Miami kept its unbeaten run alive in the kind of game that can trip up a top team, grinding out a 38-35 road win at North Carolina to move to 8-0 overall and 6-0 in ACC play. Mark Fletcher Jr. was the finisher with three touchdowns, and Darian Mensah kept the offense humming by going 22-of-29 for 274 yards and three scores. Next up is a trip to South Bend, where the Hurricanes will try to protect that perfect record, avenge last season’s matchup and keep building their College Football Playoff case.
Georgia made its own loud statement in Atlanta, knocking off rival Florida 27-8 to climb to 7-1 overall and 5-1 in SEC play. Chris Cole’s 66-yard fumble return for a touchdown helped set the tone, and the Dawgs’ defense piled up four turnovers while limiting Florida to 48 rushing yards. Gunner Stockton threw for 101 yards, Nate Frazier added 67 rushing yards and a touchdown, and now Georgia heads to Oxford for an SEC showdown with Ole Miss.
Utah stayed perfect with a 49-25 road win over Cincinnati, pushing its record to 8-0 and keeping its grip on the Big 12 race. The Utes’ offense put up 49 points and controlled the game from start to finish. Now they return home for a rivalry date with BYU, with the chance to stay unbeaten and collect another key conference win.
UCLA also remained unbeaten, rolling past Nevada 27-0 to improve to 8-0 overall and 5-0 in Big Ten play. Derrick Barksdale delivered a 26-yard interception return for a touchdown, while Ty Dieffenbach threw for 178 yards and a score and added a rushing touchdown of his own. The Bruins head to Minneapolis next, looking for win No. 9 and another step toward staying spotless in conference play.
Indiana’s spot in the rankings comes after one of the wildest finishes of the week. The Hoosiers edged Minnesota 23-16 in overtime to move to 8-1 overall and 5-1 in Big Ten play.
Down 16-13 with 19 seconds left, Indiana got a 60-yard field goal from Paddy McAteer to force overtime, then backup quarterback Grant Wilson hit Charlie Becker for a 25-yard touchdown on the first play. Indiana is off next before hosting USC.
Kentucky comes in fresh off a bye after beating Vanderbilt 34-17, a result that pushed the Wildcats to 7-1 overall and 5-1 in SEC play. They’ve now won six straight and head to Knoxville to take on Tennessee at Neyland Stadium. Kentucky will be aiming for a seventh straight win, an SEC road victory and another boost to its College Football Playoff résumé.
BYU answered its first loss with a 27-20 win over Arizona State, improving to 7-1 overall and 4-1 in Big 12 play. Bear Bachmeier went 19-of-30 for 236 yards and a touchdown, and Sione Moa scored twice on the ground. The Cougars now travel to Salt Lake City to face undefeated Utah, with a chance to hand the Utes their first loss and grab a major road win.
Notre Dame got back on track after its loss to BYU by beating Navy 35-13 and moving to 7-1. CJ Carr completed 19-of-29 passes for 210 yards and two touchdowns, while Nolan James Jr. ran for 107 yards and two scores on just nine carries. The Irish return home to face undefeated Miami, with a signature win and a chance to deal the Hurricanes their first loss on the table.
Alabama is coming off a bye after beating Texas A&M 31-20, a win that lifted the Crimson Tide to 6-2 overall and 4-2 in SEC play. Keelon Russell threw for 311 yards and three touchdowns as Alabama snapped a two-game skid. The next stop is Baton Rouge for an SEC matchup with LSU, a meeting of 6-2 teams with plenty riding on the result in the playoff chase.
Texas took care of Mississippi State 31-3 to improve to 6-2 overall and 3-2 in SEC play. Arch Manning completed 16-of-20 passes for 220 yards and three touchdowns, and the Longhorns’ defense backed him up with another strong outing. Texas has won two straight and heads to Columbia to face Missouri, looking for a third consecutive victory and another SEC road win.
Ole Miss bounced back with a 45-15 win over Auburn, improving to 6-2 overall and 4-2 in SEC play. Trinidad Chambliss completed 22-of-34 passes for 263 yards and accounted for three total touchdowns, including one on the ground. The Rebels now host Georgia, with a chance to protect home field, land a major conference win and improve their College Football Playoff standing.
LSU enters its showdown with Alabama after a bye and a 38-17 road victory over Auburn that moved the Tigers to 6-2 overall and 3-2 in SEC play. Sam Leavitt completed 32-of-45 passes for 387 yards and three touchdowns without an interception in that win. Back in Baton Rouge for a meeting with Alabama, LSU will try to defend Death Valley and deliver a statement result.
In Other News...
Georgia Got Plenty Of GameDay Love Except For One Pick
College GameDay had plenty to say about Georgias showdown with Ole Miss, even if the crew ultimately set up shop for Notre Dame and Miami instead. The No. 2 Bulldogs still got a strong share of the spotlight, with the matchup carrying real weight for both teams as they try to improve their SEC Championship path and strengthen their College Football Playoff position.
The picks on set leaned heavily toward Georgia, with most of the panel backing the Bulldogs to handle the No. 10 Rebels. Pat McAfee was the lone voice going the other direction, siding with Ole Miss and giving the game a little extra edge heading into a meeting that could shape the top of the conference race. [Read more 🡒]
Georgia Could Get The Offensive Spark It Needs Vs Ole Miss
Georgias offense may be getting a timely boost ahead of its Nov. 7 matchup with Ole Miss, with running back Chauncey Bowens upgraded to probable after missing more than a month. Wide receiver Isiah Canion is also expected to return, marking his first appearance since Week 2 and giving the Bulldogs another option as they try to find more rhythm on that side of the ball.
Those two returns could matter in different ways for Georgia. Bowens adds depth and another running threat to a backfield that has had to adjust without him, while Canion gives the passing game a chance to expand its rotation at a moment when every healthy playmaker counts. With Ole Miss coming in, Georgia could use any extra spark it can get. [Read more 🡒]
Kirby Smart Thinks Georgia Found The Right Ole Miss Challenge In Practice
Georgia spent part of its preparation this week trying to make practice feel a little more like the real thing, and Kirby Smart said sophomore quarterback Hezekiah Millender helped provide that look. Millender has been running the scout team offense in a style similar to what Georgia expects from Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart Chambliss, giving the Bulldogs a chance to rehearse against a mobile, disruptive quarterback look before the matchup arrives.
Smart had plenty of respect for the challenge Ole Miss presents, and he made clear the Rebels quarterback is a difficult player to simulate. Millender, who has already appeared in two games this season as Georgias fourth-string quarterback and drew notice for his G-Day scrimmage performance, gave the Bulldogs a useful practice tool, but the real test still comes when the game lights come on and Georgia has to handle the full Ole Miss offense. [Read more 🡒]