Week 9 of the college football season delivered another shake-up in the Coaches Poll as a top-two team fell for the fourth consecutive week. Ohio State tumbled eight spots from No. 2 to No. 10 after a 30-18 loss to unranked USC, marking the week's biggest upset. The Buckeyes, now with two losses, remain in the College Football Playoff conversation but face questions about a defense that surrendered 30 points.
Miami retained the No. 1 position following a 38-35 road victory at North Carolina, its first road win as the top-ranked team since 2002. The Hurricanes face a major test this Saturday at No. 6 Notre Dame. Georgia surged from third to No. 2 after a dominant 27-8 win over Florida in Atlanta, while the Gators dropped out of the poll entirely from No. 20.
Indiana climbed one spot to No. 3 after a dramatic overtime win over Minnesota that featured the first instance in FBS history of two 60-yard field goals in regulation. Backup quarterback Grant Wilson threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Charlie Becker in overtime to secure the victory. The Hoosiers, who have averaged only 17.8 points over their last four games, have an open date before hosting USC in a potential CFP elimination game.
USC jumped eight places to No. 17, bolstering its playoff hopes. Texas Tech moved up one slot to No. 13 after a 34-26 home win over Arizona. SMU fell from No. 16 to No. 24 following a loss at Syracuse, likely ending its playoff aspirations. New Mexico entered the poll at No. 25, jumping four spots from the "others receiving votes" category.
Coaches Poll Top 25
1. Miami (68) 8-0 1,818 pts (Prev 1)
2. Georgia (4) 7-1 1,719 pts (Prev 3)
3. Indiana 8-1 1,597 pts (Prev 4)
4. Utah 8-0 1,590 pts (Prev 5)
5. UCLA 8-0 1,501 pts (Prev 7)
6. Notre Dame 7-1 1,498 pts (Prev 6)
7. Kentucky (1) 7-1 1,344 pts (Prev 8)
8. BYU 7-1 1,278 pts (Prev 9)
9. Alabama 6-2 1,131 pts (Prev 10)
10. Ohio State 6-2 1,101 pts (Prev 2)
11. Texas 6-2 1,057 pts (Prev 11)
12. Ole Miss 6-2 1,034 pts (Prev 12)
13. Texas Tech 7-1 962 pts (Prev 14)
14. Wake Forest 7-1 897 pts (Prev 15)
15. LSU 6-2 886 pts (Prev 13)
16. Tennessee 6-2 761 pts (Prev 17)
17. USC 7-2 570 pts (Prev 25)
18. Houston 6-2 556 pts (Prev 19)
19. Missouri 6-2 488 pts (Prev 23)
20. Iowa 6-2 448 pts (Prev 24)
21. Boise State 7-1 445 pts (Prev 22)
22. Arizona 6-2 174 pts (Prev 21)
23. Northwestern 6-2 150 pts (Prev 18)
24. SMU 6-2 146 pts (Prev 16)
25. New Mexico 7-1 119 pts (Prev NR)
Others receiving votes: South Carolina 91, Florida 81, UTSA 76, Duke 76, Virginia Tech 53, Oregon 41, Minnesota 10, Oklahoma State 9, Liberty 6, North Texas 4, Wisconsin 3, Memphis 2, North Dakota State 1, Nebraska 1, Cincinnati 1.
