Week 9 of the college football season brings two new teams into the AP Top 25 after losses by USC and Iowa dropped both programs out of the national rankings. The schedule is highlighted by two ranked-on-ranked games as the season approaches its final stretch toward Las Vegas, where the College Football Playoff championship game will be played at Allegiant Stadium on Jan. 25.
The annual rivalry between Florida and Georgia moves to Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta this year due to renovations at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville. Georgia enters 6-1 overall and 4-1 in SEC play, while Florida is 5-2 and 3-2 in conference. The Gators' offense has averaged 39.6 points per game this season, boosted by a Week 7 win over then-No. 7 Texas. Georgia leads the all-time series 58-44-2 and won last year's meeting 24-20.
In Lubbock, Texas, Arizona visits Texas Tech for the first time since 1989 in a matchup of 6-1 teams that are both 3-1 in Big 12 play. The Wildcats have won five straight, including a 39-3 victory over Iowa State last week, led by quarterback Noah Fifita's 2,064 passing yards and 18 touchdowns. Texas Tech saw its six-game winning streak end with a 37-24 loss at Cincinnati. Arizona seeks its first win over the Red Raiders since 2019 and first in Lubbock since 1935.
Ohio State travels to face USC in a Big Ten clash between a 6-1 Buckeyes team averaging 39.3 points while allowing just 13.4 per game, and a Trojans squad looking to rebound from a 24-7 loss to Wisconsin that knocked them from the rankings. USC quarterback Jayden Maiava has thrown for 2,302 yards and 19 touchdowns. The programs last met in the 2017 Cotton Bowl, a 24-7 Ohio State victory.
Ole Miss hosts Auburn looking to stay unbeaten at home after a 34-27 loss at Texas dropped the Rebels to 5-2 overall. Auburn enters 4-3 following an upset win over then-No. 1 Georgia two weeks ago. Meanwhile, undefeated Utah (7-0 for the first time since 2010) visits Cincinnati, which is coming off a win over then-No. 8 Texas Tech.
Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal
Original reporting: Las Vegas Review-Journal →
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