No. 10-6
4 out of 10
10. Tennessee (6-2, previous rank: 11)
Week 9 result: BYE
Next week: against Kentucky
Quarterback play is the big question mark for the Volunteers. True freshman Faizon Brandon is struggling with injuries and has been benched for George MacIntyre, who has been used more as a game manager while the offense leans heavily on DeSean Bishop (171 carries, 957 yards, 11 TDs). Their Week 8 loss to South Carolina gives them very little wiggle room if they want to make the College Football Playoff, and they still have home games against Kentucky and LSU on the horizon.
9. LSU (6-2, previous rank: 10)
Week 9 result: BYE
Next week: against Alabama
With 742 total yards and eight touchdowns over the past two weeks in wins over Mississippi State and Auburn, Sam Leavitt has hit his stride after a shaky start to his tenure at LSU. He leads the SEC in total yards (2,497) and touchdowns (25), and he will be the X-factor in the Tigers’ push to avoid a third loss as they face Alabama, Texas and Tennessee coming out of their bye week. Despite their two losses, they have outscored their opponents by a staggering 321-128 margin this year.
8. Kentucky (7-1, previous rank: 9)
Week 9 result: BYE
Next week: in Tennessee
The Wildcats are off to their best start since 2018, and with a 5-1 record in the SEC, they entered Week 9 atop the conference standings. They control their own destiny in what has been a surprise season, but the road ahead is tough as they face Tennessee, Florida and Missouri coming off their bye week. Notre Dame transfer Kenny Minchey (69.0 cmp%, 1,755 yards, 14 TD, 1 INT) has been a revelation at the quarterback position.
7. Notre Dame (7-1, previous rank: 7)
Week 9 result: WIN at Navy (35-13)
Next week: against Miami
Navy’s triple-option offense entered Saturday’s game averaging 307.7 rushing yards per game, but it was held to 48 carries for 212 yards and a touchdown, effectively marshaling its offensive attack. The Fighting Irish led just 14-13 at halftime before scoring 21 unanswered points in the second half, and a top-notch trap game was successfully carried out with a huge showdown against Miami now on the horizon next weekend. CJ Carr (19/29, 210 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT) and Nolan James Jr. (9 races, 107 yards, 2 TD) stood out offensively.
6. BYU (7-1, previous ranking: 6)
Week 9 result: WIN at Arizona State (27-20)
Next week: in Utah
A week after suffering their first loss of the season to UCF, the Cougars narrowly avoided disaster, scoring a field goal early in the fourth quarter before sealing the victory with an 11-play, 95-yard drive that ate up six minutes off the clock. BYU’s rushing attack was nonexistent, finishing with 47 yards on 30 carries, and Bear Bachmeier (19/30, 236 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT) did just enough through the air. Next week’s showdown with Utah is poised to be the first time in Holy War history that both teams are ranked in the top 10.
Gn sports
