ESPN Staff Nov 5, 2023, 1:22am ET15 minutes read
No. 2 Georgia holds off a valiant effort from No. 12 Missouri
Quarterback Carson Beck throws for two touchdowns and the Bulldogs need a tough defensive performance to hold off the hungry Tigers 30-21 at Sanford Stadium.
Shortfalls, near-surprises and actual surprises were the order of the day in Week 10.
Ohio State, Georgia and Florida State were on alert at halftime. In the second half everyone came through. Notre Dame (to Clemson) and Oklahoma (to Oklahoma State) were both upset. And Texas and Ole Miss both avoided upsets when, in Texas’ case, a fourth-down gamble failed and, in Ole Miss’ case, a field goal that would have tied the score was blocked.
And those were just the afternoon games.
Prime time brought another opportunity for surprises, but undefeated Washington edged USC in a track and field meet and Alabama pulled away from LSU in a game that ended in a tie at halftime.
Here’s how the power rankings evolve based on Week 10 results:
The Bulldogs survived another hard-fought game against Missouri with a 30-21 victory at Sanford Stadium, their 26th straight win. The next three weeks won’t get much easier as Georgia hosts Ole Miss before concluding the regular season with road contests at Tennessee and rival Georgia Tech. The Bulldogs lost All-American linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson, who broke his left forearm on the final play of the third quarter. It is not known how long the junior will be sidelined. He had started 24 consecutive games and was the signal-caller on defense. Sophomore Jalon Walker, who has played very well in recent games, and freshman CJ Allen will play a larger role in Dumas-Johnson’s absence. – Mark Schlabach
Next: against Ole Miss
The Wolverines continued their streak of 40 or more points in five consecutive conference games, defeating Purdue 41-13. Quarterback JJ McCarthy threw for 335 yards and completed 24 of 37 passes. The Wolverines relied heavily on the red zone running game, with defensive backs Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards combining for four touchdowns. Michigan’s defense was able to keep Purdue from scoring in the third quarter, meaning the team has outscored its opponents 114-0 in the third quarter this season. It wasn’t a perfect game, but Michigan dominated and remained undefeated. The team’s toughest test lies ahead: Penn State is next, in addition to the ongoing sign-stealing investigation. – Tom VanHaaren
Next: at Penn State (noon ET, Fox)
It didn’t look pretty at times, but Florida State did enough to beat Pitt 24-7 and earn a spot in the ACC Championship Game for the first time since 2014. With receivers Keon Coleman and Johnny Wilson sidelined due to injuries, it took Florida State’s offense some time to find a groove. But back-to-back shots on goal in the third quarter helped put the game out of reach. Jordan Travis completed 22 of 36 passes for 360 yards and a touchdown and rushed for another score. Ja’Khi Douglas joined Coleman and Wilson with six catches for 115 yards. Florida State has won 15 straight games in its rivalry game against Miami on Saturday. –Andrea Adelson
Next: vs Miami (ABC)
The Buckeyes trailed 9-7 at halftime against Rutgers, the first time Ohio State had trailed at halftime and the second time the team had trailed against the Scarlet Knights. The Buckeyes went on a second-half run, scoring 28 points for a 35-16 win. Running back TreVeyon Henderson took most of the carries while Miyan Williams was sidelined due to injury, and Henderson finished the day with 128 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Quarterback Kyle McCord connected with receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. for two touchdowns that helped put Ohio State on top and keep the team undefeated. – Tom VanHaaren
Next: vs. Michigan State (7:30 p.m. ET, NBC)
Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. might have the Heisman votes on his side, but on Saturday night against USC, it was running back Dillon Johnson who stole the show, helping the Huskies outlast the Trojans in a 52-42 shootout. Of Washington’s 572 yards of offense, 256 yards on the ground came from Johnson. Oh yeah, he also added four touchdowns. Johnson has never had such a productive game and it came at the right time for the Huskies, who struggled back and forth with USC’s offense all night. In the end, the No. 5 team in the country delivered an unstoppable running game against one of the worst run defenses in the country, and that was enough to keep Kalen DeBoer’s team undefeated as it heads into the home stretch with all its goals still intact. — Paolo Uggetti
Next: against Utah
The Ducks continue to look like College Football Playoff contenders, this time with a 63-19 win over Cal in which they shook off a shaky start and won on the road. Quarterback Bo Nix solidified his Heisman Trophy credentials by completing 29 of 38 passes for a season-high 386 yards with four touchdowns (his only interception came on the first play from scrimmage after a dropped pass). Nix also rushed for two short touchdowns. For the Ducks, their playoff prospects look pretty simple: win and they’re in. And if they play as well as they have since the loss to Washington on Oct. 13, that’s a plausible scenario. –Kyle Bonagura
Next: against USC
The Longhorns survived a Kansas State turnover and then went into overtime, where a furious pass rush thwarted a fourth-down attempt by the Wildcats to clinch the victory, although a field goal would have tied the game and sent it to a second OT. Texas defeated Kansas State 478-360 (including 230 rushing yards) and won its seventh straight win over the Wildcats by holding K-State to 33 rushing yards and snapping a 28-game streak with at least 100 yards on the ground for the Wildcats scored. The Longhorns, No. 7 in the College Football Playoff’s initial rankings, add a Top 25 win to their record. – Dave Wilson
Next: at TCU
Alabama had a historic night against LSU. Jalen Milroe became the first Alabama quarterback to score four touchdowns. Coach Nick Saban picked up his 202nd win at Alabama, passing Georgia’s Vince Dooley for the second-most wins at a single SEC school (Bear Bryant won 224 games in 25 seasons at Alabama). And Will Reichard became the fourth player – and first kicker – in FBS history to score 500 career points, joining Navy’s Keenan Reynolds (530 from 2012 to 2015), Louisiana Tech’s Kenneth Dixon (522 from 2012 to 2015) and Montee Ball from Wisconsin (500 from 2009 to 2012). – ESPN stats and info
Next: in Kentucky (noon ET, ESPN)
With a loss to Alabama in Tuscaloosa in September only a long way off, Ole Miss held off a late comeback from Texas A&M with a 38-35 victory. Star running back Quinshon Judkins’ third touchdown run of the game with 1:40 left in regulation and Deantre Prince’s block of Randy Bond’s 47-yard field goal attempt as time expired made the Rebels forget as they allowed a 10-point lead to dissolve in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Jaxson Dart (24 of 33 passes for 387 yards and two touchdowns) helped Tre Harris (11 receptions for 213 yards and one touchdown for 15 scores) have a career day. Harris eclipsed the 100-yard receiving mark for the fourth time this season, while the offense racked up 299 of its 518 total yards in the first half. Judkins (102 rushing yards), a sophomore, had his ninth multi-touchdown game since the start of 2022, an FBS high. As they prepare to visit Georgia next week after a fifth straight win, the Rebels are off to an 8-1 start for the third time in the last 60 years (1990 and 2022). –Blake Baumgartner
Next: in Georgia
The Nittany Lions defeated Maryland 52-15 despite Terps quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa opening with 17 straight completions. Tagovailoa finished the game with 286 passing yards and a touchdown, but Penn State’s defense held Maryland to minus-49 rushing yards (including sack yards). Those are the second-fewest rushing yards Penn State has allowed in a game in program history. The defense did its job and scored 27 points in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Drew Allar finished the win with 240 passing yards and four touchdowns, putting Penn State at 8-1 on the season heading into its next game against Michigan, the third-ranked team in the country. — VanHaaren
Next: vs. Michigan (noon ET, Fox)
It hardly mattered that top receiver Jamari Thrash was sidelined with an injury against Virginia Tech. The Cardinals pounded the ball on the ground and rushed for 231 yards en route to another dominant victory, 34-3 over the Hokies. Isaac Guerendo managed 146 yards rushing and three touchdowns on 11 carries, helping to boost the running game while Jawhar Jordan was limited as he continued to battle injuries. But perhaps the most underrated story of this team is its defense. Louisville has outscored its last two opponents by a combined score of 57-3. Louisville has now held five consecutive opponents under 300 yards of total offense and under 100 rushing yards. At 5-1 in conference play, Louisville has the tools needed to advance to the ACC Championship Game. — Adelson
Next: vs. Virginia, Thursday (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
A week after the humiliating loss to Oregon, the Utes bounced back with a 55-3 win over Arizona State to stay in the Pac-12 title race. It was Utah’s most complete performance this season and came at a time when ASU had gotten progressively better in recent weeks. QB Bryson Barnes completed 19 of 28 passes for just 161 yards, but scored on four touchdown throws – two to Devaughn Vele. Running back Ja’Quinden Jackson ran for 111 yards on 13 carries while the Utes totaled 352 yards on the ground. Defensively, the Utes were even better, limiting ASU to 43 yards rushing and 40 yards passing. — Bonagura
Next: in Washington
The Tigers endure another near miss against Georgia, but still have a chance to put together a memorable season. Special teams errors and two late turnovers led Missouri to the road loss. The good news: Quarterback Brady Cook and running back Cody Schrader prevailed against one of the better defenses in the FBS. Schrader ran for 112 yards with one touchdown on 22 carries; Cook ran for 57 yards (he lost 18 yards with three sacks) and passed for 212 yards with a score. Cook’s two late interceptions ended Missouri’s chances of a comeback. The Tigers host Tennessee and Florida in the next two weeks before finishing the regular season at Arkansas. — Schlabach
Next: against Tennessee
The Beavers overcame early fumbles and outlasted Colorado behind a defense that kept the Buffaloes out of the end zone for more than 49 minutes. The overall performance was anything but crisp, as Oregon State fumbled twice in its own territory in the first half and a 2-point conversion attempt after a bad snap was returned 88 yards for scores. But coordinator Trent Bray’s defense dominated a disjointed Colorado offense, allowing just 78 yards through three quarters and recording four sacks, seven quarterback hurries and six tackles for loss. Linebacker Andrew Chatfield Jr. led the way with three sacks, two quarterback hurries and two pass breakups, while linebackers Easton Mascarenas-Arnold and Cory Stover combined for three tackles for loss and a forced fumble. Quarterback DJ Uiagalelei had 223 passing yards with a passing and rushing touchdown. The offense responded to Colorado’s first touchdown with a time-consuming drive that culminated in a field goal. – Adam Rittenberg
Next: against Stanford
There wasn’t much drama for the Vols heading into their most important stretch of the season. They led 35-3 at halftime after racking up more than 400 yards in the first half to post a 59-3 win over UConn on Saturday at Neyland Stadium. Quarterback Joe Milton III passed for two touchdowns and ran for a TD, and Tennessee finished the game with 650 total yards of offense. But the Vols’ defense also got involved. They scored three defensive touchdowns, the first time this had happened in school history. UConn was never going to be much of a challenge for Tennessee, which has now won 14 straight home games. The Vols’ season will be dominated by the next two games. They travel to Missouri next Saturday and then return home to face Georgia on November 18th. – Chris Low
Next: in Missouri
The Cowboys earned final Bedlam bragging rights with a thrilling 27-24 victory over No. 10 Oklahoma as Mike Gundy earned his 100th career Big 12 win, joining only Bob Stoops and Bill Snyder in the club connected. Oklahoma was anxious to slow down Ollie Gordon II, who still managed 137 yards and two touchdowns on a career-high 33 carries, but Alan Bowman threw for 334 yards, including a breakout performance from Rashod Owens with 10 catches for 136 yards. OSU picked up its fifth straight win and is suddenly in the thick of the Big 12 title game. – Dave Wilson
Next: at UCF (3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
With a 28-21 win over Iowa State, the Jayhawks reached the seven-win mark for the first time since 2008 and remain in the running for the Big 12 title. The win also marked the first time since 2008 that Kansas won back-to-back conference games. QB Jason Bean completed 14 of 23 passes for 287 yards with an 80-yard touchdown pass to Lawrence Arnold that gave Kansas a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter. The Jayhawks host Texas Tech and Kansas State in the next two games before concluding the regular season with a trip to Cincinnati. — Bonagura
Next: vs. Texas Tech
The Sooners failed to make the plays when they needed them most, as they missed a direct snap to Jovantae Barnes at the OSU 34, ending a first-quarter drive and then failing to make one with 1:01 left Fourth-and-5 play on the play when Drake Stoops was stopped for a 3-yard gain and Oklahoma had a three-yard deficit at midfield. Dillon Gabriel was 26 of 37 for 344 yards and a touchdown, and Gavin Sawchuk had a 64-yard scoring run en route to 111 yards rushing. The Sooners tried to stop Ollie Gordon II, who ran 33 times for 137 yards, but Alan Bowman made them pay with 334 yards passing as the Sooners lost the last scheduled Bedlam game, a game that stung for a while, but also OU is in a two-loss stalemate in the Big 12 race. – Dave Wilson
Next: against West Virginia
The Dukes carry on. Against a Georgia State team that averaged 30 points per game and 6.1 yards per play, JMU averaged just 14 and 4.8, respectively. Meanwhile, quarterback Jordan McCloud threw for 307 yards and four touchdowns and rushed for 104 yards and two more scores as the Dukes won 42-14. You know the details by now: In their second FBS season, they are still ineligible for the Sun Belt title and cannot bowl unless there are not enough bowl-eligible teams. But Curt Cignetti’s program is putting together its best two-year FBS debut since Marshall’s 22-4 victory in 1997-98. But Marshall had Randy Moss for one of those years – the Dukes do that to mortals. (Marshall also got to bowl in both seasons.) – Connelly
Next: vs. UConn (2 p.m. ET, ESPN+)
Tulane looked shaky early but recovered to win its seventh straight game and remain undefeated in AAC play. The Green Wave defense held East Carolina to 190 total yards – 143 of them in the first quarter when the Pirates took a 10-0 lead. But Tulane allowed just 47 yards in the final three quarters. Although the Green Wave offense scored its fewest points in a win since 2014, according to ESPN Stats & Information, it was behind quarterback Michael Pratt (16 of 25 passes for 213 yards and a touchdown) and running back Makhi Hughes (105 rushing) in yards 25 runs) and the two field goals by Valentino Ambrosio. Tulane overcame a deficit of at least 10 points to win for the third time this season (tied for the top of the FBS). – Baumgartner
Next: vs. Tulsa (Noon ET, ESPN2)
The Tigers can’t say they didn’t have a chance at Alabama. With their goals just before halftime and again at the start of the second half, the momentum was clearly in their favor. All they needed was to stop. But in what became an issue, the defense let LSU down. Jalen Milroe’s four passes of more than 20 yards were one thing. Having him run wild for 155 yards and four touchdowns was something entirely different. Jayden Daniels was great, accounting for three touchdowns (two passing, one rushing), but left the game late, apparently due to a head injury. With the third loss in Tuscaloosa, LSU’s hopes of reaching the SEC Championship and playing in the College Football Playoff ended. –Alex Scarborough
Next: against Florida
Marcus Freeman’s Fighting Irish played perhaps their two best games of the season before heading to Clemson, but they couldn’t keep the momentum going early Saturday. Red zone errors and a pick-six gave Clemson a 24-6 lead midway through the second quarter, and while Notre Dame outscored the Tigers from there, the Irish went scoreless on their final six possessions and lost 31-23. The Irish defense held Clemson to 285 total yards (4.1 per play), and Audric Estime combined for 120 rushing and receiving yards. But Sam Hartman went a dismal 13 of 30 for just 146 yards and two interceptions, and Notre Dame fell to 7-3 overall. Any hopes for a New Year’s Six Bowl bid are pretty high. – Bill Connelly
Next: vs. Wake Forest, Nov. 18
The Tar Heels ended their two-game losing streak, thanks in large part to their FCS opponent Campbell. North Carolina cruised to a 59-7 victory as Drake Maye threw four touchdown passes and Omarion Hampton ran for 144 yards. The truth is, though, we won’t find out what defensive improvements this team has made until next week when it hosts rival Duke. During the two-game losing streak, North Carolina’s defense suffered regression, and coach Mack Brown said fixing that was a priority. The last part of the season is tough. After Duke, North Carolina travels on the road against Clemson and NC State. — Adelson
Next: vs. Duke (8 p.m. ET, ACC Network)
While Colorado was making headlines in the offseason, Arizona was preparing for a major turnaround as a Pac-12 team. The Wildcats defeated UCLA 27-10 to secure their third straight victory – all against ranked opponents – and remain in the Pac-12 title game. It doesn’t look like QB Noah Fifita will be giving up the starting job to Jayden de Laura any time soon. He completed 25 of 32 passes for 300 yards against UCLA as the Wildcats became bowl eligible. They haven’t played in a bowl game since the 2017 season, the last under former coach Rich Rodriguez. Arizona travels to Colorado next week before ending the regular season with games against Utah and Arizona. — Bonagura
Next: in Colorado
Touchdown, fumble, touchdown, touchdown, touchdown, touchdown, touchdown, touchdown. Then another touchdown in garbage time. Liberty made light work of Louisiana Tech on Saturday, scoring on nearly every possession, building a 28-10 halftime lead and securing a 56-30 victory to move to 9-0 in Jamey Chadwell’s first season. Kaidon Salter threw for 297 yards and four scores — he has 1,959 passing yards and 664 rushing yards this season — while Quinton Cooley ran for 179 yards. The Flames’ offense surrounded the Tech defense for 602 yards on 8.6 per play. With Air Force’s loss to Army, Liberty moves up in the Group of 5 rankings, but a weak schedule could keep it from landing in the CFP rankings. — Connelly
Next: vs. Old Dominion (1 p.m. ET, ESPN+)