 10 if Clemson or Miami lose next week. Georgia plays the Florida Gators in Jacksonville, Florida, in a rivalry game.
Honorable Mentions: Texas A&M Aggies, Iowa State Cyclones, BYU Cougars, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, LSU Tigers
Here are Joel Klatt’s top 10 teams:
No. 10: Miami Hurricanes
Record: 8-0 (plus-25.2 average point differential)
Result: Win vs. Florida State Seminoles 36-14
Record: 6-2 (plus-19.0 average point differential)
Result: Win vs. No. 21 Missouri Tigers 34-0
Record: 6-1 (plus-28 average point differential)
Result: Bye
No. 7: Indiana Hoosiers
Record: 8-0 (plus-32.4 average point differential)
Result: Win vs. Washington Huskies 31-17
No. 6: Clemson Tigers
Record: 6-1 (plus-19.0 average point differential)
Result: Bye
No. 5: Texas Longhorns
Record: 7-1 (plus-26.1 average point differential)
Result: Win vs. No. 25 Vanderbilt Commodores 27-24
No. 4: Penn State Nittany Lions
Record: 7-0 (plus-19.0 average point differential)
Result: Win vs. Wisconsin Badgers 28-13
No. 3: Ohio State Buckeyes
Record: 6-1 (plus-28.4 average point differential)
Result: Win vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers 21-17
No. 2: Georgia Bulldogs
Record: 6-1 (plus-16.1 average point differential)
Result: Bye
No. 1: Oregon Ducks
Record: 8-0 (plus-20.7 average point differential)
Result: Win vs. Illinois Fighting Illini 38-9
