Virginia Tech’s trip to SMU turned into the kind of night that leaves a mark. The Hokies were beaten 51-28 last Friday, their worst loss of the season, and it dropped them to a third conference defeat.
SMU had its way with Virginia Tech’s defense, piling up 569 total yards and more than eight yards per play. Kevin Jennings was the engine, throwing for 350 yards and three touchdowns, while the Hokies’ offense did enough to clear 400 total yards but couldn’t keep pace with what was happening on the other side.
That result slots Virginia Tech into a crowded ACC picture heading into Week 11, but the bigger story at the top is that no one in the league is unbeaten anymore. Miami’s 31-24 loss to Notre Dame ended that run, even after a second-half push.
Malachi Toney’s injury was a major blow, and both the Hurricanes’ offense and Darian Mensah turned in their worst outings of the season. Even so, Miami remains the clear ACC favorite and a national title contender.
SMU’s win also sets up a huge one this Saturday, when the Mustangs host Wake Forest in a game with ACC and College Football Playoff implications. Wake Forest arrived there after a 77-0 demolition of Merrimack, a game in which Gio Lopez sat and the Demon Deacons still rolled up more than 700 total yards at an eye-popping 12 yards per play.
Clemson also stayed in the mix, though not in style. The Tigers escaped Syracuse 18-13 in a defensive grind that produced only one offensive touchdown from either side. Tait Reynolds threw for just 161 yards and an interception, but Clemson still sits in long-shot range for the ACC title game.
Elsewhere, Louisville took care of Georgia Tech 44-17 to lock up bowl eligibility. Lincoln Kienholz threw for 182 yards and two touchdowns and added 81 rushing yards, while Nate Sheppard kept building his case as more than just an All-ACC name, rushing for 217 yards and three touchdowns in NC State’s 41-3 collapse against Duke.
Georgia Tech’s slide now sits at four straight losses, and Alberto Mendoza’s struggles continued in the defeat to Louisville. He finished with 148 yards and a touchdown and again split snaps with Grady Adamson.
NC State’s own night was ugly from start to finish, and the Wolfpack are reportedly turning to former star quarterback Philip Rivers as their next head coach. They’ll try to reset at home against Syracuse, which comes in off that 18-13 loss to Clemson.
Syracuse’s trip to NC State follows a defensive battle that never really opened up. Boston College gave Florida State a fight, but the Seminoles still came away with a 31-24 road win, their first victory in the post-Mike Norvell era in Tallahassee. Mason McKenzie kept his surprising season going for Boston College with 166 passing yards and two touchdowns, while Ashton Daniels struggled for Florida State with 178 yards, an interception and a 58% completion percentage.
Virginia and Cal both had byes and both are trying to stop three-game losing streaks. The Cavaliers host Cal this weekend, while Stanford, also coming off an open week, heads across the country to face Virginia Tech.
North Carolina took care of business on the road, beating UConn 38-21 and moving within one win of bowl eligibility. Billy Edwards Jr. threw for 255 yards and three touchdowns, and Bill Belichick has the Tar Heels trending in the right direction.
Pitt also had the week off and now turns to a Friday home game against Florida State.
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For Virginia Tech, the recognition is a reminder that Reynolds season has carried beyond the usual weekly box score chatter. Being in the semifinal field keeps him in the conversation at a position where production and impact can be hard to separate, and now the focus shifts to whether he can turn that nod into something even bigger as the award race tightens. [Read more 🡒]
Virginia Tech Has A Real Chance To Reset The Tone Saturday Night
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Stanford brings its own familiar pieces into the matchup, with Davis Warren directing the passing game and Micah Ford leading the run game, but this is the kind of home date Virginia Tech should expect to control. ESPNs Football Power Index has the Hokies favored, and what happens under the lights will say plenty about whether they can turn a solid season checkpoint into something that feels like a stronger finish. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan Week Just Raised The Stakes For Oregon Recruiting
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For Oregon, the timing matters. The Ducks have a young backfield and are already thinking ahead to the 2027 season, so adding depth at running back remains a priority. A visit like this does not settle anything by itself, but it does give Oregon a chance to make a serious impression as the recruiting race around its 2027 class starts to take shape. [Read more 🡒]