USC Beats Ohio State, Top 25 Rankings Shift After Week 9

USC climbed back into the AP Top 25 after defeating previously ranked Ohio State in a rain-soaked game. The Trojans, who had fallen out of the rankings after a loss to Wisconsin, used an early lead and strong offensive performance to secure the win, marking Lincoln Riley's first victory against a top-five opponent as USC's coach.

Ohio State, despite the loss to USC, is expected to remain in the top 10. The Buckeyes had previously beaten Indiana and Iowa in conference play, which should help cushion the impact of the loss. However, the team's offensive production was down due to quarterback Julian Sayin playing four quarters without injury, which may affect its ranking.

Miami retained its No. 1 position after a thrilling 38-35 win over Florida. The Hurricanes' Heisman Trophy contender, Malachi Toney, led the team with seven catches for 75 yards and two touchdowns. Georgia, at No. 2, extended its winning streak with a dominant performance against Florida, while Notre Dame remained at No. 5 after a 35-13 win over Navy.

Utah moved up to No. 4 after a dominant 42-6 halftime lead over Cincinnati. The Utes' strong showing, combined with an 8-0 record, is expected to earn more respect from voters. UCLA stayed at No. 7 after a 27-0 shutout of Nevada, maintaining its zero-loss record. Indiana, at No. 6, could lose some ranking points due to its weak resume despite an overtime win over Purdue.

BYU remained at No. 8 after a 27-20 win over Arizona State. The Cougars' performance, despite a late scare, should keep them ahead of Kentucky and Alabama. Kentucky and Alabama, both off in Week 9, will return to action next week. Texas, at No. 11, improved to 6-2 with a 31-3 win over Mississippi State.

The rankings will be finalized on Sunday, with USC expected to be among the top 25. The Trojans now face the College Football Playoff Selection Committee's attention and will need to secure more wins to maintain their ranking. Other teams like Iowa and South Carolina are also expected to move up due to strong performances in Week 9.