College football rankings from 1 to 133 for Week 9: Let the Michigan-Ohio State hype begin

COLUMBUS, OHIO — Ohio State and Michigan met in a top-five, winner-take-all-showdown in 2022, both teams made the College Football Playoff and the rivals were a combined total of six points away from meeting in a national championship game. 

Somehow this year's Nov. 25 matchup – which is five weeks away– has more storylines – and more consequences – than the Wolverines' 45-23 victory last season. 

How is that even possible? 

Take Ohio State coach Ryan Day at his word. The Buckeyes beat Penn State 20-12 in a top-10 showdown on Saturday at Ohio State – a vintage "Tressel Ball" special in which the Nittany Lions managed just 240 total yards. The Buckeyes have allowed just 10 points per game under defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, and Day was quick to praise that. 

"That was two top-10 wins now in the first seven games where our defense played really well. I'm happy for our guys," Day said. "I'm happy for the success they've had. They came off of last season with a few scars, just like we all did, but you're starting to see the confidence grow in a big way." 

The Buckeyes (7-0) have the best resume with top-10 victories against Notre Dame and Penn State. Ohio State would feasibly be No. 1 if the first CFP rankings were released this week, but the pain from back-to-back losses to Michigan remains palpable. Day's edge – which overheated with a post-game rant directed toward Lou Holtz after the 17-14 victory against the Irish on Sept. 23 – is sharper than ever. 

What questions do we have about Michigan (8-0)? A sign-stealing scandal broke out Thursday, one that could derail Jim Harbaugh's best chance at a national championship season with his alma mater. The Wolverines chose to respond with scorched Earth against in-state rival Michigan State in Week 8. J.J. McCarthy passed for 287 yards and four TDs in a 49-0 blowout. The Wolverines – who allow 5.9 points per game – are arguably the best team in the FBS heading into a bye week before November, even if they are at the mercy of the Big Ten and NCAA now. 

MORE: If Michigan is guilty, what should the penalty be?

Georgia is No. 1 in name, but the Buckeyes and Wolverines have created the most-interesting collision course heading into the final stretch of the season.

Ohio State's offense isn't flashy, but they have the best player in the country in receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., who had 11 catches for 162 yards and a TD against the Nittany Lions. Michigan still has to go to Penn State on Nov. 11 and the combined unpredictability of the NCAA and Harbaugh's next move is higher than ever before.

What could be on the line? A Big Ten East championship. Heisman Trophy implications between McCarthy and Harrison. Another legacy game between Day, who is 1-2 against Michigan; and Harbaugh, who is 2-5 against Ohio State. The nation's two best defenses will meet in the best rivalry of college football in the last season before the 12-team College Football Playoff and 18-team Big Ten change the face of the conference forever. 

All that is coming to Ann Arbor on Nov. 25, and there is a chance that both teams could get back to the CFP again. Yeah, this one is going to be much better than last year.

That is not up for debate. 

Each week, we will look at the college football rankings from 1-133. 

Here is how that looks heading into Week 9:

MORE: Against the spread picks for every Top 25 game for Week 9

College football rankings 2023

Top 25 for Week 9

1. Georgia (7-0)

Georgia had a bye week, and the Bulldogs will take a 24-game winning streak into the final five weeks of the regular season. The offense will have to operate without Brock Bowers, who is out indefinitely after having ankle surgery. Georgia ranks second in the SEC in scoring offense (40.1) and first in scoring defense (14.0). That is a winning combination if it holds against a tough bend in the schedule that begins with a rivalry matchup against Florida. 

2. Michigan (8-0)

McCarthy hit 9 of 10 passes for 129 yards and two TDs in the first quarter, and the blowout was on against the rival Spartans. Michigan tight ends AJ Barner (8-99, TD) and Colston Loveland (4-79, 2 TDs) had huge games, and the defense limited Michigan State to 190 total yards. The Wolverines have a bye week before facing Purdue in Week 10, but the path to the Big Ten championship is there. 

3. Ohio State (7-0) 

Kyle McCord (22 of 35, 286 yards, TD) did not have a turnover, and the defense compiled six sacks against Penn State in that victory. The scary part is Ohio State did all that with injuries to Emeka Egbuka and TreVeyon Henderson on offense and SN Midseason All-American cornerback Denzel Burke on defense. A road trip to Wisconsin – and former Buckeyes player and coach Luke Fickell – is up next. 

MORE: Sporting News Midseason All-American team

4. Florida State (7-0)

The Seminoles took control of the ACC race with an impressive 38-20 victory against Duke. Jordan Travis (27 of 36, 268 yards, 2 TDs, INT) added 62 rushing yards and a score. Florida State pulled away in the second half, and they are the only remaining unbeaten team in the conference. Mike Norvell has Florida State in the CFP hunt, too, heading into road trips at Wake Forest and Pitt the next two weeks. In a tight playoff race, Florida State might need to stay unbeaten. 

5. Washington (7-0) 

Close call. The Huskies survived in a 15-7 victory against one-win Arizona State. Washington trailed 7-3 heading into the fourth quarter. Michael Penix Jr. (27 of 45, 275 yards) threw two interceptions, and the Huskies had three turnovers. Mishael Powell, however, came up with an 89-yard interception return for a touchdown for a 12-7 lead with 8:11 remaining. The Huskies tacked on a field goal to survive the upset bid. Washington plays Stanford in Week 9.

6. Oklahoma (7-0) 

The Sooners struggled coming out of the bye week, but they preserved in a wild 31-29 victory against UCF when Kendal Dolby tackled Xavier Townsend on a two-point conversion try. Dillon Gabriel (25 of 38, 253 yards, 3 TDs, INT) played well against his former school, and Oklahoma survived an upset scare. That gives coach Brent Venables more than enough material heading into a road trip to Kansas. 

7. Texas (6-1) 

The Longhorns won a one-score game under Steve Sarkisian in a 31-24 victory at Houston, but it was closer than it needed to be. Texas built a 21-0 lead, and Quinn Ewers (23 of 29, 211 yards, 2 TDs) was efficient. The Cougars made it interesting, however, and Donovan Smith passed for 378 passing yards and three TDs. Texas is home the next two weeks against BYU and Kansas State. The path to a rematch with Oklahoma in the Big 12 championship game is open. 

8. Alabama (7-1) 

Did you really think the Crimson Tide would be eliminated from the College Football Playoff before Nick Saban's 72nd birthday? Jalen Milroe (14 of 20, 220 yards, 2 TDs, INT) helped the Crimson Tide rally from a 13-0 deficit against Tennessee, and Jihaad Campbell's 24-yard fumble return put the finishing touches on a 34-20 victory. Alabama had one penalty for five yards, an early birthday present for Saban before the bye week. Another elimination game against LSU on Nov. 4 awaits. 

9. Oregon (6-1) 

It took a quarter, but Oregon recalibrated for a 38-24 victory against Washington State. The Ducks rolled up 541 total yards. Bo Nix (18 of 25, 293 yards, 2 TDs) was on point, and the tandem of Bucky Irving (15-129, 2 TDs) and Jordan James (13-103) kept rolling. Cam Ward passed for 438 yards for the Cougars, and that is a concern, but Oregon will get a different kind of test at Utah in Week 9. Dan Lanning still has this team on a course for a rematch with Washington. 

10. Penn State (6-1) 

The Nittany Lions land here after a missed opportunity at Ohio State. Penn State finished 1 of 16 on third down, Drew Allar (18 of 42, 191 yards, TD) struggled against the Buckeyes' defense. James Franklin fell to 1-9 against Ohio State, and now the trick is getting to the Nov. 4 showdown against Michigan. Penn State faces Indiana in Week 9. 

BENDER: Penn State takes accountability after latest failure

11. Ole Miss (6-1) 

The Rebels won ugly with a 28-21 victory at Auburn in the Lane Kiffin-Huge Freeze Bowl. Jaxson Dart had 202 passing yards, 44 rushing yards and three total TDs. Quinshon Judkins (21-124, TD) added a score in the second half, and the Rebels' defense limited the Tigers to 275 total yards. Ole Miss gets Vanderbilt in Week 9, and that Nov. 11 showdown with Georgia is circled on our calendars. 

12. Notre Dame (6-2) 

The Irish had a late bye week after an eight-week stretch that included a trip to Ireland and four straight night games against undefeated, ranked opponents. Sam Hartman (1,838 yards, 18 TDs, 3 INTs) and Audric Estime (787 yards, 9 TDs) have led an offense that averages 35.9 ppg. The defense ranks 17th in the FBS at 16.4 points per game. The improvement is there under second-year coach Marcus Freeman, but a New Year's Day Six berth is the likely ceiling. Notre Dame plays Pitt in Week 9. 

13. Oregon State (6-1) 

The Beavers remain a chaos team in the Pac-12 race. Oregon State had a bye week, and Clemson transfer quarterback DJ Uiagalelei (1,573 yards, 15 TDs, 4 INTs) has been a solid fit. There can be slip-ups before the two-week stretch against Washington and Oregon to end the season, and that starts with a Week 9 matchup at Arizona. 

14. Utah (5-1) 

The Utes simply will not go away. Bryson Barnes' 26-yard scramble set up the game-winning field goal in a 34-32 thriller against USC. Barnes (14 of 22, 235 yards, 3 TDs, INT) made the plays in the clutch, and Sione Vaki had 68 yards and two tackles as a two-way player. The Utes are the undercard in the Pac-12 race, but remember these are the two-time defending conference champions. Kyle Whittingham continues to find a way, even without Cam Rising, who is out for the year.  

15. LSU (6-2) 

Are the Tigers the best two-loss team in the FBS? LSU scored on 10 of 11 possessions in a 62-0 victory against Army. Jayden Daniels (11 of 25, 279 yards, 3 TDs) continued his Heisman Trophy campaign, and Brian Kelly gets a bye week before the rematch with Alabama, which the Tigers won 32-31 last season. The SEC West is on the table. 

16. Missouri (7-1) 

The Tigers are evolving under Eli Drinkwitz, and that means finding multiple ways to win. Missouri blasted South Carolina, and running back Cody Schrader (26-159, 2 TDs) carried the load. That took pressure off Brady Cook (14 of 24, 198 yards, TD) and Luther Burden (4-90, TD). Missouri has a bye week to prepare for Georgia in a rematch of last year's 26-22 close call. Is this the season-altering upset? 

17. North Carolina (6-1)

North Carolina fell out of the top 10 after the most shocking upset in Week 8. Virginia rallied from a 10-point second-half deficit to pull out a 31-27 victory, and that knocked the Tar Heels from the ranks of the unbeaten. A late interception by Drake Maye (24 of 48, 347 yards) sealed the victory for the Cavaliers. It is a huge setback for the Tar Heels, but Mack Brown can put this team back in the ACC championship hunt. A season-ending stretch against Duke, Clemson and NC State will tell the tale, but Georgia Tech – which beat the Tar Heels 21-17 last season – cannot be taken for granted. 

18. Air Force (7-0)

Zac Larrier played through a knee injury and threw an unexpected 94-yard touchdown pass to Dane Kinamon in a 17-6 victory against Navy; the first leg of the Commander-In-Chief's Trophy. That makes the Falcons the highest ranked Group of 5 team heading into Week 9, and this might be long-time coach Troy Calhoun's best team yet. Air Force travels to Colorado State next. 

19. Louisville (6-1) 

The Cardinals have been a pleasant first-half season surprise under first-year coach Jeff Brohm, and a bye week was a reset after the 38-21 loss to Pitt. Louisville ranks in the top 40 in scoring offense (34.1) and scoring defense (20.6), and Florida State and North Carolina are not on the schedule. A run to the ACC championship game remains a possibility. Louisville faces Duke in Week 9. 

20. Duke (5-2) 

Quarterback Riley Leonard aggravated an ankle injury, and the Blue Devils suffered their first conference loss against Florida State. Duke had a 20-17 lead at halftime, but this is the worst loss by point total in Mike Elko's first two seasons as head coach. It is a tough task without Leonard, but Duke still has a shot at a rematch in the ACC championship game. The Blue Devils face Louisville in Week 9. 

21. Liberty (7-0)

Get to know quarterback Kaidon Salter, who had 140 passing yards and 160 rushing yards in a 42-35 shootout against Middle Tennessee. The Flames are unbeaten under first-year coach Jamey Chadwell, who has a legitimate New Year's Day Six buster. Liberty faces Western Kentucky in a huge Conference-USA matchup on Tuesday. 

22. James Madison (7-0)

The Dukes beat Marshall 20-9 on Thursday for another Sun Belt victory under coach Curt Cignetti. Jalen Green had five sacks to increase his season total to 13, and it is time for the NCAA to waive the rule that would prevent James Madison from getting into a bowl game. James Madison plays Old Dominion in Week 8. 

23. Tennessee (5-2) 

The Vols jumped out to a 13-0 lead against Alabama, but it was too good to be true at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Joe Milton (28 of 41, 271 yards, 2 TDs) played well, but it was not enough. Tennessee had eight penalties for 55 yards, and they did not score in the second half. It is a tough loss for a team with higher expectations this season, and the best case-scenario is a New Year's Day Six bowl now. That might be a reach, too. 

24. USC (6-2)

A stunning two weeks for the Trojans continued in the 34-32 loss to Utah. Caleb Williams (24 of 34, 256 yards) helped USC erase a 14-point touchdown with the go-ahead TD run with 1:46 remaining, but the Trojans could not come up with that one stop to put away the Utes. This continues to be the narrative on Lincoln Riley-coached teams. USC remains in the Pac-12 race with one conference loss, but the CFP is now out of reach. 

25. UCLA (5-2)

UCLA hammered Stanford 42-7. Ethan Garbers (20 of 28, 240 yards, 2 TDs) got the start at quarterback in place of Dante Moore in a surprise move by Chip Kelly. The Bruins jumped out to a 21-0 halftime lead behind three first-half TDs from Carson Steele, who finished with 76 rushing yards. UCLA coasted from there. The Bruins get the prime-time spotlight against Colorado and Deion Sanders in Week 9.

College football 1-133 rankings: (1-25) 

Here is a look at how our Top 25 fared in Week 8: 

Rest of FBS (26-133) 

Here is a look at the rest of the FBS heading into Week 9: