The Irish dominated the Hurricanes, leaving no doubt about their playoff worthiness and setting the stage for a thrilling final month of the regular season.
The scene at Notre Dame Stadium was electric, with the Irish playing like a team with its back against the wall. The Notre Dame defense was disruptive and made life difficult for quarterback Darian Mensah, while CJ Carr emerged as the Heisman favorite after a stellar performance.
SEC Dominance
Georgia and Alabama have surged to Nos. 2 and 3 in the FPI rankings after dominant SEC victories. The Bulldogs routed Ole Miss, while the Crimson Tide demolished LSU in Baton Rouge. The SEC now has 10 teams in the top 25, the most of any conference. By nightfall, it was clear that the SEC had cemented its position as a powerhouse conference.
Ohio State’s loss to USC has damaged the Buckeyes’ playoff margin and Jeremiah Smith’s Heisman bid. Smith remained productive with 10 catches, but was held under 100 yards. The loss has created real pressure for Ohio State, and a third loss would be difficult to overcome in the playoff picture.
Playoff Contenders
Utah remains unbeaten at 9-0, locking up a spot in the Big 12 title game and staying in the playoff conversation. The Utes’ win over BYU in the first top-10 matchup in Holy War history was a huge moment for the team. Texas has also stayed alive in the playoff conversation with its third straight SEC win behind Arch Manning. The Longhorns have figured out ways to win despite being undermanned due to injuries and have gotten more consistency out of Manning.
The final month of the regular season is shaping up to be a thrilling ride, with several teams still in contention for the playoff spots. As the season enters its final stretch, the stakes will only get higher. The next scheduled game for Notre Dame is on November 16, against a yet-to-be-determined opponent.
Sources
- Week 10 Heisman Watch and Hobby Outlook: Six College Football Matchups Driving Card Interest
- ESPN FPI Rankings after Week 10: Pair of SEC teams move into top 3 after big wins
- Takeaways from College Football Week 10: Notre Dame makes a statement, Utah is locked in
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