This week of College Football featured some big-time games between ranked opponents, an undefeated team losing its first game, and multiple top teams falling to unranked opponents. So let’s get right to it.
#1 Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Purdue Boilermakers
The best team in the country continues to prove why they have been given that title. Despite having a relatively easy schedule thus far in the season, Ohio State makes quick work of its opponents, and its 34-10 win over Purdue was no exception. Jeremiah Smith, the best receiver in College Football, had 10 receptions for 137 yards and a touchdown. The Buckeyes will stay #1, and are 9-0 this season.
#2 Indiana Hoosiers vs. Penn State Nittany Lions
In one of the most exciting games of the week, the Nittany Lions almost ended their dreadful losing streak and the undefeated season of Indiana. Nicholas Singleton ran for his second and third touchdowns of the game to give Penn State a 24-20 lead. A toe-tap touchdown from Fernando Mendoza to Omar Cooper Jr. with less than a minute left not only had commentator Gus Johnson ecstatic, but won Indiana the game by a score of 27-24. Indiana’s undefeated season remains as they move to 10-0 this year, the best record in College Football.
#3 Texas A&M Aggies vs. Missouri Tigers
In one of multiple games this week between two ranked teams, Texas A&M took care of business against its SEC rival, Missouri. QB Marcel Reed’s 250 total yards and two touchdowns were a big contributing factor to the 38-17 win. The Aggies improve to 9-0, one of three remaining undefeated teams, while the #22 Tigers drop out of the Top 25.
#4 Alabama Crimson Tide vs. LSU Tigers
In a matchup between two familiar SEC teams, the Crimson Tide took down the Tigers 20-9. Alabama’s defense was powerful, as they recovered two fumbles and limited LSU to only nine points on three field goals. Alabama jumps up to 8-1 this season.
#5 Georgia Bulldogs vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs
In the battle of the Bulldogs, Georgia cruised to a 41-21 victory, powered by 295 total yards and three touchdowns from QB Gunner Stockton. This win makes Georgia 8-1 and keeps it in contention with the other top SEC Powerhouses for the number 1 spot.
#6 Ole Miss Rebels vs. The Citadel Bulldogs
Ole Miss played a perfect game against The Citadel, winning 49-0. Ole Miss didn’t let up a single point, while Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss had 333 yards and three passing touchdowns, and the Rebels added four rushing touchdowns. This dominant victory brings Ole Miss to 9-1.
#7 BYU Cougars vs. #8 Texas Tech Red Raiders
This Big 12 Matchup looked to be a good one, but it was all Texas Tech. They handed BYU their first loss of the season in the 29-7 game. The Texas Tech defense recovered two fumbles and added an interception while also allowing only seven points in the victory. The win bumps the Red Raiders to 9-1, and the loss for the Cougars makes them 8-1, and sure to drop in the rankings.
#9 Oregon Ducks vs. #20 Iowa Hawkeyes
In a low-scoring but nonetheless exciting game, Oregon won 18-16 over Iowa. The Hawkeyes scored nine points in the fourth quarter to take a 16-15 lead, but a field goal in the final seconds by kicker Atticus Sappington won the game for Oregon. The Ducks had a weird day scoring, with a safety, three field goals, and only one touchdown, but that was enough to beat Iowa. Iowa sinks to 6-3 and Oregon improves to 8-1.
#10 Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Navy Midshipmen
Notre Dame’s offense was on full display against Navy, winning 49-10. CJ Carr threw for three touchdowns and Notre Dame ran for four more, two by star running back Jeremiyah Love. Both teams are 7-2 after this game.
#14 Virginia Cavaliers vs. Wake Forest Demon Deacons
In the first of two big ACC upsets, Wake Forest beat Virginia 16-9. The game was characterized by a Demon Deacon punt return touchdown, holding the Cavaliers to three field goals, and Virginia’s three lost fumbles. This heartbreaking loss for Virginia moves them down to 8-2.
#15 Louisville Cardinals vs. California Golden Bears
The other ACC upset saw California outplay Louisville in overtime to win 29-26. The two teams went into overtime tied at 23. The Cardinal offense found nothing in overtime and had to settle for a field goal, but California found the endzone to win the game. Louisville’s loss drops them to 7-2.
#16 Vanderbilt Commodores vs. Auburn Tigers
Vanderbilt beat Auburn in a thriller that went into Overtime. Quarterback Diego Pavia had 489 total yards and four touchdowns, leading his team to the win. The Commodores scored a touchdown in overtime and then stopped the Tigers from scoring, winning the game 45-38. This close-call win boosts Vanderbilt to 8-2 this season.
#18 Miami Hurricanes vs. Syracuse Orange
Miami was in control the whole game with a strong offense to go with a great defensive performance. They held Syracuse to ten points in their 38-10 win, got seven sacks, an interception that was returned for a touchdown and a recovered fumble. This Canes victory brings them up to 7-2.
#19 USC Trojans vs. Northwestern Wildcats
USC won on Friday Night Football against Northwestern by a score of 38-17. Trojans WR Makai Lemon had 11 receptions for 161 yards plus a touchdown while also rushing in for another touchdown. USC brings its record up to 7-2 with the win.
#23 Washington Huskies vs. Wisconsin Badgers
Another upset occurred, with Wisconsin beating Washington 13-10 in a low-scoring, defensive matchup. Wisconsin had four sacks and an interception in their win. The Huskies drop to 6-3 and out of the Top 25 Rankings. For the first time since 2021, Badger fans are “Jumping around” to a ranked win, mere days after it was announced that head coach Luke Fickell plans on retaining his job for 2026.
The College Football season has so far been dominated by the undefeated, three-headed snake that is Ohio State, Indiana, and Texas Tech. Beyond that, the top remaining spots are up for grabs. With only a few weeks left in the regular season, every game counts for all ranked teams looking to make a run at a playoff spot.
Next week sees #10 Notre Dame vs. #24 Pittsburgh, #4 Alabama vs. #12 Oklahoma, #20 Iowa vs. #19 USC, and #11 Texas vs. #5 Georgia. Those are the ranked vs. ranked games to watch in Week 12. We will see you again for Week 12.
