2018 College Football Power Rankings Week 9

Where does Ohio State land in this week’s power rankings after their blowout loss to Purdue on Saturday night? The initial 2018-2019 College Football Playoff rankings will be released one night from tomorrow night.

 

1. Alabama (8-0) | Last week: 1

Tua Tagovailoa’s knee might concern a lot of Crimson Tide fans, but he continues to look lights out when he’s on the field. Alabam rolled to 28 first-quarter points in their rout of Tennessee, and now they’ll have a couple of weeks to prepare for one of the biggest matchups of the season with No. 4 LSU.

 

2. Clemson (7-0) | Last week: 3 (+1)

Clemson has been a dominant program, and their 41-7 victory against previously-unbeaten NC State is the type of win that’s almost expected from Dabo Swinney’s squad. A rivalry game is always tricky, but the Tigers should take care of business this Saturday against Florida State.

 

3. LSU (7-1) | Last week: 4 (+1)

LSU’s stingy defense was stifling in pass defense, intercepting Nick Fitzgerald four times in their 19-3 win against Mississippi State. Like Alabama, LSU has a bye this week before the titanic matchups in Baton Rouge on November 3. The Tigers should probably be in the top four when the Playoff rankings are released on October 30.

 

4. Georgia (6-1) | Last week: 5 (+1)

If Georgia is able to win this Saturday’s rivalry game against Florida, it’ll be difficult to keep them out of the initial Playoff rankings, too. There’s still a lot of football to be played, but this has huge implications in the SEC East, and in turn the SEC and the Playoff. Georgia had an extra week to prepare for the Gators.

 

5. Ohio State (7-1) | Last week: 2 (-3)

Despite getting destroyed by Purdue, Ohio State remains in the top five of our power rankings. If the Buckeyes were matched up with a team behind them in these rankings—for example, Notre Dame—they would be favorites in the game. Ohio State should be in the mix at the end of the season.

 

6. Notre Dame (7-0) | Last week: 6

Notre Dame had a bye week, so they’ve had extra time to prepare for Navy’s triple-option attack. The Fighting Irish are up to No. 3 in the AP poll, but we don’t feel they’re the third best team in the nation despite their undefeated record.

 

7. Michigan (7-1) | Last week: 7

Michigan is a different team from their opening game loss to Notre Dame, as the defense has hit its stride and shut down both Wisconsin and Michigan State in back-to-back weeks. The case could easily be made for Michigan being in the top five, but it’s hard to put them ahead of a team that beat them head-to-head earlier this season.

 

8. Texas (6-1) | Last week: 8

Texas moved up in the AP poll during their off week, but they remain in the No. 8 spot in our rankings. Hopefully Sam Ehlinger is OK for this week’s matchup with Oklahoma State, but Shane Buechele is more than capable if he has to fill in.

 

9. Florida (6-1) | Last week: 9

These upcoming rivalry games are huge, and Florida will have an excellent argument for a Playoff spot if they can hand Georgia its second loss of the season. The Gators have actually won three of the last four against the Bulldogs, but Georgia won in a 42-7 blowout last season.

 

10. Oklahoma (6-1) | Last week: NR

They’ve been out of the top ten after their loss to Texas, but Oklahoma gets back in the rankings after a convincing win off the bye against TCU. Trey Sermon (110 yards, two touchdowns) and Kennedy Brooks (168 yards, touchdown) led a strong running game along with dynamic quarterback Kyler Murray. The Sooners need a loss from Texas at some point to get into the Playoff discuission.