RJ Young's Week 9 College Football Rankings: Texas and BYU Surge, Miami Slides

As the college football season enters its crucial November stretch, FOX Sports national college football analyst RJ Young has unveiled his updated Top 25 rankings following Week 9 action. The latest standings reveal significant movement, with Texas and BYU making impressive climbs while Miami experiences a notable slide in the rankings.

Top Tier Stability

The upper echelon of Young's rankings remains relatively stable, with Ohio State maintaining its grip on the number one position following an impressive 38-14 victory over Penn State. The Buckeyes demonstrated their championship credentials by pulling away in the second half, with quarterback Julian Sayin throwing for 316 yards and four touchdowns. Ohio State has now won nine consecutive meetings against Penn State, solidifying their status as the nation's top team according to Young's assessment.

Indiana continues its remarkable undefeated run at number two, having dominated Maryland 55-10 in their Week 9 matchup. The Hoosiers showcased their offensive versatility with three different players rushing for 80 or more yards and a touchdown each. Under coach Curt Cignetti, Indiana has compiled an impressive 20-2 record over the past two seasons, trailing only Urban Meyer's historic run at Utah among coaches with a single team since 2000.

Notable Climbers

The most significant upward movement in Young's rankings belongs to Texas, which surged from 16th to 10th following their 34-31 victory over Vanderbilt. The Longhorns received an outstanding performance from quarterback Arch Manning, who returned from a concussion to deliver his best game of the season. Manning threw for 328 yards and three touchdowns, including a spectacular 75-yard connection with receiver Ryan Wingo on the game's opening play.

BYU also made a notable jump, moving from 10th to 8th in the rankings despite having a bye week. The Cougars remain undefeated at 8-0 and continue to build their case for College Football Playoff consideration. Their consistent performance throughout the season has earned them respect in Young's evaluation, positioning them as a serious contender as the postseason picture begins to take shape.

Significant Declines

The most dramatic fall in the rankings belongs to Miami, which tumbled from 13th to 23rd after suffering a crushing 26-20 loss to SMU. The Hurricanes became the first AP top-10 team to lose to SMU in Dallas since 1974, marking their second loss in three weeks. This disappointing performance against an unranked opponent significantly damaged Miami's postseason aspirations and reflected the program's inconsistency in crucial moments.

Vanderbilt also experienced a substantial drop, falling from 8th to 13th after their narrow 34-31 loss to Texas. Despite an outstanding individual performance from quarterback Diego Pavia, who threw for 365 yards and five touchdowns, the Commodores couldn't complete the comeback against the surging Longhorns.

Playoff Implications

With the first set of College Football Playoff rankings scheduled for release, Young's updated Top 25 provides valuable insight into how teams are positioning themselves for postseason consideration. Programs like Texas, Oklahoma, Michigan, and USC remain in the hunt for playoff spots, while others face increasingly narrow paths to postseason football.

The November stretch represents a critical period for teams hoping to secure their place in the expanded playoff format. As rivalry games and conference showdowns approach, the margin for error continues to shrink for programs with championship aspirations.

Young's rankings reflect the evolving narrative of the 2025 college football season, highlighting both the consistency of established powers and the emergence of new contenders. As teams navigate the final weeks of the regular season, these rankings will continue to shift based on performance in critical matchups that will ultimately determine the playoff field.