Is Texas out of the CFP conversation after loss to Georgia? (1:14)Heather Dinich and Paul Finebaum detail why Texas still has a path to the College Football Playoff despite three losses. (1:14)
Although the Aggies left Kyle Field at 10-0 for the first time since 1992, they have areas to improve as the most important games, including their first College Football Playoff appearance, are ahead. Texas A&M’s defense was inconsistent Saturday and has been for much of the season. Quarterback Marcel Reed showed a bit of everything. Elko certainly will seek steadier play going forward.
Ole Miss wriggled free of Florida and won 34-24 in a game in which both fan bases want coach Lane Kiffin, but the Rebels undoubtedly will be working on their red zone offense ahead of the Egg Bowl. Georgia Tech is still alive in the ACC race but has given up a combined 82 points the past two weeks.
Every team appearing in the power rankings — yes, even Ohio State — has areas to upgrade in the final month. Here’s a look at them. — Adam Rittenberg
Utah’s playoff hopes took a hit Saturday when Oklahoma upset Alabama, ensuring the Utes won’t jump the Sooners in the updated playoff rankings. For the Utes to qualify for the playoff, they are going to need some help, and now an Oklahoma loss to either Missouri or LSU is essential. All Utah can do now is continue its trajectory. It has been dominant most of the season and now has Kansas State and Kansas left to further bolster its résumé. — Bonagura
The defending national champions have consistently been the most dominant team in college football this season. On Saturday, the Buckeyes easily routed UCLA 48-10, as the Bruins, minus quarterback Nico Iamaleava, managed only two first downs in the first half against Ohio State’s terrifying defense. Given how well the Buckeyes are playing on both sides of the ball, it’s difficult to discern any one area in which Ohio State needs to improve. Instead, the talented Buckeyes simply have to find a way to play up to their capability when they travel to Michigan in two weeks. Over the four straight losses to the Wolverines, Ohio State has inexplicably saved its worst for Michigan, culminating with last year’s stunning loss as a three-touchdown favorite. The unbeaten Buckeyes have already all but clinched a spot in the playoff. But if they want to eradicate the losing streak to Michigan on the way to the postseason, the Buckeyes have to keep their edge against their archrival. — Jake Trotter
After a tight first half against Wisconsin, Indiana needed no tiptoeing heroics as it pulled away behind Heisman Trophy contender Fernando Mendoza, who completed 22 of 24 passes for 299 yards and four touchdowns. The Hoosiers improved to 11-0 for the first time, a season after starting 10-0 for the first time. Indiana doesn’t have an obvious area for improvement as much as it needs a break, since injuries are piling up. All-Big Ten defensive end Mikail Kamara left Saturday’s game because of a lingering shoulder stinger. Indiana again played without starting guard Drew Evans and wide receiver Elijah Sarratt, both of whom should return for the Big Ten championship game at the latest. After averaging only 2.2 yards per rush against a stout Wisconsin defense, Indiana needs to get its offensive line healthy and its run game rebooted. Fortunately for IU, it has only one game before the Big Ten championship. — Rittenberg
The Aggies made all kinds of history Saturday in their 31-30 win over South Carolina, including becoming the first SEC team in 287 tries over the past 20 years to erase a 27-point deficit. Marcel Reed had a horrific first half, going 6-of-19 with two interceptions, then was 16-of-20 with three touchdowns in the second half, finishing with 439 yards. It’s fair to say Mike Elko would love to see a little more consistency, but at 10-0 and No. 3 in the CFP rankings, he’s more than happy with the finishes. One puzzling stat: Texas A&M is 134th in red zone scoring defense, allowing opponents to score on 96.6% of trips, yet it has the nation’s top third-down defense with a conversion just 24% of the time. The Aggies get a tune-up against 1-10 Samford this week at Kyle Field before a huge showdown with Texas in Austin on Nov. 28. — Dave Wilson
The Bulldogs seem to be getting better on defense every week, but there are still improvements to be made. After struggling to sack the quarterback, Georgia had six combined in its past two games against Mississippi State and Texas. The Bulldogs also weren’t very good on third down earlier in the season, but the other Bulldogs and Longhorns were a combined 10-for-28 on third down. Younger players such as Quintavius Johnson and Zayden Walker are getting more snaps up front, and cornerback Ellis Robinson IV has improved after struggling earlier in the season. Linebacker CJ Allen, the Bulldogs’ best defender, injured his left knee against Texas and didn’t return. Allen was scheduled to have an MRI, but he told Smart his knee felt good after the game. — Mark Schlabach
As electrifying as the Ole Miss offense has been this season, the defense has been inconsistent — particularly in SEC play. That showed itself again in a 34-24 comeback win over Florida on Saturday. Though the Gators have struggled on offense for the bulk of the season, they had success with explosive plays in the first half, as DJ Lagway hurt the Rebels with his arm and legs. Ole Miss tightened up in the second half to pull out a win. But the uneven performance has become a bit of a trend. Ole Miss ranks No. 11 in scoring defense in its SEC games, giving up an average of 25.6 points. Kentucky, Arkansas, Georgia and Florida all scored more points than their season SEC average when they played Ole Miss. Plus, the defense has forced only eight turnovers all season. — Andrea Adelson
The Ducks got a bit of a tough draw having to play on a Friday night after traveling to Iowa the week before, but their performance did not suffer. Oregon outgained Minnesota by over 300 yards on its way to a dominant 42-13 win over the Gophers. Given that the Ducks were missing key players in wide receiver Dakorien Moore as well as wideout Gary Bryant Jr., the fact that the Oregon offense was still able to produce 510 yards speaks to its depth and talent. The health of those wide receivers will be a crucial part of the Ducks’ stretch run and into the College Football Playoff. Perhaps the only nitpick for Dan Lanning’s team is its red zone defense, which even though it has allowed only 19 trips all season, has also given up 14 touchdowns and only once was able to stop a team from scoring any points — that’s one of the 10 worst marks in the country. That might not mean much (undefeated Texas A&M is also in the bottom 10 in the stat), but as Oregon plays better opponents, it is something to watch. — Paolo Uggetti
For all intents and purposes, Notre Dame’s evaluation period is over. It closed out the meat of its season with an emphatic 37-15 win at Pitt in which CJ Carr threw a pair of touchdowns, Jeremiyah Love cemented himself as a Heisman contender, the special teams was big, and the defense held the Panthers to only 219 yards of offense, an 0-for-13 mark on third down and racked up four sacks. It was a near perfect performance by the Irish. Now, they wrap up with games against Boston College and Stanford in which they should be heavily favored and … they wait. Assuming Notre Dame finishes the season 10-2, it should be in prime position for a playoff bid, but with so much still up in the air — how many SEC teams get in?; is the Big Ten getting at least three teams?; will there be an upset in the Big 12?; does the committee reconsider Miami? — nothing is guaranteed. The best thing that can happen to the Irish down the stretch is a lot of chaos elsewhere. — David Hale
The Cougars’ 44-13 win against TCU was exactly what they needed after last week’s dismal loss to Texas Tech. BYU has won a lot of close games this season, but for a team that could be in the discussion for the final at-large spot, style points now matter. This is a team that has to make its case to the committee, and comprehensive wins — like the one against TCU — are obviously much more effective in that process. With Cincinnati and UCF left before a likely rematch with Texas Tech in the Big 12 title game, BYU needs two more wins like this one to help make its case. — Kyle Bonagura
The Hurricanes got their offense back on track in a 41-7 win over NC State gaining 581 yards as Carson Beck threw for 291 yards and their running backs combined for 214 yards. But one of the biggest issues that has plagued Miami — particularly in losses — has been penalties. Miami remains one of the most penalized teams in the country — ranking No. 94 in all of FBS for penalty yards this season and tied for No. 119 in average penalties per game (7.7). Against NC State, Miami essentially hit that average, with eight penalties for 75 yards — including one that nullified a touchdown in the third quarter. It didn’t cost Miami because it was so dominant against the Wolfpack, but there is no doubt the Hurricanes have to work on this area as they try to make a push for an at-large berth in the CFP. — Adelson
The good news for the Yellow Jackets is that in the chaotic ACC, they control their destiny. If they win this week against Pitt, they punched their card for the ACC championship game. Win there, and they’re in the playoff. But those are two big “ifs” given the way the Jackets’ defense has played of late. In the past two games combined, Georgia Tech has given up more than 1,100 yards and 82 points. NC State and Boston College combined to average 7.24 yards per rush on designed runs in those games, with nearly as many runs of at least 10 yards (seven) as runs stopped for a loss or no gain (eight). The past two opponents for Pitt and Georgia Tech have not shown elite run games, so perhaps there’s some hope. But NC State and BC were hardly world-beaters either, and they had their way with the Jackets’ defense. Brent Key & Co. need to get things figured out on that side of the ball ASAP — or risk blowing a wide-open shot at the playoff. — Hale