After Week 9, it is evident that specific teams are more dominant than others. Sometimes, the rankings don’t show that, however… Now, some teams are clear championship contenders while others aren’t. It’s time to rank the top 5 teams after week 9.
Top CFB Teams In the Nation After Week 9
1. Ohio State (7-0)
Really, the Ohio State Buckeyes haven’t done anything wrong in 2025 so far. The defense has been the brightest spot, allowing just 5 points per game. The most points the Buckeyes allowed this season were against Illinois, when they allowed just 16. OSU also recorded two shutouts, allowing only seven against the then-No. 1 team in the nation. The Buckeyes’ offense has shown wrinkles this season, yet that doesn’t take away from the fact that their defense has been excellent. Defeating Ohio State this season will be very, very hard.
2. Indiana (8-0)
The Indiana Hoosiers came into the season probably seen as the team that got lucky last season. However, the Hoosiers have found a way to absolutely crush those doubters. Before Saturday, Indy had already beaten No. 9 Illinois 63-10 and No. 3 Oregon on the road 30-20. Now, the Hoosiers have added another great win. The upset hungry UCLA Bruins came into Bloomington winning three straight games, all in exciting or convincing fashion.
Again, Curt Cignetti absolutely annihilated a dangerous team, this time 56-6. Indiana has found ways to just crush the hearts of other decent teams, with now UCLA joining that list. Not many thought the Hoosiers would look better than any SEC team at this point- but they do.
3. Texas A&M (8-0)
The Texas A&M Aggies earned another good win this season and are now 8-0. It would definitely be fair to say that this team is now the top team in the SEC. Against the LSU Tigers, a back a forth first half led to the Aggies being down 18-14 at half. Somehow, someway, Texas A&M managed to score 35 unanswered and cause “fire Kelly” chants to ring throughout death valley. With a 49-25 win, the Aggies are the only undefeated team in the SEC and look like they can hang with anyone. The Aggies will have to take on the Missouri Tigers and Texas Longhorns… But that feels like very winnable games for the Longhorns.
4. Georgia (7-1)
After the Alabama Crimson Tide nearly lost again to an unranked opponent, the Georgia Bulldogs deserve to be seen as the bigger team at the moment. Something just doesn’t feel right with Alabama, as it feels like they have got lucky way too often this season. Simply put, getting lucky won’t be enough to down the Buckeyes or maybe even Georgia again. The Bulldogs certainly don’t look like they did three years ago. But under Kirby Smart, Georgia is going to compete no matter what. Even with some shaky wins, Georgia’s ability to battle back against teams like the Auburn Tigers, Tennessee Vols, and the Ole Miss Rebels spells trouble for other teams.
5. Notre Dame (6-2)
With the hardest game on the schedule being the Navy Midshipmen, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish is almost a lock to get into the playoffs. Something feels right about this team, as even in those two losses, Notre Dame hasn’t really given up at all. They will probably be easily 10-2 and a serious threat to be a very good team in the playoffs this season.
Unlike other teams, the Fighting Irish haven’t looked lackluster at all. If certain teams such as Alabama or the Oregon Ducks took on the Jeremiah Love-led Notre Dame, it is hard to see the Irish losing. For now, it does, in fact, feel like this team is still one of the best in the country.
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