Three top-two teams have lost to unranked opponents over the last three weeks, a first since the carnage that was the 2007 season. Texas fell, Georgia tripped and BYU was overwhelmed. Now, No. 1 Miami and No. 2 Ohio State both hit the road this week against unranked teams.
At least for Miami, the Hurricanes have history on their side. They're 30-0 all-time against unranked opponents as the AP's No. 1 team. They travel to North Carolina, which is 0-11 all-time against the nation's No. 1 team.
If Miami can get past Bill Belichick's Tar Heels, a marquee matchup awaits next week at Notre Dame. No team is safe as parity runs rampant nationwide. Coach Mario Cristobal said there's no sense in letting up this week.
"If not, you're putting a win at risk," he said. Meanwhile, Ohio State enters a road trip to USC with a problem. The Buckeyes still haven't announced a starting quarterback to replace Julian Sayin, who is out indefinitely.
Luke Fahey, who replaced Sayin late in the win against Indiana, and former five-star Tavian St. Clair battled for the starting gig during the bye week. If so, Fahey will play near his home in Mission Viejo, California.
USC needs a win as questions about coach Lincoln Riley's future swirl. We enter Week 9 with only three unbeaten teams — Miami, No. 7 UCLA and No. 6 Utah. That's the fewest this early in a season since 1977.
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