Biggest risers in College Football after Week 9

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Biggest risers in College Football after Week 9

Mike Connolly · The Big Lead

Mon, November 2, 2026 at 12:30 PM UTC ·

3 min read

USC

NCAA Football: Fresno State at Southern California

Sep 4, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley watches against the Fresno State Bulldogs in the second half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Is this the turning point of the Lincoln Riley era? Through four seasons, defense had been the black sheep of Lincoln Riley's USC teams. All of his teams have never reached the mountaintop, and it's been because they just can't get enough stops. To fix the problem, Gary Patterson was brought in as DC before this season.

Results have been mixed so far, but the defense was great against Ohio State. Patterson's signature "bend, but don't break" style surrendered yards to the Buckeyes, but always slammed the door in the red zone to force them to settle for field goals. This will cool the seat off for Lincoln for at least a little bit.

Texas Tech

Oct 31, 2026; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders head coach Joey McGuire after the game against the Arizona Wildcats at Galaxy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

The sky seemed to be falling in Lubbock after an upset loss to Cincinnati last week. With Arizona coming to town, there was a lot on the line this week for Head Coach Joey McGuire and the Red Raiders. McGuire made the gutsy call to switch QBs, giving Thomas Castellanos his first start as a Red Raider.

He rewarded his coach's faith with 261 total yards, 3 total TDs, and most importantly, no turnovers. Giving more snaps to Thomas Castellanos has never been the answer for anyone before, but could it be for Tech?

Clemson

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney talks with media after a 20-16 loss to Virginia Tech Hokies at Memorial Stadium Saturday, October 24, 2026. Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Dabo Swinney is another coach whose job status was very much a topic of conversation this week. He continues to be stuck in his old ways, opting for homegrown talent instead of portal additions. That strategy has reared its ugly head this season for the Tigers, as they lack an established, experienced quarterback.

True freshman Tait Reynolds grew up right in front of our eyes against Florida State, throwing for 189 and rushing for 85 yards. Maybe Dabo was right not to seek an additional portal arm. When you look at the remaining schedule, there's a very real possibility that Dabo gets this team to 9-3.

South Carolina

Oct 31, 2026; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Shane Beamer reacts during the game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Let's keep it in the Palmetto State with our last riser, as Shane Beamer is another coach who seems to be perpetually on the hot seat. One of the more under-the-radar coaching hires this offseason was South Carolina hiring Kendal Briles as their OC, and he has worked wonders with LaNorris Sellers.

The dual-threat signal caller piled up 397 combined yards and 5 combined TDs against the vaunted Oklahoma Sooners defense, and the Gamecocks defense made John Mateer look even more incompetent than usual in a 42-25 rout.