From North Mississippi to Atlanta, college football delivered glorious top-five upsets on the second Saturday of November.
Coach Lane Kiffin earned his biggest win in five seasons at Oxford, saddling Georgia with their first loss to a team not named Alabama since the 2020 COVID season and keeping Ole Miss’ playoff hopes alive. Miami, meanwhile, couldn’t mount its signature fourth-quarter comeback as it suffered its first loss of the season at Georgia Tech and its playoff chances were in jeopardy.
The two results dramatically changed the conference championship races in the ACC and SEC – as well as the College Football Playoff. Texas, Texas A&M and Tennessee now control their fate in the march to Atlanta for the SEC title. The Hurricanes’ loss opens the door for Clemson in the race to Charlotte for the ACC crown.
Much more happened on a wild Saturday in November.
Did you see Indiana and Army’s defensive survival (they combined for 18 points on Saturday)? The Hoosiers are 10-0 and the Black Knights are 9-0.
Coach Prime and his Colorado Buffaloes continue to march towards a possible appearance in the Big 12 title game, crushing Texas Tech in Lubbock. The win came with a bonus: Kansas upset Iowa State and paved the way for CU to control its own destiny to the playoffs.
In the Big Ten, the Buckeyes and Ducks had huge wins. Speaking of blowouts, Kalen DeBoer’s Alabama team crushed LSU’s playoff dreams with a loss at Tiger Stadium. In some games lower in the standings, UCLA won a third straight game by beating Iowa, and Boston College is one win from becoming bowl eligible with a win over Syracuse. That includes Virginia, which is 5-4 after upsetting Pitt.
Let’s get to the Top 10!
1. Oregon ducks
This week: Defeated Maryland 39-18
Next week: in Wisconsin
The Ducks continue to prove that they are the undisputed top club in the game. Sixth-year QB Dillon Gabriel became the NCAA’s leader in touchdowns, and Oregon moved to 10-0 — three wins short of a Big Ten title and a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff.
2. Ohio State Buckeyes
This week: Beat Purdue 45-0
Next week: at Northwestern
No post-Penn State hangover here. After a big win over State College last week, the Buckeyes turned in a complete game performance against the Big Ten’s worst team. QB Will Howard completed 80% of his passes and threw three touchdowns. A trip to the Chicago suburbs awaits before the heavily billed clash with the Hoosiers in Columbus.
3. Indiana Hoosiers
This week: defeated Michigan 20-15
Next week: See you later
For those focused solely on Indiana’s offense, the Hoosiers offered more evidence that they are a complete team. The Wolverines had an offensive margin of 206 yards to help Curt Cignetti’s group to the school’s first-ever 10-win season… 10 games a year! IU gets a bye for the showdown in Columbus against Ohio State. Sure, IU still hasn’t beaten a ranked team, but don’t underestimate these Hoosiers.
4. BYU Cougars
This week: defeated Utah 22-21
Next week: vs. Kansas
In the final chapter of the evening on Saturday – ending around 2:10 a.m. ET – BYU staged a second-half comeback to remain undefeated. The Cougars marched 65 yards on 11 plays – aided by a fourth-down holding call on Utah that extended the drive – for a game-winning field goal in the final seconds.
5. Texas Longhorns
This week: Defeated Florida 49-17
Next week: in Arkansas
QB Quinn Ewers lit up the Gators for 333 yards and five passing touchdowns. Losing to Georgia puts the Longhorns back in control of their own destiny. Win and advance to the SEC title game in their first season in the conference. Get in the way? Games against Arkansas and Kentucky before the rivalry series with Texas A&M reignites at Kyle Field.
6. Penn State Nittany Lions
This week: defeated Washington 35-6
Next week: at Purdue
Amid a week of criticism, coach James Franklin did what he often does in State College: win. So much for the loss to the Buckeyes having an aftereffect. The Nittany Lions scored the first 28 points and had two players rush for at least 95 yards. Playoff hopes remain alive for Franklin’s group.
7. Notre Dame fights the Irish
This week: Defeated Florida State 52-3
Next week: vs. Virginia
You could say the Irish are closer to a playoff berth than any other team. Notre Dame will not have to face a top 10 opponent in a conference title game. Win the last three regular season games and make the playoffs as an overall selection. Virginia, undefeated Army and USC are the three remaining hurdles for coach Marcus Freeman’s team.
8. Tennessee Volunteers
This week: Defeated Mississippi State 33-14
Next week: in Georgia
Other than the loss at Arkansas, the Vols have been perfect this season. And while Tennessee played much of the game without starting QB Nico Iamaleava injured, UT’s defense (the Bulldogs failed to break the 300-yard mark) and run game (RB Dylan Sampson had 149 yards) carried them to a fourth victory in a row.
9. Ole Miss Rebels
This week: defeated Georgia 28-10
Next week: See you later
Maybe that $12 million NIL budget will work? The Rebels raced away from the Bulldogs for one of the biggest Oxford wins in school history. QB Jaxson Dart bounced back from an early injury to lead Ole Miss in passing and rushing, but it was Pete Golding’s defense that took hold – three turnovers and 245 yards allowed.
10. SMU Mustangs
This week: Goodbye
Next week: vs. Boston College
A quarterback change to Kevin Jennings has led the Mustangs to six straight wins and a legitimate path to the ACC championship game and the playoffs in their first season in the ACC. None of their last three games are against ranked teams: BC, at Virginia and vs. Cal. A matchup with Miami likely awaits in Charlotte.
Dropped out: Georgia (3); Miami (4)
