Brett McMurphy's college football AP Top 25 ballot after Week 9

Ohio State remains No. 1 on my Associated Press ballot, but Texas A&M jumped Indiana into the No. 2 spot by the narrowest of margins. Indiana crushed UCLA, but Texas A&M had the more impressive victory, routing LSU on Saturday night in Baton Rouge.

Undefeated BYU moved up to No. 9 on my ballot after winning at Iowa State. Four new teams are on my ballot this week: Utah, Michigan, Washington and Memphis.

My Top 25 ballot after Week 9:

1. Ohio State (7-0)

The Buckeyes did not play last week. Ohio State hosts Penn State on Saturday. Of the Buckeyes’ final five games, only Michigan has a winning record.

2. Texas A&M (8-0)

The Aggies remained perfect by pulling away from LSU 49-25. A&M trailed 18-14 at halftime, but dominated the second half. Quarterback Marcel Reed (202 yards passing, 108 yards rushing) had two passing touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns. Wide receiver KC Conception added a TD reception and returned a punt 79 yards for another score.

3. Indiana (8-0)

The Hoosiers blasted UCLA 56-6. Wide receiver E.J. Williams had 109 receiving yards, including two touchdowns. Quarterback Fernando Mendoza threw for only 168 yards, but had three TD passes. The Hoosiers held the Bruins to 201 yards, while rolling up 475.

4. Alabama (7-1)

After winning four consecutive games against ranked opponents, the Crimson Tide barely survived at unranked South Carolina 29-22. Heisman favorite Ty Simpson threw for 253 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-tying TD with 2:16 remaining. Germie Bernard’s 25-yard score with 39 seconds remaining was the difference.

5. Georgia (6-1)

The Bulldogs did not play last week. Georgia faces Florida on Saturday in Jacksonville in the Gators’ first game since firing coach Billy Napier. Of Georgia’s final five games, only two are in Athens – Nov. 15 vs. Texas and Nov. 22 vs. Charlotte.

6. Ole Miss (7-1)

Even with Oklahoma fans mocking Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin with the Gator chomp, the Rebels pulled away from the Sooners 34-26. Ole Miss watched a 26-13 third-quarter lead disappear, but the Rebels outscored OU 10-0 in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss threw for 315 yards and rushed 53 yards. Winston Watkins had 111 yards receiving on only four receptions. Ole Miss hosts South Carolina on Saturday.

7. Vanderbilt (7-1)

The Commodores kept their magical season alive with a 17-10 win against Missouri. Quarterback Diego Pavia was limited to 129 yards passing and 20 yards rushing as the Tigers outgained Vanderbilt 376-265. The Commodores visit Texas on Saturday.

8. Miami (6-1)

The Hurricanes rebounded from their first loss of the season by blasting Stanford 42-7. Tied at seven at halftime, the Hurricanes outscored the Cardinal 35-0 in the second half. Running back Mark Fletcher Jr. rushed for 106 yards, including a career-high three touchdowns.

9. BYU (8-0)

The Cougars rallied from a 14-point second quarter deficit and pulled away at Iowa State 41-27. The Cougars dominated in the second half, outscoring the Cyclones 24-3. BYU was actually outgained by Iowa State, but forced four turnovers, including a pick-six by Faletua Satuala to account for the final margin. Quarterback Bear Bachmeier had 307 yards passing and two touchdowns and 49 yards rushing. Wide receivers Parker Kingston (seven receptions, 133 yards) and Chase Roberts (eight receptions, 128 yards) both exceeded 100 yards receiving.

10. Oregon (7-1)

The Ducks defeated Wisconsin 21-7. Starting quarterback Dante Moore left in the second half with an apparent nose injury. Running back Jordon Davison ran for 102 yards and a pair of TDs.

11. Georgia Tech (8-0)
Result: Win 41-16 vs. Syracuse

12. Texas Tech (7-1)
Result: Win 42-0 vs. Oklahoma State 

13. Cincinnati (7-1)
Result: Win 41-20 vs. Baylor 

14. Notre Dame (5-2)
Result: Did not play 

15. Virginia (7-1)
Result: Win 17-16 in OT vs. North Carolina 

16. Louisville (5-1)
Result: Win 38-24-21 vs. Boston College 

17. Houston (7-1)
Result: Win 24-16 at Arizona State

18. Missouri (6-2)
Result: Lost 17-10 at Vanderbilt

19. Texas (6-2)
Result: Win 45-38 in OT at Mississippi State

20. Tennessee (6-2)
Result: Win 56-34 at Kentucky

21. Utah (6-2)
Result: Win 53-7 vs. Colorado

22. Oklahoma (6-2)
Result: Lost 34-26 vs. Ole Miss

23. Michigan (6-2)
Result: Win 31-20 at Michigan State 

24. Washington (6-2)
Result: Win 42-25 vs. Illinois

25. Memphis (7-1)
Result: Win 34-31 vs. South Florida