In a tense matchup, No. 3 Penn State fell to No. 4 Ohio State 20-13, marking their eighth straight loss to the Buckeyes.
Penn State struggled at the goal line in the fourth quarter, failing to score on four plays, which likely jeopardizes their chances for the Big Ten championship.
Despite the loss, the Nittany Lions remain a strong candidate for a College Football Playoff at-large bid, given their favorable schedule ahead.
Ohio State, overcoming early mistakes, showcased their resilience with a strong defensive performance and a game-sealing drive in the final moments.
This win solidifies their status as a top contender for both the Big Ten and national championships.
Winners:
– The Big Ten: Ohio State’s victory enhances the conference’s playoff prospects, with potential for multiple teams to qualify.
– Indiana: The Hoosiers achieved a program-best 9-0 start, dominating Michigan State with 47 unanswered points.
– Miami: The Hurricanes remained unbeaten after a strong comeback against Duke, maintaining their national championship hopes.
– SMU: The Mustangs defeated Pittsburgh decisively and are now among the top teams in the ACC.
– Iowa: The Hawkeyes displayed an impressive rushing attack in a convincing win over Wisconsin.
– Vanderbilt: Their victory over Auburn secured bowl eligibility for the first time since 2018.
Losers:
-Iowa State: A late loss to Texas Tech prevented them from achieving an 8-0 record, complicating their Big 12 title chances.
– Clemson: The Tigers suffered a surprising home defeat to Louisville, jeopardizing their ACC title hopes.
– Texas A&M: After a significant loss to South Carolina, the Aggies’ playoff aspirations are now in doubt.
– Kansas State: Their unexpected loss to Houston hurt their chances of reaching the Big 12 championship game.
– Arkansas: A heavy defeat to Mississippi raises concerns about the team’s future under coach Sam Pittman.
– Virginia Tech: Despite leading, they lost in overtime to Syracuse, derailing their season.
– Memphis: A loss to UTSA diminishes their hopes of competing for the Group of Five playoff spot.
Overall, the weekend highlighted critical shifts in playoff positioning and team futures across college football.
