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College Football Rankings 2023: Projected AP Top 25 for Week 9

By Connor Muldowney

Oct 21, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes defensive lineman Kayden McDonald (56) celebrates during the second half of the NCAA football game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won 20-12.
Oct 21, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes defensive lineman Kayden McDonald (56) celebrates during the second half of the NCAA football game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won 20-12. /
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Oct 21, 2023; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) celebrates with fans after the Crimson Tide defeated Tennessee 34-20 at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 21, 2023; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) celebrates with fans after the Crimson Tide defeated Tennessee 34-20 at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports /

Does Alabama deserve to move up a spot into the top 10 this week? Absolutely. The Crimson Tide shook off a 13-0 early lead and 20-7 halftime deficit to dominate the Volunteers in the second half and win by two touchdowns.

In fact, the Crimson Tide scored 27 straight points in the second half to pick up a huge win over the Volunteers and stay alive in the playoff hunt.

Joe Milton had a quality game but Jalen Milroe didn’t panic after a so-so first half to lead the Tide to a big win. Alabama recaptured the lead at the end of the third quarter and just tacked on 10 more points in the fourth to get revenge over the Volunteers after last year’s upset loss in Knoxville.

This should be enough to get Alabama just ahead of a team like North Carolina or even Texas, but Penn State’s loss guaranteed this team a spot in the new top 10 for Week 9.

Nick Saban’s team is getting hot at the right time.

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