How did Georgia look without All-American tight end Brock Bowers?
That question followed the Bulldogs through the bye week and into Saturday's SEC East rivalry matchup with Florida.
The answer? Same as they usually do. The Bulldogs hammered Florida 43-20. A reliable quarterback, reliable running game and reliable defense led Georgia to its 25th straight victory, and the two-time defending national champions are the reliable choice to be No. 1 in the first set of College Football Playoff rankings on Tuesday.
Carson Beck is that reliable quarterback. He finished 19 of 28 for 315 yards and two TDs against the Gators. A 41-yard TD pass to Ladd McConkey gave Georgia a 10-7 lead with 1:23 left in the first quarter, and it never looked back.
Daijuan Edwards (15-96, 2 TDs) and Kendall Milton (13-55, TD) combined for 5.4 yards per carry, and the Bulldogs totaled 171 rushing yards. The defense limited Florida to 330 total yards and gave up a cosmetic TD in the final two minutes that left that little smidge of doubt. Would you think differently about Georgia had they won by 30 points?
There is nothing complicated here. Georgia coach Kirby Smart has built a machine, one that will get tests from three ranked teams in Missouri, Ole Miss and Tennessee the next three weeks.
Could the committee put Michigan or Ohio State ahead of the Bulldogs? The Wolverines have dominated margin of victory. The Buckeyes have two top-10 victories. Georgia beat those teams in the CFP semifinals the last two years, and while it is not a metric, the Bulldogs will be king until somebody knocks them off.
That is why they are No. 1 in our projected CFP rankings heading into Week 10:
Top 25 for Week 10
Top four CFP teams
1. Georgia (8-0, 5-0 SEC)
Georgia's defense flexed in that victory against Florida. Four players had a sack and eight different players had a tackle for loss against the Gators. Receiver Dominic Lovett (4-83) and tight end Oscar Delp (2-31) stepped up in Bowers' absence. The depth through recruiting continues to show, and the Bulldogs will not look past Missouri in Week 10.
2. Michigan (8-0, 5-0 Big Ten)
Michigan had a bye week. The Wolverines lead the FBS in scoring defense (5.9 ppg.) and rank sixth in scoring offense (40.6 ppg.). Michigan has steam-rolled through eight unranked opponents under Jim Harbaugh, and J.J. McCarthy (1,799 yards, 18 TDs, 3 INTs) is the Heisman Trophy front-runner. The specter of a NCAA investigation into allegations of sign-stealing still hangs over the program. How will the committee treat the Wolverines as a result? That is a fluid question heading into a Week 10 matchup against Purdue.
MORE: Will Michigan be punished before end of 2023 season?
3. Ohio State (8-0, 5-0 Big Ten)
The Buckeyes shook off three first-half turnovers in a 24-10 win at Wisconsin, and Ryan Day's formula has taken hold. Kyle McCord (17 of 26, 226 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs) got the ball to Marvin Harrison Jr. (6-123, 2 TDs), and TreVeyon Henderson (24-162, TD) gave the running game a much-needed boost. The defense limited the Badgers to 259 yards. It's not always pretty, but Ohio State remains perfect. The Buckeyes face Rutgers in Week 10.
4. Florida State (8-0, 6-0 ACC)
The Seminoles are cruising toward an ACC championship. The Seminoles built a 31-7 half-time lead in a 41-16 victory against Wake Forest, and Jordan Travis (22 of 35, 359 yards, 3 TDs) now has 12 TDs and one interception in conference play. A non-conference victory against LSU also is a powerful prop for keeping the Seminoles in the top four in the first set of rankings. Florida State finishes the ACC portion of the schedule the next two weeks against Pitt and Miami.
First two out of CFP
5. Washington (8-0, 5-0 Pac-12)
For the second straight week, Washington had to work as a heavy favorite. The Huskies need a fourth-down stop to hold off the Cardinal before tacking on a TD for a 42-33 victory. Michael Penix (21 of 38, 369 yards, 4 TDs, INT) had a bounce-back game that included a 92-yard TD pass to Ja'Lynn Polk in the second quarter. Still, the Cardinal out-gained the Huskies 499-460. Washington will be the first team out, but a grinder against USC, Utah and Oregon State the next three weeks will not be easy to navigate.
6. Oregon (7-1, 4-1, Pac-12)
Would you take the Ducks in a rematch with Washington right now? Oregon disposed of Utah 35-6 in arguably the most impressive performance of the weekend. Bo Nix (24 of 31, 248 yards, 2 TDs) was methodical, and Bucky Irving (14-83, TD) established the ground game. The defense limited the Utes to 241 total yards. Three of Oregon's last four games are at home, beginning with Cal in Week 10. They are the most dangerous one-loss team.
MORE: Dan Lanning speaks out against gun violence after win
CFP rankings: Rest of top 10
7. Texas (7-1, 4-1 Big 12)
The Longhorns will benefit from Oklahoma's loss. Maalik Murphy (16 of 25, 170 yards, 2 TDs, INT) shook off an early pick, and the Longhorns averaged 5.3 yards per carry in a 35-6 victory against BYU – coach Steve Sarkisian's alma mater. Jonathan Brooks (16-98, TD) powered the running game, and the head-to-head victory against Alabama will look good to the committee all through November. The Longhorns face Kansas State – who should also crack the first set of rankings – in Week 10.
8. Alabama (7-1, 5-0 SEC)
It's another November run for Nick Saban – and there is no margin for error in the SEC West. Saban is 5-3 against LSU at Bryant-Denny Stadium, and the usual stakes are on the line. Dallas Turner (7 sacks, 10.5 TFL) continues to be a game-changer for a defense that ranks second in the SEC at 16.5 ppg. That unit will be on the spot against LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels.
9. Oklahoma (7-1, 4-1, Big 12)
Cue the Big 12 outrage. Yes, Oklahoma beat Texas head-to-head 34-30 on Oct. 7, but a two-week slide that involved 31-29 a scare against UCF and a 38-33 loss to Kansas in Week 9 showed that the Sooners are more vulnerable at this point. Plus, the Longhorns have that victory against Alabama. Oklahoma still has a chance to play its way back in, but second-year coach Brent Venables will have to keep this team focused heading into a road trip to Oklahoma State in the final installment of Bedlam.
10. Penn State (7-1, 4-1 Big Ten)
The Nittany Lions – who were 31-point favorites against Indiana – had the classic hangover-after-a-loss game. The Hoosiers rallied from a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter, but Penn State sophomore quarterback Drew Allar connected with KeAndre Lambert-Smith for a 57-yard touchdown pass with 1:46 remaining. That season-saver lead to a 33-24 victory and keeps Penn State in the top-10 heading into a Week 10 matchup against Maryland. Of course, Michigan looms the following week.
Drew Allar threw it deep, and KLS made a play. 😏
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) October 28, 2023
No. 10 @PennStateFball retakes the lead.
📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/N66bGBCYHU
CFP rankings: 11-25
11. Ole Miss (7-1, 4-1 SEC)
Ole Miss beat Vanderbilt 33-7 in business-like fashion. Quinshon Judkins had 108 of his 124 rushing yards by halftime, and the Rebels had built a 26-0 lead by halftime. Jaxson Dart (19 of 28, 240 yards, TD, INT) was solid, and the defense allowed 229 yards. Ole Miss needs LSU to beat Alabama to complicate the SEC West race, but the Rebels cannot overlook Texas A&M in Week 10.
12. Notre Dame (7-2, Independent)
Chris Tyree's 82-yard punt return for a TD set the stage for a 58-7 blowout against Pitt. Sam Hartman (18 of 25, 288 yards, 2 INTs) shook off a few turnovers, Audric Estime rushed for 114 yards and three TDs, and the defense forced five turnovers. Xavier Watts added a pair of interceptions. The Irish still have New Year's Day Six hopes, and they face a desperate Clemson team in Death Valley in Week 10.
CHRIS TYREE! 82 YARDS TO THE HOUSE! pic.twitter.com/kohIxNihoR
— Notre Dame on NBC (@NDonNBC) October 28, 2023
13. LSU (6-2, 4-1 SEC)
LSU leads the FBS in total offense (552.9), and Jayden Daniels entered Week 9 with the lead in total offense at 386.8 yards per game. Daniels had 213 total yards and three TDs in the 32-31 victory against Alabama last season, and now he has a chance to win at Bryant-Denny Stadium. If any two-loss team could create a case for the CFP, then it might be the Tigers.
14. Missouri (7-1, 3-1 SEC)
The Tigers' moment is now. Missouri had a bye week to get ready for the road trip against Georgia – and last year's 26-22 close call against the Bulldogs should give the Tigers a sense of confidence. Brady Cook (2,259 yards, 15 TDs, 3 INTs), running back Cody Schrader (807 yards, 9 TDs) and receiver Luther Burden (905 yards, 6 TDs) are one of the best offensive trios in college football. Can they make enough plays to spring an upset and give Missouri a surprise lead in the SEC East?
15. Louisville (7-1, 4-1 ACC)
Jeff Brohm is creeping toward Coach of the Year status. The Cardinals limited Duke quarterback Riley Leonard to 144 total yards in a 23-0 shutout. Louisville remains very much in the ACC championship mix as a result. Jawhar Jordan (21-163, 2 TDs) had an outstanding game, and the Cardinals shook off a bad loss to Pitt. Louisville and North Carolina will be interesting barometers to see how the committee truly values the ACC.
16. Air Force (8-0, 5-0 MWC)
The Falcons braved snowy conditions – and even took advantage of an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty where a Colorado State fan threw a snowball at the bench – to score a TD in a 30-13 victory against the Rams. Emmanuel Michel (20-131, TD) led the way for an offense that piled up 259 yards on the ground, and the Falcons can clinch the Commander-In-Chief's Trophy with a victory against Army in Week 10.
17. Tennessee (6-2, 3-2 SEC)
The Vols jumped out to a 10-point lead and held on in a wild 33-27 shootout with Kentucky. Joe Milton (17 of 20, 227 yards, TD) was efficient, and Jaylen Wright (11-120, TD) led a ground game that piled up 254 yards on the ground. Tennessee is a long-shot to win the SEC East without chaos, and they face UConn in Week 10 before showdowns with Missouri and Georgia.
18. Oregon State (6-2, 3-2 Pac-12)
An ill-advised fake field goal at the end of the first half was a questionable call at best by coach Jonathan Smith. That ended up costing the Beavers in a 27-24 loss at Arizona. DJ Uiagalelei (16 of 30, 218 yards, 2 TDs) tried to lead a late comeback, but the loss knocked Oregon State into the second tier in the Pac-12. There still is a path to the conference title game with matchups against Washington and Oregon, but Colorado comes first in Week 10.
19. Utah (6-2, 3-2 Pac-12)
The Utes' saw their 18-game home winning streak snapped in a 35-6 loss to Oregon. It was not pretty for Bryson Barnes (15 of 29, 136 yards, 2 INTs). The rushing attack averages 2.8 yards per rush, and the defense struggled to slow down the Ducks. Utah would need some help to wiggle back into the Pac-12 championship race, and they will get their shot at Washington in two weeks. The Utes face Arizona State in Week 9.
20. UCLA (6-2, 3-2 Pac-12)
The Bruins had four first-half turnovers, but they took control in the second half in a 28-16 victory against Colorado. Ethan Garbers (20 of 27, 269 yards, 2 TDs, INT) and the tag-team of TJ Harden (19-80, TD) and Carson Steele (11-73) recalibrated UCLA, and the defense sacked Shedeur Sanders seven times. The schedule is favorable down the stretch, though a road trip at Arizona in Week 10 could be tricky.
21. Tulane (7-1, 4-0 American)
Tulane will be a known commodity among the committee because of their Cotton Bowl victory last season, and they continued their impressive run in the American Athletic Conference with a 30-28 victory against Rice. Michael Pratt (22 of 30, 263 yards, 2 TDs, INT) added 40 yards and a rushing TD. Makhi Hughes (23-153) enjoyed his fourth straight 100-yard game. The Green Wave travels to East Carolina in Week 10.
22. Oklahoma State (6-2, 4-1 Big 12)
Oklahoma State is clicking at the right time. The Cowboys beat Cincinnati 45-13, and they have averaged 40.3 points per game in their last four victories. Ollie Gordon (25-271, 2 TDs) had a monster night against the Bearcats, too. Gordon averages 214.2 rushing yards per game through the winning streak. Mike Gundy gets one more shot at Oklahoma in Bedlam in Week 10. This should be fun.
23. USC (7-2, 5-1 Pac-12)
The Trojans might fall out of the AP Top 25, but they still have a chance for a Pac-12 championship after the 50-49 victory against Cal. Caleb Williams (23 of 40, 369 yards, 2 TDs) had a pair of rushing TDs, but the Trojans needed a stop on a two-point conversion with 58 seconds remaining to preserve the victory. USC’s last three games are against Washington, Oregon and UCLA.
24. Liberty (8-0, 6-0 C-USA)
Will the CFP committee respect the Flames' 8-0 start? They should, and keep in mind James Madison (8-0) will not be included in the CFP rankings at any point this year. Liberty beat Western Kentucky 42-29 on Tuesday in Conference-USA play, and first-year coach Jamey Chadwell continues to work wonders. Kaidon Salter had 169 passing yards, 117 rushing yards and four total TDs. Liberty plays Louisiana Tech in Week 10.
25. Kansas State (6-2, 4-1 Big 12)
The defending Big 12 champions are starting to round into form. The Wildcats beat Houston 41-0 and have outscored their last three opponents by a combined score of 120-24. Will Howard (15 of 17, 164 yards, 2 TDs) played well against the Cougars, and Kansas State's losses against Missouri and Oklahoma State are nowhere near as bad as they first appeared. The Wildcats visit Texas in Week 10.
How the top 25 fared in Week 9
A look at how our top 25 fared in Week 9:
| RANK | SCHOOL | RECORD | WEEK 9 RESULT |
| 1 | Georgia | 8-0 | Beat Florida 43-20 |
| 2 | Michigan | 8-0 | Bye |
| 3 | Ohio State | 8-0 | Beat Wisconsin 24-10 |
| 4 | Florida State | 8-0 | Beat Wake Forest 41-16 |
| 5 | Washington | 8-0 | Beat Stanford 42-33 |
| 6 | Oregon | 7-1 | Beat Utah 35-6 |
| 7 | Texas | 7-1 | Beat BYU 35-6 |
| 8 | Alabama | 7-1 | Bye |
| 9 | Oklahoma | 7-1 | Lost to Kansas 38-33 |
| 10 | Penn State | 7-1 | Beat Indiana 33-24 |
| 11 | Ole Miss | 7-1 | Beat Vanderbilt 33-7 |
| 12 | Notre Dame | 7-2 | Beat Pitt 58-7 |
| 13 | LSU | 6-2 | Bye |
| 14 | Missouri | 7-1 | Bye |
| 15 | Louisville | 7-1 | Beat Duke 23-0 |
| 16 | Air Force | 8-0 | Beat Colorado State 30-13 |
| 17 | Tennessee | 6-2 | Beat Kentucky 33-27 |
| 18 | Oregon State | 6-2 | Lost to Arizona 27-24 |
| 19 | Utah | 6-2 | Lost to Oregon 35-6 |
| 20 | UCLA | 6-2 | Beat Colorado 28-16 |
| 21 | Tulane | 7-1 | Beat Rice 30-28 |
| 22 | Oklahoma State | 6-2 | Beat Cincinnati 45-13 |
| 23 | USC | 7-2 | Beat Cal 50-49 |
| 24 | Liberty | 8-0 | Beat Western Kentucky 42-29 |
| 25 | Kansas State | 6-2 | Beat Houston 41-0 |
