College Football Rankings 2014: Power Ranking All 128 Teams for Week 11
The first week of November served as the perfect start to college football's stretch run, with major games affecting the rankings from top to bottom. Teams were knocked out of playoff consideration, while others found their way into the discussion for division and conference titles and plenty more kept their hopes of a bowl bid alive.
As a result, the Bleacher Report power rankings again are completely different from a week ago.
The rankings are comprised of an average of five ratings: The Associated Press media and Amway Coaches polls, Bleacher Report's Top 25, ratings guru Jeff Sagarin's computer ratings and my personal ranking.
Take a look at how the 128 FBS teams are ranked heading into Week 11 and then give us your take in the comments section.
Nos. 128-91
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UAB coach Bill Clark will get some consideration for national Coach of the Year honors for the first-season turnaround he's put together in Birmingham. The Blazers are a game away from being bowl-eligible for the first time since 2004 after winning 31-28 Saturday at Florida Atlantic.
Ty Long kicked a 24-yard field goal with two seconds left for the victory, a game UAB led 28-7 before watching Florida Atlantic tie it in the fourth quarter.
- 128. Eastern Michigan (2-7, 1-4 Mid-American)
- 127. Georgia State (1-8, 0-6 Sun Belt)
- 126. SMU (0-7, 0-3 American)
- 125. Kent State (1-7, 0-4 Mid-American)
- 123. (tie) Troy (1-8, 1-4 Sun Belt)
- 123. (tie) New Mexico State (2-7, 1-4 Sun Belt)
- 122. Army (2-6)
- 121. Miami, Ohio (2-8, 2-4 Mid-American)
- 120. Idaho (1-7, 1-5 Sun Belt)
- 119. UNLV (2-7, 1-4 Mountain West)
- 118. Tulsa (1-7, 1-4 American)
- 117. Massachusetts (2-7, 2-3 Mid-American)
- 115. (tie) Wake Forest (2-6, 0-4 ACC)
- 115. (tie) Buffalo (3-5, 1-3 Mid-American)
- 114. Old Dominion (3-6, 1-4 Conference USA)
- 113. North Texas (2-6, 0-4 Conference USA)
- 112. Florida International (3-6, 2-3 Conference USA)
- 110. (tie) Southern Mississippi (3-6, 1-4 Conference USA)
- 110. (tie) Hawaii (2-7, 1-3 Mountain West)
- 109. Connecticut (2-6, 1-3 American). The Huskies won their first game this season against an FBS opponent in impressive fashion, scoring a season high in points in a 37-29 victory over defending conference champ UCF.
- 108. Tulane (2-6, 1-3 American)
- 107. Ohio (4-5, 2-3 Mid-American)
- 106. New Mexico (3-5, 1-3 Mountain West)
- 104. (tie) Florida Atlantic (3-6, 2-3 Conference USA)
- 104. (tie) Appalachian State (3-5, 2-2 Sun Belt)
- 103. UTSA (2-6, 1-3 Conference USA)
- 101. (tie) South Florida (3-6, 2-3 American)
- 101. (tie) Louisiana-Monroe (3-5, 2-2 Sun Belt)
- 100. Kansas (2-6, 0-5 Big 12)
- 99. Western Kentucky (3-5, 1-4 Conference USA)
- 98. South Alabama (5-3, 4-2 Sun Belt)
- 97. Texas State (5-3, 3-1 Sun Belt)
- 95. (tie) Wyoming (4-5, 2-3 Mountain West). The Cowboys ended a four-game losing streak behind an impressive performance from freshman Brian Hill. Hill ran for 281 yards and two touchdowns, including an 89-yard score, and caught three passes for 106 yards to set the Mountain West single-game all-purpose yardage record.
- 95. (tie) Fresno State (3-6, 2-3 Mountain West)
- 94. Ball State (3-5, 2-2 Mid-American)
- 93. UAB (5-4, 3-2 Conference USA)
- 91. (tie) Colorado (2-7, 0-6 Pac-12)
- 91. (tie) Akron (4-4, 2-2 Mid-American)
Nos. 90-61
2 of 53
Air Force left upstate New York with more than a win to become bowl-eligible on Saturday. Its 23-6 win at Army means the Falcons locked up the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy, given to the top service academy in football, for the 19th time but first since 2011.
The Falcons held Army's option-run game to 122 yards, while Jacobi Owens gained 118 rushing yards for Air Force.
- 90. Vanderbilt (3-6, 0-5 SEC)
- 89. San Jose State (3-6, 2-2 Mountain West)
- 86. (tie) UTEP (5-3, 3-1 Conference USA). The Miners moved within a game of being bowl-eligible for the first time since 2010 after winning 35-14 on Saturday over Southern Mississippi. UTEP had only 234 yards of offense but got touchdowns on kickoff, fumble and interception returns.
- 86. (tie) Middle Tennessee (5-4, 4-1 Conference USA)
- 86. (tie) Central Michigan (6-4, 4-2 Mid-American)
- 85. Illinois (4-5, 1-4 Big Ten)
- 84. Texas Tech (3-6, 1-5 Big 12)
- 83. Washington State (2-7, 1-5 Pac-12)
- 82. Purdue (3-6, 1-4 Big Ten)
- 81. San Diego State (4-4, 3-2 Mountain West)
- 80. Navy (4-5)
- 79. Air Force (6-2, 2-2 Mountain West)
- 78. Indiana (3-5, 0-4 Big Ten)
- 77. Bowling Green (5-3, 3-1 Mid-American)
- 76. Rutgers (5-4, 1-4 Big Ten)
- 75. Syracuse (3-6, 1-4 ACC)
- 74. Western Michigan (6-3, 4-1 Mid-American)
- 72. (tie) Northwestern (3-5, 2-3 Big Ten)
- 72. (tie) Iowa State (2-6, 0-5 Big 12)
- 71. Northern Illinois (6-2, 3-1 Mid-American)
- 70. Pittsburgh (4-5, 2-3 ACC)
- 69. Michigan (4-5, 2-3 Big Ten)
- 67. (tie) Virginia (4-5, 2-3 ACC)
- 67. (tie) North Carolina (4-5, 2-3 ACC)
- 66. Oregon State (4-4, 1-4 Pac-12)
- 65. North Carolina State (5-4, 1-4 ACC). The Wolfpack ended a 12-game conference losing streak and also won on the road in ACC play for the first time since 2010 with a 24-17 victory at Syracuse. Pharoah McKever's 82-yard interception return TD late in the third quarter gave NC State the lead for good at 17-14.
- 64. Rice (5-3, 3-1 Conference USA)
- 63. Louisiana-Lafayette (5-3, 4-0 Sun Belt)
- 62. Virginia Tech (4-5, 1-4 ACC)
- 61. Arkansas State (5-3, 3-1 Sun Belt)
Nos. 60-51
3 of 53
Temple helped its own cause, but likely hurt the American Athletic Conference's hopes of getting a team into a major bowl game, with its 20-10 home upset of East Carolina on Saturday. The Owls gained only 135 yards, but thanks to five turnovers they moved within a game of being bowl-eligible for the first time since 2011 while also moving within a half-game of five teams tied for first in the American.
- 58. (tie) Penn State (4-4, 1-4 Big Ten)
- 58. Nevada (6-3, 3-2 Mountain West)
- 58. Georgia Southern (7-2, 6-0 Sun Belt)
- 57. California (5-4, 3-4 Pac-12). The Golden Bears won 45-31 at Oregon State to end a three-game losing streak thanks to 188 rushing yards and three touchdowns from Daniel Lasco. California needs one more win to be bowl-eligible for the first time since 2011.
- 56. Texas (4-5, 3-3 Big 12)
- 55. Toledo (5-3, 4-0 Mid-American)
- 54. UCF (5-3, 3-1 American)
- 53. Kentucky (5-4, 2-4 SEC)
- 52. Temple (5-3, 3-2 American)
- 51. Arkansas (4-5, 0-5 SEC)
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50. Oklahoma State Cowboys
4 of 53
Average rating: 51.5
Week 10 result: Lost 48-14 at Kansas State
Week 11 matchup: Bye
Oklahoma State (5-4, 3-3 Big 12) lost its third straight game, failing to top 14 points in each of those losses after a 5-1 start during which the Cowboys averaged 37.2 points.
The Cowboys led 7-0 and then allowed 45 straight points, finishing with only 261 yards and one offensive score, also getting an interception return touchdown by Ramon Richards.
Tyreek Hill ran for 102 and a TD in place of Desmond Roland, who missed the game because of a death in the family.
49. South Carolina Gamecocks
5 of 53
Average rating: 50.5
Week 10 result: Lost 45-42 (in OT) vs. Tennessee
Week 11 matchup: Bye
South Carolina (4-5, 2-5 SEC) blew a 14-point lead with less than five minutes left to drop its fourth game in the last five and lose at home for the third time this season.
The Gamecocks have lost nearly as many games this year as in the previous three (six) and are at risk of missing a bowl game for the first time since going 6-6 in 2007. Their schedule features two road games, at Florida and Clemson, along with a visit from Sun Belt team South Alabama.
South Carolina allowed 645 yards to Tennessee while gaining 625 itself, led by Dylan Thompson's 347 passing yards and two touchdowns and 143 rushing yards and two scores from Brandon Wilds. Pharoh Cooper set a school record with 11 receptions for 233 yards and two TDs.
48. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
6 of 53
Average rating: 50.0
Week 10 result: Won 59-10 vs. Western Kentucky
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 8 at UAB
Louisiana Tech (6-3, 5-0 Conference USA) got five touchdown passes from Cody Sokol en route to its fourth straight victory.
Sokol threw for 335 yards on 30-of-42 passing, giving him 12 touchdown passes and three interceptions during the win streak, while he added a rushing TD. Trent Taylor had three TD catches, pulling in nine receptions for 113 yards, while Kenneth Dixon ran for 77 yards and a score and also had a TD reception.
The Bulldogs forced five turnovers and also got a 96-yard kickoff return TD from Carlos Henderson.
47. BYU Cougars
7 of 53
Average rating: 49.5
Week 10 result: Won 27-7 at Middle Tennessee
Week 11 matchup: Bye
BYU (5-4) ended a four-game losing streak behind 316 passing yards and two touchdowns from quarterback Christian Stewart.
Stewart also ran for a touchdown as the Cougars gained 444 yards and held Middle Tennessee to 228 yards and intercepted two passes.
46. Houston Cougars
8 of 53
Average rating: 47.5
Week 10 result: Won 27-3 at South Florida
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 8 vs. Tulane
Houston (5-3, 3-1 American) got two touchdowns apiece from Kenneth Farrow and Ryan Jackson for its third straight victory, holding South Florida to just 222 yards in the process.
Farrow scored on a run and a pass from Greg Ward Jr., while Jackson had a pair of rushing touchdowns. The Cougars ran for 217 yards, 112 of that coming from Farrow.
Houston ranks fifth in FBS in scoring defense, allowing 16 points per game.
45. Utah State Aggies
9 of 53
Average rating: 47.0
Week 10 result: Won 35-14 at Hawaii
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 7 at Wyoming
Utah State (6-3, 3-1 Mountain West) got a near-perfect performance from its fourth different starting quarterback in its road win at Hawaii.
Kent Myers completed 14 of 15 passes for 186 yards and three touchdowns, while LaJuan Hunt ran for 150 yards as the Aggies became bowl-eligible for the fourth straight season.
The game was tied at 14 when Utah State's Devin Centers scored on a 10-yard fumble return early in the second quarter.
44. Tennessee Volunteers
10 of 53
Average rating: 46.0
Week 10 result: Won 45-42 (in OT) at South Carolina
Week 11 matchup: Bye
Tennessee (4-5, 1-4 SEC) mounted a major late comeback to force overtime, then won it on a 32-yard Aaron Medley field goal to earn its first conference victory after several near misses.
The Volunteers trailed 42-28 with less than five minutes left before quarterback Joshua Dobbs scored on a 3-yard run with 1:50 left and then tossed a 9-yard TD pass to Jason Croom with 11 seconds remaining to force OT. Dobbs finished with 467 yards of total offense and five touchdowns, throwing for 301 yards and two TDs and adding 166 rushing yards with three scores.
Dobbs has accounted for 734 yards of total offense and seven TDs since getting inserted into the lineup in the second half of the Alabama game on Oct. 25.
42. (tie) Memphis Tigers
11 of 53
Average rating: 45.5
Week 10 result: Won 40-20 vs. Tulsa
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 7 at Temple
Memphis (5-3, 3-1 American) scored 30 straight points after trailing 14-3 early, getting 199 rushing yards and three touchdowns from Brandon Hayes in the Halloween victory.
Quarterback Paxton Lynch threw for 183 yards and added 47 rushing yards and a touchdown, while kicker Jake Elliott made four field goals, including two from beyond 50 yards.
42. (tie) Cincinnati Bearcats
12 of 53
Average rating: 45.5
Week 10 result: Won 38-14 at Tulane
Week 11 matchup: Bye
Cincinnati (5-3, 3-1 American) got 211 passing yards and three touchdowns from backup quarterback Munchie Legaux, combining with a solid run game for the road win on Halloween.
The Bearcats ran for 265 yards, getting 124 from Rodriguez Moore and 113 from Mike Boone. The Bearcats built a 24-0 lead to win their third straight and move into a five-way tie for first in the American.
41. Boston College Eagles
13 of 53
Average rating: 42.0
Week 10 result: Won 33-31 at Virginia Tech
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 8 vs. Louisville
Boston College (6-3, 3-2 ACC) got 122 rushing yards from quarterback Tyler Murphy, who also threw two touchdown passes, in the Eagles' second straight win, improving to 4-0 on the road this season.
Murphy's 57-yard TD run with less than three minutes left gave the Eagles a 33-24 lead. He has run for 965 yards and nine scores this season.
BC ran for 258 yards and held Virginia Tech to 69 yards on the ground.
40. Washington Huskies
14 of 53
Average rating: 39.5
Week 10 result: Won 38-23 at Colorado
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 8 vs. UCLA
Washington (6-3, 2-3 Pac-12) rallied from a 10-point deficit in the first half to move within a game of being bowl-eligible and end a two-game losing streak.
Linebacker Shaq Thompson showed off his offensive skills by running for 174 yards and a touchdown while adding 41 receiving yards. Cyler Miles threw for 206 yards and two touchdowns, and the Huskies gained 236 yards as a team.
The Huskies forced four turnovers, including an interception by Travis Feeney that he returned 30 yards for a score. Dante Pettis added an 87-yard punt return TD to go with a 28-yard TD reception.
39. Maryland Terrapins
15 of 53
Average rating: 38.5
Week 10 result: Won 20-19 at Penn State
Week 11 matchup: Bye
Maryland (6-3, 3-2 ACC) scored 13 points in the fourth quarter, winning on a 43-yard field goal from Brad Craddock with 51 seconds left to cap the comeback to become bowl-eligible.
Despite only 194 yards of offense, the Terrapins were able to rally late behind quarterback C.J. Brown, who threw for 161 yards. Wes Brown added a 1-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, while Maryland's defense held Penn State to 219 yards and forced four turnovers.
Maryland sacked Christian Hackenberg six times, the last to end Penn State's final drive on fourth down.
38. East Carolina Pirates
16 of 53
Average rating: 37.63
Week 10 result: Lost 20-10 at Temple
Week 11 matchup: Bye
East Carolina (6-2, 3-1 American) was all but eliminated from major-bowl consideration after turning the ball over five times at Temple. The Pirates had been No. 23 in the first College Football Playoff standings, but now are in a five-way tie for first place in the American.
Despite outgaining Temple 428-135, East Carolina didn't score a touchdown until the final two minutes of play to end a five-game winning streak.
37. Minnesota Golden Gophers
17 of 53
Average rating: 36.0
Week 10 result: Bye
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 8 vs. Iowa
Minnesota (6-2, 3-1 Big Ten) lost its last game before the bye, falling at Illinois, but now heads into a stretch run against opponents who are a combined 27-6.
The Golden Gophers have gotten 1,131 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns from David Cobb, part of the No. 32 rushing attack in the country at 216 yards per game.
36. Florida Gators
18 of 53
Average rating: 34.13
Week 10 result: Won 38-20 vs. Georgia (in Jacksonville)
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 8 at Vanderbilt
Florida (4-3, 3-3 SEC) dominated its rival with a punishing ground game that hadn't been there much this season, and at least for now saved its coach's job while remaining in the hunt for the East Division and bowl eligibility.
The Gators ran for 418 yards, getting 197 yards and two touchdowns from Kelvin Taylor and another 192 yards and two scores from Matt Jones. They even got a 21-yard scoring run from Michael McNeely on a fake field goal midway through the second quarter that turned a 7-0 deficit into the start of a 31-point run.
Coach Will Muschamp only needed quarterback Treon Harris to attempt six passes because of the rushing effort, and now Florida goes into a three-game stretch against a pair of teams with losing records and an FCS opponent needing two wins to get bowl-eligible.
35. Miami (Florida) Hurricanes
19 of 53
Average rating: 32.75
Week 10 result: Won 47-20 vs. North Carolina
Week 11 matchup: Bye
Miami (6-3, 3-2 ACC) got 226 yards of total offense from running back Duke Johnson en route to an easy home win over North Carolina, its third straight win.
Johnson ran for 177 yards and two touchdowns, including a 90-yard score in the second quarter, and he also caught a 37-yard TD pass from Brad Kaaya. Kaaya threw for 189 yards and three TDs, two to tight end Clive Watford.
The Hurricanes held North Carolina to six yards on the ground.
34. Stanford Cardinal
20 of 53
Average rating: 32.67
Week 10 result: Lost 45-16 at Oregon
Week 11 matchup: Bye
Stanford (5-4, 3-3 Pac-12) suffered its most lopsided loss since 2007 and allowed its most points in more than two years in getting blown out at Oregon.
The Cardinal had been allowing 14.3 points per game before the Ducks racked up 525 yards. Stanford managed 428 yards but aside from Patrick Skov's 1-yard touchdown run late in the first half managed only three field goals.
Kevin Hogan threw for 237 yards on 21-of-29 passing but he was intercepted once and lost a fumble. Stanford's four losses are the most in a season since 2009.
33. Boise State Broncos
21 of 53
Average rating: 32.5
Week 10 result: Bye
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 8 at New Mexico
Boise State (6-2, 3-1 Mountain West) has won three straight games and remains in control of the Mountain Division despite being a half-game behind Colorado State because of the head-to-head win over the Rams.
The Broncos have gotten 2,241 yards and 12 touchdowns from Grant Hedrick, though he has thrown 11 interceptions. Jay Ajayi has run for 985 yards and 12 scores, with 428 yards and seven TDs during the win streak.
32. Iowa Hawkeyes
22 of 53
Average rating: 31.5
Week 10 result: Won 48-7 vs. Northwestern
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 8 at Minnesota
Iowa (6-2, 3-1 Big Ten) jumped out to a 24-0 lead after the first quarter and never looked back, cruising at home ahead of this weekend's big game at Minnesota.
Mark Weisman, who ran for 94 yards, had two of his three rushing touchdowns in the first quarter, while Akrum Wadley led the Hawkeyes with 106 rushing yards and a TD. Jake Rudock threw for 239 yards and a TD, and Iowa also scored on a blocked punt that Ben Niemann returned a yard.
Iowa has averaged 41.3 points per game over its last three.
31. Louisville Cardinals
23 of 53
Average rating: 31.4
Week 10 result: Lost 42-31 vs. Florida State
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 8 at Boston College
Louisville (6-3, 4-3 ACC) couldn't hold on to a 21-0 lead against the defending national champs, blowing a major chance at national prominence as its defense was exposed unlike any other time this season.
The Cardinals came in allowing 13.4 points and 245.8 yards per game but yielded 574 yards, including 401 through the air. Florida State's last five touchdowns went for 35 or more yards, and despite intercepting three Jameis Winston passes—giving Louisville 18 for the season, including 10 by Gerod Holliman—it turned the ball over three times as well.
Will Gardner threw for 330 yards and a touchdown, while Michael Dyer ran for 134 yards and three TDs. DeVante Parker had eight catches for 214 yards.
30. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
24 of 53
Average rating: 31.0
Week 10 result: Won 35-10 vs. Virginia
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 8 at North Carolina State
Georgia Tech (7-2, 4-2 ACC) got three touchdown passes from Justin Thomas to keep within a game of Duke for the Coastal Division lead, while its defense locked down and allowed only 22 rushing yards.
Thomas threw for 141 yards on 7-of-13 passing, while the Yellow Jackets added 268 rushing yards led by 147 and a TD from Synjyn Davis.
Tech reached 35 points for the sixth time this season and clinched seven wins for the fourth straight year.
29. Texas A&M Aggies
25 of 53
Average rating: 30.5
Week 10 result: Won 21-16 vs. Louisiana-Monroe
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 8 at Auburn
Texas A&M (6-3, 2-3 SEC) ended a three-game losing streak but didn't look impressive in doing so, struggling to beat a Sun Belt team at home behind freshman quarterback Kyle Allen.
Allen, making his first career start while Kenny Hill began a two-game suspension for violating team rules and athletic department policies, threw for only 106 yards with a touchdown and interception on 13-of-28 passing. The Aggies managed only 243 yards and allowed 347 to Louisiana-Monroe.
A&M's defense held late, however, holding Monroe to field goals on a pair of fourth-quarter drives that stalled in the red zone.
28. Colorado State Rams
26 of 53
Average rating: 29.4
Week 10 result: Won 38-31 at San Jose State
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 8 vs. Hawaii
Colorado State (8-1, 4-1 Mountain West) won its seventh straight to stay in the hunt for the Mountain Division title and in the conversation for a major bowl bid, getting four rushing touchdowns from Dee Hart in the victory.
Hart ran for 104 yards, and his last two TDs gave the Rams a 38-24 lead with 5:09 left. Garrett Grayson threw for 290 yards and a touchdown, a 9-yard catch by Rashard Higgins, but Higgins left the game after suffering a shoulder injury.
Higgins, who had eight catches for 143 yards, has 67 receptions for 1,280 yards and 13 TDs this season.
27. USC Trojans
27 of 53
Average rating: 28.0
Week 10 result: Won 44-17 at Washington State
Week 11 matchup: Bye
USC (6-3, 5-2 Pac-12) jumped out to a 24-0 lead and got five passing touchdowns from quarterback Cody Kessler.
Kessler threw for 400 yards on 21-of-32 passing in a battle of prolific quarterbacks that never materialized when Washington State quarterback Connor Halliday went down early with a broken leg that ended his season. Kessler threw three TD passes to JuJu Smith, while Nelson Agholor caught a TD and also scored on a 65-yard punt return.
Javorius Allen ran for 114 yards, and USC held the Cougars to 34 rushing yards.
26. Missouri Tigers
28 of 53
Average rating: 27.4
Week 10 result: Won 20-10 vs. Kentucky
Week 11 matchup: Bye
Missouri (7-2, 4-1 SEC) won its third straight since getting shut out at home by Georgia, and in the process moved into first place in the East Division after shutting down Kentucky.
Maty Mauk got 239 yards of total offense, 75 on the ground and 164 through the air with two touchdowns on 18-of-33 passing. Bud Sasser had both of the Tigers' touchdown catches.
Shane Ray had two of Missouri's three sacks, giving him 10.5 for the season, and the Tigers held Kentucky to 260 yards.
25. West Virginia Mountaineers
29 of 53
Average rating: 25.6
Week 10 result: Lost 31-30 vs. TCU
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 8 at Texas
West Virginia (6-3, 4-2 Big 12) couldn't hold a 13-point second-half lead, losing on a field goal as time expired in its quest for a second win over a Top 10 team this season.
Clint Trickett had his worst game of the season, throwing for just 162 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions, part of five turnovers for the Mountaineers.
West Virginia led 27-14 midway through the third quarter after Terrell Chestnut stripped TCU receiver Josh Doctson and returned the fumble 35 yards for a TD, but after that point the Mountaineers could only muster a field goal and 46 yards on their final five possessions.
24. Marshall Thundering Herd
30 of 53
Average rating: 25.0
Week 10 result: Bye
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 8 at Southern Mississippi
Marshall (8-0, 4-0 Conference USA) didn't play last week, but it may move into the College Football Playoff standings as the top group-of-five team after East Carolina lost at Temple.
The Thundering Herd have played an easy schedule, against teams who are a combined 24-48, but they've been completely dominant in doing so. Marshall has scored at least 35 in every game, and ranks second in total offense at 571.3 yards per game.
23. Duke Blue Devils
31 of 53
Average rating: 23.6
Week 10 result: Won 51-48 (in 2 OT) at Pittsburgh
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 8 at Syracuse
Duke (7-1, 3-1 ACC) won a wild one on the road behind three rushing touchdowns from its quarterbacks, including Thomas Sirk's 5-yard run in the second overtime.
Sirk scored twice on the ground, while Anthony Boone had a rushing TD to go with 266 passing yards and three touchdowns. Jamison Crowder had two of those TD catches, part of his 165 receiving yards on nine catches, while DeVon Edwards scored on a 99-yard kickoff return.
The Blue Devils allowed 594 yards, including 358 on the ground, and only got to overtime when Pittsburgh's kicker missed a short field goal at the end of regulation. With that, Duke leads the Coastal Division by a game over Georgia Tech and has the tiebreaker.
22. Utah Utes
32 of 53
Average rating: 22.8
Week 10 result: Lost 19-16 (in OT) at Arizona State
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 8 vs. Oregon
Utah (6-2, 3-2 Pac-12) saw reliable kicker Andy Phillips push a 35-yard field goal wide in overtime to snap a three-game losing streak and fall back into the pack in the South Division standings.
Phillips, who made kicks of 50, 36 and 44 yards earlier in the game, gave Utah a 16-13 lead with 6:09 left in the third quarter. After that, the Utes managed just 59 yards over their last seven drives.
Utah had only 241 yards, getting just 57 yards from quarterback Travis Wilson on 12-of-22 passing. Devontae Booker ran for 146 yards, his fifth straight 100-yard game.
21. Arizona Wildcats
33 of 53
Average rating: 22.6
Week 10 result: Lost 17-7 at UCLA
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 8 vs. Colorado
Arizona (6-2, 3-2 Pac-12) lost for the second time in three games, seeing its high-octane offense disappear along with its chances for a division title.
The Wildcats gained only 255 yards, 196 less than any other game this season and far below their average of 541.9 per game coming in. The seven points were their fewest since getting shut out at Oregon in September 2012.
Anu Solomon completed just 18 of 48 passes for 175 yards, suffering from numerous drops by his receivers, and Arizona failed to reach 100 rushing yards as a team for the second time in three games after doing so in 30 of coach Rich Rodriguez's first 31 games with the program.
20. Wisconsin Badgers
34 of 53
Average rating: 22.2
Week 10 result: Won 37-0 at Rutgers
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 8 at Purdue
Wisconsin (6-2, 3-1 Big Ten) used its dominant run game to cruise on the road while also posting its first shutout victory in conference play in five years.
Corey Clement ran for 131 yards and two touchdowns and Melvin Gordon ran for 128 yards and two scores, part of the Badgers' 298 rushing yards, which was more than double what Rutgers managed as a team.
The Badgers held Rutgers to 139 yards, with quarterback Gary Nova completing 5-of-15 passes for only 46 yards with an interception.
19. UCLA Bruins
35 of 53
Average rating: 21.0
Week 10 result: Won 17-7 vs. Arizona
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 8 at Washington
UCLA (7-2, 4-2 Pac-12) was carried again by Brett Hundley's all-around play, but it also got arguably its best defensive performance of the season to shut down Arizona's potent attack and end a two-game home losing streak.
Hundley threw for 189 yards (including a game-changing 70-yard touchdown pass) and ran for 131 yards to account for 320 of the Bruins' 460 yards.
"Brett Hundley came into this season expecting to contend for a Heisman and a national championship," wrote Everett Cook of the Los Angeles Times. "Both of those things are out the window, and Hundley's game has seemed to change because of it."
Hundley got a huge lift from UCLA's defense, which held Arizona to 255 yards and no points after giving up a touchdown on the opening drive.
18. Clemson Tigers
36 of 53
Average rating: 18.4
Week 10 result: Bye
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 6 at Wake Forest
Clemson (6-2, 5-1 ACC) has won five straight, riding a defense that has allowed only 36 points over its last four outings.
The Tigers rank second in the country in total defense, at 268.6 yards allowed per game. The offense has sputtered since freshman quarterback Deshaun Watson broke a bone in his hand Oct. 11, but coach Dabo Swinney told reporters there's a chance Watson could return for Thursday's game at Wake Forest.
17. Georgia Bulldogs
37 of 53
Average rating: 16.4
Week 10 result: Lost 38-20 vs. Florida (in Jacksonville)
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 8 at Kentucky
Georgia (6-2, 4-2 SEC) saw its improved defense fall on its face in the annual World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party, giving up 418 rushing yards to a struggling Florida offense.
That marked the second-most yards the Bulldogs have allowed this season on the ground, and came after they had been allowing 105.2 yards per game coming in. Two Florida players ran for more than 190 yards, and Georgia also allowed a 21-yard rushing touchdown on a fake field goal.
The poor performance not only knocked Georgia out of first place in the SEC East, it also probably took the Bulldogs out of the playoff picture.
"There's no doubt losing hurts, period," Georgia coach Mark Richt told Marc Weiszer of the Athens Banner-Herald. "The opportunity that you have lost more than likely makes it hurt a little bit worst."
Hutson Mason threw for 319 yards and a touchdown, and Nick Chubb ran for 156 yards and a score.
16. Nebraska Cornhuskers
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Average rating: 14.8
Week 10 result: Won 35-14 vs. Purdue
Week 11 matchup: Bye
Nebraska (8-1, 4-1 Big Ten) had a major scare early in its easy win over Purdue when star running back Ameer Abdullah went down with a knee injury. Beyond that, the game was mostly uneventful heading into a much-needed bye week.
Abdullah, who had just six carries for one yard, sprained the MCL in his left knee, according to Sam McKewon of the Omaha World-Herald. In his place, Imani Cross scored two rushing touchdowns and quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. added a rushing TD and a passing score but also threw two interceptions.
The Cornhuskers were outgained 340-297 by Purdue but 21 unanswered points midway through the game eliminated any worry beyond Abdullah's health.
15. Oklahoma Sooners
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Average rating: 14.0
Week 10 result: Won 59-14 at Iowa State
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 8 vs. Baylor
Oklahoma (6-2, 3-2 Big 12) rushed for 510 yards as a team and got six total touchdowns from quarterback Trevor Knight in a blowout road win ahead of this weekend's clash with Baylor in Norman.
Knight threw for 230 yards and three TDs and added 146 rushing yards and three scores. He was one of three Sooners players to gain more than 100 yards on the ground, with Alex Ross running for 144 yards and Samaje Perine adding 110 rushing yards and a score.
The Sooners overcame three turnovers by holding Iowa State to 87 rushing yards to claim their 43rd victory in the last 45 meetings with the Cyclones. They haven't lost in Ames since 1960.
14. Arizona State Sun Devils
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Average rating: 13.6
Week 10 result: Won 19-16 (in OT) vs. Utah
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 8 vs. Notre Dame
Arizona State (7-1, 5-1 Pac-12) rode defense and late special teams play to its fourth straight win, moving into sole possession of the South Division lead while also setting up a major playoff clash with Notre Dame.
Zane Gonzalez kicked four field goals, including a 30-yarder with 5:47 left to force overtime and then a 36-yarder in OT for the win. The Sun Devils then forced Utah into a tying field-goal try, which sailed wide left.
Taylor Kelly threw for 205 yards and a touchdown and added 55 rushing yards, while Demario Richard had 116 rushing yards. ASU's defense held Utah to 241 yards and held a third straight opponent under 20 points while allowing 17.5 points per game to opponents since giving up 62 in a home loss to UCLA.
13. LSU Tigers
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Average rating: 13.2
Week 10 result: Bye
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 8 vs. Alabama
LSU (7-2, 4-2 SEC) brings a three-game win streak into its battle with Alabama, and the Tigers will be well-rested after taking this past weekend off.
Since losing two of three, LSU has outscored its opponents 81-37 and had its rushing game average 254 yards. Freshman Leonard Fournette has moved to the top of the Tigers' backfield options, leading the team with 657 yards and seven touchdowns.
The Tigers bring the No. 4 scoring defense into the game, allowing 15.9 points per game.
12. Ohio State Buckeyes
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Average rating: 12.6
Week 10 result: Won 55-14 vs. Illinois
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 8 at Michigan State
Ohio State (7-1, 4-0 Big Ten) cruised past Illinois in its final game before the de facto East Division title game at Michigan State this weekend, getting 545 yards of total offense while forcing four turnovers.
A week after struggling to throw the ball at Penn State, J.T. Barrett responded with 167 yards and two touchdowns on 15-of-24 passing. OSU added 296 rushing yards and a pair of Curtis Samuel TD runs, topping 500 yards for the fifth time in six games.
Ohio State scored the game's first 48 points, holding Illinois to 243 yards.
11. Ole Miss Rebels
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Average rating: 10.4
Week 10 result: Lost 35-31 vs. Auburn
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 8 vs. Presbyterian
Ole Miss (7-2, 4-2 SEC) suffered as painful a loss as any team could imagine, both in terms of the game itself and an injury to their best offensive player.
Sophomore wide receiver Laquon Treadwell was pulled down awkwardly just short of the goal line on what would have been the go-ahead touchdown catch with 90 seconds left, losing a fumble while also breaking his fibula and suffering a dislocated ankle on the play. The school said Treadwell had surgery late Saturday and is out for the year.
"In the span of five seconds, and a couple of inches, Ole Miss lost its best player, the game, and probably any chance of winning the national title," wrote Chris Dufresne of the Los Angeles Times.
It was Ole Miss' second straight loss after a 7-0 start, a game where its defense gave up season highs in points and yards (504) and couldn't make the kind of stops that had carried the Rebels through the season. Bo Wallace had 402 yards of total offense and three total touchdowns, but he lost a fumble in the red zone and was sacked four times.
9. (tie) Kansas State Wildcats
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Average rating: 9.4
Week 10 result: Won 48-14 vs. Oklahoma State
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 8 at TCU
Kansas State (7-1, 5-0 Big 12) breezed to a fifth straight win, remaining the lone unbeaten team in conference play thanks to two passing touchdowns from Jake Waters and two rushing scores from Charles Jones.
The Wildcats also got an 86-yard kickoff return TD by Morgan Burns, which came 12 seconds after Oklahoma State took a 7-0 lead early in the first quarter. K-State finished with 421 yards and held the Cowboys to 261 yards while forcing three turnovers.
K-State's top two receivers both had big games, as Curry Sexton caught nine balls for 159 yards and a 64-yard touchdown while Tyler Lockett had six catches for 94 yards and a score.
The Wildcats lowered their scoring defense to 18.6 points per game, which ranks 12th in FBS.
9. (tie) Baylor Bears
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Average rating: 9.4
Week 10 result: Won 60-14 vs. Kansas
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 8 at Oklahoma
Baylor (7-1, 4-1 Big 12) responded to its first loss of the season before the bye week with a dominant performance against lowly Kansas, gaining 669 yards and scoring on 11 straight possessions.
Bryce Petty threw for 277 yards and three touchdowns, two caught by Corey Coleman, while the Bears ran for 326 yards led by 112 and two scores from Devin Chafin.
Baylor's defense intercepted three passes and held Kansas to 16 rushing yards, a tune-up before going to Oklahoma, where it has never won.
8. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
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Average rating: 8.8
Week 10 result: Won 49-39 vs. Navy (in Washington, D.C.)
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 8 at Arizona State
Notre Dame (7-1) got another huge game from Everett Golson to get past pesky Navy and set up a major playoff-relevant game Saturday at Arizona State.
Golson threw three touchdown passes and ran for three more, finishing with 348 yards of total offense as the Fighting Irish blew a 28-7 lead but then scored twice in the first three minutes of the fourth quarter to retake the lead. For the season Golson has accounted for 29 touchdowns.
The Irish had 533 yards of total offense—including 149 yards and a TD on 20 carries by Tarean Folston—but also gave up 336 rushing yards to Navy's option-run attack.
7. TCU Horned Frogs
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Average rating: 7.6
Week 10 result: Won 31-30 at West Virginia
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 8 vs. Kansas State
TCU (7-1, 4-1 Big 12) reversed recent history by executing the late comeback instead of having it happen to it again, coming back from a pair of 13-point deficits to win on a last-second 37-yard field goal by Jaden Oberkrom and set up a showdown for the conference's top spot this weekend.
The Horned Frogs scored 10 points in the final 7:33, with B.J. Catalon's 6-yard touchdown run pulling them within two, 30-28. Catalon had 105 rushing yards and two TDs, while Trevone Boykin had 166 passing yards and a TD but completed only 12 of 30 throws.
It was TCU's defense that made big plays throughout, forcing five turnovers and limiting West Virginia quarterback Clint Trickett to 162 passing yards. The play of TCU cornerback Kevin White on the Mountaineers receiver of the same name contributed to Trickett's rough game and the Frogs' ability to come back from a 27-14 hole midway through the third quarter, wrote Ryan Gerbosi of The Dallas Morning News.
"By taking away his favorite target, Clint Trickett was forced into a few mistakes, including throwing an interception by missing White in double coverage and missing throws while avoiding pressure," Gerbosi wrote.
TCU improved to 2-1 against ranked teams this season, its only loss a 61-58 setback at Baylor in which it led by 21 points in the fourth quarter.
6. Michigan State Spartans
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Average rating: 7.2
Week 10 result: Bye
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 8 vs. Ohio State
Michigan State (7-1, 4-0 Big Ten) has won six straight games since losing at Oregon, and after the bye week has a chance to wrap up the East Division and reach a second consecutive Big Ten title game.
The Spartans have averaged 48.7 points per game during their win streak, while allowing only 18.2 points per game. For the season they are fifth in total defense, at 279.4 yards allowed per game.
5. Oregon Ducks
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Average rating: 5.0
Week 10 result: Won 45-16 vs. Stanford
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 8 at Utah
Oregon (8-1, 5-1 Pac-12) slayed one of its biggest nemeses, dominating Stanford to the tune of 525 total yards and 267 on the ground while topping 40 points for the fourth straight game.
Since losing 31-24 at home to Arizona in early October, the Ducks have averaged 47.8 points per game and won by 21 points per game to stay in the playoff hunt.
"The guys understand that we'll kind of have our backs up against the wall with some of our goals this year," quarterback Marcus Mariota told Anne M. Peterson of The Associated Press (h/t Yahoo).
Mariota had another big game, throwing for 258 yards and two touchdowns while adding 85 rushing yards and two scores. The Ducks also got two TD runs from Thomas Tyner and became the first team to score more than 30 points against Stanford in more than two years.
4. Alabama Crimson Tide
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Average rating: 4.4
Week 10 result: Bye
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 8 at LSU
Alabama (7-1, 4-1 SEC) had an extra week of rest to prepare for its final road game of the season, a trip to Death Valley teeming with playoff and SEC West Division implications.
The Crimson Tide rank 12th in total offense, at 508.9 yards per game, while their defense ranks fourth at 277.3 yards per game.
Receiver Amari Cooper is second in FBS at 141.5 yards per game with nine touchdowns.
3. Florida State Seminoles
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Average rating: 4.2
Week 10 result: Won 42-31 at Louisville
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 8 vs. Virginia
Florida State (8-0, 5-0 ACC) needed another massive comeback to win its 24th straight game, rallying from a 21-0 hole late in the second quarter behind Jameis Winston's great second-half performance and breakout games from a trio of freshmen skill players.
Winston threw three interceptions in a game for the first time in his career, but made up for it with 401 passing yards and three second-half touchdown passes despite hobbling on an injured ankle. He also forced a fumble on the return of his third interception early in the third quarter to keep the Seminoles in the game.
"We know everybody wants us to lose," cornerback P.J. Williams told Corey Clark of USA Today. "We know we're the team that everybody hates. We like the fact everyone wants us to lose."
Down 21-0 in the final minute of the first half, a loss seemed imminent. But then after Winston's handoff to Karlos Williams was fumbled, FSU tight end Nick O'Leary recovered it in the end zone to cut the lead to 14 points at halftime. In the second half, Winston got his young teammates involved, with Travis Rudolph scoring on a 68-yard touchdown pass to make it 24-14 and then Dalvin Cook breaking off a 40-yard TD run.
Cook finished with 150 yards of total offense and two TDs.
Another freshman, Ermon Lane, gave FSU a 28-24 lead on a 47-yard TD catch, then after Louisville regained the lead Cook scored on a 38-yard run. The Seminoles managed 574 yards against a defense that had been allowing 245.8 yards per game.
2. Auburn Tigers
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Average rating: 2.6
Week 10 result: Won 35-31 at Ole Miss
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 8 at Texas A&M
Auburn (7-1, 4-1 SEC) was on the winning end of a crazy finish in Oxford, with Cassanova McKinzy's fumble recovery with 90 seconds left sealing the huge victory that keeps the Tigers firmly in the playoff hunt.
"This was a playoff game,'' Auburn linebacker Kris Frost told The Associated Press (h/t ESPN). "But from here on in, every game is a playoff game. They just get bigger and bigger.''
McKinzy fell on the ball in the end zone for a touchback after Ole Miss' Laquon Treadwell fumbled just short of the goal line on what would have been a go-ahead touchdown. That preserved a lead that Cameron Artis-Payne gave Auburn with 10:23 left on a 6-yard touchdown run, the last of four lead changes.
Nick Marshall had his best game of the season, throwing for 254 yards and two touchdowns on 15-of-22 passing and rushing for 50 yards and two scores. Artis-Payne had 143 yards on 27 carries.
Auburn managed to put up 507 yards against an Ole Miss defense that hadn't allowed more than 20 points in the game and still ranks No. 1 overall at 13.2 points allowed per game.
1. Mississippi State Bulldogs
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Average rating: 1.8
Week 10 result: Won 17-10 vs. Arkansas
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 8 vs. UT-Martin
Mississippi State (8-0, 5-0 SEC) avoided a season-wrecking home loss, rallying from a 10-0 first-half deficit thanks to a big play from star quarterback Dak Prescott and a pair of late defensive stops.
Prescott had 392 yards of total offense along with two interceptions, but his 69-yard touchdown pass to Fred Ross early in the fourth quarter gave the Bulldogs' their only lead. It was then up to MSU's defense, which stuffed Arkansas on 4th-and-goal with just over eight minutes left and then got an interception from Will Redmond in the end zone with 15 seconds left.
Josh Robinson was held to a season-low 64 rushing yards with a TD, but he added 110 receiving yards.
All statistical information courtesy of CFBStats.com.
Follow Brian J. Pedersen on Twitter at @realBJP.
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