CFW Week 11 Forecast - Power 4 teams no longer need a conference?

 CFW Week 11 Forecast – Power 4 teams no longer need a conference?

It’s a playoff buster week, for sure

 

This isn’t a blockbuster week. However, it is a playoff buster week. Several of the losers of the week’s Top 10 games will be busted out of the playoff.

 

There is also good balance this week among the Top 10 games – three encounters in each the Big Ten and Big 12, and two encounters in both the SEC and ACC.

 

The excitement begins with the Game of the Week – No. 18 USC at No. 9 Indiana. The Trojans still have a shot at making the playoff. However, if they lose to the Hoosiers, USC is kaput. No playoff for the Trojans. Indiana has to be sweating bullets too. The Hoosiers didn’t play last week and fell five spots in the CFP rankings. Indiana’s offense has only scored one touchdown in the Hoosiers last two games.

 

The Runner-Up Game is No. 2 Utah at No. 23 Arizona. Win or lose, the Utes are still in good shape. Lose and Arizona is kaput. The Wildcats have to win out to keep their hopes alive.

 

Then we have the two SEC games in this week’s Top 10. The first of the two is No. 22 Missouri at No. 1 Georgia. This is much like the Arizona-Utah encounter. If Missouri loses, the Tigers are eliminated from contention. If Georgia loses, the Dawgs are still in the hunt. But chances are, Georgia won’t lose.

 

Then we have a good one – a real good one – No. 6 Texas at No. 21 LSU. Could the Tigers possibly lose two in a row in Baton Rouge? If they do, Death Valley will be the death of LSU. Texas can lose and remain in the running for the playoff.

 

Now the ACC enters the fray with unranked Duke at No. 7 Miami. Should Duke win out, the Dookies will be in the picture. A second loss for Miami could be detrimental to the Canes. They fell seven spots in the CFP rankings after the loss to Notre Dame.

 

Back to the Big Ten, we have unranked Illinois at No. 4 UCLA. Illinois has to win to remain in contention. UCLA can lose and still be a playoff team.

 

Up next, we have a really interesting game in the ACC – No. 13 Wake Forest at unranked SMU. This game could go either way. A loss will destroy the playoff hopes for both teams. A win and they are very much in the picture.

 

The #8 and #9 games of the week are both Big 12 affairs. The first of the two is No. 12 Texas Tech at No. 25 Oklahoma State. Both teams have to win or its is curtains for the two of them. The other Big 12 matchup is unranked Baylor at No.10 BYU. Baylor is the least likely of any of these teams to make the playoff. However, should the Bears win out, it is possible. BYU needs a win here or the Cougars are in trouble. I think it is safe to call this one for BYU.

 

And finally, we have unranked Northwestern at No. 20 Ohio State. Both of these teams need to win out to get back into the picture. And even then it could be tough.

 

Like I said, it will be a playoff buster weekend.

 

There are five more interesting and curious games to keep an eye on this weekend. They are North Texas (7-2) at UTSA (7-2), Arizona State (5-4) at UCF (5-4), Ole Miss (6-3) at Oklahoma (5-4), Louisville (6-3) at North Carolina (5-4) and Memphis (7-2) at South Florida (6-3).

 

The College Football Playoff management committee made it official. The committee unanimously approved the expansion to a 24-team playoff, effective next season. What a mistake! ESPN has been contracted to broadcast all the playoff games through the 2031 season. And of course after this year there will be no more Power Four Conference Championship games. The bowl games will cease to be of any value.

 

Now that the 24-team playoff is official, Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz and Wake Forest coach Jake Dickert bring up a good point. Drinkwitz and Dickert both believe that with a 24-team playoff it is no longer necessary for the Power Four football teams to belong to a conference.

 

Drinkwitz says, “My question is why are we associated with conferences anymore if we are not playing for a conference championship? If the point now is just to be playing into a sea of 24, are we just doing it for scheduling affiliation? If we are just doing it for scheduling affiliation, is there a reason to be flying all the way across the country to play games from a national perspective?

 

Dickert adds “To not say we are going to have conference champions, why do we have conferences

 

The Power Four teams are no longer playing for a conference championship. They are playing to make the playoff. Remember the conference championship games cease to exist with the onset of the 24-team playoff. The two coaches say that basketball and the other sports should continue in conference play. But the football teams should become Independents.

 

I agree. I also have pushed for relegation in college football and maybe this would be a first step in getting there.

 

Currently, the Group of Six conferences will maintain their conference championship games. But several athletic directors are proposing a separate college football playoff for the Group of Six teams –  with the caveat that any Group of Six team that finishes in the Top 24 of the CFP rankings would still play in the current CFP. Stay tuned! Again, we need relegation.

 

The coordinator firings continue in the Big Ten. Ohio State coach Ryan Day fired his special teams coordinator Robby Discher. Meanwhile, Georgia Tech coach Brent Key fired his defensive coordinator Jason Semore.

 

Do you think Florida coach Jon Sumrall is afraid of his own shadow? This week, Florida canceled a home-and-home series with Notre Dame that was to take place during the 2031 and 2032 seasons. This after SEC commissioner Greg Sankey encouraged SEC teams to schedule Notre Dame more often. Notre Dame replaced Florida with a home-and-home series against Washington.

 

The Top 12 teams in this week’s CFP Rankings are 1. Georgia (8-1), 2. Utah (9-0), 3. Alabama (7-2), 4. UCLA (9-0), 5. Notre Dame (8-1), 6. Texas (7-2), 7. Miami (8-1), 8. Tennessee (7-2), 9. Indiana (8-1), 10. BYU (7-2), 11. Kentucky (7-2) and 12. Texas Tech (8-1). At No. 24, Boise State is the highest-ranked Group of Six team. If the playoff was to begin today, Boise State would replace Texas Tech as the 12^th-seed team.

 

The Top 12 teams in this week’s FCS Coaches Top 20 Poll are 1. Tarleton State (10-0), 2. Montana State (9-1), 3. Youngstown State (8-2), 4. South Dakota State (8-2), 5. Northern Arizona (8-2), 6. Austin Peay (8-2), 7. Stephen F. Austin (9-1), 8. Lamar (8-2), 9. Tennessee Tech (9-1), 10. South Dakota (7-3), 11. Mercer (8-2) and 12. Montana (7-3).

 

This week’s Saturday morning pregame shows: ESPN’s College GameDay is in Boise, Idaho, for the Oregon State-Boise State game. FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff is in Tucson, Arizona, for the Utah-Arizona game. SECN’s SEC Nation is in Athens, Georgia, for the Missouri-Georgia game.

 

Swamp Mama and I are having dinner tonight with Bootsie and Rockledge Gator.

 

Enjoy your weekend. It’s truly going to feel like football weather in east-central Florida.

 

Touchdown Tom

November 12, 2026

https://collegefootballweek.blogspot.com

 

 

Touchdown Tom’s Predictions for

Week Twelve’s 10 Biggest and Most Intriguing Games….and then some

 

GAME OF THE WEEK: 1. #18 USC (7-2) at #9 Indiana (8-1) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, CBS – USC has a good win over Ohio State. The Trojans need another big win. This is their opportunity. However, it is a challenging opportunity. Beating Indiana in Bloomington won’t be an easy task. To USC’s advantage, the Hoosier offense has been suffering. It is not as prolific this season. But the Hoosier defense is stronger than ever. So far, Curt Cignetti has not named a starting quarterback for the game. It may be a game day decision. USC will be relying on Jayden Maiava. In Big Ten play, USC is 4-2. Indiana is 5-1. The Hoosiers become a Trojan horse – Indiana 24, USC 17.

 

RUNNER-UP: 2. #2 Utah (9-0) at #23 Arizona (7-2) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) – 7:30 pm ET, Saturday, FOX – Utah could well have a letdown following the Utes win over BYU. Even more daunting for the Utes, the game is in Tucson. The Wildcats will be fired up. Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita is having a good season. But so is Utah quarterback Devon Dampier. Arizona is 4-2 in Big 12 play. Utah is 6-0. Utes turn the Wildcats into Mildcats – Utah 30, Arizona 24.

 

REST OF THE BEST: 3. #22 Missouri (6-3) at #1 Georgia (8-1) – (SEC vs. SEC) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, ABC – This week it is Missouri’s turn to try and stop the Bulldog train. Ever since that strange loss to Auburn, Georgia’s momentum has been getting stronger and stronger. Mizzou will put up a fight. But the Tigers don’t have the guns to stop the Dawgs. Missouri is 3-3 in SEC play. Georgia is 6-1. Uga skins a Cat – Georgia 38, Missouri 19.

 

4. #6 Texas (7-2) at #21 LSU (6-3) – (SEC vs. SEC) – 7:30 pm ET, Saturday, ABC – Both teams are fighting to stay in contention for the playoff. Right now, Texas is in good shape. LSU is on the outside looking in. Both teams had tough games last week. Texas won. LSU lost. How will the Tigers respond, coming off thar devastating loss to Alabama? LSU is 3-3 in SEC play. Texas is 4-2. Arch Manning could still jump back into Heisman contention. A win over LSU enhances his chances. Bevo gets after Kiffin – Texas 27, LSU 23.

 

5. Duke (7-2) at #7 Miami (8-1) – (ACC vs. ACC) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ABC – Duke could be catching Miami at a good time. It depends on how the Canes respond to their loss in South Bend last week. The Dookies will need to play a near perfect game. Quarterback Walker Eget and running back Nate Sheppard are capable of dominating the Miami defense. But can the Duke defense stop the Canes’ offense? Doubtful. Duke is 4-2 in ACC play. Miami is 6-0. The Devil doesn’t scare the Canes – Miami 30, Duke 21.

 

6. Illinois (6-3) at #4 UCLA (9-0) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – 9 pm ET, Friday, FOX – UCLA can’t take Illinois for granted. If the Bruins do, the Banned Indians will surprise them. Illinois definitely has an adequate offense and defense. But UCLA is more than adequate. In fact, the Bruins have been adequately amazing. Illinois is 4-2 in Big Ten play. UCLA is 6-0. The Bruins remain perfect – UCLA 24, Illinois 14.

  

7. #13 Wake Forest (8-1) at SMU (7-2) – (ACC vs. ACC) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ESPN – This could be one of the better, if not the best, games of the week. Wake Forest has been one of the surprise teams of the season – surprisingly good. But the Demon Deacons will have their hands full against SMU, especially in Dallas. Both teams are good on offense. Both are so-so on defense. SMU is 5-2 in ACC play. Wake Forest is 5-1. Ponies hold a wake for the Deacons – SMU 24, Wake Forest 23.

 

8. #12 Texas Tech (8-1) at #25 Oklahoma State (6-3) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) – 9:30 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN – I see an upset brewing here. Okie State has a potent offense with quarterback Drew Mestemaker and running back Caleb Hawkins. And Texas Tech doesn’t have the best defense. Tech has a good offense too. It will take advantage of the weak Okie State defense. Last week, West Virginia and Texas Tech combined for 101 points. Okie State and Texas Tech may exceed 101 in points scored. This could be a real shootout – a never ending shoot out. Okie State is 4-2 in Big 12 play. Texas Tech is 5-1. A surprise in Stillwater – Oklahoma State 31, Texas Tech 30.

 

9. Baylor (6-3) at #10 BYU (7-2) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, FOX – Since Baylor fired Dave Aranda on October 25, the Bears have won two-straight games. One was an impressive 41-9 win over UCF. So, the Bears appear to be a different team. They need to be a different team to beat BYU. Especially if they are going to beat BYU in Provo. The chances are slim. Not impossible. But slim. BYU needs to bounce back from the loss to Utah. I’m sure the Cougars will. Baylor and BYU are both 4-2 in Big 12 play. The Bears are looking bare – BYU 30, Baylor 17.

 

10.  Northwestern (6-3) at #20 Ohio State (6-3) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, FOX – Ohio State has been in a funk. The Buckeyes have lost two-straight games. Of course the Buckeyes have been playing with a new quarterback. It’s obvious that Luke Fahey is no Julian Sayin. Fahey is only a freshman. But after two starts, he has to be getting better. Northwestern needs for Ohio State to still be in its funk. The Wildcats could pull off the upset. But not likely. Northwestern is 3-3 in Big Ten play. Ohio State is 4-2. Brutus bucks the trend – Ohio State 28, Northwestern 22.

 

 

YE OLDE STOMPING GROUNDS:

 

Nebraska (5-4) at Rutgers (2-7) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – 12:30 pm ET, Saturday, BTN – Nebraska has dropped four-straight games. All Big Ten games. Coach Matt Rhule got rid of his offensive coordinator. Meanwhile, Rutgers announced that coach Greg Schiano would not be fired. He will be retained for another season. Which team benefits the most? Nebraska with a new OC or Rutgers with the monkey off Schiano’s back? Surely the Huskers can beat Rutgers. Herbie turns out the Knights’ lights – Nebraska 28, Rutgers 14.

 

Kansas (3-6) at West Virginia (5-4) – (Big12 vs. Big 12) – 5:30 pm ET, Saturday, ESPNU – Last week, WVU scored 48 points and lost. The Mounties had 582 total yards and lost. Who knows what WVU will do this week. It all depends on the defense. Even with a bad defense, WVU should win this game. The Jayhawks have been in some close contests. They lost to Arizona State by 7 points, lost to TCU by 6 points, lost to UCF by one point and beat Baylor by one point. This game may or may not be close, but WVU will score a lot of points. Mountaineers moonshine the Jayhawks – West Virginia 40, Kansas 27.

 

Florida (5-4) at #11 Kentucky (7-2) – (SEC vs. SEC) – 6:15 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN – Watching Florida play lately, you have to wonder how the Gators ever beat Ole Miss and Texas. Wonders never cease. I guess you could say that when the Gators are clicking on all cylinders, they are good. But often they don’t click on any cylinder. Then they aren’t good. Kentucky was rolling along pretty good until along came Tennessee. The Wildcats were missing a few cylinders against the Vols. Both teams need to bounce back. The Wildcats do – Kentucky 21, Florida 14.

 

Purdue (3-5) at #15 Iowa (7-2) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – 7:30 pm ET, Saturday, NBC – The Boilers can redeem themselves if they can steam up and beat Iowa. That would be a shocker. Purdue hasn’t been able to put it together. When the offense is good, the defense is bad. When the defense is good, the offense is bad. Still, Iowa could stub its toe in this one. The Hawkeyes have been known to do that. Iowa has playoff hopes. Their hopes stay alive – Iowa 31, Purdue 17.

 

 

ELSEWHERE AROUND FLORIDA:

 

Memphis (7-2) at South Florida (6-3) – (AC vs. AC) – 8 pm ET, Thursday, ESPN….

Florida State (4-5) at Pitt (6-3) – (ACC vs. ACC) – 7 pm ET, Friday, ESPN….

Grambling (4-5) at Bethune-Cookman (5-5) – (SWAC vs. SWAC) – 1 pm ET, Saturday….

 

Valparaiso (4-5) at Stetson (1-9) – (Pioneer vs. Pioneer) – 1 pm ET, Saturday, YouTube….

#1 (FCS) Tarleton State (10-0) at West Florida (4-4) – (UAC vs. UAC) – 3 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN+….

FIU (4-5) at Delaware (4-5) – (C-USA vs. C-USA) – 3 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN+….

 

Mississippi Valley State (3-7) at Florida A&M (2-8) – (SWAC vs. SWAC) – 3 pm ET, Saturday….

Arizona State (5-4) at UCF (5-4) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN2….

Florida Atlantic (6-3) at Tulsa (5-4) – (AC vs. AC) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN+….

 

 

Quotes of the Week

 

“Lane Kiffin wants someone to blame for the LSU mess. Try the mirror. Kiffin can blame the LSU players, fans and media all he wants. But this circus is his creation, and the mess starts with him,” USA Today sports columnist Matt Hayes.

 

“Indiana got put on notice by the CFP. Ask Notre Dame how that goes,” USA Today sports columnist Blake Toppmeyer.

 

Touchdown Tom

https://collegefootballweek.blogspot.com

 

 

The next CFW – Week 11 Results – will be posted Monday morning, November 16.

 

CFW Week 10 Results - Nebraska, Purdue, Michigan fire coordinators

 CFW Week 10 Results – Nebraska, Purdue, Michigan fire coordinators 

Blockbuster Saturday

became Statement Saturday

 

Six of the games played Saturday were touted in advance as “blockbuster games.” The competing teams in each of the six games were both ranked. Indeed, those games were blockbusters in their own right.

 

After the games were played, it became clear that at least one of the teams in each of the six games was making a statement. In some cases, both teams were making a statement. The blockbuster games became “statement games.” And did they ever!

 

Perhaps the biggest, loudest and clearest statement was made in the Georgia-Ole Miss, Alabama-LSU and Tennessee-Kentucky games. Georgia not only beat Ole Miss, but the Dawgs also beat Ole Miss, 42-7. Ole Miss didn’t score its lone touchdown until the fourth quarter. And the Dawgs beat Ole Miss 42-7 in Oxford, on the Magnolias’ home field. Undoubtedly, Georgia will become the No. 1 team in the CFP rankings this week. The Dawgs are the only one-loss team in the SEC. Georgia was making a statement!

 

Not to be outdone, Alabama made it loud and clear the Tide has its act together. Alabama not only beat LSU, the Tide beat LSU, 31-13. Bama shut out the Tigers 14-0 in the fourth quarter. And Bama beat LSU, 31-13 in Baton Rouge, on LSU’s home field. Fifth-ranked Alabama will move up in this week’s CFP rankings. Alabama was making a statement!

 

And then there was Tennessee. Unlike Georgia and Alabama, the Vols were playing at home. But Kentucky came into Knoxville riding a six-game winning streak. No more. Tennessee not only beat Kentucky, the Vols beat Kentucky 34-6. Tennessee shut out Kentucky 24-0 in the second half. In the CFP rankings last week, Tennessee, ranked 13^th, was on the outside looking in. The Vols were not one of the 12 playoff teams. This week, Tennessee will be one of the playoff teams. Tennessee was making a statement!

 

In the two biggest games on Saturday – Miami-Notre Dame and BYU-Utah – both teams in each game were making a statement. In last week’s CFP rankings, Miami was No. 1 and Notre Dame was No. 11. Saturday, Notre Dame beat Miami, 31-24. Early in the third quarter, Notre Dame led Miami, 24-3. But, playing on Notre Dame’s home field in South Bend, the Canes rallied, outscoring the Irish 21-7. Miami lost by seven points. The Canes made it close. Had the game been played in Miami, the Canes would have won. The game was played in South Bend and Notre Dame won. On a neutral field, who would win? Both Notre Dame and Miami made a statement!

 

In last week’s CFP rankings, Utah was No.3 and BYU was No. 9. Saturday, Utah beat BYU, 28-20. Utah jumped out to a 14-0 first quarter lead. But playing on Utah’s home field in Salt Lake City, the Cougars rallied, outscoring the Utes, 20-0. At halftime, BYU led Utah, 20-14. In the second half, Utah shut out BYU, 14-0. BYU lost by eight points. The Cougars made it close. Had the game been played in Provo, BYU would have won. The game was played in Salt Lake City and Utah won. On a neutral field, who would win? Remaining undefeated at 9-0, Utah made the bigger statement. But both Utah and BYU made a statement!

 

How about Arch Manning? Seventh-ranked Texas played 18^th-ranked Missouri. The Longhorns were on the road, playing on Missouri’s home field in Columbia. Texas beat Missouri, 34-20. Trailing the Tigers, 20-13, late in the third quarter, Manning rallied the Longhorns. Texas scored 21 unanswered points. Two of those three scores were touchdown passes thrown by Manning. Last year, Manning had a shaky season until the final three games. In Texas’ final three games, Manning was near perfect. Texas went from 7-3 to finish the season at 10-3. This year, Manning has had a shaky season. Saturday, Manning was near perfect, completing 74% of his passes. He passed for 297 yards and three touchdowns. And no interceptions. Maybe Manning will finish this season like he did last season. Texas will move up in the CFP rankings. Arch Manning and Texas made a statement!

 

Saturday, 23^rd-ranked Oregon played 12^th-ranked Ohio State on the road in Columbus. At 5-3, the Ducks season was all but over. It has been a season of disappointment for Oregon. However Saturday, Oregon beat Ohio State. The Ducks not only beat the Buckeyes, but they also beat Ohio State 41-28. All of a sudden, Oregon is a contender again. Oregon made a statement!

 

The games may not have been blockbusters, but there were other statements made on Saturday. Eighth-ranked UCLA played Minnesota on Minnesota’s home field in Minneapolis. Several pundits said that UCLA would get knocked off by the Gophers. Not so. UCLA remained undefeated, beating Minnesota, 34-20. The Bruins are 9-0. UCLA was making a statement!

 

Nineteenth-ranked Iowa played a good Northwestern team at Northwestern. Both teams were 6-2. Iowa is now 7-2. The Hawkeyes beat the Wildcats, 24-10. Iowa was making a statement. Seventeenth-ranked Houston should move up in the rankings. Houston (7-2) beat Cincinnati, 31-24. Houston was making a statement.

 

The 21^st-ranked South Carolina Gamecocks extended their winning streak to four games. South Carolina beat Texas A&M, 17-9. Trailing the Aggies, 9-7 in the fourth quarter, the Gamecocks scored 10 points in the final 8:14 of the game. The Gamecocks have gone from 2-3 to 6-3. South Carolina is making a statement!

 

College football Week 10 began with a Tuesday night kickoff. The MAC provided the action this week, replacing C-USA. In the first of the two Tuesday games, Ohio downed Akron, 28-20. Ohio quarterback Nick Poulos passed for 197 yards and one touchdown. Poulos also rushed for 45 yards and another touchdown. Ohio improved to 7-2.

 

In the other encounter, Buffalo beat Miami, 34-31 (OT). Early in the fourth quarter, Miami led Buffalo 31-16. The Bulls rallied with 15 unanswered points in the final nine minutes of the game to tie the score at 31-31. In the overtime, Buffalo scored with a 27-yard field goal. Miami failed to score. Buffalo receiver Chance Morrow had 12 catches for 199 yards and 2 touchdowns.

 

MAC-action continued on Wednesday night with three games. UMass beat Ball State, 31-30 (OT). Minutemen quarterback William Watson passed for 302 yards and one touchdown. Watson also rushed for 40 yards and two more touchdowns. Ball State running back Jalen Binds rushed for 132 yards and 2 touchdowns.

 

Toledo improved to 7-2. The Rockets downed Sacramento State, 20-17. Toledo running back C.J. Miller rushed for 135 yards. The Rockets defense held Sac State to 8 yards rushing. In the nightcap, Central Michigan beat Eastern Michigan, 35-7. CMU quarterback Jadyn Glasser passed for 175 yards and one touchdown. CMU’s defense held EMU to 177 total yards.

 

Thursday night consisted of an AC game and a Sun Belt encounter. In the AC game, Florida Atlantic walloped UTSA, 60-29. FAU quarterback Caden Veltkamp passed for 210 yards and 4 touchdowns. The two teams combined for 988 total yards. James Madison won the Sun Belt encounter. JMU beat Southern Miss, 54-23. JMU quarterback J.C. Evans passed for 251 yards and one touchdown. Southern Miss quarterback John White passed for 266 yards and one touchdown.

 

Friday night lights was a busy night in Week 10. There were five games played on Friday night. In the opening act, SMU clobbered Virginia Tech, 51-28. SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings passed for 350 yards and 4 touchdowns. The teams combined for 986 total yards. Next, East Carolina kicked a 55-yard field goal as time expired to beat South Florida, 20-17.

 

Illinois only had 84 rushing yards, but the Banned Indians beat Nebraska, 24-13. In Friday’s fourth game, New Mexico improved to 8-1, as the Lobos downed Nevada, 3a1-3. New Mexico quarterback Toa Fa’avae passed for 150 yards and one touchdown. New Mexico’s defense held Nevada to 97 total yards, including -9 yards rushing.

 

The nightcap Friday saw Arizona edge TCU, 29-28. Trailing TCU 28-26, Arizona recovered its onside kick with 1:45 to go in the game and kicked a 37-yard field goal with 0:37 remaining in the game to win. The Wildcats had 441 total yards and held TCU to 49 yards rushing.

 

In some other games on Saturday, Michigan State downed Michigan, 15-6, and Penn State beat Washington, 28-25.

 

Clemson edged Syracuse 18-13 in the ACC, and Vanderbilt surprised Mississippi State, 25-23, in the SEC.

 

In the Big 12, Oklahoma State walloped Kansas State, 66-28. Okie State’s quarterback Drew Mestemaker passed for 313 yards and four touchdowns. The Cowboys’ running back Caleb Hawkins rushed for 175 yards and three touchdowns. Also in the Big 12, UCF slipped by Kansas, 33-32.

 

In a service academy battle, Air Force beat Army 24-21. Also Navy downed Temple, 42-35.

 

While you were asleep Saturday night, Texas State beat Oregon State, 42-21, and Wyoming downed UNLV, 41-35. Texas State running back Torrance Burgess rushed for 196 yards and one touchdown.

 

It’s been a bad weekend for Big Ten coordinators. The day after Nebraska lost to Illinois, Nebraska coach Matt Rhule fired his offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen. Purdue Barry Odom fired his defensive coordinator Kevin Kane. The firing came a day after the Boilers lost to Maryland, 34-29. Sunday afternoon, Michigan coach Kyle Whittingham fired his offensive coordinator Jason Beck. Beck’s firing came a day after the Wolverines lost to Michigan State, 15-6.

 

Reports say that Phillip Rivers will become the new head coach at NC State. Rivers is a former NC State quarterback.

 

The Top 12 teams in this week’s AP Top 25 Poll are 1. Georgia (8-1), 2. Utah (9-0), 3. Notre Dame (8-1), 4. UCLA (9-0), 5. Miami (8-1), 6. Indiana (8-1), 7. Alabama (7-2), 8. Texas (7-2), 9. Tennessee (7-2), 10. Texas Tech (8-1), 11. Wake Forest (8-1), and 12. BYU (7-2). At No. 17, Boise State is the highest-ranked Group of Six team.

 

Touchdown Tom

November 9, 2026

https://collegefootballweek.blogspot.com

 

Weekend Recap

 

GAME OF THE WEEK: Irish make a statement – Notre Dame 31, Miami 24 (Touchdown Tom said: Notre Dame 30, Miami 24). Until late in the third quarter, it looked like Notre Dame was going to run away with this game. The Irish led the Canes, 24-3. Then the Canes came alive. Miami quarterback Darian Mensah passed for 276 yards and three touchdowns. He threw one interception. Miami receiver Cooper Barkate had 10 catches for 92 yards. Elija Lofton had 7 receptions for 113 yards. Notre Dame quarterback C.J. Carr passed for 319 yards and three touchdowns. Irish receiver Micah Gilbert had 9 catches for 98 yards. The teams were relatively close in the stats. Although Miami had 2 turnovers and ND had none. Neither team had much of a running game. Miami suffered its first loss. Attendance in South Bend: 77,622

 

RUNNER-UP: The Utes were holier – Utah 28, BYU 20 (Touchdown Tom said: Utah 30, BYU 24). This game went back and forth. The Utes led, the Cougars led, the Utes won. BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier threw four interceptions. BYU receiver Legend Glasker had 7 catches for 118 yards. Utah quarterback Devon Dampier passed for 117 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 89 yards and two more touchdowns. The teams were relatively close in the stats. It was a game of turnovers. BYU had 4 and Utah had 2. Attendance in Salt Lake City: 52,901

 

REST OF THE BEST: The Magnolias wilted – Georgia 42, Ole Miss 7 (Touchdown Tom said: Georgia 28, Ole Miss 24). Georgia led 28-0 at halftime. The Dawgs went into cruise control in the second half. Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton passed for 186 yards and four touchdowns. Georgia receiver Talyn Taylor had 4 receptions for 140 yards. Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss had no touchdown passes. He threw one interception. Georgia had 481 total yards. The Dawgs limited Ole Miss to 66 yards rushing. Ole Miss had 2 turnovers. Georgia had none. Attendance in Oxford: 68,814

 

Poor little Kiffy – Alabama 31, LSU 13 (Touchdown Tom said: LSU 27, Alabama 24). Good game for three quarters. Alabama led 17-13 after three. Then the Tigers fell apart in the fourth quarter. Lane Kiffin couldn’t get the job done. Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell passed for 206 yards and three touchdowns. LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt had no touchdown passes and threw an interception. LSU receiver Jackson Harris had 11 catches for 166 yards. Actually, LSU out performed Alabama in the stats. The Tigers had 457 total yards to 285 for Bama. Neither team had a running game. LSU had two turnovers. Alabama had none. Attendance in Baton Rouge: 102,321

 

Vols rule in Knoxville – Tennessee 34, Kentucky 6 (Touchdown Tom said: Tennessee 27, Kentucky 21). Tennessee led 10-6 at halftime. The Vols ran away from the Wildcats in the second half. Tennessee outscored Kentucky 24-0 in the final two quarters. Neither quarterback had that great of a game. Kentucky killed themselves with three turnovers. Tennessee had none. Attendance in Knoxville: 101,915

 

Longhorns stampede Missouri – Texas 34, Missouri 20 (Touchdown Tom said: Texas 27, Missouri 24). After three quarters, the game was tied 20-20. Then Texas outscored Missouri 14-0 in the fourth quarter. Texas quarterback Arch Manning was 28-38-0, passing for 297 yards and three touchdowns. Manning was in control and looked comfortable throughout the game. Missouri quarterback Austin Simmons passed for 252 yards and two touchdowns. Texas held Missouri to 84 yards rushing. The Longhorns had two turnovers. The Tigers had one. Attendance in Columbia: 63,690

 

The Buckeyes were waddled – Oregon 41, Ohio State 28 (Touchdown Tom said: Ohio State 28, Oregon 17). After one quarter, Ohio State led Oregon, 14-0. At halftime, Oregon led Ohio State, 17-14. After three quarters, Oregon led 31-14. Late in the fourth quarter, Oregon led 41-22. Ohio State’s final touchdown came with 0:44 left in the game. Oregon quarterback Dylan Raiola passed for 257 yards and two touchdowns. Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith had 7 receptions for 133 yards. The teams were almost dead even in the stats. However, Ohio State was the better passing team. Oregon was the better rushing team. Oregon held the Buckeyes to 53 yards rushing. Attendance in Columbus: 103,551

 

Still perfect – UCLA 34, Minnesota 20 (Touchdown Tom said: UCLA 20, Minnesota 14). The score was 10-10 at halftime. Then the Bruins outscored the Gophers 24-10 in the second half. UCLA quarterback Ty Dieffenbach passed for 303 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. UCLA had 466 total yards to 296 for Minnesota. The Gophers were held to 91 rushing yards. Attendance in  Minneapolis: 43,841

 

The Eyes have their sights on the playoff – Iowa 24, Northwestern 10 (Touchdown Tom said: Iowa 23, Northwestern 15). Iowa held a 14-0 halftime lead. The Hawkeyes led 24-3 as the fourth quarter began. Iowa running back L.J. Phillips rushed for 128 yards. The score could have been worse, but Iowa had two turnovers. Northwestern quarterback Nicco Marchiol passed for 181 yards and one touchdown. Marchiol also rushed for 52 yards. Attendance in Evanston: 31,151

 

Cougars prevail – Houston 31, Cincinnati 24 (Touchdown Tom said: Houston 27, Cincinnati 24). At the end of the first quarter, Houston led 14-0. Cincinnati rallied. By midway through the fourth quarter, the Bearcats managed to tie the score at 24-24. A minute and a half later, Houston scored its winning touchdown. Houston quarterback Conner Weighman passed for 227 yards and 2 touchdowns. Houston racked up 468 total yards with a healthy mix of running and passing. Attendance in Houston: 32,372

 

 

YE OLDE STOMPING GROUNDS:

 

Second half blues – Illinois 24, Nebraska 13 (Touchdown Tom said: Nebraska 28, Illinois 21). The Huskers are making improvement. They didn’t lose this game in the fourth quarter. Nebraska was already trailing Illinois as the fourth quarter began. The game was tied 7-7 at halftime. Illinois took a 14-7 lead in the third quarter. The Banned Indians expanded their lead to 21-7 early in the fourth quarter. Illinois quarterback Katin Houser passed for 292 yards and 3 touchdowns. Nebraska quarterback Anthony Colandrea passed for 284 yards and one touchdown. The Huskers dominated the stats and held Illinois to 84 yards rushing. But the Huskers couldn’t move the ball across the goal line. Attendance in Champaign: 58,587

 

How about those Dookies! – Duke 41, NC State 3 (Touchdown Tom said: Duke 21, NC State 20). What got into the Dookies? They must be trying to make an impression on the CFP selection committee. Duke led 31-3 at halftime. The Dookies went into cruise control in the second half. Duke quarterback Walker Eget passed for 208 yards and one touchdown. Running back Nate Sheppard rushed for 217 yards and three touchdowns. Duke had 461 total yards to 217 for NC State. The Dookies had 26 first downs to 12 for NC State. Duke held NC State to 32 rushing yards. Attendance in Raleigh: 56,919

 

Hopeless Boilers – Maryland 34, Purdue 29 (Touchdown Tom said: Purdue 27, Maryland 20). Purdue led 12-7 at halftime. Maryland outscored the Boilers 21-7 in the third quarter. As the fourth quarter began, the Terps led 28-19. With 3:50 remaining in the game, Purdue scored and trailed by five points. But the Boilers could get no closer. Purdue quarterback Ryan Browne passed for 296 yards but no touchdowns. Purdue controlled the stats but not the score. Each team had one turnover. Attendance in West Lafayette: 51,929

 

Hurtin’ Gators – Oklahoma 23, Florida 7 (Touchdown Tom said: Florida 24, Oklahoma 20). Florida doesn’t have a quarterback, and Florida doesn’t have a defense. Without a quarterback and a defense, you can’t win football games. OU quarterback John Mateer may have had his best game of the season. Mateer passed for 207 yards and two touchdowns. He rushed for 56 yards. Florida quarterback Tramell Jones completed less than 50% of his passes. He only threw for 133 yards. Jadan Baugh only rushed for 35 yards. Florida only had 203 total yards and only 70 rushing yards. The Gators only mustered 11 first downs. Florida also had two turnovers. Attendance in Gainesville: 90,442

 

1,220 total yards – Texas Tech 53, West Virginia 48 (Touchdown Tom said: Texas Tech 35, West Virginia 27). Yes, the two teams combined for 1,220 total yards. Weird game. Texas Tech led 17-14 at the end of the first quarter, and 41-27 at halftime. Then West Virginia came out and scored 21 unanswered points in the third quarter. The Mountaineers led 48-41 as the fourth quarter began. Then the Red Raiders scored 12 unanswered points in the fourth quarter. WVU had its chances but failed to score in the fourth. WVU quarterback Michael Hawkins passed for 303 yards and one touchdown. Hawkins ran for 88 yards and three touchdowns. Running back Cam Cook rushed for 149 yards and one touchdown. Tech quarterback Thomas Castellanos passed for 362 yards and 5 touchdowns. Castellanos ran for 102 yards. Running back J’Koby Williams rushed for 160 yards and one touchdown. It was a turnover free game. Attendance in Lubbock: 60,229

 

Week 10 Results:  10 winners, 5 fumbles (66.7 percent)

For the Season:     96 winners, 48 fumbles (66.7 percent)

 

 

ELSEWHERE AROUND FLORIDA:

 

Florida Atlantic 60, UTSA 29 – Attendance in Boca Raton: 19,115

East Carolina 20, South Florida 17 – Attendance in Greenville: 33,708

Florida State 31, Boston College 24 – Attendance in Chestnut Hill: 37,155

 

Davidson 33, Stetson 14 – Attendance in Davidson: 2,268

Alcorn State 38, Florida A&M 20 – Attendance in Alcorn: 3,922

Southern 35, Bethune-Cookman 17 – Attendance in Baton Rouge: 18,631

 

UCF 33, Kansas 32 – Attendance in Lawrence: 31,008

FIU 23, Missouri State 20 – Attendance in Miami: 10,575

North Alabama 28, West Florida 21 – Attendance in Florence: 9,357

 

Superlatives

 

Impressive Passers:

 

Wake Forest’s Steele Pizella – 23-28-0 for 432 yards (3TDs); Delaware’s Nick Minicucci – 35-54-0-408 (2TDs); Texas Tech’s Thomas Castellanos – 18-27-0-362 (5TDs); SMU’s Kevin Jennings – 24-32-1-350 (4TDs); Tulsa’s Baylor Hayes – 26-33-0-338 (4TDs); Notre Dame’s C.J. Carr – 29-40-0-319 (3TDs); Boise State’s Max Cutforth – 16-19-0-317 (4TDs), and Oklahoma State’s Drew Mestemaker – 22-28-1-313 (4TDs).

 

Also, Middle Tennessee’s Roman Gagliano – 30-41-0 for 312 yards (4TDs); North Texas’ Tayven Jackson – 18-31-0-303 (1TD); West Virginia’s Michael Hawkins – 11-16-0-303 ()1TD); UMass’s William Watson – 17-25-0-302 (1TD); Illinois’ Katin Houser – 22-36-0-292 (3TDs); Nebraska’s Anthony Colandrea – 32-43-0-284 (1TD); Georgia Southern’s Max Johnson – 19-26-0-271 (4TDs), and Southern Miss’s John White – 22-25-0-266 (1TD).

 

Also, Oregon’s Dylan Raiola – 25-40-0 for 257 yards (2TDs); North Carolina’s Billy Edwards – 29-38-1-255 (3TDs); Liberty’s Deshawn Purdie – 19-28-0-252 (1TD); South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers – 2031-0-251 (1TD); James Madison’s J.C. Evans – 19-26-0-251 (1TD); Jacksonville State’s Caden Creel – 18-28-0-246 (2TDs); Wisconsin’s Ryan Hopkins – 18-24-0-241 (3TDs); San Jose State’s Daniel Rolovich – 16-27-0-231 (1TD), and Houston’s Conner Weighman – 17-24-0-227 (2TDs).

 

Also, Florida Atlantic’s Caden Veltkamp – 17-25-0 for 210 yards (4TDs); Alabama’s Keelon Russell – 17-24-0-206 (3TDs); Arizona State’s Jake Fette – 13-19-0-187 (1TD); Louisville’s Lincoln Kienholz – 17-25-0-182 (2TDs); Auburn’s Byrum Brown – 23-34-0-180 (2TDs); South Florida’s Luke Kromenhoek – 17-21-0-179 (1TD); Louisiana Tech’s Blake Baker – 177 yards (1TD); East Carolina’s Emory Williams – 19-27-0-175 (2TDs); Central Michigan’s Jadyn Glasser – 14-19-0-175 (1TD), and New Mexico’s Toa Fa’avae – 14-20-0-150 (1TD).

 

 

Impressive Runners:

 

Duke’s Nate Sheppard – 217 yards (3TDs); FIU’s Devonte Lyons – 216 yards (2TDs); Texas State’s Torrance Burgess – 196 yards (1TD); Navy’s Jackson Gutierrez – 180 yards (5TDs); Oklahoma State’s Caleb Hawkins – 175 yards (3TDs); Texas Tech’s J’Koby Williams – 160 yards (1TD); West Virginia’s Cam Cook – 149 yards (1TD); North Texas’ Jahiem White – 139 yards (3TDs), and Louisiana’s J.J. Garner – 136 yards (1TD).

 

 

Quotes of the Week

 

“Lane Kiffin brought hype to LSU. Now his first season is swirling the drain,” USA Today sports columnist Blake Toppmeyer.

 

“The boos say it all. Ryan Day has burned through Ohio State’s goodwill,” USA Today sports columnist Blake Toppmeyer.

 

Touchdown Tom

https://collegefootballweek.blogspot.com

 

P.S.

 

Not exactly college football related, but in early November, as the college football season began its final stretch, the number one song in the country…

 

…85 years ago, this week in 1941, was “Piano Concerto In B Flat” by Freddy Martin and His Orchestra

 

…80 years ago, this week in 1946, was “Rumors Are Flying” by Frankie Carle and His Orchestra

 

…75 years ago, this week in 1951, was “Cold, Cold Heart” by Tony Bennett

 

…70 years ago, this week in 1956, was “Love Me Tender” by Elvis Presley and “Green Door” by Jim Lowe

 

…65 years ago, this week in 1961, was “Big Bad John” by Jimmy Dean

 

…60 years ago, this week in 1966, was “Last Train To Clarksville” by The Monkees and “Poor Side Of Town” by Johnny Rivers

 

…55 years ago, this week in 1971, was “Gypsys, Tramps And Thieves” by Cher

 

…50 years ago, this week in 1976, was “Rockin’ Me” by The Steve Miller Band

 

…45 years ago, this week in 1981, was “Private Eyes” by Daryl Hall and John Oates

 

…40 years ago, this week in 1986, was “Amanda” by Boston

 

…35 years ago, this week in 1991, was “Cream” by Prince

 

The next CFW – Week 11 Forecast – will be posted on Thursday morning, November 12.