College football grades: Texas earns 'B' mark for win, Ole Miss gets 'A-' on Week 9 report card

While SEC powers avoided drama, Ohio State took a damaging second loss at USC and narrow escapes tested Miami and Indiana

While a few national title contenders flexed in Week 8 action, many more suffered crippling blows Life in college football is all about surviving and advancing, especially this season. Only one Tier 1 national title contender failed in that aspect during Week 9, as No. 2 Ohio State faltered at USC, suffering a second loss that will complicate its outlook. But even though no other top-10 teams fell on Saturday, not all their wins looked the same. No. 1 Miami and No. 4 Indiana struggled against unranked foes before squeaking out uncomfortably close wins. Against that backdrop, what the SEC's top teams who were in action accomplished was impressive. No. 3 Georgia, No.

11 Texas and No. 12 Ole Miss each avoided drama with easy wins. Texas didn't suddenly look fixed offensively, but it crushed Mississippi State with no problems. Georgia's passing attack also dealt with some sluggishness, but the Bulldogs easily dismantled rival Florida. Ole Miss was in a battle with visiting Auburn until the fourth quarter, but the Rebels pulled away and won by 30. Even if you aren't earning an 'A+' grade for a perfect performance, simply passing is the goal once you get to this time of year. Preferably, you'd like to pass without the fourth quarter drama that Miami and Indiana dealt with. The top