**Oregon and Texas A&M Dominate in Week 9 Showdowns**

In a stunning display at Autzen Stadium, Oregon handed Illinois a major defeat, racing to a commanding 35-3 lead by halftime and maintaining control for the rest of the game. Dillon Gabriel was instrumental for the Ducks, throwing for 291 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. The ground game also flourished as Jordan James and Noah Whittington combined for 139 rushing yards and a touchdown. In stark contrast, Illinois struggled offensively, managing just 89 total yards in the first half. While Illinois has secured a bowl game appearance, this overwhelming loss has effectively ended their Big Ten contender hopes.

Week 9 was equally sobering for LSU. The Tigers entered halftime with a promising 17-7 lead against Texas A&M, only to be outscored 31-6 in the second half. This collapse featured critical errors, including three second-half interceptions, dropped passes, and an inability to adapt to a new quarterback. LSU's offense struggled on the ground, with 22 runs netting only 33 yards and three failed field goal attempts. Texas A&M’s ground assault, led by Amari Daniels, Le'Veon Moss, and Marcel Reed, ran for 236 yards and five touchdowns. Reed, stepping in for Conner Weigman, attempted just two passes but was effective both on the ground and in leading the Aggies.

LSU's defensive problems were starkly evident, and their next challenge will not be any easier as they prepare to host Alabama and their mobile quarterback, Jalen Milroe, on November 9. Both teams stand at 6-2, making this match a crucial College Football Playoff eliminator. Given the weight the selection committee places on SEC performances, a third loss would likely be disqualifying.

Elsewhere, Notre Dame crushed Navy's playoff dreams with a dominant 51-14 victory. The Fighting Irish outran the Midshipmen, amassing 265 rushing yards and averaging 6.6 yards per carry. This convincing win has revitalized Notre Dame's playoff hopes, with four winnable games remaining, starting with a match against Florida State on November 9.

Looking ahead to Week 10, Penn State and Ohio State's clash is set to be the highlight. Despite their star-studded roster, the Buckeyes have struggled to fully hit their stride, exemplified by their narrow escape against Nebraska, where they trailed midway through the fourth quarter and only gained 285 yards offensively. For Penn State, and head coach James Franklin in particular, this game is crucial. Although not a must-win in the strictest sense, a failure to defeat Ohio State could dampen much of the enthusiasm generated by their 7-0 start and reinforce Franklin’s reputation for falling short in big games.