Ohio State tumble expected as seven ranked teams fall in Week 9

The Associated Press Top 25 college football rankings face their largest adjustment of the season on Sunday afternoon. Seven ranked teams lost in Week 9, and the results have created a chaotic environment for the bottom half of the poll. This is the fourth consecutive week that either the No. 1 or No. 2 team fell to an unranked opponent.

The most notable drop will likely involve the Ohio State Buckeyes. The No. 2 ranked team lost 30-18 to unranked Southern California on Saturday. Ohio State played without injured quarterback Julian Sayin in the defeat. It was the second loss for the Buckeyes this season. With the University of Oregon visiting Columbus next Saturday, Ohio State is projected to fall sharply in the new standings.

Miami remains in first place after a 38-35 win over North Carolina. The Hurricanes are expected to hold the top spot for a third straight week. Utah, ranked No. 6, is in position to enter the top five for the first time since 2019. The Utes secured a 49-25 victory over Cincinnati.

The bottom of the rankings will see major movement. Six teams from the Nos. 17 to 25 range lost their games on Saturday. Florida (No. 17) lost to Georgia (No. 3). SMU (No. 19) fell to Syracuse. Northwestern (No. 20) lost to Oregon. Arizona (No. 22) dropped to Texas Tech (No. 13). Oklahoma State (No. 24) lost to Iowa State. Wisconsin (No. 25) fell to Iowa.

Iowa is expected to reenter the poll after shutting out Wisconsin 30-0. USC may also return to the rankings following its win over a top-five team. New Mexico, which has a 7-1 record, could receive its first ever ranking in the poll.