Many teams put up stellar performances in week nine of the college football season on the weekend of Saturday, Oct. 25.

University of Mississippi vs. University of Oklahoma

On Saturday, Oct. 25, the No. 8 University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) Rebels traveled to Oklahoma to take on the No. 13 University of Oklahoma Sooners in a highly anticipated Southeastern Conference (SEC) matchup. Ole Miss never trailed, getting out to a 10-3 start thanks to a 28-yard touchdown run by Rebel running back Kewan Lacy. 

The Sooners were able to stay close behind the Rebels, trailing by as little as five points after a 65-yard touchdown run by running back Xavier Robinson. However, Ole Miss’ offense proved too much for Oklahoma, and the Sooners fell to the Rebels with a final score of 34-26. Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss threw for 315 yards and a touchdown, leading the Rebels to a 4-1 SEC record. The Rebels currently sit at number four in the conference. 

University of Missouri vs. Vanderbilt University 

In a game that came down to the final play, No. 10 Vanderbilt (Vandy) edged No. 15 Missouri (Mizzou) 17-10 on Saturday afternoon at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn. Mizzou quarterback Matt Zollers, filling in for injured starter Beau Pribula, led a dramatic final drive but came up inches short when Kevin Coleman Jr. was tackled just shy of the end zone as time expired. 

Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia struggled for most of the game but sealed the win with a one-yard touchdown run with just under two minutes remaining. Missouri had opportunities throughout the game but failed to capitalize. Pribula suffered an ankle injury on a fourth-and-goal attempt from the Vandy one-yard line in the second quarter, forcing Zollers into action. 

Vanderbilt improved to 7-1, putting them just one win shy of matching the team’s best start since 1941. Missouri, now 6-2, will look to rebound as the team heads into their bye week. 

University of Texas vs. Mississippi State University

The No. 22 Texas Longhorns staged a dramatic comeback on the road, overcoming a 17-point deficit to defeat Mississippi State 45-38 in overtime. After trailing 31-14 late in the third quarter, Texas’ Ryan Niblett sparked the rally with a 79-yard punt return to tie the game with just two minutes left in regulation. 

Quarterback Arch Manning led the charge, throwing for 346 yards, three touchdowns and adding a rushing score. When he left early in overtime due to injury, Matthew Cadwell stepped in and delivered a clutch touchdown pass to Emmett Mosley to seal the win. 

Mississippi State’s Black Shapen had a remarkable performance, completing 26 of 42 passes for 381 yards and four touchdowns. Despite the Bulldog’s strong offensive showing, including 445 total yards and multiple sacks, the team could not stop Texas in the final minutes. 

The Longhorns’ defense made the difference late, with seven sacks in the final stretch, pressuring Sharpen and limiting Mississippi State’s scoring opportunities. Coach Steve Sarkisian praised his team’s toughness and ability to rally under pressure, calling it a defining culture win for the program. 

University of Louisville vs. Boston College 

On Saturday night, The No. 19 University of Louisville Cardinals hosted the Boston College Eagles on homecoming night. The Cardinals were coming off a victory over the previously No. 2 University of Miami Hurricanes, a win which propelled them into the top 25 rankings for the first time this season. 

Louisville got off to a slow start, trailing Boston College 10-7 in the second quarter. However, the run game gained momentum late in the half, with the Cardinals scoring touchdowns on a nine-yard run by quarterback Miller Moss and a 62-yard house call by running back Isaac Brown. The Cardinals ended the half on a missed field goal but still entered the third quarter up 21-10. 

A fumble from Louisville on the first play of the second half resulted in a Boston College touchdown, and the Eagles were able to keep the game tight throughout the half. Louisville was up by one touchdown late in the fourth quarter when running back Keyjuan Brown scored on a 67 yard run to seal the game. The Cardinals ended up defeating the Eagles 38-24 behind Isaac Brown’s 205 rushing yards, a career high. 

This was Louisville’s sixth win of the season, making them bowl eligible for the fourth year in a row. The Cardinals have moved up to No. 16 in the rankings and fourth in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) standings. 

University of Houston vs. Arizona State University

In the Big XII conference, a fierce matchup between the 6-1 University of Houston Cougars and the No. 24 Arizona State University Sun Devils took place. The Sun Devils came into this game following an upset over the top-10 ranked Texas Tech Red Raiders and were projected to defeat Houston by a touchdown. 

Houston scored a field goal on their first drive and a touchdown run by quarterback Connor Weigman on their second drive. The second quarter featured six punts and, with both teams being completely unable to score, putting Houston still in the lead 10-0 at halftime. 

In the third quarter, Weigman threw a touchdown and ran for another to go up 24-0 going into the fourth quarter. Arizona State tried to mount a comeback scoring 16 unanswered points, but was ultimately unable to score as Sun Devils quarterback Sam Leavitt left the game in the fourth quarter. With this win, Houston is now 7-1 on the season and is ranked No. 22.

University of Tennessee vs. University of Kentucky

For the other local team, the night was not so joyous as the No. 17 University of Tennessee Volunteers and the University of Kentucky Wildcats went head-to-head. The Wildcats were reeling after an overtime loss to the No. 21 University of Texas Longhorns. 

In the first half, Kentucky was able to stay in striking distance, being down 35-21 at halftime, following some stunning performances from each team’s quarterbacks, Joey Aguilar and Cutter Boley. In the second half, Tennessee locked up their 56-34 victory, as the Cats were unable to match the speed of the Volunteers. Kentucky has fallen to a 2-5 record on the season.

Playoff Picture and Preview

This week’s results have shifted the College Football Playoff picture. ESPN’s Playoff Predictor states that Texas Tech’s playoff chances have dropped to 38% and Indiana’s playoff chances have risen to 97%.

Week ten looks to be another big week in college football as the No. 9 Vanderbilt University Commodores take on the No. 20 University of Texas Longhorns and the No. 18 University of Oklahoma Sooners face the No. 14 Tennessee Volunteers.