Three previously undefeated teams fell, seven ranked teams suffered defeats, and several dark horse contenders emerged to stake their claims for postseason glory.
Oregon Cements Position as National Championship Favorite
The Ducks continued their remarkable run of dominance, dismantling Michigan 38-17 in a performance that showcased why they're considered the most complete team in college football.
Dillon Gabriel orchestrated another masterful offensive display, throwing for 294 yards and a touchdown while adding 23 rushing yards and another score on the ground. The victory marked Oregon's 14th consecutive road game scoring 30 or more points, demonstrating an offensive consistency that sets them apart from their peers.
Even more impressive has been Oregon's perfect 22-0 record under Dan Lanning against unranked opponents. This combination of handling business against lesser competition while rising to the occasion in marquee matchups has established the Ducks as the clear team to beat. With relatively manageable contests remaining against Maryland and several conference opponents, Oregon appears poised for a serious national title run.
Georgia's Concerning Victory Raises Questions About Repeat Bid
While the defending national champions maintained their No. 2 ranking with a 34-20 victory over Florida, several concerning trends have emerged that could spell trouble for the Bulldogs.
Carson Beck continues to display troubling inconsistency, joining an dubious club as only the fourth FBS quarterback in the past 20 seasons to throw three or more interceptions and win in consecutive games.
The Bulldogs' defense remains elite, with
Nazir Stackhouse anchoring a formidable front seven, but Beck's turnover issues - now at 11 interceptions in his last five games - create vulnerability heading into a crucial road test at Ole Miss.
Malaki Starks and the secondary have done their part, but the offense's ball security issues could prove costly against higher-caliber opposition.
South Carolina Authors Season's Most Impressive Upset
In what might be the most stunning result of Week 10, South Carolina systematically dismantled No. 10 Texas A&M 44-20 in a game that wasn't even as close as the final score indicates.
Raheim Sanders delivered a breakout performance with 144 yards and two touchdowns on the ground while adding 92 receiving yards, showcasing the kind of versatility that has NFL scouts buzzing.
The victory marked South Carolina's largest win over a top-10 team as an unranked opponent in school history, and represents the team's third consecutive impressive showing following a competitive loss at Alabama and a dominant win over Oklahoma. The Gamecocks' pass rush, already considered among the nation's best, terrorized the Aggies' quarterback with six sacks and countless pressures.
Big 12 Title Race Descends Into Beautiful Chaos
The Big 12 championship picture underwent a dramatic transformation as both Iowa State and Kansas State suffered unexpected defeats. Texas Tech's thrilling 23-22 victory over previously unbeaten Iowa State came courtesy of
Tahj Brooks scoring the game-winning touchdown with just 20 seconds remaining. Despite the loss,
Rocco Becht continued his impressive streak of 12 straight games with a touchdown pass, tying Brock Purdy's school record.
Meanwhile, Houston delivered perhaps the day's second-biggest upset, shocking No. 17 Kansas State 24-19. The outcomes have created an unprecedented logjam in the conference standings, with eight teams remaining within one game of a championship game berth. This level of parity sets up what could be the most exciting conference race in recent memory.
SMU Announces Itself as National Contender
In a performance that demands national attention, SMU thoroughly dominated previously unbeaten Pitt 48-25, marking their first home win in a ranked matchup since 1949. The victory ended an 11-game home winless streak in ranked matchups that was the longest in the AP poll era. More importantly, it positions the Mustangs as legitimate conference title contenders and potentially more.
Ole Miss Offense Reaches Historic Heights Behind Dart's Brilliance
Jaxson Dart authored what might be the season's most impressive individual performance, accumulating 570 total yards and six touchdowns in Ole Miss's 63-31 demolition of Arkansas. The Rebels tied their program record for points against an SEC opponent, matching their 63-point output against Vanderbilt from October 27, 1979. Dart's stunning display of both passing prowess and running ability has vaulted him into serious Heisman Trophy consideration.
Miami's Remarkable Run Continues
The Hurricanes sustained their surprising push toward a potential playoff berth, with
Cam Ward orchestrating a 53-31 victory over Duke. Ward's five touchdown passes brought his season total to 29, tying Steve Walsh's 1988 school record. The victory keeps Miami firmly in control of their destiny in both the conference title race and College Football Playoff hunt.
Rising NFL Draft Prospects Making Their Case
Several players significantly boosted their NFL draft stock with standout Week 10 performances:
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Jaxson Dart showcased every tool NFL scouts look for: arm talent, mobility, and decision-making in pressure situations
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Ashton Jeanty joined elite company as the first FBS player since Ricky Williams in 1998 to accumulate 1,500 rushing yards and 20 rushing touchdowns through eight games
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Will Howard demonstrated resilience and leadership despite his team's loss
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Luther Burden III continues to display game-breaking ability that has NFL teams salivating
Notable Defensive Performances
While offensive fireworks dominated headlines, several defensive players made strong impressions on NFL scouts:
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Barrett Carter showcased sideline-to-sideline ability despite Clemson's loss
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Malaki Starks continues to demonstrate why he's considered one of the top safety prospects
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Harold Perkins Jr. displayed the explosive playmaking that has become his trademark
Conference Championship Races Take Shape
The ACC picture has become fascinatingly complex, with Miami leading the way but facing pressure from surging SMU and a resilient Louisville team that scored its first-ever victory over Clemson. The Cardinals' 33-21 win marked the highest-ranked road victory in school history.
In the SEC, Georgia maintains control but faces a gauntlet of challenging games, starting with next week's trip to Oxford. Alabama's idle week sets up a massive showdown with LSU that could determine the SEC West champion.
The Big Ten continues to run through Ohio State, who secured their eighth straight victory over Penn State in a defensive struggle. However, Indiana's perfect season adds an intriguing wrinkle to the conference race.
Week 11 Preview: Critical Matchups Ahead
Several crucial matchups loom next weekend that could further reshape the national landscape:
Georgia at Ole Miss (3:30 p.m., ABC/ESPN+):
Jaxson Dart and the explosive Rebels offense face their stiffest test against the defending national champions. After Dart's record-setting performance against Arkansas, this game takes on added significance for both conference and national title implications.
Alabama at LSU (7:30 p.m., ABC/ESPN+): A classic SEC West showdown with massive playoff implications. The winner likely controls their destiny in the division race, while the loser faces a steep uphill climb to reach Atlanta.
Maryland at Oregon (7 p.m., BTN): Another opportunity for the Ducks to solidify their No. 1 ranking and continue their impressive scoring streak.
Dillon Gabriel looks to build on his growing Heisman campaign.
Washington at Penn State (8 p.m., Peacock): Both teams looking to keep their playoff hopes alive in what amounts to an elimination game. The loser likely falls out of contention entirely.
Michigan at Indiana (3:30 p.m., CBS): The Hoosiers put their perfect season on the line against their toughest test to date. A victory would legitimize Indiana's surprising run and set up a potential undefeated showdown with Ohio State.
Bowl Picture Evolution
The expanded playoff format has created unprecedented opportunity for teams typically left out of the championship conversation. Current SP+ projections suggest we could see as many as four teams from both the SEC and Big Ten in the playoff field, a scenario that would have been impossible under the previous format.
The Group of Five race has essentially become Boise State's to lose, with the Broncos holding a commanding position after defeating several challengers.
Ashton Jeanty's historic season has the Broncos eyeing not just a New Year's Six bowl, but potentially a playoff berth.
Final Thoughts and Week 11 Implications
Week 10 served as a powerful reminder that in college football, nothing can be taken for granted. The upheaval we witnessed sets up what promises to be an entertaining final month of regular season play. With conference championships, playoff positioning, and individual awards all hanging in the balance, every game takes on added significance.
As we move into the crucial final weeks, teams must balance the need for victory with maintaining player health and peak performance. Those that can master this delicate balance while continuing to improve will likely find themselves in position to compete for the ultimate prize when the expanded playoff begins in December.
