College football’s national championship picture underwent significant disruption on Saturday, Oct. 31, as No. 25 Southern California upset second-ranked Ohio State while several other top-ranked contenders narrowly escaped defeat.
At the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, USC earned a 30-18 victory against an Ohio State squad playing without injured starting quarterback Julian Sayin, the Detroit Free Press and USA TODAY Sports reported. The Trojans capitalized on Sayin’s absence by putting pressure on freshman replacement Luke Fahey, according to the Free Press. Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava threw for 222 yards with a touchdown, while Buckeyes pass-catcher Jeremiah Smith posted 10 catches totaling 83 yards and one touchdown, USA TODAY Sports reported. The result dealt a blow to Ohio State’s College Football Playoff standing while providing a signature moment for USC head coach Lincoln Riley.
Miami and Indiana escape major scares
Top-ranked Miami retained its undefeated record by edging North Carolina 38-35 in a tense contest, the Greenville News reported. Facing a Tar Heels program coached by Bill Belichick, the Hurricanes relied on two fourth-quarter touchdowns alongside consecutive failed onside kicks by North Carolina to preserve the victory, according to USA TODAY Sports. Miami moved to 8-0 ahead of an upcoming road test against Notre Dame.
Fourth-ranked Indiana also avoided an upset, defeating Minnesota 23-16 in overtime to secure an extra-period victory for the second straight week, USA TODAY Sports reported. After the teams traded 60-yard field goals in the final minute of regulation—including a 60-yarder by Paddy McAteer—the Hoosiers inserted backup quarterback Grant Wilson, the outlet noted. In the extra session, Wilson found Charlie Becker for a 25-yard touchdown before Indiana’s defensive front closed out the victory by sacking Minnesota quarterback Drake Lindsey on consecutive snaps.
SEC contenders roll while Big Ten powers cruise
In the Southeastern Conference, No. 3 Georgia defeated 20th-ranked Florida 27-8 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, The Tennessean reported. The Bulldogs totaled 217 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground while Gunner Stockton passed for just over 100 yards.
Elsewhere in the SEC, Arch Manning guided 11th-ranked Texas to consecutive victories for the first time since September, completing 16 of 20 passes for 220 yards and three scores against Mississippi State, according to The Tennessean. No. 12 Ole Miss pulled away from Auburn with four second-half touchdowns in a 45-15 win, powered by three total scores from Trinidad Chambliss. South Carolina picked up a road win over Oklahoma, while Alabama, Tennessee, LSU and Kentucky rested during scheduled bye weeks.
In other Big Ten action, No. 7 UCLA shut out Nevada 27-0, and Michigan earned a 28-21 road win against Rutgers, the Detroit Free Press reported. No. 24 Iowa retained the Heartland Trophy by blanking Wisconsin 30-0, limiting the Badgers to nine first downs and 52 rushing yards as quarterback Hank Brown threw for 222 yards and two scores. Oregon overcame No. 18 Northwestern, scoring 20 second-half points to win 34-26.
ACC shakeup and what lies ahead
The Atlantic Coast Conference saw No. 15 Wake Forest defeat Virginia 51-7, while Syracuse handed SMU an upset 30-27 loss, the Greenville News reported. Clemson also earned a 36-24 win over Florida State, intensifying pressure on Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell.
Attention now turns to Week 10, where Miami travels to face Notre Dame in a matchup with major playoff ramifications. How poll voters and the College Football Playoff committee assess Ohio State’s defeat and the close calls of other contenders will determine the postseason picture heading into November.
