Things are coming into focus on the playoff format — for the most part. Losses for top teams take on added significance, and those who move up are entering rarefied territory. While the top schools now seem rather cemented in place to a degree, it is the lower-level teams vying for the final playoff spots that are the question marks.
The Group of Five conferences continue to shuffle their offerings, as USF took a loss, leaving the door open now for either James Madison or North Texas. Meanwhile, the ACC cannot make things easy, as Louisville took a loss and made the mix at the top of that conference an even bigger question mark. From this point on, every game matters more, and postseason or bowl significance is in play.
-
Something usually only seen in bowl season took place this weekend, as two games were staged inside MLB stadiums. Fenway held the contest between the Coast Guard and the Merchant Marine Academy, and then Michigan survived against Northwestern inside Wrigley Field in Chicago.
-
Drummer Mick Fleetwood of the band Fleetwood Mac performed on the field with the USC Trojans marching band to play a live version of the platinum-selling song “Tusk” that was originally recorded with the band in 1979.
Enjoyed playing Tusk with the USC marching band! Thank you to the university for a wonderful evening and to all the faculty, alumni, fans and students that make this university amazing 🥳❤️ #uscmarchingband#bigtenfootball #uscalumni #uscfootball #universityofsoutherncalifornia pic.twitter.com/c3qqPjS8SQ
— Mick Fleetwood (@MickFleetwood) November 8, 2025
At U-Mass, the Minutemen made a successful field goal, and the stadium erupted in fireworks. This overwrought celebration was even more ridiculous, since at the time they trailed 45-0.
-
In Utah, the quarterback position may have become superfluous. Devon Dampier threw for just 80 yards the entire game, but the Utes did not even notice. They won 55-28 over Baylor on the strength of 380 yards rushing and five touchdowns
-
As the South Carolina Gamecocks were romping in College Station, there was a fracas following an 80-yard score by receiver Nyck Harbor, who ran into a tunnel and then bumped into a state trooper, who reacted angrily. The trooper was dismissed from his duties on the spot, but he motivated the Aggies to take action in the second half.
Texas state trooper bumped into South Carolina players after a SC touchdown
The trooper was relieved of his gameday duties pic.twitter.com/NosBtwK5B9
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 15, 2025
Some of the significant results:
Oklahoma 23 – Alabama 21
The Tide dominated statistically anywhere you look — 406-212 total yards, 23-12 on first downs, and Ty Simpson throwing for 326 yards to John Mateer’s 138. But Alabama was unwound by two factors: a muted running game and three turnovers that translated to two touchdowns (one a pick-6) and a field goal.