No. 11 Notre Dame stunned No. 1 Miami with a 31-24 victory that shook up the College Football Playoff race. Quarterback CJ Carr threw for 319 yards and three touchdowns, outdueling Miami’s Darian Mensah and propelling the Fighting Irish into the playoff conversation. This win comes after Notre Dame struggled early in the season and lost to BYU, putting their postseason hopes in jeopardy.
Miami’s loss marks the fifth consecutive week a top-two team has fallen, keeping the playoff picture unsettled. Notre Dame’s performance offers a stark contrast to last season when losses to playoff opponents cost them a postseason berth. Carr’s display pushed him to the front of the Heisman Trophy race, but more importantly, it helped secure Notre Dame’s place in the College Football Playoff.
Utah also made a statement with a win over rival BYU, snapping a three-game losing streak and moving to 9-0 for the first time since 2008. The victory under coach Morgan Scalley’s leadership appears to lock in a playoff spot for the Utes. Quarterback Devon Dampier led the comeback after an early second-half deficit, and Utah’s rise in the rankings could put them in contention for the No. 1 spot, depending on upcoming results.
Meanwhile, Michigan struggled in a 15-6 loss to Michigan State, a team that had yet to win a Big Ten game this season. The Wolverines failed to score until late in the fourth quarter and did not allow a touchdown for the first time in a loss since 1985. Michigan’s record dropped to 5-4 overall and 2-4 in the conference, raising questions about coach Kyle Whittingham’s future after a rough start to his tenure at the school. Michigan faces a challenging stretch with three straight games against ranked opponents, putting a bowl appearance at risk.
Georgia, ranked No. 2, responded emphatically after last year’s playoff loss to Ole Miss. The Bulldogs crushed the Rebels 42-7, ending Ole Miss’s playoff hopes. Georgia’s defense limited Ole Miss to just 66 rushing yards on 31 carries, while the Bulldogs rushed for 295 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Gunner Stockton threw for 186 yards and four scores, needing only 15 passes. The win reasserts Georgia’s status among the elite teams this season.
Ohio State’s season continues to unravel with three regular-season losses, the first time since 2011. Injuries to quarterback Julian Sayin and struggles from freshman Luke Fahey have exposed weaknesses. The Buckeyes were overpowered on both lines and saw their secondary collapse during losses to USC and Oregon. Coach Ryan Day faces pressure to turn things around after a series of poor performances.
Oklahoma introduced a new offensive approach with former Hall of Fame tight end Jason Witten stepping in. The Sooners ran the ball 40 times and controlled possession for nearly 38 minutes in a win over Florida. Witten’s strategy included quicker routes that helped spread the ball among five receivers, improving offensive balance. While Florida’s defense ranks low in the SEC, the adjustment offers hope for a more dynamic Oklahoma offense.
Kentucky dropped to No. 6 in the College Football Playoff rankings after a 34-6 loss to No. 13 Tennessee. The Wildcats’ playoff position took a hit after turnovers in the final quarter allowed Tennessee to pull away. Kentucky remains a contender if they win their remaining games against Florida, Missouri, and Louisville, but further losses could push them out of playoff contention.
LSU also faced a setback after falling to No. 5 Alabama 31-14. The Tigers now find themselves outside the playoff picture despite early-season promise. SEC competition remains fierce as teams fight for limited spots in the postseason.
These results have left the playoff race wide open as Week 10 delivered unexpected outcomes from top-ranked teams. Notre Dame and Utah emerged as strong contenders, while Michigan and Ohio State face uphill battles. Georgia reasserted itself with a dominant win, keeping the pressure on the rest of the field. The next few weeks will be critical as teams jockey for position and playoff hopes hang in the balance.
According to CBS.
