Week 9 • Saturday, October 31
Week 9 of the 2026 college football season delivered major upsets, dramatic finishes and significant consequences for the College Football Playoff race.
The biggest headline came in Los Angeles, where USC defeated No. 2 Ohio State 30–18.
Meanwhile, top-ranked Miami survived a late challenge, Iowa State won a last-second thriller, and Syracuse stunned No. 19 SMU with a touchdown in the closing seconds.
Seven ranked teams suffered defeats, setting up a potentially dramatic shift in the national rankings ahead of the first College Football Playoff selection committee rankings on November 3.
Featured Games and Results
SMU vs. Syracuse
30 -27 Syracuse
JMA Wireless Dome • Syracuse, NY
Noah Meyers caught the decisive touchdown pass with 17 seconds remaining, completing Syracuse’s dramatic comeback.
Quarterback Steve Angeli directed the winning drive as the Orange secured another important ACC victory.
Game of the Week:
USC 30 – Ohio State 18
USC produced the week’s signature result, defeating second-ranked Ohio State in a statement victory that could reshape the playoff conversation.
Trent Mosley opened the scoring with a 69-yard touchdown reception just 39 seconds into the game.
Quarterback Jayden Maiava threw for 222 yards and a touchdown, while USC’s defense consistently forced Ohio State to settle for field goals rather than touchdowns.
Ohio State quarterback Luke Fahey, making his first start, passed for 260 yards and a touchdown.
However, the Buckeyes could not overcome USC’s early advantage and lost 30–18.
Other Major Match Reports
No. 1 Miami 38, North Carolina 35
Miami preserved its unbeaten record in a dramatic road victory.
Darian Mensah threw three touchdown passes, and Mark Fletcher Jr. scored three times.
The Hurricanes rallied late to hold off North Carolina’s passing attack and remain in control of their playoff destiny.
Iowa State 51,
No. 24 Oklahoma State 49
Iowa State won an offensive thriller when Kyle Konrardy drilled a 34-yard field goal as time expired.
The Cyclones overcame a late Oklahoma State touchdown, with Jaylen Raynor throwing for 309 yards and three scores and Aiden Flora rushing for 221 yards.
No. 3 Georgia 27
No. 17 Florida 8
No. 3 Georgia 27, No. 17 Florida 8
Georgia dominated the rivalry matchup with a powerful rushing attack and four takeaways.
The Bulldogs outgained Florida on the ground 217–48, while defensive plays helped build a commanding lead before halftime.
Top 25 Scoreboard
No. 13 Texas Tech vs. No. 22 Arizona 34–26
No. 4 Indiana vs. Minnesota 23–16 (OT)
No. 6 Utah vs. Cincinnati 49–25
No. 7 UCLA vs. Nevada 27–0
No. 8 BYU vs. Arizona State 27–20
No. 11 Texas vs. Mississippi State 31–3
No. 12 Ole Miss vs. Auburn 45–15
No. 14 Wake Forest vs. Virginia 51–7
Oregon vs. No. 20 Northwestern
34 -26
Iowa vs. No. 25 Wisconsin 30–0
No. 23 Missouri vs. Arkansas 34–10
No. 20 Boise State vs.
Texas State 46–45
Biggest Storylines of Week 9
USC enters the playoff conversation:
Beating No. 2 Ohio State gives the Trojans a major statement win.
Miami remains unbeaten: The Hurricanes survived a 38–35 shootout and strengthened their position at the top.
Utah keeps rolling: The Utes improved to 8–0 after a 49–25 victory over Cincinnati.
UCLA’s defense shines: The Bruins shut out Nevada 27–0 and maintained their unbeaten record.
Boise State survives a scare: Backup quarterback Max Cutforth threw three fourth-quarter touchdown passes to help the Broncos escape with a 46–45 win.
Iowa makes a statement: The Hawkeyes shut out ranked Wisconsin 30–0 in a rivalry game.
Week 9 Final Verdict
Week 9 was one of the season’s most consequential weekends.
USC’s upset of Ohio State, Miami’s narrow escape and multiple ranked-team defeats created fresh uncertainty in the national championship race.
The biggest winners were USC, Iowa State, Syracuse and Boise State, each of which delivered a result with potential postseason implications.
The biggest losers were Ohio State and the other ranked teams that failed to capitalize on their opportunities.
Next up: The first 2026 College Football Playoff rankings are scheduled for Tuesday, November 3.
With several contenders stumbling, the committee’s opening assessment will be one of the season’s most closely watched developments.
