The first weekend of November burst onto the college football scene with breathtaking matchups. At the forefront was Ohio State's journey to Penn State for a top-five clash that greatly influenced both the Big Ten and College Football Playoff narratives. This showdown crowned an enthralling day of college action. Miami achieved yet another narrow escape, while the Big 12 witnessed significant upsets, partly due to Hugh Freeze's ongoing struggles against Diego Pavia. The weekend hadn't even fully unfolded, with further excitement promised for Saturday as teams like Texas A&M, Clemson, and Tennessee were set to play, alongside an undefeated ACC battle between Pitt and SMU.
Boise State captured headlines once more as they took another vital step toward the College Football Playoff. On Friday night, the Broncos dominated San Diego State in a resounding 56-24 victory, dealing SDSU its first conference loss while Heisman hopeful Ashton Jeanty gained 149 yards and two touchdowns. Boise State, bolstered by these triumphs, is positioned strongly for the Mountain West title game, possessing tiebreakers over key rivals. As the reigning champions, they are set to be the highest-ranked Group of Five team in the initial CFP rankings, with their destiny firmly in their hands if they continue to succeed.
James Franklin's tenure at Penn State, now exceeding a decade, continues to be marred by challenges in high-stakes games, illustrated by yet another loss to Ohio State, this time a 20-13 defeat. While Franklin has elevated the Nittany Lions to a consistently competitive position, their record against elite teams lags, with Franklin holding only one win against both Ohio State and top-five ranked opponents during his tenure. Discussion about his future at Penn State inevitably follows such losses, though success in the season's close could still secure them a CFP spot.
Ole Miss made an assertive statement against Arkansas, demolishing them 63-31. Quarterback Jaxson Dart had a standout performance, tossing six touchdowns and acquiring 562 offensive yards. This dramatic display, including Jordan Watkins' staggering 254 yards and five touchdowns, sets the stage for Ole Miss as they prepare to host Georgia. Meanwhile, Diego Pavia seems destined to haunt Hugh Freeze's dreams, his latest triumph coming as he led Vanderbilt past Auburn 17-7, marking yet another victory in their lopsided encounters.
Amidst a turbulent season, Miami's quarterback Cam Ward has become a legitimate Heisman candidate. Despite erratic moments, Ward's resilience was on full display against Duke, where he overturned a third-quarter Miami deficit to secure a 53-31 victory, boosting Miami to a 9-0 status. The Hurricanes remain a fearsome offensive threat largely thanks to Ward's integral contributions.
Texas Tech's 23-22 upset over Iowa State unfolded amid dreary skies, with a late-game drive culminating in a game-winning touchdown by Tahj Brooks. Despite Iowa State's promising lead, Texas Tech's timely interventions, marked by a critical fumble recovery, shattered the Cyclones' vision of an unblemished season. Nevertheless, Iowa State maintains prospects of contending in the Big 12 title race.
At Houston, renewed hope emerges under first-year coach Willie Fritz, whose leadership saw the Cougars overturn a 19-10 deficit to defeat Kansas State 24-19. This remarkable victory offers a lifeline as Fritz works to reshape Houston's program after a challenging 4-8 season, providing vital momentum in their recruiting endeavors.
Georgia Bulldog fans celebrated their fourth straight win over Florida, albeit concerns about quarterback Carson Beck persist. With three interceptions in a single game, his season total climbed to eleven, underscoring a worrying turnover tendency. On the bright side, the Dawgs' defense remains robust, able to secure triumphs even amid offensive challenges. However, persistent errors by Beck could open opportunities for opponents to capitalize, a risk Georgia cannot overlook as the season progresses.
