College football’s Week 9 delivered a series of stunning upsets and near-misses that have thrown the playoff picture into disarray. Amidst the chaos, a trio of unlikely undefeated teams – Indiana, BYU, and Pittsburgh – continue to defy expectations and make their case as legitimate contenders.
The Rise of the Underdogs
Indiana’s magical season rolled on with a 31-17 victory over Washington, moving the Hoosiers to a perfect 8-0. Remarkably, Indiana has yet to trail in a game this year, a feat unmatched by any FBS program in the last two decades according to sources. Head coach Tom Allen has engineered a remarkable turnaround for a program more accustomed to heartbreak than success.
Not to be outdone, BYU dispatched UCF 37-24 to remain unbeaten and atop the Big 12 standings. Quarterback Jake Retzlaff accounted for three touchdowns, while the Cougars’ opportunistic defense forced two key turnovers. In Provo, the faithful are starting to believe that a special season is unfolding.
Pittsburgh, coming off a dismal 3-9 campaign in 2023, continued their resurgence under head coach Pat Narduzzi. The Panthers smothered Syracuse in a 24-9 victory, with their swarming defense picking off Orange quarterback Drew Pyne three times. At 8-0, Pitt finds itself in the thick of the playoff conversation.
Heavyweights Escape Disaster
While the upstarts stole the spotlight, several of college football’s blue bloods narrowly avoided catastrophe. Alabama rebounded from last week’s devastating loss to Tennessee with a 34-0 blanking of Missouri. The Tide’s win was fueled by a smothering defensive effort and an efficient outing from quarterback Jayden Milroe, who accounted for 265 total yards and a score.
Ohio State also had to sweat out a closer-than-expected tilt with Nebraska, eking out a 21-17 victory in Columbus. The Buckeyes’ normally prolific offense sputtered for much of the afternoon, but a late defensive stand sealed the win and kept their Big Ten title hopes alive.
Playoff Implications Abound
As the season enters its final month, the race for the four College Football Playoff spots is as murky as ever. The ascent of Indiana, BYU, and Pitt has added intrigue to a field that typically skews towards the sport’s elite programs.
In this new era of the 12-team playoff, there’s no need to focus too much on solving the mystery of who’ll ultimately hoist the trophy at year’s end when these likely red herrings are still so much fun.
– According to a college football analyst
Indeed, the expanded playoff format has opened the door for a wider range of contenders, and the chaotic nature of the 2024 season thus far suggests that more surprises are in store. As November looms, college football fans are buckling up for a wild ride to the finish.
Looking Ahead to Week 10
Week 10 presents another slate of pivotal matchups that could further shake up the landscape:
- Indiana faces perhaps its toughest test yet with a trip to Columbus to battle Ohio State
- BYU looks to keep momentum rolling against a solid Kansas squad
- Pittsburgh aims to stay perfect with a tricky road tilt at North Carolina
- Alabama hits the road to face an LSU team fresh off an upset of Ole Miss
The college football world will be watching intently to see if the underdogs can keep the magic alive for another week. In a season where conventional wisdom has been flipped on its head, expect the unexpected in Week 10 and beyond.
