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The 2026 college football season has been marked by unprecedented parity, with three top-two teams falling to unranked foes in the past three weeks—a feat not seen since the chaotic 2007 campaign. Texas, Georgia, and BYU have all suffered stunning upsets, and now No. 1 Miami and No. 2 Ohio State must navigate treacherous road environments against unranked competition in Week 9.
Miami, however, has history on its side: the Hurricanes are 30-0 all-time as the AP's top-ranked team when facing unranked opponents. They travel to North Carolina, a program that is 0-11 all-time against the nation's No. 1 team. A victory over Bill Belichick's Tar Heels would set up a marquee showdown at Notre Dame next week. Coach Mario Cristobal stressed the importance of maintaining focus, saying, 'If not, you're putting a win at risk.'
Ohio State, meanwhile, heads to USC with uncertainty at quarterback. The Buckeyes have yet to name a starter to replace Julian Sayin, who is out indefinitely. Luke Fahey, who relieved Sayin in the win over Indiana, and former five-star Tavian St. Clair competed for the job during the bye week. Both could see action, with Fahey playing near his hometown of Mission Viejo, California. USC, dealing with questions about coach Lincoln Riley's future, desperately needs a win.
Only three unbeaten teams remain—Miami, No. 7 UCLA, and No. 6 Utah—the fewest at this point in a season since 1977. Utah visits Cincinnati, which just knocked off previously undefeated Texas Tech and can become the first unranked team since 1938 St. Mary's to beat ranked teams at 6-0 or better in consecutive games. Minnesota, which holds all three of its rivalry trophies for the first time since 1978, travels to No. 4 Indiana, a team that has failed to score 21 points in three straight games.
In one of the weekend's biggest rivalries, No. 3 Georgia faces No. 17 Florida in Atlanta for the first time in series history. The Bulldogs are coming off a bye week after a home loss to unranked Auburn and are trying to avoid becoming only the second No. 1 team ever to lose back-to-back games—the other being Texas earlier this month.
Key Analysis
CBS Sports experts have made their picks for Week 9, the final Saturday without College Football Playoff rankings. In the Texas Tech vs. Arizona matchup, the Wildcats are seen as a live underdog, with Noah Fifita playing the best football of his career. Arizona is picked to cover +3.5. For Minnesota vs. Indiana, the under 41.5 is favored due to Indiana's elite defense and conservative game management. Georgia is expected to dominate Florida, covering -12.5, as the Bulldogs' defensive staff is familiar with Gators offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner. Ohio State vs. USC is predicted to go under 51.5, with the Buckeyes leaning on the run game and the Trojans struggling offensively against ranked foes. Finally, Miami vs. North Carolina is projected to stay under 52.5, with the Hurricanes potentially looking ahead to Notre Dame and the Tar Heels' defense keeping it close. SportsLine's computer model, which has simulated every game 10,000 times, backs these picks.
Originally reported by cbssports.