Overview
- Ohio State strengthened its case for the top spot with a 38-14 win at Penn State as multiple outlets project the Buckeyes at No. 1.
- Indiana’s 55-10 rout of Maryland keeps the Hoosiers positioned as a top-two contender entering the initial release.
- Texas reentered the playoff conversation at 7-2 after a 34-31 win over Vanderbilt, improving its at-large outlook.
- Miami’s overtime loss at SMU and Georgia Tech’s defeat at NC State undercut the ACC’s multi-bid hopes and tightened the league race.
- Four unbeatens remain — Ohio State, Indiana, BYU and Texas A&M — while projections tab Memphis as the Group of Five frontrunner for the automatic berth.