Week 10 delivered exactly what the 2026 college football season had been building toward, and the first College Football Playoff rankings are already in for a jolt.
No. 1 Miami went down Saturday night, falling 31-24 to No.
11 Notre Dame in South Bend. That result instantly changes the conversation heading into Tuesday’s CFP rankings release, because the top spot is suddenly wide open.
Georgia made its own case in loud fashion. The No.
2 Bulldogs rolled over Ole Miss 42-7 in Oxford, a result that should push them to No. 1 in both the AP and Coaches polls on Sunday. The bigger question is whether the CFP committee follows that same path on Tuesday night.
If Georgia doesn’t land there, the next possibilities come from west of the Mississippi. No.
3 Utah stayed unbeaten with a win over No. 9 BYU in the “Holy War” early Saturday morning in Utah.
That victory moved the Utes closer to the Big 12 title game and may have all but secured a CFP berth even if they were to lose again.
UCLA also kept stacking quality wins, this time surviving on the road against Minnesota.
Then there’s Alabama, the team sitting at No. 5 and still looking like the most debatable entry among the top five. The Crimson Tide are unlikely to jump all the way to No. 1 because Georgia owns the head-to-head edge, but their win over No. 14 LSU could still earn enough respect to lift them as high as No. 2 in the CFP rankings.
In Other News...
LSU Star Took A Shot At Alabama Even After The Loss
Alabamas 31-13 win over LSU was built in the second half, when the Crimson Tide put together three touchdown drives and steadily pulled away from a game that had been tighter earlier on. The result pushed Alabama to 7-2 and left LSU at 6-3, a setback that did more than just dent the Tigers record.
Afterward, LSU safety Ty Benefield pointed the blame inward, saying the loss came down to his own teams mistakes rather than anything Alabamas offense did. It was the kind of postgame assessment that can linger, especially with LSUs playoff hopes now taking a hit and Alabama continuing to build momentum down the stretch. [Read more 🡒]
Alabama's Playoff Hopes Were Slipping Until One Drive Changed Everything
Alabamas playoff push had started to look shaky when LSU nudged ahead late in the third quarter, but the Tide steadied themselves just in time to keep the conversation alive. Kalen DeBoers team leaned into the kind of simple, disciplined football he has stressed all season, staying focused and executing when the game tightened up.
One drive flipped the feel of the night, sparked by Rico Scotts 57-yard reception and finished with a touchdown pass from Keelon Russell to Josh Ford. Ryan Coleman-Williams also made his presence felt in his return from injury, giving Alabama another needed piece as it found a way to answer LSU and protect its postseason hopes. [Read more 🡒]
Alabama Fans Got Another Reason To Enjoy Lane Kiffins Misery
Lane Kiffins latest trip through Tuscaloosa ended the same way so many of the others have, with Alabama leaving him looking for answers. LSUs loss to the Crimson Tide pushed Kiffin to 0-6 against Alabama in his coaching career, and it came in a game where the Tide got enough from quarterback Keelon Russell to keep control even after Russell dealt with an injury. For Alabama fans, it was another satisfying chapter in a long-running storyline that has rarely gone their way when Kiffin is on the opposing sideline.
The biggest moment came late, when Kiffins fourth-and-10 decision turned into a sack and effectively shut the door on LSUs chances. It was the kind of call that invites second-guessing immediately, especially in a game already tilted by Alabamas steadier execution. For the Tide, the win was about more than just another conference result. It was also another reminder that Kiffins frustration against Alabama continues to pile up, one loss at a time. [Read more 🡒]