Top NCAA Football Games in Review, Week 9

2 days ago

11 min read

November 1, 2026

This weekend of college football delivered another round of major surprises, dramatic finishes, and results that could have a significant impact on the College Football Playoff race.

Coming into Saturday, several of the country's top teams were looking to protect their positions near the top of the rankings. Some succeeded, but others found out just how difficult it is to win consistently in college football. No. 2 Ohio State suffered a surprising loss on the road to USC, No. 19 SMU fell to Syracuse, and No. 25 Wisconsin was completely shut out by Iowa. Meanwhile, No. 1 Miami barely escaped North Carolina, No. 4 Indiana needed overtime to get past Minnesota, and undefeated Utah continued its impressive season with a dominant win over Cincinnati.

There were also some impressive performances elsewhere, including South Carolina's road victory over Oklahoma, Texas taking care of Mississippi State, and Iowa State winning one of the wildest offensive games of the season against Oklahoma State. With November approaching, the playoff picture is becoming more interesting by the week.

USC 30 vs Ohio State 18

Venue: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum – Los Angeles, CA

This was arguably the biggest upset of the weekend. No. 2 Ohio State traveled to Los Angeles looking to maintain its position among the top teams in the country, but USC had other plans. The Trojans delivered one of their best performances of the season, taking down the Buckeyes 30-18 and handing Ohio State its second loss of the year.

USC quarterback Jayden Maiava finished with 222 passing yards and a touchdown, while running back King Miller contributed 78 rushing yards. Wide receiver Trent Mosley was particularly impressive, finishing with five catches for 101 yards and a touchdown. His 69-yard touchdown reception helped USC establish an early advantage.

Ohio State actually finished with more total offensive yards, outgaining USC 464-338, but the Trojans made better use of their opportunities. USC controlled the game early, building a 20-9 halftime lead before adding another touchdown in the third quarter. Ohio State managed nine points in the fourth quarter but never seriously threatened to complete the comeback.

This is a massive victory for USC, which improves to 7-2 overall and 4-2 in Big Ten play. Ohio State falls to 6-2, and the Buckeyes will have to regroup after losing a game that could have major playoff implications. USC, meanwhile, has picked up a signature win that could change the direction of its season.

Miami 38 vs North Carolina 35

Venue: Kenan Stadium – Chapel Hill, NC

Miami entered the weekend ranked No. 1 in the country and undefeated, but the Hurricanes received a much tougher challenge than expected against North Carolina. The Tar Heels played an outstanding game at home and nearly pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the weekend. Miami eventually escaped with a 38-35 victory, keeping its undefeated season alive.

Quarterback Darian Mensah completed 22 of 29 passes for 274 yards and three touchdowns. Wide receiver Malachi Toney also had an important performance, catching seven passes for 75 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Mark Fletcher Jr. contributed three touchdowns of his own, giving Miami several different ways to find the end zone.

North Carolina refused to go away and continued to put pressure on Miami's defense throughout the game. With Miami holding a narrow 31-28 lead, defensive lineman Marquise Lightfoot came up with a critical sack and forced a fumble that was recovered by Justin Scott. The Hurricanes eventually turned that possession into the go-ahead touchdown, with Mensah connecting with Toney for a nine-yard score.

North Carolina had another opportunity late in the game, but Miami managed to hold on and secure the victory.

Miami improves to 8-0 overall and remains in excellent position to hold onto the No. 1 ranking. North Carolina falls to 4-4, but the Tar Heels showed that they can compete with one of the best teams in the country. Miami got the win, but this performance also showed that the Hurricanes are not invincible.

Georgia 27 vs Florida 8

Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium – Atlanta, GA

Georgia continued to look like a serious national championship contender with a convincing victory over Florida in the latest edition of their rivalry. The No. 3 Bulldogs controlled the game from the beginning, shutting out the Gators through the first three quarters before finishing with a 27-8 victory.

Georgia's defense was the biggest story of the afternoon. Florida managed just 246 total yards, including only 48 rushing yards. The Bulldogs also limited the Gators to just eight points, preventing Florida from building any meaningful offensive momentum.

Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton finished with 101 passing yards, while running back Nate Frazier led the team with 67 rushing yards. The Bulldogs relied on their running game and defensive pressure to build a comfortable lead, scoring 24 points in the first half alone.

Florida finally got on the scoreboard in the fourth quarter, but by then the outcome was largely decided. Georgia added a field goal to finish the scoring and secure another important SEC victory.

Georgia improves to 7-1 overall and 5-1 in SEC play, keeping itself firmly in the playoff conversation. Florida falls to 5-3, and the Gators will need to find more consistency on offense if they hope to remain competitive in the SEC race. Georgia, meanwhile, continues to show that its defense can be a major advantage against quality opponents.

Indiana 23 vs Minnesota 16 (OT)

Venue: Memorial Stadium – Bloomington, IN

Indiana found itself in another difficult Big Ten matchup, but the No. 4 Hoosiers managed to survive a tough challenge from Minnesota. The Golden Gophers played strong defense and kept the game close throughout regulation, forcing Indiana to work for every point. The Hoosiers eventually pulled away in overtime for a 23-16 victory.

Indiana quarterback Grant Wilson finished with 156 passing yards, while wide receiver Charlie Becker had an outstanding afternoon with 149 receiving yards. Running back Lee Beebe Jr. also contributed 84 rushing yards as Indiana finished with 419 total yards of offense.

Minnesota made things difficult for Indiana by limiting its opportunities and keeping the score close. The Golden Gophers managed to force overtime after tying the game late in regulation, putting Indiana in a position where one mistake could have changed the outcome.

The Hoosiers responded in overtime, finding the end zone while holding Minnesota scoreless in the extra period. Indiana's defense came through when it mattered most, allowing the Hoosiers to escape with another important conference victory.

Indiana improves to 8-1 overall and 5-1 in Big Ten play. Minnesota falls to 5-3, but the Golden Gophers deserve credit for making this a competitive game against one of the top teams in the country. Indiana continues to find ways to win, although the close score shows there is still room for improvement heading into the final stretch of the regular season.

Utah 49 vs Cincinnati 25

Venue: Nippert Stadium – Cincinnati, OH

Utah continued its undefeated season with one of the most impressive offensive performances of the weekend. The No. 6 Utes traveled to Cincinnati and came away with a convincing 49-25 victory, improving to 8-0 and strengthening their position among the country's top teams.

Utah quarterback Devon Dampier threw for 260 yards, while running back Wayshawn Parker contributed 82 rushing yards. Wide receiver Hunter Andrews was another major factor, finishing with 112 receiving yards and helping Utah consistently move the football.

The biggest difference came in the first half. Utah scored 42 points before halftime, building a lead that Cincinnati struggled to overcome. The Bearcats managed to put together a better second half, scoring 19 points after the break, but the early deficit was simply too much to overcome.

Cincinnati quarterback JC French IV finished with 263 passing yards, while running back Cole Tabb rushed for 131 yards. The Bearcats had some offensive success, but their defense struggled to slow down Utah's explosive attack.

Utah improves to 8-0 overall and 5-0 in conference play. The Utes are now one of the few remaining undefeated teams in the country and continue to build a strong playoff résumé. Cincinnati falls to 5-3, and the Bearcats will need to regroup after allowing 49 points at home. Utah, meanwhile, looks increasingly like a legitimate contender.

Syracuse 30 vs SMU 27

Venue: JMA Wireless Dome – Syracuse, NY

SMU entered the weekend ranked No. 19 and looking to keep its season moving in the right direction, but Syracuse delivered one of the more important conference wins of the day. The Orange pulled off a 30-27 victory, handing the Mustangs another setback in the ACC race.

SMU had an opportunity to pick up an important road victory, but Syracuse found a way to make the most of its home-field advantage. The Orange stayed competitive throughout the game and managed to do enough offensively to come away with the three-point victory.

For Syracuse, this was exactly the type of performance the program needed. Beating a ranked opponent provides a major confidence boost and gives the Orange an opportunity to build momentum heading into the final weeks of the season.

Syracuse improves to 4-4 overall and 2-4 in ACC play, while SMU falls to 6-2 and 4-2 in the conference. The Mustangs still have plenty to play for, but this loss makes their path toward the ACC Championship Game more difficult. Syracuse, meanwhile, gets a much-needed victory against one of the conference's better teams.

Iowa 30 vs Wisconsin 0

Venue: Kinnick Stadium – Iowa City, IA

Iowa delivered one of the most impressive defensive performances of the weekend, shutting out No. 25 Wisconsin 30-0. The Hawkeyes entered the game looking to make a statement in the Big Ten, and they did exactly that by completely controlling the matchup.

Wisconsin struggled to get anything going offensively. The Badgers failed to score a single point, and Iowa's defense consistently made life difficult for the Wisconsin offense. In a conference where defensive football is often a major part of winning, this was the type of performance that can make a statement.

Iowa took advantage of its opportunities and steadily built a lead throughout the game. The Hawkeyes never allowed Wisconsin to establish any offensive rhythm, turning what could have been a competitive matchup into a convincing shutout victory.

Iowa improves to 6-2 overall, while Wisconsin falls to 5-3. The Badgers will be disappointed with the performance, especially considering they entered the weekend ranked among the country's top 25 teams. Iowa, meanwhile, gets one of its biggest wins of the season and shows that its defense can still be a major factor in the Big Ten race.

Iowa State 51 vs Oklahoma State 49

Venue: Jack Trice Stadium – Ames, IA

If there was one game that showed just how unpredictable college football can be, this was it. Iowa State and Oklahoma State combined for 100 points in an offensive shootout that came down to the final seconds. The Cyclones eventually escaped with a 51-49 victory after converting a last-second field goal.

Oklahoma State quarterback Drew Mestemaker threw for 323 yards and five touchdowns, while running back Caleb Hawkins contributed 194 rushing yards. The Cowboys had an outstanding offensive performance and appeared to have done enough to steal a road victory late in the fourth quarter.

Iowa State had other plans. Running back Aiden Flora rushed for an incredible 221 yards and two touchdowns, while quarterback Jaylen Raynor threw for 309 yards. Wide receiver Jamal Polite also had a huge afternoon, finishing with 171 receiving yards and a touchdown.

The finish was absolutely wild. Oklahoma State took a 49-48 lead with just 53 seconds remaining after scoring a late touchdown. However, an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty following the touchdown forced the Cowboys to kick off from their own 20-yard line. Iowa State immediately took advantage, completing a 33-yard pass that moved the Cyclones into field-goal range.

After running the clock down, Iowa State connected on a 34-yard field goal as time expired to secure the 51-49 victory.

Iowa State improves to 4-4 overall and gets a huge home victory, while Oklahoma State falls to 5-3. The Cowboys will be frustrated after letting a late lead slip away, especially after scoring 49 points. Iowa State, meanwhile, gets one of the most dramatic victories of the season and a major boost in confidence heading into the next stretch of the schedule.

South Carolina 42 vs Oklahoma 25

Venue: Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium – Norman, OK

South Carolina picked up one of the most impressive road victories of the weekend, defeating Oklahoma 42-25. The Gamecocks entered the matchup looking to improve their position in the SEC, and they delivered an outstanding offensive performance against the Sooners.

Quarterback LaNorris Sellers was the biggest story of the afternoon. Sellers threw for 301 yards and three touchdowns while also rushing for 96 yards and two additional touchdowns. His ability to make plays through the air and on the ground gave Oklahoma's defense problems throughout the game.

Wide receiver Mazeo Bennett Jr. also had a productive afternoon, finishing with 107 receiving yards. South Carolina's offense was especially effective in the second quarter, scoring 21 points to establish a significant halftime advantage.

Oklahoma attempted to make things interesting in the fourth quarter, scoring 15 points, but the Sooners had already fallen too far behind. South Carolina continued to answer offensively and finished with 521 total yards.

South Carolina improves to 5-3 overall and 3-3 in SEC play, while Oklahoma falls to 4-4 and 2-3 in the conference. This is a major win for the Gamecocks, who have shown they can compete with quality SEC opponents. Oklahoma, meanwhile, will need to find answers defensively after allowing 42 points at home.

Texas 31 vs Mississippi State 3

Venue: Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium – Austin, TX

Texas picked up an important SEC victory with a convincing 31-3 win over Mississippi State. The Longhorns entered the weekend looking to build momentum, and they took care of business against a struggling Bulldogs offense.

Quarterback Arch Manning threw for 220 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. Wide receiver Emmett Mosley V led the team with 98 receiving yards, while Texas also received an important contribution from its defense.

One of the biggest plays of the game came in the second quarter, when Texas recovered a fumble and returned it 61 yards for a touchdown. That play helped the Longhorns build a 17-0 halftime lead and put Mississippi State in an even more difficult position.

Mississippi State managed just three points and 187 total yards for the game. Texas also recorded seven sacks, consistently putting pressure on the Bulldogs' quarterback and preventing the offense from getting comfortable.

Texas improves to 6-2 overall and 3-2 in SEC play, while Mississippi State falls to 4-4. The Longhorns still have work to do if they want to make a serious playoff push, but this was an important performance on both sides of the ball. Mississippi State, meanwhile, will need to improve offensively after a difficult afternoon in Austin.

Final Thoughts

What another wild weekend of college football. No. 2 Ohio State suffered a surprising 30-18 loss to USC, No. 19 SMU fell to Syracuse, and No. 25 Wisconsin was shut out by Iowa. Miami barely survived North Carolina, Indiana needed overtime to get past Minnesota, and Utah continued its undefeated season with a dominant victory over Cincinnati.

The biggest takeaway from this weekend is that the playoff picture continues to shift. Ohio State's loss is particularly important because the Buckeyes entered the weekend ranked No. 2 and looked like one of the strongest teams in the country. USC now has a major victory to build on, while Syracuse and Iowa both took advantage of opportunities to make statements of their own.

On the other side, Miami continues to hold the No. 1 position, although its narrow victory over North Carolina showed that even the best teams can be vulnerable. Utah remains undefeated at 8-0 and continues to strengthen its playoff résumé. Georgia also picked up an important SEC victory, while Indiana managed to survive another difficult Big Ten matchup.

There were also some impressive performances from teams looking to improve their postseason position. South Carolina's victory over Oklahoma gives the Gamecocks something to build on, Texas picked up a convincing conference win, and Iowa State delivered one of the most entertaining finishes of the entire season.

The conference races are becoming increasingly important. The Big Ten has another major storyline following Ohio State's loss, the SEC continues to feature several teams competing for playoff positioning, and Utah's undefeated season is becoming harder to ignore. The Big 12 also remains wide open, with Oklahoma State and other contenders still trying to establish themselves.

With November football now underway, every game carries more weight. Teams that looked like playoff locks a few weeks ago are suddenly facing difficult questions, while others are beginning to emerge as serious contenders.

Miami and Utah are both in excellent positions, but there is still plenty of football left to play. If this weekend was any indication of what's coming, the final stretch of the 2026 college football season should be absolutely wild.