The biggest stories from Week 9 of the college football season
The GIST: No. 10 Oklahoma wasn’t the only Top-25 team making headlines on Saturday — here’s who ate and who played Drake.
Unranked Arizona, Georgia Tech nabbed big upsets: Arizona continued dropping jaws by defeating No. 11 Oregon State 27–24 this weekend, meaning they’ve stunned two ranked Pac-12 foes and come tantalizingly close to a Top-10 dub in their last three games. This perennial Pac-12 basement team officially has everyone’s attention.
- On the East Coast, Georgia Tech downed then–No. 17 UNC 46–42 thanks to a dramatic fourth-quarter touchdown (TD). They’re only a .500 team, but they sure know how to ruin ACC foes’ seasons.
Washington remained undefeated…barely: The Huskies are thanking their lucky stars that they’re one of college football’s eight remaining undefeated teams — and that their No. 5 ranking is still in their grasp — after escaping Stanford 42–33. Look out, Washington fans: With three straight ranked foes up next, the plot thickens from here on out.
Harrison for Heisman?: Only one non-quarterback (QB) has a real shot at winning the MVP award this season: No. 3 Ohio State wide receiver (WR) Marvin Harrison Jr., who continued padding his stats in Saturday’s 24–10 W over Wisconsin, all while more star QBs stumbled.
Bo Nix is back: Speaking of star QBs, No. 6 Oregon’s play-caller fell out of Heisman talks after his Ducks’ heartbreaking Week 6 loss to Washington. But with Saturday’s 35–6 statement road win over then–No. 13 (now–No. 18) Utah, Nix is back in the conversation…even, by some counts, ahead of Washington’s own QB Michael Penix Jr.
USC caught a break (kind of): They say a win is a win…unless it’s No. 24 USC’s 50–49 fourth-quarter comeback dub over a terrible Cal team. Is USC defensive coordinator Alex Grinch cosplaying Iowa offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz?
Louisville’s massive rebound: The No. 15 Cardinals put Week 7’s upset loss to Pitt in their rearview mirror by pummeling conference rival Duke 23–0, shoving the then–No. 20 squad out of the Top 25 altogether.
