Main Story

For college football’s top title contenders, Week 9 was about surviving without slipping. Georgia, Texas and Ole Miss won comfortably, while Ohio State’s loss to USC dealt a major blow to its championship outlook. Miami and Indiana escaped close calls, exposing problems despite staying unbeaten in the race.

By the Numbers
  • Georgia beat Florida 27-8 and recorded 11 tackles for loss.
  • Texas defeated Mississippi State 31-3, despite allowing five sacks of quarterback Arch Manning.
  • Ole Miss beat Auburn 45-15, piling up 30 first downs and 224 rushing yards.
  • Ohio State lost to USC 30-18; Miami edged North Carolina 38-35, and Indiana beat Minnesota 23-16 in overtime.
Yes, But

Easy wins did not mean flawless performances. Texas’ offense remained uneven, Georgia struggled through the air, and Ole Miss still showed vulnerability in its secondary. Miami and Indiana won, but their narrow escapes—and Ohio State’s collapse—underscored how little margin top contenders have for mistakes.

Bottom Line

At this stage, avoiding a damaging loss matters as much as looking dominant. Georgia, Texas and Ole Miss handled business; Ohio State did not, while Miami and Indiana have issues to resolve before tougher tests arrive.