Week 9 was all about survival for the primary playoff contenders. As a result, the top eight teams in the USA TODAY Sports AFCA coaches poll remain unchanged.
Georgia retains the No. 1 spot after staving off a late comeback attempt from archrival Florida. The Bulldogs received 45 of 63 first-place votes this week.
No. 2 Ohio State was picked first on 13 ballots after its win at Penn State. Tennessee strengthened its hold on the No. 3 spot thanks to a decisive win against then-No. 17 Kentucky. The Vols claimed the remaining five No. 1 votes on the eve of their showdown with the Bulldogs. Michigan stays put at No. 4 after handling in-state foe Michigan State.
Clemson and Alabama, both of whom had the weekend off, hold steady at the next two positions. TCU holds at No. 7 after keeping its record unblemished at West Virginia, and Oregon stays at No. 8.
TOP 25:Complete USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll
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Things begin to change here with former top-10 squads Oklahoma State and Wake Forest each taking nine-position plunges following ugly losses. Southern California and Mississippi each move up two places to claim those top-10 spots. No. 11 UCLA and No. 12 Utah also gain a couple of spots. Illinois vaults five places to No. 13, its highest ranking since 2007. Kansas State moves up to No. 14 after its impressive blanking of Oklahoma State, and North Carolina climbs to a season-high 15th.
No. 23 Liberty and No. 25 Central Florida join the poll this week. Cincinnati and South Carolina fall out.
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