No. 2 Georgia crushed No. 10 Ole Miss 42-7 in Oxford on Saturday, sending a clear message through the SEC as the Bulldogs tighten their grip on the conference and approach the College Football Playoff rankings. Georgia’s dominance came after a puzzling October loss at Auburn, but the team has since returned to form with a ruthless display on both sides of the ball.
Defensive back KJ Bolden said after the match, "I feel like we could have put up 60. We got a little relaxed. We could have pitched a shutout. I don't have regular standards like everybody else. Our standards are pretty high here." The Bulldogs’ defense held Ole Miss to a single touchdown while the offense efficiently exploited weaknesses. Quarterback Gunner Stockton completed nine passes, four of which went to Talyn Taylor for 140 yards and three touchdowns.
Georgia narrowly missed the $40 million NIL spending mark this season but still ranks alongside the heavy spenders in performance. According to CBS Sports, twelve teams invested about $40 million on NIL this fall, with those programs winning 72.2% of their games combined. Georgia’s rise fits the trend that teams with significant NIL investment generally secure stronger recruiting classes and transfers, resulting in more wins.
Among those 12 teams, only Michigan (5-4) and Texas A&M (4-5) have stumbled outside CFP contention by Week 11. LSU, Ohio State, Oregon, and Ole Miss each have three losses, with one expected to become the first three-loss team in the CFP era. Miami and Notre Dame, each with one loss, also sit among the big spenders. Georgia, just under the spending threshold but with one loss, is expected to claim the No. 1 ranking soon.
The Bulldogs have won seven of their last eight games against AP-ranked teams. Their postseason track record remains a concern after last year’s quarterfinal loss to Ole Miss, but recent performances suggest progress. Georgia’s victory this weekend could be a signal that they are ready to make a deeper playoff run.
Elsewhere in the SEC, Missouri held onto hopes of CFP contention but faltered again, losing 34-20 at home to Texas. The Longhorns extended their winning streak to six against ranked opponents. Missouri’s quarterback Austin Simmons, who announced he will return for the 2027 season, struggled in the final moments when an interception led directly to a Texas touchdown. Missouri has lost 11 of its last 12 games against ranked teams, and their CFP chances remain slim despite a tough schedule ahead, including a trip to Georgia and a home game against Kentucky.
Outside the SEC, UCLA continued their unbeaten run with a 34-20 win at Minnesota, marking their first 9-0 start since 1998. The Bruins’ defense and running game powered the victory, while backup quarterback Ty Dieffenbach made a historic impact, throwing two 75-yard touchdown passes to Aidan Mizell in the fourth quarter. His 303 passing yards on only eight completions set a record for the lowest completion total by an FBS player reaching 300 yards since 2000.
SMU, once dismissed as playoff contenders, surged back with a 51-28 win over Virginia Tech. The Mustangs’ CFP chances jumped to 8.8%, potentially rising to 20.4% with a win against Wake Forest next week. A victory there would tie them for second place in the ACC and set up a tiebreaker advantage. Their schedule also includes a November 21 trip to Notre Dame, which could further change their playoff outlook if the defense holds and quarterback Kevin Jennings maintains consistency.
The pattern is clear: the programs that invest heavily in NIL are, by and large, winning more games. Georgia’s commanding performance in the SEC amplifies that trend, even as some traditional powers falter and surprise contenders emerge elsewhere.
According to CBS.
