College Football Top 10 Teams Drop Eleven Games in Three Weeks

The top of the AP Poll took a hit this week as South Carolina, Cincinnati, and Wisconsin each defeated a higher-ranked opponent. The three results pushed the total number of losses by top-10 teams over the past three weeks to 11. That figure ties the regular-season record set in 2007 for the most top-10 losses in any three-week span.

The streak of instability began in Week 7 and continued through the early and late games of Week 8. Tennessee's College Football Playoff hopes took a major blow when LaNorris Sellers and the Gamecocks completed a comeback victory. The same happened to Texas Tech, which lost at Cincinnati. USC also fell at Wisconsin, managing only seven points in a week following a bye.

BYU’s position as the No. 2 team collapsed after a double-overtime loss to UCF. The Cougars had beaten Notre Dame the previous week, but the momentum did not last. Star running back LJ Martin missed the game due to a lower-body injury, and the team averaged just 3.2 yards per carry. Quarterback Bear Bachmeier completed 16 of 32 passes in the defeat.

Other high-profile games featured narrow margins. Indiana survived at Michigan to win 13-6 in overtime, holding the Wolverines to 54 rushing yards on 39 carries. Alabama escaped Texas A&M with a win that included fourth-quarter touchdowns, while Boise State secured a late surge past Washington State to keep its Group of 6 hopes alive.

Miami held the No. 1 spot in the AP Poll after a 52-23 win over Pitt. Malachi Toney set a school record with 16 catches for 194 yards. The Hurricanes’ secondary allowed 334 passing yards, but the lead was comfortable. Miami will play North Carolina next, with a game against Notre Dame scheduled for Nov. 7.

Ohio State, which sits at No. 3, will test its new offensive system this Saturday. Starting quarterback Julian Sayin is out indefinitely with an elbow injury. True freshman Luke Fahey will take the starting role, with former five-star recruit Tavien St. Clair as the backup. The Buckeyes face a critical test against USC.

Georgia, ranked No. 4, used its bye week to address health and offensive balance. The team rushed for only 113 yards in a 27-24 loss to Auburn on Oct. 17. Star tailback Nate Frazier returned from a rib injury, while backup Chauncey Bowens remains sidelined. Georgia plays Florida in Atlanta this Saturday before a trip to Ole Miss.

Utah, which holds a 7-0 record and the nation’s longest winning streak, beat Houston 21-13 after falling behind 10-0 at halftime. The Utes have shown inconsistency in recent weeks, but they are now considered the favorite in the Big 12. The team will continue its run this week.

Texas climbed to No. 13 after holding off an Ole Miss comeback. The Longhorns built a 24-3 halftime lead, but Ole Miss outscored them 14-0 in the third quarter. Quarterback Arch Manning threw three turnovers, including a strip sack that led to a touchdown. Coach Steve Sarkisian said the team responded well despite the flaws.

LSU, ranked No. 12, is peaking at the right time with wins over Mississippi State and Auburn. Quarterback Sam Leavitt threw for 385 yards and three touchdowns in the win over Auburn. The Tigers have a bye week to rest before facing Alabama on Nov. 7. The schedule continues with games against Texas and Tennessee.