Ranked contests. Multiple ranked teams faced off in Week 8 and have shifted the AP rankings heading into Week 9. 

The Oregon Ducks kept control in their game against the UCLA Bruins on Saturday afternoon, beating their conference opponents 45-30. Oregon quarterback Bo Nix had a career game, throwing for 5 touchdowns and 283 yards. The Ducks never lost their lead in the game, leading by as much as 18 points at halftime, and continued their control by scoring two more touchdowns in the second half to seal their victory.

#14 Syracuse were unable to do the same in their road game against #5 Clemson as they lost 27-21 on Saturday. The Orange’s unbeaten run met an end as the Tigers rallied in the second half to pull out the win. Their 21-7 lead seemed enough to give the visiting team their seventh win of the season, but freshman quarterback Cade Klubnik was able to lead their comeback after being brought into the game after starting quarterback DJ Uiagalelei threw his second interception of the game. 

Week 8 was not without an upset as #7 Ole Miss was dominated in the second half of their matchup against unranked LSU. The Rebels traveled to Baton Rouge sitting atop the SEC West after Alabama’s Week 7 loss to Tennessee and were hoping to keep their spot with a win over the 5-2 Tigers. These hopes were coming to fruition with the Rebels going into halftime with a 20-17 lead over the Tigers, but the break would not be helpful for the visitors. LSU would go on to score 28 unanswered points in the second half, which would carry them to a 45-20 upset win.

Top 3 Games to Watch for Week 9

• #2 Ohio State Buckeyes @ #13 Penn State Nittany Lions

The Buckeyes travel to Beaver Stadium to take on the #13 Nittany Lions. The Buckeyes have remained undefeated and dominant over their Big Ten opponents behind their Heisman hopeful quarterback CJ Stroud. Penn State have not yet beaten a ranked opponent this season and enter this game a 15 point underdog to continue that record.

• #3 Tennessee Volunteers vs. #19 Kentucky Wildcats

#3 Tennessee hosts their SEC East opponent Kentucky for a late afternoon matchup at Neyland Stadium. The Volunteers have impressed this season and hope to continue their unbeaten run ahead of the release of the first College Football Playoff rankings of the season. The Wildcats return from their bye week with their biggest test of the season and hope that a big performance from quarterback Will Levis can right the direction of their season.

• #9 Oklahoma State Cowboys @ #22 Kansas State Wildcats

Kansas State hosted the Cowboys following their difficult road loss to TCU last week and hoped to overcome the Cowboys in the Big 12 standings with a win. Oklahoma State were able to bounce back after a Week 7 loss to TCU with a win over the Texas Longhorns and will try to continue this form behind quarterback Spencer Sanders.