Who are the best teams in the Big Ten and SEC right now?
It's a familiar answer.
Ohio State and Alabama have that look heading into the final month of October.
The Buckeyes' spot is not up for debate at this point. Ohio State flexed again with a 34-0 victory at Wisconsin. It's the first shutout of the season, and the defending national champions continue to roll toward a Big Ten championship berth. Yes, Indiana is in that conversation. Yes, Ohio State has to beat Michigan in the regular-season finale. But Ryan Day has this team looking better than last year.
Is Alabama a controversial pick? The Crimson Tide beat Tennessee 37-20 on the Third Saturday in October. Kalen DeBoer has flipped the script after the Week 1 loss to Florida State, and the Crimson Tide will be favored the rest of the way. Alabama might be the one team that could challenge Ohio State in the 12-team College Football Playoff, too.
There were shakeups in our College Football Playoff bracket heading into Week 9.
Dropped out: Texas Tech, Tennessee
Moved in: BYU, Oklahoma
Projected College Football Playoff first-round byes
No. 1 Ohio State (7-0, 4-0; Big Ten champion)
Julian Sayin entered the Heisman chat. Sayin (36 of 42, 393 yards, 4 TDs) led the Buckeyes to the victory against Wisconsin. Carnell Tate (6-111, 2 TDs) and Jeremiah Smith (9-97) are the best 1-2 receiving combo in the FBS, and the defense allowed 144 total yards. The Buckeyes have a bye week before facing Penn State.
No. 2 Alabama (6-1, 4-0; SEC champion)
Ty Simspon (19 of 29, 253, 2 TDs) can be in that conversation, too. Alabama beat Tennessee, and the Crimson Tide are one of two unbeaten teams in conference play. The Crimson Tide travel to South Carolina in Week 9.
No. 3 Indiana (7-0, 4-0; Big Ten at-large)
Fernando Mendoza also is in the Heisman chat. Mendoza (24 of 28, 332 yards, 4 TDs) was nearly flawless in a 38-13 victory against Michigan State – which came one week after coach Curt Cignetti signed a long-time extension. Omar Cooper Jr. (8-115, TD) and Elijah Sarratt (4-70, 2 TDs) are an excellent receiving tandem, too. Are the Hoosiers a real threat to the Buckeyes in the Big Ten championship race?
MORE: Indiana extends Curt Cignetti through 2032
No. 4 Georgia (6-1, 4-1; SEC at-large)
Georgia beat Ole Miss 43-35 in a shootout where the Bulldogs' defense stood up in the fourth quarter. Gunner Stockton (26 of 31, 289 yards, 4 TDs) led an offense that racked up 510 total yards, and Georgia has a favorable schedule down the stretch that should lead to a SEC championship berth.
BENDER: Kirby Smart proves he knows how to win the big ones again
Projected College Football Playoff first-round matchups
A look at Sporting News projected first-round College Football Playoff matchups heading into Week 9 of the college football season:
No. 12 South Florida (6-1, 4-0 American) at No. 5 Texas A&M (7-0, 4-0; SEC at-large)
The Aggies beat Arkansas 45-42 in a game that featured 1,024 yards of total offense. Texas A&M pulled away in the second half behind Marcel Reed (23 of 32, 280 yards, 3 TDs), who added 55 rushing yards and a TD. Arkansas had 264 rushing yards on 8.4 yards per carry, which is a major concern down the stretch. The Aggies have a prime-time road game at LSU in Week 9.
Memphis suffered a shocking 31-24 loss to UAB. Navy is 6-0, but the Midshipmen still have to play Notre Dame. That means the Bulls are back in. South Florida routed FAU 48-13. Byrum Brown (14 of 24, 256 yards, 3 TDs) added 111 rushing yards and a TD in an all-around performance. The Bulls also have the one-up on Boise State, which beat UNLV 56-31.
No. 11 Oklahoma (6-1, 2-1; SEC at-large) at No. 6 Oregon (5-1, 2-1; Big Ten at-large)
Oregon is the third Big Ten team in the field. The Ducks bounced back from the Indiana loss with a 56-10 blowout against Rutgers. Dante Moore (15 of 20, 290 yards, 4 TDs, INT) was on point, and Noah Whittington (10-125, 2 TDs) led a rushing offense that piled up 415 yards. The Ducks face Wisconsin in Week 9.
Oklahoma bounced back from the Red River Rivalry with a 26-7 victory against South Carolina. John Mateer (18 of 26, 150 yards, TD) had protection in the running game from Tory Blaylock (19-101, TD), and the defense limited the Gamecocks to 224 yards. The Sooners next five opponents are ranked in the AP Top 25, starting with Ole Miss in Week 9.
No. 10 Georgia Tech (7-0, 3-0; ACC at-large) at No. 7 Miami (5-1, 1-1 ACC; ACC champion)
The Hurricanes lost 24-21 to Louisville on Friday in a game that might impact the ACC championship race later. Carson Beck (25 of 35, 271 yards, 4 INTs) struggled, and Miami could not rally from an early 14-0 deficit. Rueben Bain Jr. also had just one tackle. Miami will drop in the rankings, but there is not a ranked opponent on the back half of the schedule.
Should the Yellow Jackets be considered the ACC favorite now? Georgia Tech is the lone unbeaten in the conference after a 27-18 victory against Duke in Week 8. Haynes King (14 of 21, 205 yards) added 14 carries for 120 yards – his third 200/100 game this season. The Yellow Jackets' charmed season continues, and three of their last five games are at home starting with Syracuse in Week 9.
No. 9 BYU (7-0, 4-0; Big 12 champion) at No. 8 Ole Miss (6-1, 3-1 SEC)
Where do the Rebels go from here? Trinidad Chambliss (19 of 36, 263 yards, TD) had two rushing TDs, but Ole Miss was outscored 17-0 in the fourth quarter. Ole Miss missed a chance to separate in the SEC race, but Lane Kiffin will have this team in playoff contention. The Rebels have a road test at Oklahoma in Week 9.
MORE: Inside Trinidad Chambliss' incredible journey from D2 to Ole Miss
BYU beat Utah 24-21 on a day where Arizona State upset Texas Tech 26-22. That means the Cougars are the lone unbeaten remaining in Big 12 play. LJ Martin (26-122) keyed the rushing attack, and Bear Bachmeier (13 of 22, 166 yards, TD) continued his impressive play as a freshman. BYU plays Iowa State next week.
Projected College Football Playoff bubble teams
Notre Dame (5-2)
Notre Dame is the first team out. The Irish rolled up 306 rushing yards in a 34-24 victory against USC. Jeremiyah Love (24-228, TD) had a huge game, and the Irish scored a victory in their toughest remaining regular-season game. Notre Dame should benefit from the SEC attrition over the next few weeks, and a 10-win Irish team should get a spot. Notre Dame has a bye week before playing Boston College on Nov. 1.
MORE: If this was the USC-ND finale, it was a classic
Vanderbilt (6-1, 2-1)
The Commodores beat LSU 31-24 in another program-affirming victory that proved they belong in the SEC hunt, and Diego Pavia (14 of 22, 160 yards, TD) even struck a "Heisman pose." Pavia added 86 rushing yards and two TDs. Vanderbilt out-rushed the Tigers 239-100. The Commodores face Missouri in a huge SEC game in Week 9.
MORE: Diego Pavia strikes the Heisman pose during LSU win
Missouri (6-1, 2-1)
Missouri beat Auburn 23-17 in double overtime. The Tigers gutted out an ugly win despite two turnovers, and Beau Pribula (23 of 40, 252 yards, 2 INTs) scored the game-winning three-yard TD in overtime. The Tigers remain in the mix of SEC contenders.
Cincinnati (6-1, 4-0)
Imagine where Cincinnati would be if not for a season-opening loss to Nebraska that the school moved to Husker-friendly Arrowhead Stadium. The Bearcats routed Oklahoma State 49-17, and they remain unbeaten in Big 12 play. Brendan Sorsby (20 of 29, 270 yards, 3 TDs) has 17 TDs and one interception and has not thrown an interception since Week 1.