College Football Top 25 Week 9: Big Ranking Shifts

**RJ Young Unveils Post-Week 9 Top 25: Stability at the Top, Significant Shifts Below**

**NEW YORK, NY – October 30, 2023** – Following an action-packed Week 9 of college football, FOX Sports’ prominent analyst RJ Young has released his latest Top 25 rankings, revealing a blend of unwavering dominance at the summit and substantial upheaval throughout the rest of the poll. The rankings, published this Monday, reflect the impact of key victories and unexpected upsets as the season hurtles towards its crucial final stretch.

The upper echelon of Young’s rankings remains an unyielding fortress, with the top four spots holding firm. The undefeated Georgia Bulldogs maintain their stranglehold at No. 1, followed closely by Michigan at No. 2, Ohio State at No. 3, and Florida State securing No. 4. These four perennial powerhouses have navigated their schedules without a single blemish, reinforcing their positions as the primary contenders for a coveted College Football Playoff berth.

However, the landscape just beyond the top four saw significant adjustments. The Texas Longhorns emerged as a major beneficiary, ascending two spots from No. 7 to No. 5. This rise comes on the heels of their gritty, impressive double-overtime victory over then-ranked Kansas State, a performance that undoubtedly boosted their resume in Young’s estimation. Perhaps the most dramatic leap of the week belongs to BYU, which rocketed an impressive six spots from No. 25 all the way up to No. 19 following a victory over Oklahoma that resonated strongly with the pollster.

Conversely, several programs experienced a precipitous drop. The Miami Hurricanes suffered a five-spot tumble, falling from No. 19 to No. 24, after their disappointing loss to NC State. Even more significant was the fall of the Oklahoma Sooners, who dropped a substantial six spots from No. 6 to No. 12 after their defeat to Kansas. This dual blow to Oklahoma’s ranking, attributed by Young to their recent game outcomes, signals a major setback for their playoff aspirations.

Beyond these major movers, other notable shifts peppered Young’s updated list. Alabama climbed a spot to No. 7, showcasing continued resilience. LSU also gained ground, moving up two spots to No. 11. Notre Dame now sits at No. 13, a two-spot improvement, while Utah mirrored that gain, also moving up two to No. 14. On the downside, Kansas State, despite their valiant effort against Texas, absorbed a six-spot fall, landing at No. 16.

The weekly shake-up also welcomed two fresh faces into Young’s Top 25. UCLA made its debut at No. 22, signaling growing recognition for their season’s performance. The Arizona Wildcats, defying preseason expectations, entered the rankings at No. 25, marking a significant milestone for their program. Their inclusion meant the departure of James Madison and USC from Young’s latest poll.

Fans eager to delve deeper into RJ Young’s full rationale and complete rankings can find them exclusively on FOXSports.com, offering a fresh perspective on the evolving College Football Playoff picture as Week 10 approaches.