### Dominant Performances and Close Calls: Week 9 College Football Recap

Week 9 of college football was filled with high stakes matchups, but the anticipated upsets were largely absent. Fans were treated to several significant showdowns between AP Top 25 teams, but the favorites mostly held firm.

No. 12 Notre Dame delivered a crushing 51-14 victory over No. 24 Navy, capitalizing on six turnovers by their opponents. In the Big Ten, No. 4 Ohio State and No. 13 Indiana ensured there were no surprises by securing home wins in their respective battles. Later in the day, top-ranked Oregon and No. 5 Texas handled their business efficiently, maintaining their positions.

While dramatic upsets were missing, individual achievements took center stage. Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith became the first freshman in nearly two decades to catch a touchdown in each of his first seven games. Oregon's Dillon Gabriel continued to etch his name in the record books, moving up to the second spot in all-time touchdown passes.

Fans were kept on edge as the day progressed, particularly in the tightly contested game between LSU and Texas A&M. With kickoff at 7:30 p.m. on ABC, Texas A&M entered as slight favorites by 2.5 points. This game was crucial, as both teams were still unbeaten in SEC play and jockeying for the inside track to the conference title game. LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier's prolific passing would be tested against a staunch A&M defense.

Earlier action saw No. 5 Texas eke out a 27-24 victory over Vanderbilt. The Longhorns needed a rebound after a tough loss last week against Georgia, and while the win over Vanderbilt wasn't the most emphatic, it was enough to get them back on track. Critical plays down the stretch secured their win as Texas easily recovered an onside kick with seconds remaining, sealing the game in Nashville.

Vanderbilt's late surge, led by Diego Pavia's 8-yard touchdown pass to Eli Stowers, made it a nail-biter, bringing the score to 27-24 before Texas claimed possession. Texas kicker Bert Auburn had earlier expanded the lead to a seemingly comfortable 27-17 with a short field goal, but Vanderbilt's persistence kept the tension alive until the final moments.

In other action, Alabama showcased their dominance with a convincing 34-0 win over Vanderbilt. The Crimson Tide's ground game and defense were instrumental in the lopsided victory. Oregon also had a commanding 38-9 win over Illinois, with Oregon's Dillon Gabriel shining despite an intercepted pass. Vanderbilt's defense made pivotal plays but ultimately could not overcome Texas.

Elsewhere, TCU added excitement by taking a late lead on Texas Tech, impacting potential Big 12 title race scenarios. Throughout the day, fans witnessed a mix of strong performances and strategic playmaking, making Week 9 a memorable chapter in the 2024 college football season.