College Football Rankings 2015: Power Ranking All 128 Teams for Week 10
The calendar has shifted to November, where the temperatures really start to fall across the country. However, college football is just heating up and should provide plenty of warmth to get us through the rest of the season.
This past weekend wasn't the greatest on paper, mostly due to five of the top seven teams in our previous rankings having a bye, but that didn't stop the actual games from producing some surprising results. These are reflected in the latest Bleacher Report power rankings.
Bleacher Report's power rankings are comprised of an average of five sources: B/R's weekly Top 25, the Associated Press Top 25, the Amway Coaches Poll, ratings guru Jeff Sagarin's computer rankings and the author's personal rankings for every FBS school. The top 50 teams are broken down individually, while the rest of the 128 FBS teams are summarized in a few easy-to-digest chunks.
Check out where everyone ranks after nine weeks, and then give us your thoughts in the comments section.
Nos. 128-91
1 of 53We're down to only two winless teams in FBS after a pair of downtrodden squads ended long losing streaks with home victories.
New Mexico State halted the nation's longest losing streak at 17 games with a 55-48 overtime win against Idaho. The Aggies scored 27 points in the fourth quarter to force OT; then after Larry Rose scored on a two-yard run, they clinched the win on Terrill Hanks' interception he secured with his ankles.
North Texas ended an eight-game skid, during which coach Dan McCarney was fired, with a 30-23 win against UTSA.
Kansas now holds the longest losing streak in FBS at 11, while UCF has lost 10 in a row.
- 128. Charlotte 49ers (2-6, 0-5 Conference USA)
- 127. New Mexico State Aggies (1-7, 1-3 Sun Belt)
- 126. Eastern Michigan Eagles (1-8, 0-5 Mid-American)
- 125. Miami (Ohio) RedHawks (1-8, 0-5 Mid-American)
- 124. North Texas Mean Green (1-7, 1-4 Conference USA)
- 123. Old Dominion Monarchs (3-5, 1-3 Conference USA)
- 121. (tie) Wyoming Cowboys (1-8, 1-4 Mountain West)
- 121. (tie) Georgia State Panthers (2-5, 1-2 Sun Belt)
- 120. UTEP Miners (3-5, 1-3 Conference USA)
- 119. Idaho Vandals (3-5, 2-3 Sun Belt)
- 118. UCF Knights (0-9, 0-5 American)
- 116. (tie) UTSA Roadrunners (1-7, 1-3 Conference USA)
- 116. (tie) Kansas Jayhawks (0-8, 0-5 Big 12)
- 115. Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks (1-7, 0-4 Sun Belt)
- 114. Hawaii Warriors (2-7, 0-5 Mountain West)
- 113. Massachusetts (1-7, 0-4 Mid-American_
- 112. Kent State Golden Flashes (3-5, 2-2 Mid-American)
- 111. Florida Atlantic Owls (2-6, 2-3 conference USA)
- 109. (tie) South Alabama Jaguars (3-4, 1-2 Sun Belt)
- 109. (tie) Army Black Knights (2-6)
- 108. Tulane Green Wave (2-6, 1-4 American)
- 107. SMU Mustangs (1-7, 0-4 American)
- 106. Texas State Bobcats (2-5, 1-2 Sun Belt)
- 105. Fresno State Bulldogs (2-6, 1-4 Mountain West)
- 104. New Mexico Lobos (4-4, 2-2 Mountain West)
- 102. (tie) UNLV Runnin' Rebels (2-6, 1-3 Mountain West)
- 102. (tie) Ball State Cardinals (3-6, 2-3 Mid-American)
- 101. Troy Trojans (2-6, 1-3 Sun Belt)
- 100. Florida International Golden Panthers (4-5, 2-3 Conference USA)
- 99. Rice Owls (4-4, 2-2 Conference USA)
- 98. Akron Zips (3-5, 1-3 Mid-American)
- 97. Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns (3-4, 2-1 Sun Belt)
- 94. (tie) Wake Forest Demon Deacons (3-6, 1-5 ACC)
- 94. (tie) Oregon State Beavers (2-6, 0-5 Pac-12)
- 94. (tie) Buffalo Bulls (4-4, 2-2 Mid-American)
- 93. Colorado State Rams (3-6, 1-4 Mountain West)
- 91. (tie) San Jose State Spartans (4-4, 3-2 Mountain West)
- 91. (tie) Ohio Bobcats (5-3, 2-2 Mid-American)
Nos. 90-61
2 of 53
Southern Mississippi was 0-12 in 2012 and from 2012-14 won a total of four games, but after Saturday's 34-13 home win over UTEP, the Golden Eagles locked up bowl eligibility for the first time since 2011. Nick Mullens threw for 277 yards and four touchdowns, giving him 25 for the season.
Mullens, a junior, had 25 TD passes in the previous two years.
- 90. Nevada Wolf Pack (4-4, 2-2 Mountain West)
- 89. Tulsa Golden Hurricane (4-4, 1-3 American)
- 88. Syracuse Orange (3-5, 1-3 ACC)
- 87. Connecticut Huskies (4-5, 2-3 American)
- 86. Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (3-5, 2-2 Conference USA)
- 85. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (3-5, 1-4 Big Ten)
- 84. Boston College Eagles (3-6, 0-6 ACC)
- 83. Purdue Boilermakers (2-6, 1-3 Big Ten)
- 82. South Florida Bulls (4-4, 2-2 American)
- 80. (tie) Vanderbilt Commodores (3-5, 1-3 SEC)
- 80. (tie) Maryland Terrapins (2-6, 0-4 Big Ten)
- 79. East Carolina Pirates (4-5, 2-3 American)
- 78. Arkansas State Red Wolves (5-3, 4-0 Sun Belt)
- 77. Colorado Buffaloes (4-5, 1-4 Pac-12)
- 76. Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles (6-3, 4-1 Conference USA)
- 75. Indiana Hoosiers (4-4, 0-4 Big Ten)
- 74. Virginia Cavaliers (3-5, 2-2 ACC)
- 73. Central Michigan Chippewas (5-4, 4-1 Mid-American)
- 70. (tie) Kentucky Wildcats (4-4, 2-4 SEC)
- 70. (tie) Iowa State Cyclones (3-5, 2-3 Big 12)
- 70. (tie) Illinois Fighting Illini (4-4, 1-3 Big Ten)
- 69. Western Michigan Broncos (5-3, 4-0 Mid-American)
- 68. South Carolina Gamecocks (3-5, 1-5 SEC)
- 66. (tie) Nebraska Cornhuskers (3-6, 1-4 Big Ten)
- 66. (tie) Air Force (5-3, 4-1 Mountain West)
- 65. Minnesota Golden Gophers (4-4, 1-3 Big Ten)
- 64. Arizona Wildcats (5-4, 2-4 Pac-12)
- 63. Northern Illinois Huskies (5-3, 3-1 Mid-American)
- 62. Texas Longhorns (3-5, 2-3 Big 12)
- 61. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (3-6, 1-5 ACC)
Nos. 60-51
3 of 53The Miami Hurricanes' wild end to October went from demoralizing lows to amazing highs in just one week. Six days after they fired Al Golden as head coach—a day removed from a 58-0 home loss to Clemson—the Hurricanes pulled off an amazing kickoff return against Duke thanks to eight laterals (and likely a player who was down but not ruled so, even after a replay review).
The 'Canes won the game despite not having quarterback Brad Kaaya (out with a concussion) and made interim head coach Larry Scott a winner in his debut.
- 60. Georgia Southern Eagles (6-2, 4-1 Sun Belt)
- 59. Missouri Tigers (4-4, 1-4 SEC)
- 57. (tie) Virginia Tech Hokies (4-5, 2-3 ACC)
- 57. (tie) Cincinnati Bearcats (5-3, 2-2 American)
- 55. (tie) Miami (Florida) Hurricanes (5-3, 2-2 ACC)
- 55. (tie) Kansas State Wildcats (3-4, 0-4 Big 12)
- 53. (tie) North Carolina State Wolfpack (5-3, 1-3 ACC)
- 53. (tie) Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (6-3, 4-1 Conference USA)
- 52. Texas Tech Red Raiders (5-4, 2-4 Big 12)
- 51. Marshall Thundering Herd (8-1, 5-0 Conference USA)
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50. Auburn Tigers
4 of 53
Average rating: 50.0
Week 9 result: Lost 27-19 vs. Ole Miss
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 7 at Texas A&M
Auburn (4-4, 1-4 SEC) continues to slide downward because of a defense that keeps getting run on (and thrown over) and an offense that is far from the productive unit we saw in head coach Gus Malzahn's first two seasons.
The Tigers allowed a season-high 558 yards, including 402 through the air, and they ran for 125 yards, their fewest since the third game of 2013. They've scored only 28 points in their two home SEC games.
49. Utah State Aggies
5 of 53
Average rating: 49.5
Week 9 result: Won 58-27 vs. Wyoming
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 7 at New Mexico
Utah State (5-3, 4-1 Mountain West) plays its next two games on the road, where it is 1-3 this season, meaning the Aggies' hopes of winning the Mountain Division rely on their ability to win outside of Logan.
In a three-way tie with Air Force and Boise State, Utah State has the edge right now because of a win over Boise last month. It plays at Air Force in two weeks, the second of two straight games against tough rushing attacks.
Utah State allows 143.88 rushing yards per game, but its last two opponents have run for 606 yards with seven touchdowns.
48. Louisville Cardinals
6 of 53
Average rating: 47.0
Week 9 result: Won 20-19 at Wake Forest
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 7 vs. Syracuse
Louisville (4-4, 3-2 ACC) has won four of five despite not topping 21 points in four of those games, getting just enough offense to go with some key defensive stops to get its season turned around.
The Cardinals are 17th in total defense, allowing 309.3 yards per game, and they have forced 18 turnovers. Seventeen giveaways have slowed their offense, resulting in only three games with 400-plus yards produced.
47. West Virginia Mountaineers
7 of 53
Average rating: 45.0
Week 9 result: Lost 40-10 at TCU
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 7 vs. Texas Tech
West Virginia (3-4, 0-4 Big 12) is happy to see October come to an end, as that month saw the Mountaineers have to face a quartet of teams in the conference who are a combined 30-1. And only one of those was at home, where they fell in overtime to Oklahoma State.
Following a nonconference slate where their defense looked unstoppable, the Mountaineers have allowed 179 points in Big 12 play. Their offense has responded with very uneven numbers, particularly from quarterback Skyler Howard, who was 16-of-39 at TCU and who has completed 48.3 percent in conference play with seven touchdowns but six interceptions.
46. San Diego State Aztecs
8 of 53
Average rating: 44.17
Week 9 result: Won 41-17 at Colorado State
Week 10 matchup: Bye
San Diego State (6-3, 5-0 Mountain West) is on a five-game win streak to take a commanding lead in the West Division after a rough nonconference slate.
The Aztecs lost to California, Penn State and South Alabama in the first month, but since getting into Mountain West play, they've won by an average of 19.8 points. Donnel Pumphrey has rushed for 726 yards and nine touchdowns during that streak.
45. Washington State Cougars
9 of 53
Average rating: 43.88
Week 9 result: Lost 30-28 vs. Stanford
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 7 vs. Arizona State
Washington State (5-3, 3-2 Pac-12) had its three-game win streak snapped despite leading Stanford almost throughout the game, falling when Erik Powell's 43-yard field goal sailed to the right as time expired. Powell had kicked five field goals prior to that, tying a school record, though those kicks came as a result of the Cougars being unable to finish drives.
The Cougars' first touchdown didn't come until midway through the second half, giving them a 22-10 lead. But after that, their defense was unable to keep Stanford quarterback Kevin Hogan from running wild.
Kevin Falk threw for 354 yards but he was intercepted twice after throwing only four picks in WSU's first seven games.
42. (tie) Bowling Green Falcons
10 of 53
Average rating: 43.0
Week 9 result: Bye
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 4 vs. Ohio
Bowling Green (6-2, 4-0 Mid-American) plays on the next two Wednesdays and follows that up with a pair of Tuesday games, with the first one determining whether it will be playing in a third straight MAC title game.
The Falcons have won five in a row and scored 46.4 points per game during that stretch, mostly because of how explosive quarterback Matt Johnson has been. The senior leads FBS in passing yards per game at 415.1, with 29 touchdowns, and his pace is just slightly below what he'd need in order to reach the all-time single-season record of 5,833.
42. (tie) Arkansas Razorbacks
11 of 53
Average rating: 43.0
Week 9 result: Won 63-28 vs. Tennessee-Martin
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 7 at Ole Miss
Arkansas (4-4, 2-2 SEC) has scored 117 points in its past two games, though that figure is misleading. It needed four overtimes to get 54 in beating Auburn, and the past contest was against an FCS opponent—though both results were most important in terms of providing confidence for the Razorbacks.
It will go back to tough sledding for the Hogs the next three weeks, all against ranked opponents with the next two on the road.
Alex Collins ran for five touchdowns and 173 yards against Tennessee-Martin, giving him 960 yards and 12 TDs for the season.
42. (tie) Arizona State Sun Devils
12 of 53
Average rating: 43.0
Week 9 result: Lost 61-55 (in 3 OT) vs. Oregon
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 7 at Washington State
Arizona State (4-4, 2-3 Pac-12) gained 742 yards, the most it's had under head coach Todd Graham, yet it still dropped a second home conference game and second overall in a row.
Several national media members picked the Sun Devils as a playoff contender, but since the first game (a loss to Texas A&M), the results haven't gone in Arizona's favor.
"This appears to be one of those seasons where every 50-50 call goes the wrong way, every gamble turns up snake eyes and every momentum-changing opportunity goes unfulfilled," USA Today's Dan Wolken wrote.
41. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
13 of 53
Average rating: 41.67
Week 9 result: Won 55-30 at Old Dominion
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 7 vs. Florida Atlantic
Western Kentucky (7-2, 5-0 Conference USA) is following in the footsteps of Marshall from a year earlier in how it is steamrolling over C-USA opponents. The Hilltoppers have won their last four league games by 30.3 points, with three of those on the road.
Though featuring strong running as well, Western Kentucky's offense is heavily driven by quarterback Brandon Doughty. He's fourth in FBS at 367.8 yards per game, while he leads the nation with 30 touchdown passes and a 71.8 completion rate.
40. Appalachian State Mountaineers
14 of 53
Average rating: 41.5
Week 9 result: Won 44-41 (in OT) vs. Troy
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 5 vs. Arkansas State
Appalachian State (7-1, 4-0 Sun Belt) is bowl-eligible for the first time in school history and is tied atop the conference standings heading into the final month of the season. The Mountaineers will either be first or second in a few days, since they host co-leader Arkansas State in their second high-profile home game in the last three weeks.
The Mountaineers have won 10 straight Sun Belt games and 13 of 14 overall, including a 31-13 win over Georgia Southern on Oct. 22. Their 6.76 yards per play rank 18th in FBS.
39. Georgia Bulldogs
15 of 53
Average rating: 37.0
Week 9 result: Lost 27-3 vs. Florida (in Jacksonville)
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 7 vs. Kentucky
Georgia (5-3, 3-3 SEC) had already been out of the playoff race but is now also done in terms of competing for a division title after one of its worst offensive performances ever under head coach Mark Richt. The Bulldogs managed a mere 223 yards and failed to score a touchdown for the second week in a row, and once again that's prompting many to call for Richt's 15-year tenure to end.
"The circumstances at Georgia suggest this: Mark Richt has failed," wrote Jeff Schultz of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "He should not be back as Georgia's coach next season."
Since losing Nick Chubb to a knee injury, Georgia's offense just hasn't been the same. It has scored 12 points the last two weeks, and against Florida it turned the ball over five times. Four were on interceptions by Faton Bauta, who was making his first career start, and in the past four games the Bulldogs have given the ball away 11 times.
38. Navy Midshipmen
16 of 53
Average rating: 36.13
Week 9 result: Won 29-17 vs. Tulane
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 7 at Memphis
Navy (6-1, 4-0 American) trailed in the fourth quarter before Keenan Reynolds scored two rushing touchdowns to keep the Midshipmen unbeaten in their first season of conference play. Those scores put Reynolds into a tie with former Wisconsin star Montee Ball for the FBS career rushing TD record of 77.
Reynolds paces an option run game that is fourth nationally at 319.71 yards per game. He has 753 yards and 13 TDs, and his 3,939 career rushing yards are sixth most by a quarterback in FBS history.
37. California Golden Bears
17 of 53
Average rating: 35.67
Week 9 result: Lost 27-21 vs. USC
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 7 at Oregon
California (5-3, 2-3 Pac-12) has dropped three in a row by a combined 28 points to three of the conference's better teams, and additional challenges stand in the way of its first bowl bid since 2011.
The Golden Bears only have one game left against an opponent with a losing record, and during their three-game skid, the offense has committed nine turnovers with quarterback Jared Goff tossing seven interceptions. Their defense has also dipped from strong early returns, allowing 624 rushing yards the past three weeks.
Goff did top 10,000 career passing yards last week, but his 11 interceptions are more than he had in either of his previous two seasons.
36. Pittsburgh Panthers
18 of 53
Average rating: 35.4
Week 9 result: Lost 26-19 vs. North Carolina
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 7 vs. Notre Dame
Pittsburgh (6-2, 4-1 ACC) fell in a major showdown to put it behind in the Coastal Division, the result of an offense that's been unable to create any momentum this season.
The Panthers have only 91 plays of 10 or more yards this season, which ties for 114th in FBS. Only one team below them has a better-than-.500 record.
Tyler Boyd is Pitt's best weapon. But the receiver needed 10 catches to get to 89 yards against North Carolina, and he averages 9.17 yards per reception with just four touchdowns on 63 catches.
35. Washington Huskies
19 of 53
Average rating: 34.5
Week 9 result: Won 49-3 vs. Arizona
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 7 vs. Utah
Washington (4-4, 2-3 Pac-12) would be in a much better position in the conference if it were playing in the South Division rather than the normal. Both of its wins are against South teams, including at USC, and it's 0-3 against North foes.
That could bode well for the next game against South leader Utah, though if the Huskies offense and defense are clicking together like on Saturday, it won't matter who the opponent is.
Washington gained 468 yards, including more than 200 rushing yards—the most against an FBS opponent this season—and it held Arizona to 3.84 yards per play.
34. Oregon Ducks
20 of 53
Average rating: 33.0
Week 9 result: Won 61-55 (in 3 OT) at Arizona State
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 7 vs. California
Oregon (5-3, 3-2 Pac-12) saw just how potent its offense can be with quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. at full strength, as the Eastern Washington transfer had season highs with 315 passing yards and four touchdowns, including the game-winning 20-yard TD pass to Bralon Addison in the third overtime.
Addison's foot appeared to have been on the back line of the end zone. But officials called it a TD on the field, and the ruling was upheld. That decision might have saved the Ducks' season, since it keeps their faint hopes of a Pac-12 North title alive.
The Ducks defense gave up 742 yards, continuing the season-long trend of getting torched, yet it came up big at the end, when Arrion Springs intercepted a pass in the end zone to ice the victory.
33. Northwestern Wildcats
21 of 53
Average rating: 32.2
Week 9 result: Bye
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 7 vs. Penn State
Northwestern (6-2, 2-2 Big Ten) locked up bowl eligibility before the break and now can focus the final month on rising up the rankings in the conference in order to grab a better bid. The Wildcats are currently projected by Bleacher Report's Bryan Fischer to play in the Holiday Bowl, which would be their first California postseason game since the 1996 Rose Bowl.
Improved offense can help Northwestern's cause down the stretch, particularly in terms of explosive plays. It has only 82 gains of 10 or more yards this season, which ranks 121st in FBS.
32. Penn State Nittany Lions
22 of 53
Average rating: 32.2
Week 9 result: Won 39-0 vs. Illinois
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 7 at Northwestern
Penn State (7-2, 4-1 Big Ten) is still alive in the East Division despite trailing a pair of unbeaten teams, and with both the offense and defense putting together strong performances in the last game, the Nittany Lions should be a player in November.
The shutout was their first in Big Ten play since 2009, with Christian Hackenberg throwing for 266 yards and two touchdowns and also catching a TD pass. He has only two interceptions this season after being picked off 15 times a year ago.
The Lions defense has recorded an FBS-best 35 sacks along with 83 tackles for loss.
31. Tennessee Volunteers
23 of 53
Average rating: 31.5
Week 9 result: Won 52-21 at Kentucky
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 7 vs. South Carolina
Tennessee (4-4, 2-3 SEC) had its most dominant performance of 2015 against an FBS opponent, pulling ahead early and not giving up that lead like in its four losses. By doing so, the Volunteers set themselves up for a strong finish during a final month when three of four are at home and the only road game is against struggling Missouri.
It had been five years since the Vols had scored as many points against an SEC opponent, but thanks to a pair of special teams touchdowns, they starred in all facets of the game.
Quarterback Joshua Dobbs was responsible for four TDs against Kentucky, giving him 19 total TDs in 2015.
30. BYU Cougars
24 of 53
Average rating: 30.8
Week 9 result: Bye
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 6 at San Jose State
BYU (6-2) is bowl-eligible and will end up either playing in the Hawaii or Las Vegas Bowl next month, and how it plays over its last four games might determine which game is a better fit for the independent Cougars. Three of their last four are against Mountain West teams along with a game against Missouri in Kansas City.
The Cougars have won four straight, all at home, since fighting through a rigorous opening month. During the win streak, the run game has become more involved, resulting in 217 rushing yards per game with 13 touchdowns. This has taken pressure off freshman quarterback Tanner Mangum, who has 10 TD passes during the win streak.
29. Boise State Broncos
25 of 53
Average rating: 30.2
Week 9 result: Won 55-27 at UNLV
Week 10 matchup: Bye
Boise State (7-2, 4-1 Mountain West) gets a much-needed rest after playing for nine straight weeks, three of the last four on the road. That included the Broncos' lone conference loss at Utah State, when they turned the ball over eight times.
Brett Rypien has rebounded from that performance with 680 passing yards and five touchdowns in the past two games. Meanwhile, Jeremy McNichols is healthy again, and his seven total TDs are second most in FBS.
Boise will finish with two of three at home, and though in a tie with Air Force and Utah State for the Mountain Division lead, it will need someone to beat Utah State.
28. Duke Blue Devils
26 of 53
Average rating: 29.7
Week 9 result: Lost 30-27 vs. Miami (Florida)
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 7 at North Carolina
Duke (6-2, 3-1 ACC) found itself on both ends of controversial calls in the final seconds of its first conference loss, which snapped a six-game win streak. How it can move on from that will determine if being able to win the Coastal Division is still possible.
The Blue Devils rallied from 12 points down in the fourth quarter when Thomas Sirk scored on a one-yard run with six seconds remaining, though replays weren't definitive about whether he reached the end zone. But that paled in comparison to the final play of the game, when Miami used eight laterals—and appeared to have had a ball-carrier's knee down at one point—en route to a kickoff return touchdown as time expired.
The ACC on Sunday determined the officials involved with the game made four mistakes on that final play and thus suspended the group for two games. That doesn't take away the pain, though, since the result stayed a loss for Duke.
"The league does not have the authority to overturn the result of the game," Andy Staples of Sports Illustrated wrote. "Also, doing so might require even more examination of the officiating. For example, the question of whether Duke quarterback Thomas Sirk broke the plane on the Blue Devils' final touchdown was as controversial as the question of whether a knee touched the ground during the wild kickoff return."
27. Temple Owls
27 of 53
Average rating: 26.2
Week 9 result: Lost 24-20 vs. Notre Dame
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 6 at SMU
Temple (7-1, 4-0 American) might have actually improved its reputation despite losing for the first time because in defeat it showed the perfect start to this season wasn't a fluke and that the Owls are a legitimate team. Pushing Notre Dame to the limit despite being massively outgained will do that for a program.
The Owls allowed 467 yards, with 442 coming from Notre Dame quarterback DeShone Kizer, but they had only allowed 17 points before giving up a game-winning touchdown with 2:09 left. It was only the third time they've given up 20 or more points this season, and they still rank ninth nationally in scoring defense at 15.8 points per game.
Temple's push for a conference title—and possibly the "Group of Five" bowl bid—remains well alive. Three of its remaining four opponents have no better than a .500 record, but it also hosts unbeaten Memphis in three weeks.
26. Texas A&M Aggies
28 of 53
Average rating: 25.8
Week 9 result: Won 35-28 vs. South Carolina
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 7 vs. Auburn
Texas A&M (6-2, 3-2 SEC) used a switch at quarterback to halt a two-game skid, with true freshman Kyler Murray taking over for Kyle Allen with an efficient and productive first start.
Murray threw for 223 yards and a touchdown and ran for 156 yards with a rushing score, the second player in SEC history with 100-plus yards rushing and passing with scores in both ways (Cam Newton was the other). More importantly, he didn't turn the ball over after Allen threw four interceptions in the Aggies' two losses.
While Murray's play led to an offensive resurgence, A&M's defense continues to slide. It has allowed 200-plus rushing yards in four of the last five games.
25. Wisconsin Badgers
29 of 53
Average rating: 24.2
Week 9 result: Won 48-10 vs. Rutgers
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 7 at Maryland
Wisconsin (7-2, 4-1 Big Ten) has won four straight and seven of eight, but because of a 10-6 home loss to Iowa in early October, it's in a position where winning out could mean no better than second place in the West Division. But with the return of Corey Clement to the backfield, the Badgers are a dangerous non-division leader.
Clement, who hadn't played since the opener after undergoing sports hernia surgery, ran for 115 yards and three touchdowns on just 11 carries. The 209 yards Wisconsin gained on the ground was its second-best output of the season but would have been third-worst in 2014, when it averaged 320.14 rushing yards per game.
Wisconsin's defense has been solid all year long, sitting third overall at 267.1 yards allowed per game.
24. Mississippi State Bulldogs
30 of 53
Average rating: 24.0
Week 9 result: Bye
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 5 at Missouri
Mississippi State (6-2, 2-2 SEC) isn't mathematically eliminated from the West Division race, but its losses to LSU and Texas A&M will make it difficult to rise to the top of the standings. However, the Bulldogs will have a say in how things pan out since they play host to division contenders Alabama and Ole Miss this month.
The Bulldogs' final four games are likely to see them go with the same offensive approach they have all season, which is to have senior quarterback Dak Prescott do as much as he can. He has averaged 302.4 yards of total offense this season, and his 371 rushing yards and seven touchdowns are tops on the team.
MSU's defense has allowed 4.91 yards per play, down from 5.65 the season before, and in SEC play it has only allowed 19 points per game.
23. UCLA Bruins
31 of 53
Average rating: 23.4
Week 9 result: Won 35-31 vs. Colorado
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 7 at Oregon State
UCLA (6-2, 3-2 Pac-12) had half as many snaps on offense as its opponent yet had a 21-3 lead it nearly blew, having to come from behind in the fourth quarter to avoid a second home loss this season. It might be for the best that the Bruins play three of four on the road, including at South Division leader Utah and rival USC.
Josh Rosen failed to complete 60 percent of his throws for the fifth time this season, though the return of Paul Perkins from a leg injury lessened the need for Rosen to produce.
UCLA's defense allowed a season-high 554 yards and yielded more than 200 on the ground for the third time this season. The Bruins rank 109th in FBS in rushing defense.
22. USC Trojans
32 of 53
Average rating: 23.2
Week 9 result: Won 27-21 at California
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 7 vs. Arizona
USC (5-3, 3-2 Pac-12) has managed to put all of its season turmoil in the rearview mirror for the time being, and that's led to some of its best performances of the year after looking like a disaster less than a month ago.
A week after handing Utah its first loss of the season, the Trojans won at California by being careful on offense and opportunistic on defense. Interim head coach Clay Helton is now 2-1 with the loss coming in his debut at Notre Dame, and he's following the track that previous interim coaches at USC have traveled.
USC is 9-3 under interim coaches and 15-8 under head coaches the past three seasons, per Steve Mims of the Eugene Register-Guard.
The Trojans intercepted two passes, with Adoree' Jackson bringing one back 46 yards for a touchdown. Jackson now has TDs on receptions, kick returns and a pick in his career.
21. Toledo Rockets
33 of 53
Average rating: 22.4
Week 9 result: Bye
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 3 vs. Northern Illinois
Toledo (7-0, 4-0 Mid-American) will spend the next month playing on weeknights, the first three coming on Tuesday games, when it will put its 10-game win streak up against four of the five other teams in the conference with winning records.
The Rockets have topped 30 points five times this season, scoring 116 points in their last two games. They trailed 28-10 at Massachusetts in their most recent contest but scored 41 after halftime.
Toledo's top three running backs have combined for 1,336 yards and 13 touchdowns.
20. North Carolina Tar Heels
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Average rating: 21.2
Week 9 result: Won 26-19 at Pittsburgh
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 7 vs. Duke
North Carolina (7-1, 4-0 ACC) claimed its seventh straight win by holding an opponent below 20 points for the seventh time this season. That didn't happen once in 2014, when the Tar Heels allowed 39 points per game, pointing to how significant the hiring of defensive coordinator Gene Chizik has been.
The Heels are giving up 17 points and 358 yards per game, and opponents gain only 4.94 yards per play. Last year's team allowed 6.53 yards per play, only holding foes below five in three of 13 games.
This major improvement has made it possible for UNC to be more methodical on offense, which has translated into Elijah Hood becoming a dependable running back. He's averaging 6.2 yards per carry, and combined with dual-threat quarterback Marquise Williams the offense has become more consistent than explosive.
19. Houston Cougars
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Average rating: 19.2
Week 9 result: Won 34-0 vs. Vanderbilt
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 7 vs. Cincinnati
Houston (8-0, 4-0 American) hasn't gotten as much attention as fellow AAC standouts Memphis and Temple, but shutting out an SEC school is nothing to be ashamed of. It showed the Cougars are more than just a dynamic offensive team led by dual-threat quarterback Greg Ward Jr., as their defense is allowing fewer than 340 yards per game.
Ward is still the top draw, though, ranking 11th nationally in total offense at 333.1 yards per game. He leads the nation with 16 rushing touchdowns.
The Cougars get three of their last four at home, all against teams with winning records.
18. Ole Miss Rebels
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Average rating: 18.2
Week 9 result: Won 27-19 at Auburn
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 7 vs. Arkansas
Ole Miss (7-2, 4-1 SEC) still controls its destiny in the West Division by virtue of its win earlier this season over Alabama, but the Rebels are going to have to get a lot better to remain in that position and avoid another loss. Despite 558 yards at Auburn, they trailed on multiple occasions and weren't out of the woods until Laquon Treadwell scored a huge touchdown in the fourth quarter.
It was a key moment for Ole Miss and Treadwell, who was injured in the fourth quarter of last year's home loss to Auburn. He finished with seven catches for 114 yards and the TD.
"Laquon Treadwell has been playing at a high level all season, but his comeback story did not feel complete until Saturday," Matt Brown of Sports on Earth wrote.
Treadwell was great. And Chad Kelly was good, with 381 passing yards and two TDs, but he was also intercepted twice. He has 12 interceptions this season, seven coming in the last three games.
17. Memphis Tigers
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Average rating: 17.6
Week 9 result: Won 41-13 vs. Tulane
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 7 vs. Navy
Memphis (8-0, 4-0 American) has had slow starts in its last two games since the big win over Ole Miss, though neither game ended up being close once its offense got in gear. That scenario might not work out well in the near future since the Tigers' next three opponents have only two losses between them.
The Tigers will find out Tuesday night what the College Football Playoff selection committee thinks of their start in 2015, which is the tail end of a 15-game win streak. To this point the results have been impressive, and though the wins over Tulane and at Tulsa involved some uncertainty at first, they still produced 107 points and 1,285 yards of total offense.
Paxton Lynch has 18 touchdown passes and one interception, while Memphis' run game has produced 480 yards and eight TDs the past two weeks.
16. Michigan Wolverines
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Average rating: 16.0
Week 9 result: Won 29-26 at Minnesota
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 7 vs. Rutgers
Michigan (6-2, 3-1 Big Ten) had a last-second play go against it before a bye, resulting in a home loss to Michigan State. On Saturday the Wolverines caught a break thanks to some strange play-calling by Minnesota in the final moments, resulting in a narrow road win that ended with a goal-line stuff.
Big finish aside, it was the second game in a row the Wolverines allowed 20-plus points after giving up 38 in the first six games, including three consecutive shutouts. But more concerning for the final month is the health of quarterback Jake Rudock, who was knocked out in the second half with a rib injury.
"(Jim) Harbaugh told reporters immediately after Saturday's win that he thinks Rudock will be healthy enough to play against Rutgers this week, but that’s still a wait-and-see situation," ESPN.com's Dan Murphy wrote.
Wilton Speight played well in relief of Rudock, and he could be the safe play for a soft opponent before tougher games later this month.
15. Florida State Seminoles
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Average rating: 15.8
Week 9 result: Won 45-21 vs. Syracuse
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 7 at Clemson
Florida State (7-1, 5-1 ACC) had to turn to backups to power past Syracuse, and the performances from quarterback Sean Maguire and running back Jacques Patrick could end up providing necessary depth for the stretch run as the Seminoles hunt for a fourth straight Atlantic Division title.
Maguire, playing for the injured Everett Golson, threw for 348 yards and three touchdowns in his second career start. Patrick, a freshman stepping in for Dalvin Cook as he lets lingering ailments heal, ran for 162 yards and three scores.
Assuming Cook is healthy, there's no doubt he'll be back in the lineup, since he's topped 1,000 yards already this season. The quarterback situation, though, is different. Golson has looked mostly good, but he's coming off a loss at Georgia Tech when he had his first interception of the season.
"I told you we had two good quarterbacks. I said it before," FSU head coach Jimbo Fisher said, per Brendan Sonnone of the Orlando Sentinel. "We have two guys that can play and win. Everett's health, [we've] still got to get that and see where things are. We'll go from there."
14. Utah Utes
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Average rating: 13.6
Week 9 result: Won 27-12 vs. Oregon State
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 7 at Washington
Utah (7-1, 4-1 Pac-12) has a one-game lead on UCLA and USC in the South Division, so there's little margin for error despite starting this season at 6-0. The next three games are against teams with .500 records or better, the next two on the road.
The Utes need continued strong running from Devontae Booker, who had 121 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries against Oregon State and who sits with 966 yards for the season. He was coming off a season-low 62 yards in the loss at USC, one of three games this year he hasn't topped 100 yards.
Travis Wilson is completing 68.9 percent of his throws, but he has only 10 TDs with seven interceptions.
13. Oklahoma Sooners
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Average rating: 12.4
Week 9 result: Won 62-7 at Kansas
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 7 vs. Iowa State
Oklahoma (7-1, 4-1 Big 12) is probably the best fourth-place team in college football since it's stuck behind three unbeaten teams in the league standings due to its surprising loss to Texas last month. The Sooners have won three straight since that defeat, averaging 60 points in the process and only yielding 34 total points.
The Sooners' defense might be the best in the Big 12, the 4.29 yards per play allowed ranking sixth nationally. They have recorded 24 sacks in league play with also forcing 14 turnovers.
Baker Mayfield is 10th in total offense, at 333.5 yards per game, and he completes 69.7 percent of his passes.
11. (tie) Oklahoma State Cowboys
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Average rating: 11.4
Week 9 result: Won 70-53 at Texas Tech
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 7 vs. TCU
Oklahoma State (8-0, 5-0 Big 12) came out on the winning end of the highest-scoring game of the 2015 season, its last escape act amid its second 8-0 start in the last five years. This final month will give us a much clearer picture of what the Cowboys are made of, as they will host Baylor, Oklahoma and TCU and will look to tap into their late-game mojo for more signature victories.
The 17-point margin was misleading since it included an interception return for a touchdown in the final seconds—one of the few defensive plays made in the game. The Cowboys' other Big 12 wins have included a trio of single-digit outcomes, including in overtime at West Virginia.
OK State is doing it with an offense that has a hot-and-cold passer in Mason Rudolph but also a consistent producer in mobile quarterback J.W. Walsh. Walsh had 247 yards of total offense, including two long TD passes and 80 rushing yards with a score.
There's also a defense that, despite allowing 30 points per game in Big 12 play, has 30 sacks and recorded 72 tackles for loss.
11. (tie) Florida Gators
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Average rating: 11.4
Week 9 result: Won 27-3 vs. Georgia (in Jacksonville)
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 7 vs. Vanderbilt
Florida (7-1, 5-1 SEC) embarrassed its rival while rebounding from its first loss, and though the offensive performance wasn't pretty, it showed the kind of attack the Gators will have under quarterback Treon Harris and how they expect to win games. That figures to be through a running game, which produced 258 yards on 48 carries, including 121 with two touchdowns from Kelvin Taylor.
Harris was only 8-of-19, but that went for 155 yards, including a 66-yard TD pass. And he added 39 rushing yards.
Florida's defense remains its strength, with it holding Georgia to 223 yards while forcing five turnovers. It has a two-game lead on the rest of the East Division and will clinch its first trip to the SEC title game since 2009 with a win.
10. Iowa Hawkeyes
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Average rating: 10.8
Week 9 result: Won 31-15 vs. Maryland
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 7 at Indiana
Iowa (8-0, 4-0 Big Ten) has made it through the toughest part of its schedule, and now it's all about maintaining momentum during a final month against opponents who are a combined 13-20. The West Division isn't sewn up, but it's as close to as it can be with a win over second-place Wisconsin already in the bag.
The Hawkeyes had a season-low 293 yards against Indiana but only allowed 241, and they rank ninth in FBS by allowing only 4.36 yards per play. They have a plus-nine turnover margin in Big Ten play, forcing 13 takeaways during that span.
Iowa is a game away from matching its best start in school history from 2009, when it went 11-2.
9. Stanford Cardinal
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Average rating: 9.2
Week 9 result: Won 30-28 at Washington State
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 7 at Colorado
Stanford (7-1, 6-0 Pac-12) survived a rainy and cold night in the Palouse when its potent offense wasn't able to produce like normal, yet it still found a way to win. Veteran play from quarterback Kevin Hogan made this happen—and not in the way he's been most accustomed to contributing.
Hogan ran for 112 yards and two touchdowns to go along with only 86 passing yards. He entered the game with 74 rushing yards, including sack yardage, but he had two of the Cardinal's three second-half TDs after they managed only three points in the first half.
Those two scores made Hogan Stanford's career leader in rushing TDs by a quarterback, with 11, per John Reid of the Menlo Park Daily News.
Stanford allowed 354 passing yards, but its defense held strong at key moments, holding Washington State to five field goals on its first nine possessions to keep the game within reach.
7. (tie) Notre Dame Fighting Irish
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Average rating: 8.6
Week 9 result: Won 24-20 at Temple
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 7 at Pittsburgh
If Notre Dame (7-1) does manage to work its way into the playoffs as an independent, no one will be able to say the Fighting Irish were not tested during the year. All three of their road games to this point have gone down to the wire, with their only loss coming to unbeaten Clemson and now their top victory coming against a previously perfect Temple team that was very much a challenge.
Thankfully, DeShone Kizer has proved he's more than able to handle leading the Irish offense, as he had 442 of the team's 467 yards of total offense, including 143 rushing yards and two touchdowns. He threw for 299 yards and a TD, a 17-yard strike to Will Fuller with 2:09 left, for the go-ahead score.
Notre Dame's defense played well throughout, slowing down versatile Temple running back Jahad Thomas, and then KeiVarae Russell intercepted P.J. Walker with a minute left to stop the Owls' final drive.
The win was the first in a tough season-ending stretch that also features Notre Dame playing three more times away from home, including at the end of this month at Stanford.
7. (tie) Michigan State Spartans
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Average rating: 8.6
Week 9 result: Bye
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 7 at Nebraska
Michigan State (8-0, 4-0 Big Ten) comes out of its week off with a 12-game win streak, though this season its eight victories have been by only 11.3 points per game. Four wins have been by one score or fewer, while its last game against Indiana (52-26) resulted in the largest margin but only after scoring 24 fourth-quarter points.
Connor Cook has kicked it up a notch the last three games, averaging 354.3 yards per game, including a career-best 398 yards against Indiana. He only completes 57.5 percent of his passes but has just two interceptions on 254 attempts.
MSU plays its next two games against opponents with losing records but then finishes at Ohio State and at home to Penn State.
6. LSU Tigers
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Average rating: 5.9
Week 9 result: Bye
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 7 at Alabama
LSU (7-0, 4-0 SEC) has passed all of its tests so far, though in many cases this year the Tigers have gotten some key breaks by facing backup quarterbacks or getting road games moved to their own stadium. They should expect no such good fortune in their first game in two weeks, since the annual clash with Alabama is regularly among the toughest on their schedule.
The Tigers defense has been beaten up the last few games, particularly through the air, with the last three opponents throwing for 805 yards with seven touchdowns. However, Brandon Harris has nearly matched that with 716 yards and seven scores after tallying only 382 yards and two TDs in LSU's first four games.
Leonard Fournette has stayed strong all year, sitting first in FBS with 193.14 rushing yards per game to go with 15 TDs.
5. Alabama Crimson Tide
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Average rating: 5.8
Week 9 result: Bye
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 7 vs. LSU
Alabama (7-1, 4-1 SEC) took its customary week off before the key showdown with LSU, a game that will likely determine the West Division as well as give us a better idea of how the SEC might fare in terms of playoff qualifiers.
The Crimson Tide have won five in a row since their lone loss, and in those victories they've given up 61 points and allowed 284.5 yards per game in their last four SEC contests.
Derrick Henry has asserted himself as Alabama's best option on offense, sitting at 1,044 rushing yards with 14 touchdowns. Three of his five 100-yard games this season have come during the win streak, with 379 yards and four TDs the past two games.
4. TCU Horned Frogs
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Average rating: 3.7
Week 9 result: Won 40-10 vs. West Virginia
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 7 at Oklahoma State
TCU (8-0, 5-0 Big 12) was one of the few highly rated teams to play this past weekend, and it got the work out of the way early by scoring 23 first-half points thanks to Trevone Boykin's continued dominant play.
Boykin, who might be the only quarterback who will get an invite to New York as a Heisman Trophy finalist, had 472 yards of total offense and accounted for four touchdowns, keeping him second in FBS in total offense per game at 431.4 per game.
"Here's a key area where the TCU star been especially sharp," Bruce Feldman of Fox Sports wrote. "In the red zone this year, Boykin's completed 29 of 41 (71 percent) passes with 16 touchdowns, zero interceptions. He's also run for five TDs in the red zone."
That play will be huge this month with TCU having to visit both Oklahoma schools and then host Baylor.
3. Clemson Tigers
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Average rating: 3.3
Week 9 result: Won 59-41 at North Carolina State
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 7 vs. Florida State
Clemson (8-0, 5-0 ACC) handled a potential trap game with great poise last week in winning in Raleigh, showing no hesitancy when it allowed two touchdowns in the first five minutes. The Tigers' big-play offense made this so, as it scored six of the team's seven TDs on plays of 24 or more yards.
Deshaun Watson is showing what he's able to do at full strength and without any worry of injury, putting up 437 yards of total offense and accounting for six TDs, including five passing scores. Combined with Wayne Gallman, who had a career-best 172 rushing yards and has five 100-yard games this season, the Tigers now rank 19th in total offense.
The Tigers also rank fifth in total defense heading into the game that will make or break their season, hoping to put an official end to Florida State's reign in the ACC. Vegas certainly has their back, opening them as a 12-point favorite, per Odds Shark.
2. Ohio State Buckeyes
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Average rating: 2.4
Week 9 result: Bye
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 7 vs. Minnesota
Ohio State (8-0, 4-0 Big Ten) was just hitting its stride when the bye came along, and now it might end up being back to the drawing board with quarterback J.T. Barrett facing a one-game suspension following an operating a vehicle while impaired, or OVI, citation on Saturday.
Barrett had started the Buckeyes' previous game and had 324 yards of total offense and accounted for five touchdowns, though now his status with the team is uncertain. "Meyer acknowledged this makes him question Barrett's decision-making," Bill Rabinowitz of the Columbus Dispatch wrote.
Cardale Jones will move back to the starting spot, one he held for the first seven games with mixed results.
1. Baylor Bears
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Average rating: 2.1
Week 9 result: Bye
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 5 at Kansas State
Baylor (7-0, 4-0 Big 12) used the break to adjust its offense to the skills new quarterback Jarrett Stidham brings to the mix, ones that have produced great results in limited action during his true freshman season but now will come during a gauntlet of a final month of competition.
Stidham has been handed the keys to the Bears' top-ranked offense, which produces 61.1 points and 686.1 yards per game. A lot of that came from previous QB Seth Russell, who threw for 29 touchdowns and ran for six more, though he's by far not the Bears' only weapon.
Shock Linwood paces a run game that is third in FBS at 338.29 yards per game, while Corey Coleman's 18 TD catches are tops in the country by a wide margin.
Baylor's five remaining opponents are a combined 29-10, including the trio of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and TCU, who are 23-1.
All statistics from cfbstats.com unless otherwise noted.
Follow Brian J. Pedersen on Twitter at @realBJP.
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