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20 Final Thoughts from Week 9
Week 9 in college football was full of surprises and exciting moments. Here are 20 final thoughts:
- The first Tuesday night College Football Playoff rankings show of the season falls on Halloween this year. The top teams in the traditional polls have been dominant so far, but we needed a landscape-altering upset. Enter the mighty Kansas Jayhawks.
- Just over a year ago, the idea of Kansas beating Oklahoma in football would have seemed impossible. But Coach Lance Leipold has inspired confidence with his miraculous turnaround. Kansas’ upset of the sixth-ranked Sooners was historic, but not unexpected. The Jayhawks have shown their strength with four lopsided home wins.
- Oklahoma’s loss to Kansas has serious implications for both the Sooners and the sport. While losses don’t eliminate Power 5 teams from contention, the Sooners have looked mortal since their loss to Texas in the Red River Rivalry. They now face a tough Bedlam Week matchup against red-hot Oklahoma State.
- Lance Leipold’s success at Kansas has put him on the radar of other programs, including Michigan State and Northwestern. With a potential opening at Michigan, it will be hard for Kansas to keep him. Despite the success, Kansas fans have suffered for years and may not be able to hold on to their savior for long.
- No. 1 Georgia continues to impress with a dominant win over rival Florida. Quarterback Carson Beck has stepped up in the absence of star Brock Bowers, and the defense has been stellar. However, next week’s matchup against No. 16 Missouri will be their toughest test yet.
- Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson returned from injury and had a standout performance against Wisconsin. The Buckeyes’ offense has struggled this season, but wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. has been a key player for them.
- Florida State remains a strong contender for a CFP berth, with quarterback Jordan Travis leading the way. The Seminoles have a favorable schedule ahead, but they’ll still need to perform well in their remaining games to secure a spot.
- Oregon made a statement with a dominant win over Utah. Quarterback Bo Nix and the defense were impressive, and the Ducks have recovered well from their loss to Washington.
- Washington remains undefeated but has shown some weaknesses in recent games. They’ll need to rediscover their early-season form before facing Caleb Williams and USC next week.
- USC’s defense may be a weak spot, but they provided plenty of entertainment in their wild win over Cal. Despite their struggles, USC remains in contention in the Pac-12.
- Arizona’s quarterback Noah Fifita has made a name for himself with strong performances. He led his team to an upset win over Oregon State and has helped turn Arizona into a formidable opponent.
- Tennessee bounced back from a tough loss to Alabama with a hard-fought win over Kentucky. Their running backs and quarterback Joe Milton stepped up in the game.
- Utah State’s Blake Anderson and his team celebrated Halloween with a huge win over Fresno State. The Aggies have shown tremendous improvement under Anderson’s leadership.
- Tulane had a thrilling comeback win over South Florida, with quarterback Michael Pratt leading the way. The Green Wave have had their ups and downs this season, but this win was a highlight.
- Boise State’s Khalil Shakir had a standout performance in their win over BYU. He showed off his skills as a receiver and returner, making big plays throughout the game.
- Clemson’s defense came up big in their win over Florida State. The Tigers have had a challenging season, but their defense continues to be a strength.
- San Diego State remains undefeated with a win over Hawaii. Their defense has been dominant, and they’ll look to continue their success through the rest of the season.
- Kentucky’s offense struggled against Tennessee, but their defense kept them in the game. The Wildcats will need to regroup before their next matchup.
- Michigan State continued their impressive season with a win over Michigan. The Spartans’ defense was key in the victory, and they remain in contention in the Big Ten.
- Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral had a record-breaking performance in their win over Auburn. He showed off his arm and running ability, solidifying his place as one of the top quarterbacks in the nation.
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And now, sign up for the Until Saturday newsletter and get expert analysis on the biggest CFB stories delivered to your inbox. Plus, explore 20 final thoughts from Week 9 in college football that will leave you wanting more. This week saw a storm in Lawrence, snowballs in Colorado Springs, and plenty of sunburns in Jacksonville. Don’t miss out on all the action!
