.jpeg)
Mississippi (winner)
The Rebels needed to present a compelling case for their inclusion in the playoff, and earlier defeats in SEC play against Kentucky and LSU meant that a victory over Georgia was essential. This was no easy task, but No. 16 Mississippi (8-2, 4-2) achieved it with a 28-10 triumph over the No. 3 Bulldogs, prompting jubilant fans to remove goal posts from Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
The best way to characterize the Rebels’ strategy: they managed to secure something from every drive in Georgia's territory, except for a last-play kneeldown, which required not only advancing the ball against the Bulldogs but also avoiding risky fourth-down attempts. True to form, Coach Lane Kiffin—known for his bold approach on fourth downs—attempted to convert one. Kicker Caden Davis successfully made five field goals; one was on a fourth-and-four, and another on a fourth-and-five.
Georgia represented the biggest hurdle to reaching 10-2 and positioning the Rebels for a playoff spot. With victories over Florida and Mississippi State to finish the regular season, they have a solid chance at earning an at-large bid.
Miami (loser)
Miami has developed a tendency to let its opponents linger longer than they should, and this finally proved detrimental on Saturday. The No. 4 Hurricanes' pursuit of an unbeaten season ended with a 28-23 defeat at Georgia Tech, a game that fittingly concluded with the Yellow Jackets taking a knee in victory formation—something Miami stubbornly refused to do last season, resulting in severe consequences.
This loss wasn’t nearly as excruciating as the previous 23-20 outcome. It wasn’t the typical scenario of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. Instead, the Hurricanes were simply outplayed by a team that has consistently shown it can compete well against highly ranked opponents. Georgia Tech (6-4, 4-3 ACC) improved to 6-1 against ranked teams under Coach Brent Key, even as they switched between quarterbacks and faced similar challenges as others in containing Miami quarterback Cameron Ward.
What the Yellow Jackets did manage was to stifle the Hurricanes (9-1, 5-1) on the ground. Ward has justifiably garnered considerable attention, sometimes overshadowing the effective duo of running backs Damien Martinez and Mark Fletcher Jr., who have been formidable throughout much of the season. Martinez had a solid outing with 15 carries for 81 yards, while Fletcher gained 12 yards on four carries. Neither had a run longer than 14 yards, making Miami more predictable than usual and increasing their chances of facing third-and-long situations. This vulnerability made them susceptible to stumbling, similar to their narrow victories against Virginia Tech, California, Louisville, and (to a lesser extent) Duke. The key difference? The Yellow Jackets capitalized just enough to secure the win and significantly harmed the Hurricanes’ at-large playoff aspirations (not to mention the ACC’s hopes of placing two teams in the 12-team postseason field).
Indiana (winner)
It's time for a broader perspective on the No. 8 Hoosiers, who defeated Michigan 20-15 on Saturday. This was what Indiana was expected to accomplish, which is remarkable in a historical context. However, given how this season has unfolded, it’s evident. In fact, this was arguably Indiana's least impressive performance, yet they still managed to fend off the Wolverines.
Consider this:
• Indiana has now won 10 consecutive games for the first time in its program's history.
• To reiterate, they are 10-0 for the first time ever.
• They have achieved 10 wins for the first time.
• They are 7-0 in the Big Ten… you guessed it, for the first time in school history.
Now they have two weeks to prepare before visiting Ohio State in what has unexpectedly become one of this season's marquee matchups.
Navy (winner)
After suffering two consecutive losses, the Midshipmen were eager to return to their true form. They accomplished this on Saturday, comfortably defeating South Florida 28-7 in a contest that was largely decided by halftime.
Navy (7-2, 5-1 American Athletic Conference) established an early 14-0 lead by scoring on its first two possessions. However, it was a pivotal sequence in the last 30 seconds of the half that effectively sealed the outcome. Ira Oniha intercepted a pass and advanced it to the Navy 47 with just 14 seconds remaining. Fullback Alex Tecza bulldozed for 15 yards on a play that consumed four seconds, prompting the Midshipmen to strive for additional points before halftime. Their efforts paid off: Tecza caught a 38-yard touchdown pass from Blake Horvath with only two seconds left, extending the lead to three possessions.
With this victory over the Bulls (4-5, 2-3), Navy kept its hopes alive for a spot in the AAC championship game. If the Midshipmen can triumph over Tulane next week and secure a win at East Carolina the day after Thanksgiving, they will earn the opportunity to compete for the conference title.
Iowa State (loser)
Were the No. 17 Cyclones still feeling the sting from their first defeat of the season against Texas Tech last week? Perhaps. Did they encounter a Kansas team that has likely been a bit unfortunate this season, going 0-5 in close games? Undoubtedly.
Both factors help explain why Iowa State fell to the Jayhawks on Saturday at Arrowhead Stadium. However, the manner of their loss—Kansas scoring on six straight possessions, amassing 532 yards, and securing a 45-36 win—presents a more complex riddle.
The Cyclones (7-2, 4-2 Big 12) entered the game ranked 19th nationally in total defense, ninth in scoring defense, and third in passing defense. To allow Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels to throw for 295 yards on just 12 completions indicates a particularly troubling day for Matt Campbell’s squad.
Iowa State has quickly transitioned from being a leader in the Big 12 to just another team in the conference needing assistance to contend for a league title in just eight days. This must be disheartening for a team that had met many expectations during the first two months of the season.
Colorado (winner)
It’s challenging to claim anything happens quietly for the Buffaloes. However, amid all the focus on the program’s stylistic flair, Colorado’s actual performance has significantly improved since their Week 2 loss to Nebraska.
With a 41-27 victory on Saturday at Texas Tech—after initially trailing the Red Raiders by 13 points—the No. 20 Buffaloes (7-2, 5-1 Big 12) have now won three straight games and six of their last seven. They have also achieved four consecutive victories on the road. Their only setback in the past two months was a narrow loss by a field goal to Kansas State.
In summary, a program that faced excessive hype prior to last season, was excessively praised after starting 3-0, and was humorously exposed for its evident weaknesses—specifically a lack of depth and subpar performance in both offensive and defensive lines—has transformed into a credible contender this year.
Does Colorado possess an impressive array of victories? Not particularly; defeating the Red Raiders (6-4, 4-3) in Lubbock is arguably their most notable achievement. However, they would have lost several of those games last season, so credit is warranted. With a manageable schedule ahead (Utah, at Kansas, Oklahoma State), Colorado is well-positioned to reach the Big 12 championship game.
One-loss teams making easy work (winners)
At this stage of the season, the main objective for any one-loss team is to avoid adding another loss before the conference title game. Dominating an opponent is merely an added bonus.
No. 5 Texas (8-1, 4-1 SEC) exemplifies this approach, having decisively defeated Florida 49-17 as Quinn Ewers threw for 333 yards and five touchdowns. The Longhorns established a commanding 42-0 lead before the Gators (4-5, 2-4) managed to score.
Another team that grasped this objective on Saturday was No. 2 Ohio State, which easily overcame Purdue with a score of 45-0. The Buckeyes (8-1, 5-1 Big Ten) were coming off three tightly contested games—a loss to Oregon and victories over Nebraska and Penn State.
Here’s a rephrased version of the third part of the article, using synonyms and maintaining the original meaning:
---
Drubbing the Boilermakers
Defeating Purdue (1-8, 0-6) was precisely what was expected of them. Later that evening, No. 7 Tennessee decisively defeated Mississippi State, 33-14, improving their record to 8-1 (5-1 SEC). Meanwhile, No. 10 Notre Dame (8-1) compounded Florida State’s ongoing struggles, handing the Seminoles (1-9) a humiliating 52-3 loss.
Jalen Milroe (winner)
Alabama's quarterback thrives when facing LSU. More specifically, he revels in running against the Tigers. Last season, Milroe had his most impressive rushing performance against LSU, amassing 155 yards and four touchdowns on 20 carries during a 42-28 victory. On Saturday in Death Valley, he outdid himself, rushing for 185 yards and four touchdowns on just 12 carries as the No. 11 Crimson Tide (7-2, 4-2 SEC) dominated No. 15 LSU, winning 42-13.
LSU’s quarterback containment (loser)
While Milroe boasts an impressive two-year history of exploiting LSU's rushing defense, he isn’t the only quarterback to take advantage of this weakness this season. South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers rushed for 88 yards and two touchdowns on September 14. Texas AM's Marcel Reed came off the bench to gain 62 yards and score three touchdowns on October 26. Now, Milroe has added his name to that list. The recent performances have significantly reduced LSU's (6-3, 3-2 SEC) chances of making the playoffs. Given that dual-threat quarterbacks are unlikely to vanish from the game anytime soon, finding a strategy to contain them—and identifying front-seven players who can—must be at the forefront of Coach Brian Kelly’s offseason agenda.
Ashton Jeanty (winner)
With a broadcast network audience tuning in for the first time this season, Boise State's running back delivered yet again as expected. Jeanty rushed for 209 yards and three touchdowns as the Broncos (8-1, 5-0 Mountain West) overcame Nevada with a score of 28-21. While it may not have been Boise State's most comprehensive performance, Jeanty certainly didn’t disappoint. He carried the ball at least 30 times for the fourth consecutive game, surpassed the 200-yard mark for the fourth time this season, and brought his total for the year to 1,734 yards—just 26 yards shy of a mile. Although the Heisman Trophy may currently be Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel's to lose, Jeanty consistently makes a strong case every time he transforms a demanding workload into impressive statistics.
Georgia (winner)
Georgia posed the most significant challenge to the Rebels' aspirations of achieving a 10-2 record and enhancing their playoff candidacy. However, with wins over Florida and Mississippi State to finish the regular season, they stand a reasonable chance of securing an at-large bid.
Miami (loser)
Miami has frequently allowed its adversaries to linger longer than they should have, and this tendency finally came back to haunt them on Saturday. The No. 4 Hurricanes’ pursuit of an undefeated season ended with a 28-23 defeat at the hands of Georgia Tech, a game that fittingly concluded with the Yellow Jackets kneeling in victory formation—something Miami stubbornly declined to do last season, which cost them dearly.
This loss was not nearly as excruciating as the previous season's 23-20 defeat; it didn’t involve the typical scenario of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. Instead, the Hurricanes were simply outplayed by a team that has consistently shown it can compete well against highly ranked opponents. Georgia Tech (6-4, 4-3 ACC) improved to 6-1 against ranked teams under Coach Brent Key, even while rotating quarterbacks and facing challenges similar to others in containing Miami quarterback Cameron Ward.
What the Yellow Jackets successfully accomplished was neutralizing the Hurricanes’ ground game. While Ward has rightfully garnered significant attention, it has sometimes overshadowed the effective duo of running backs Damien Martinez and Mark Fletcher Jr., who have been formidable throughout the season. Martinez had a commendable outing with 15 carries for 81 yards, while Fletcher managed just 12 yards on four carries. Neither back had a run exceeding 14 yards.
This limitation made Miami more predictable than usual and increased their chances of facing third-and-long situations. Consequently, the Hurricanes became just as susceptible to stumbling as they had been in narrow victories against Virginia Tech, California, Louisville, and, to a lesser extent, Duke. The key difference this time? The Yellow Jackets capitalized on their opportunities just enough to secure the win, severely damaging Miami’s hopes for an at-large playoff spot and diminishing the ACC’s chances of placing two teams into the 12-team postseason field.
Indiana (winner)
Let’s take a moment to gain a broader perspective on the No. 8 Hoosiers, who triumphed over Michigan, 20-15, on Saturday. This was precisely what Indiana was expected to accomplish, which is quite remarkable in a historical context. However, given how this season has unfolded, it’s clear. In fact, this was arguably Indiana’s least impressive performance, yet they still managed to hold off the Wolverines.
Consider the following:
• Indiana has achieved 10 consecutive victories for the first time in its program's history.
• To reiterate, they are 10-0 for the first time ever.
• They have secured 10 wins for the first time.
• They are 7-0 in the Big Ten… you guessed it, for the first time in school history.
Now, they have a two-week break to prepare before traveling to Ohio State for what has unexpectedly become one of the most significant matchups in college football this season.
Navy (winner)
After suffering two consecutive losses, the Midshipmen desperately needed to return to their identity. They accomplished this on Saturday by defeating South Florida, 28-7, in a game that was largely decided by halftime.
Navy (7-2, 5-1 American Athletic Conference) scored on its initial two drives, establishing a 14-0 lead. However, it was a sequence in the final 30 seconds of the half that essentially sealed the game. Ira Oniha intercepted a pass and returned it to the Navy 47 with 14 seconds left. Fullback Alex Tecza barreled for 15 yards on a play that took four seconds and prompted the Midshipmen to push for points before halftime. Their efforts paid off: Tecza caught a 38-yard touchdown pass from Blake Horvath with just two seconds remaining, extending their lead to three possessions.
With this victory over the Bulls (4-5, 2-3), Navy remains firmly in contention for a spot in the AAC championship game. If the Midshipmen defeat Tulane next week and win at East Carolina the day after Thanksgiving, they will earn a chance to compete for the conference title.
Iowa State (loser)
Were the No. 17 Cyclones still feeling the sting from their first defeat of the season last week against Texas Tech? Perhaps. Did they face a Kansas team that has likely been somewhat unfortunate this season, going 0-5 in one-possession games? Absolutely.
Both factors provide some explanation for Iowa State's loss to the Jayhawks on Saturday at Arrowhead Stadium. However, the manner in which it occurred—Kansas scoring on six consecutive possessions, amassing 532 yards, and securing a 45-36 victory—poses more of a mystery.
The Cyclones (7-2, 4-2 Big 12) entered the day ranked 19th nationally in total defense, ninth in scoring defense, and third in passing defense. To allow Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels to throw for 295 yards on just 12 completions indicates it was an especially troubling day for Matt Campbell’s squad.
Iowa State has transitioned from being a Big 12 frontrunner to just another team in the conference needing assistance to contend for a league title in a mere eight days. This must be disheartening for a team that had successfully checked many boxes during the first two months of the season.
Colorado (winner)
It’s challenging to assert that anything happens quietly for the Buffaloes. Yet, despite all the attention surrounding the program's style, Colorado’s actual substance has significantly improved since their Week 2 defeat against Nebraska.
With a 41-27 victory on Saturday at Texas Tech—after giving up the first 13 points to the Red Raiders—the No. 20 Buffaloes (7-2, 5-1 Big 12) have now won three consecutive games and six of their last seven. They’ve also achieved four straight victories on the road. Their only loss in the pasta two months came by a field goal against Kansas State.
In other words, a program that was excessively hyped prior to last season, annoyingly celebrated after starting 3-0, and humorously exposed for its evident shortcomings—namely a lack of depth and poor performance on both lines—has transformed itself into a credible contender this year.
Does Colorado possess an impressive collection of victories? Not particularly; defeating the Red Raiders (6-4, 4-3) in Lubbock is likely the highlight on the Buffaloes’ record. However, it’s important to recognize that they would have lost several of those games last season, so they deserve credit for their progress. With a manageable schedule ahead (Utah, at Kansas, Oklahoma State), Colorado is in a strong position to make it to the Big 12 championship game.
One-loss teams securing easy wins (winners)
At this stage of the season, the main objective for any one-loss team is to avoid suffering a second defeat before the conference title game. Winning decisively against an opponent is merely a bonus.
No. 5 Texas (8-1, 4-1 SEC) exemplifies this perfectly, having dominated Florida, 49-17, with Quinn Ewers throwing for 333 yards and five touchdowns. The Longhorns raced to a 42-0 lead before the Gators (4-5, 2-4) managed to score.
Another team that executed its plan effectively on Saturday was No. 2 Ohio State, which easily handled Purdue, 45-0. The Buckeyes (8-1, 5-1 Big Ten) were coming off three tightly contested games—a loss to Oregon and narrow victories over Nebraska and Penn State. Delivering a thorough defeat to the Boilermakers (1-8, 0-6) was precisely what was expected of them.
Later in the evening, No. 7 Tennessee overwhelmed Mississippi State, 33-14, improving to 8-1 (5-1 SEC). Additionally, No. 10 Notre Dame (8-1) continued to torment Florida State, inflicting a humiliating 52-3 loss on the Seminoles (1-9).
Jalen Milroe (winner)
The Alabama quarterback thrives when facing LSU, particularly when it comes to his rushing game. Last season, Milroe had his best rushing performance against the Tigers, amassing 155 yards and four touchdowns on 20 carries during a 42-28 win.
This Saturday in Death Valley, Milroe rushed for 185 yards and four touchdowns on just 12 carries as No. 11 Alabama (7-2, 4-2 SEC) triumphed over No. 15 LSU, 42-13.
LSU’s quarterback containment (loser)
While Milroe has a stellar track record of exploiting LSU’s rushing defense over the past two years, he isn’t the only quarterback to take advantage of that vulnerability this season.
South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers rushed for 88 yards and two touchdowns on September 14. Texas AM’s Marcel Reed came off the bench to gain 62 yards and score three touchdowns on October 26. Now, Milroe has also carved up the Tigers’ defense.
These recent performances have diminished LSU’s (6-3, 3-2 SEC) playoff aspirations. Given that dual-threat quarterbacks are unlikely to vanish from the game anytime soon, finding ways to contain them—and identifying effective options in the front seven—should be at the top of Coach Brian Kelly’s agenda for the offseason.
Ashton Jeanty (winner)
With a national broadcast audience for the first time this season, Boise State’s running back showcased his abilities just as he has all year long. Jeanty rushed for 209 yards and three touchdowns as the Broncos (8-1, 5-0 Mountain West) defeated Nevada 28-21.
While it wasn’t Boise State’s most complete performance, Jeanty certainly wasn’t at fault. He carried the ball at least 30 times for the fourth consecutive game, surpassed the 200-yard mark for the fourth time this season, and brought his total yardage for the year to 1,734—just 26 yards shy of a mile.
Although Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel may currently be the frontrunner for the Heisman Trophy, Jeanty makes a compelling case each time he transforms a heavy workload into impressive statistics.
UCLA (winner)
The Bruins continued their second-half resurgence with a narrow 20-17 victory over Iowa on Friday. That marks three consecutive wins for UCLA (4-5, 3-4 Big Ten), a feat that seemed unlikely earlier in the season.
**While there is a slight caveat to consider, it’s worth noting that Iowa (6-4, 4-3) was already missing its top two quarterbacks. After Brendan Sullivan sustained an injury in the third quarter, the Hawkeyes had to rely on their fourth-string quarterback, Jackson Stratton. In college football, few phrases are more daunting than “fourth-string Iowa quarterback.”
However, that wasn’t the main issue in this matchup. UCLA held a 17-10 lead at halftime. Stratton managed to orchestrate a touchdown drive to tie the game in the fourth quarter, but the Bruins responded with Mateen Bhaghani’s 27-yard field goal with just under five minutes remaining.
Ultimately, UCLA has now added to its recent victories over Rutgers and Nebraska, with upcoming games against Washington, Southern California, and Fresno State that are all very winnable. Under Coach DeShaun Foster in his inaugural season at his alma mater, the Bruins could still find themselves heading to a bowl game.**
Pittsburgh (loser)
After starting the season strong at 7-0, the No. 18 Panthers are now struggling to regain momentum in the ACC title race at 7-2, following two disappointing Saturdays.
Pittsburgh suffered a setback at SMU last week in a clash between two undefeated ACC teams, but that loss paled in comparison to a 24-19 defeat against Virginia—a type of defense-heavy game that has been characteristic of the Panthers under coach Pat Narduzzi.
This latest game was even more focused on defense, especially after quarterback Eli Holstein left due to injury. Despite leading at halftime and being just a two-point conversion away from tying the game with 10:32 remaining, the Panthers couldn’t pull through.
The broader implication of this loss is that Pittsburgh is unlikely to be considered a viable at-large candidate for the playoff, marking yet another team eliminated from that possibility this week.
East Carolina (winner)
The Pirates have shown some resilience following coach Mike Houston’s dismissal after an October 19 loss to Army. Their recent 49-14 victory over Florida Atlantic serves as further evidence of this turnaround.
This win followed a dominant 56-34 victory over Temple two weeks ago, bringing East Carolina (5-4, 3-2 American) within one win of bowl eligibility under interim coach Blake Harrell. The improvement has coincided with Katin Houser stepping up as the starting quarterback.
Since taking over in the Army game, Houser has thrown for 13 touchdowns and three interceptions across three starts, including an impressive performance on Thursday where he completed 17 of 22 passes for 343 yards and five touchdowns.
In total, the Pirates have scored 105 points over their last two games after failing to reach 30 points in their first six matchups against FBS opponents. They’ve accumulated 1,051 yards in these two games, with 581 coming against Florida Atlantic.
It’s important to note that Florida Atlantic (2-7) isn’t particularly strong, and Temple (2-6) is similarly struggling. Much of this could simply be East Carolina capitalizing on weaker opponents.
However, there’s renewed energy in a program known for producing competitive teams over the years. Past standout quarterbacks include Jeff Blake, David Garrard, Dominique Davis, Shane Carden, Gardner Minshew, and Holton Ahlers. This resurgence merits attention as East Carolina attempts to revitalize its season.
Florida Atlantic (loser)
The Owls have flown under the radar since Lane Kiffin departed for Mississippi following the 2019 season, and for good reason. After hiring Willie Taggart—who had a brief stint at Florida State—the program struggled significantly, notching only three wins during his tenure. Unfortunately for Taggart, those three victories were far from impressive, leading to his dismissal in favor of Tom Herman.
Herman’s first year with Florida Atlantic was marked by a 4-8 record, coinciding with the program’s transition from Conference USA to the American Athletic Conference. While this record isn’t ideal, it can be understood given the circumstances.