It may be Halloween today but, for us, the real scary stuff happened on Saturday.

That's because a few teams that had been the bedrock of our Top 10 rankings--and a few others who had been a gleam in our eyes--did the unthinkable and unforgivable... they lost. By the time Brian Hill (a borderline NFL prospect with 1,156 rushing yards and 11 TDs for the Pokes) and Wyoming finished off Boise State, we were frightened by how much work we'd have to do to update our Top 10 this week.

Trust me, nothing gets us screaming in fear more than a little extra work.

So with phasers set to stun and our slide rules out to crunch the numbers, here are our CFB rankings after Week 9, from our usual fantasy perspective (won-loss records in parentheses).

 

NCAA College Football (CBB) Rankings

1. Alabama, (8-0)

Nick Saban and the Tide did the smart thing and hid for the week, with a bye. They visit an LSU program in total disarray this week. We doubt the clash is giving them nightmares.

2. Clemson, (8-0)

We fretted over the Tigers this week, given the tendency of Dabo Swinney's teams to play tight in big games. But future NFL QB Deshaun Watson (378 passing yards, 52 rushing yards) played like the big-time player we know he can be and led his team past Florida State, in Tallahassee. With all the tough stuff out of the way, Clemson just has to make it to the ACC Championship Game, and win that to get into the BCS playoff. Can Swinney keep them from playing scared until then?

3. Michigan, (8-0)

We wondered whether the Wolverines (how about that for some scary alliteration?) would be able to brave their way through a visit to in-state rival Sparty. Well, they were. Michigan State played Jim Harbaugh's team tough, but senior Amara Darboh had a big day at wide receiver (165 yards, eight catches). He has all the tools to be a threat at the next level.

4. Washington, (8-0)

The Huskies survived a scare at Utah. QB Jake Browning had an ordinary day, throwing for just 186 yards, with an INT, but he still has 28 TD throws against only three picks on the season. With 151 yards rushing in the game, sophomore Huskies tailback Myles Gaskin inched his way closer to a 1,000-yard season. Keep an eye on him for your your 2018 NFL fantasy team.

5. Louisville, (7-1)

This is the part of the horror movie where we collectively cover our eyes and tell the teenagers on the screen to run for their lives. The Cardinals are like our personal Freddie Krueger--they just keep turning up. But you have to give them credit: When they're down, as they were at UVA on Saturday, they just don't quit. QB Lamar Jackson (361 passing yard, four TD throws, 88 yards rushing) is the next Deshaun Watson.

6. Texas A&M, (7-1)

We love how the Big 12 backloads it's schedule, but damn does it make our rankings a bloody mess... But more on that in a bit. We're not rewarding the Aggies for beating up on midseason cupcake New Mexico State. They were just hiding in the closet waiting for another team to become a victim. It was worth the wait. Senior receiver Josh Reynolds, at 6-4, has an NFL body--and 586 receiving yards with six TDs.

7. Ohio State, (7-1)

The Buckeyes aren't exactly heroes, as Northwestern (at the Shoe, no less) is hardly a big, hairy monster. But Urban Meyer's team was able to bounce back from the loss at Penn State, and they are still well positioned to make it into the BCS picture at the end of the season.

8. Nebraska, (7-1)

Wait, the Huskers lose, and we still have them ranked 8th? Yep. Look, they lost a close one, at Wisconsin, and though the Badgers beat them, we still think Nebraska has the better team. But while we're on the subject of the Badgers, look out for J.J. Watt's younger brother, T.J., who has 42 tackles and seven sacks on the year.

9. Baylor, (6-1)

In the real world, the Bears' playoff hopes took a major hit with their loss at Texas, but in our fantasy land, we still see them as a good team, with stat-sheet fillers on both sides of the ball. Plus, if you watched the game, you have to wonder about the officiating (perhaps some UT frat boys in ref costumes)... But that's a different story. Junior RB Terence Williams was a beast for Baylor, with 180 yards on the ground, but he was outdone by Texas' D'Onta Foreman, who had 250 rushing yards on the day. He's drawing comparisons to Earl Campbell, NFL fantasy-heads. It's up to Baylor and West Virginia to survive the rest of the Big 12 schedule and force their way into the BCS.

10. Western Michigan, 8-0

With Houston and Boise State seemingly out of the BCS picture, only Western still holds hope for a "Group of Five" conference "fly in the ointment" in 2016. RB Jarvion Franklin (909 rushing yards) has an NFL body, but that doesn't necessarily make him an NFL player.