Arch Manning stored the ball on a run-pass possibility, understanding a giant hit was coming his method. The Texas quarterback waited till the final attainable second earlier than firing the ball to a leaping Emmett Mosley V in the long run zone.
Manning’s third landing cross gave Texas a 24-point lead over Vanderbilt, and the Longhorns held on for a 34-31 win. The much-scrutinized Manning, who entered his first season as a starter with outsize expectations and struggled to satisfy them for seven video games, had settled into a pleasant rhythm. Manning has 674 passing yards and 6 touchdowns in his previous two begins, and he enters the stretch run brimming with confidence.
Quarterbacks enhance and so do offenses total, as Texas has proven in current weeks. Offenses and quarterbacks additionally regress, as Carson Beck and Miami have with losses in two of the previous three video games.
However November gives the stage for offenses to make strides and ideally peak in a very powerful video games. Climate and accidents will think about for some groups, as will schedule energy. Our newest energy rankings study the highest 25 and what every staff can do to enhance on offense throughout a pivotal month. — Adam Rittenberg
Earlier rating: 1
The Buckeyes had a robust efficiency on the bottom within the 38-14 win over Penn State. However the working sport has been middling for a lot of the season, even with quarterback Julian Sayin and wideouts Carnell Tate and Jeremiah Smith buoying arguably probably the most deadly passing assault within the nation. The Buckeyes rank tenth within the Massive Ten with 153 speeding yards per sport and ninth with 4.64 yards per carry. Ohio State is eighth within the league in yards earlier than contact per rush (1.73) and eleventh in yards after contact per rush (2.84), suggesting the problems lie each with the offensive line and the working backs. Nonetheless, the extra carries freshman Bo Jackson has gotten, the higher the working sport has been. And final season, Ohio State’s revamped offensive line discovered its groove within the Faculty Soccer Playoff after struggling in the course of the common season. In opposition to Penn State, Jackson rushed for 105 yards on 13 carries for his first 100-yard sport since Sept. 13. That would show to be a springboard for Ohio State’s working sport down the stretch. — Jake Trotter
Earlier rating: 2
Like many features of coach Curt Cignetti’s staff, the offense is tough to nitpick. The Hoosiers entered Saturday’s sport at Maryland ranked third nationally in scoring and fifth in yards per contest. Indiana continued its machinelike effectivity in opposition to the Terrapins, leaning on its working sport with Kaelon Black and Maryland switch Roman Hemby. Regardless of not having beginning offensive lineman Drew Evans and shedding standout broad receiver Elijah Sarratt to a hamstring damage within the first half, Indiana nonetheless completed with 55 factors and 588 yards in its newest win. IU has displayed great offensive stability all through the season, and the run sport has actually come on sturdy throughout the previous two weeks after a short dip. The Hoosiers want to keep up that method the remainder of the way in which. — Rittenberg
Earlier rating: 3
The duo of Mario Craver and KC Concepcion modified every thing for the Aggies’ offense this season by creating house with big-play threats, which was critically missing final season. The transfers have mixed for 76 catches, 1,261 yards and 11 touchdowns as in contrast with final season’s main receivers Noah Thomas and Jabre Barber, who racked up 77 catches for 955 yards and 10 TDs over all the marketing campaign. Regardless of shedding final season’s main rusher, Le’Veon Moss, to an ankle damage, the Aggies have used the legs of quarterback Marcel Reed (349 yards, six TDs) to complement working again Rueben Owens II. And as of late, ball service Jamarion Morrow, who scored twice in opposition to LSU, has given Texas A&M one other wrinkle. The Aggies are buzzing alongside. However one space for enchancment? They rank 123rd in penalties per sport (7.9), and coach Mike Elko has challenged his staff to be extra disciplined. After a bye week, the Aggies shall be headed to Missouri with ESPN Analysis’s finest energy of document, which suggests the common playoff contender would have solely a 5% likelihood to go 8-0 in opposition to A&M’s schedule to this point. — Dave Wilson
Earlier rating: 4
The Crimson Tide have surged since shedding to Florida State within the season opener thanks largely to the event and poise of quarterback Ty Simpson. The most important space that wants enchancment is the run sport, which has not been practically as constant or explosive as that of previous Tide groups. Alabama is averaging simply 118.9 yards per sport and three.6 yards per carry, rating among the many backside third within the nation. Alabama has one 100-yard rusher in Energy 4 video games, and a number of occasions its main rusher was not a working again. A few of that’s as a result of ball service Jam Miller has been banged up, however the offensive line has not been practically pretty much as good at run blocking as projected. If Alabama goes to make it by the remainder of its schedule and a attainable CFP run, there isn’t a query it should work out a strategy to run the ball higher and extra persistently. — Andrea Adelson
Earlier rating: 8
A bye for the Geese this previous week permits them to get some further time to arrange for what may be one in all their trickiest matchups left, in opposition to Iowa on the highway this Saturday. Oregon’s offense ranks tenth in SP+, however its passing sport has lagged behind its working assault, which is likely one of the 10 finest within the nation. The ultimate stretch will put extra stress on quarterback Dante Moore, who’s coming off what seemed to be a nostril damage that sidelined him in the course of the Oct. 25 house victory in opposition to Wisconsin. (It doesn’t seem he’ll miss important time.) After a extremely sturdy begin to the season, Moore struggled in Oregon’s loss in opposition to Indiana however bounced again together with his finest statistical sport at Rutgers. One thing to look at: If the Geese are capable of get broad receiver Evan Stewart again after being out for a lot of the season with a severe knee damage he suffered in June, it may very well be an enormous improvement for his or her unit heading into a possible playoff run. — Paolo Uggetti
Earlier rating: 6
It is tough to nitpick an Ole Miss offense that ranks third within the SEC in passing (289.2 yards) and whole offense (476.8 yards) and is fourth in scoring (36.2 factors) and speeding (187.6 yards). The Rebels weren’t at their finest in Saturday’s 30-14 house win in opposition to South Carolina. Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, the Division II switch from Ferris State, has been among the best tales in faculty soccer this season. He accomplished 12 of 21 passes for 159 yards with one landing and one interception. It wasn’t his finest effort.
“I felt like our followers and protection confirmed up as we speak,” Rebels coach Lane Kiffin stated. “Our offense within the passing sport did not. Inconsistency within the passing sport began within the third quarter. They began to play lots of man and stopping the run. Gotta beat them within the passing sport once they do this, did not for slightly bit there.” — Mark Schlabach
Earlier rating: 10
BYU has discovered itself in a well-known place: 8-0 and the front-runner to win the Massive 12. The Cougars had been right here a yr in the past (9-0, really), solely to drop a pair of late video games and lose out on the tiebreaker to play for the convention title. BYU had a well-timed bye over the weekend forward of this week’s journey to Texas Tech in what’s the largest sport of the week in faculty soccer. The Cougars have appeared weak at occasions, however it is a staff that has received 19 of its previous 21 contests. — Kyle Bonagura
Earlier rating: 5
The Bulldogs did not have their most interesting effort on offense in a 24-20 victory in opposition to rival Florida in Jacksonville on Saturday. However as soon as once more, Georgia’s offense made large performs when it wanted it most within the fourth quarter. After working for 221 yards in a 43-35 win over Ole Miss on Oct. 18, the Bulldogs did not have as a lot success on the bottom in opposition to the Gators. Georgia ran 39 occasions for 138 yards, averaging simply 3.5 yards per carry. Florida’s protection did a very good job of containing quarterback Gunner Stockton, who has harm many opponents with designed keepers this season. Operating the ball was some extent of emphasis for coach Kirby Sensible this previous offseason, after his Bulldogs ranked subsequent to final within the SEC with 124.4 yards per sport, the bottom common in his tenure. Georgia has been higher this season; it ranks sixth within the league with 184 yards per sport. However Sensible needs much more out of his floor sport within the closing month of the season. — Schlabach
Earlier rating: 12
If Texas Tech needs to achieve the playoff, this week’s sport in opposition to BYU appears like a must-win. The Pink Raiders might lose and nonetheless attain the Massive 12 title sport for an opportunity to play its method again into the 12-team area, however with as many groups nonetheless within the combine within the convention, the tiebreaker sport might get difficult. The Pink Raiders are undefeated when quarterback Behren Morton is on the market, which is one thing the committee would have in mind come choice time. When he is wholesome, Texas Tech often seems to be like one of the best staff within the Massive 12. — Bonagura
Earlier rating: 13
A ho-hum 25-10 win over Boston Faculty is nothing to get enthusiastic about, however for Notre Dame, it was in all probability a very good instance of what a middling effort seems to be like. That the Combating Irish maybe neglected BC isn’t a shock; the Eagles have been terrible. However even amid a less-than-stellar outing, Notre Dame’s offense nonetheless flexed its two most spectacular muscular tissues. Jeremiyah Love ran for 136 yards and a pair of scores, whereas CJ Carr threw for 299 yards and two touchdowns. Dig slightly deeper, nevertheless, and there was at the least one reminder of Notre Dame’s early-season points. Of Love’s 136 yards, 94 got here on one play. Jadarian Value had simply 12 yards on 9 carries. The bottom sport, other than Love’s future, averaged simply 2.4 yards per carry. Steadiness shall be important in opposition to higher foes, and with Love and Value, Notre Dame ought to by no means have to fret about a capability to maneuver the ball on the bottom. — David Hale
Earlier rating: 19
The best scorer within the Sooners’ first highway win over a ranked opponent since 2019? Kicker Tate Sandell. The large-legged redshirt junior knocked in 4 area targets, together with three over 50 yards, in Oklahoma’s 33-27 win at Tennessee. As vital, Oklahoma obtained its working sport going at Neyland Stadium. Xavier Robinson’s 115 yards marked probably the most by a Sooners working again in 2025. And with one other 80 yards on the bottom from quarterback John Mateer, Oklahoma turned in its finest speeding efficiency in opposition to an influence convention protection this fall. The Sooners had been nonetheless outgained 456-351 in Week 10. However even base-level manufacturing on the bottom at Tennessee made a game-changing influence for an offense that struggled mightily throughout a lot of October. It was sufficient to assist hold Oklahoma’s playoff hopes alive. The Sooners might want to hold that very same speeding assault cranking once they go to Alabama on Nov. 15. — Eli Lederman
Earlier rating: 14
For the Cavaliers to make it to the ACC championship sport, they should ensure their run sport is one of the best it may be down the stretch. They had been capable of run the ball extra successfully in a 31-21 win over Cal, gaining 194 yards on 44 makes an attempt. That was an enormous precedence after struggling to run it final week in an time beyond regulation win over North Carolina. Virginia is at its finest when it runs to arrange the cross, and that’s what the Cavs did so successfully firstly of the season whereas speeding for greater than 200 yards of their first three Energy 4 video games. Operating again J’Mari Taylor is having an All-ACC caliber season, and Harrison Waylee has proved to be a pleasant change of tempo again. Quarterback Chandler Morris will help within the run sport, as nicely. — Adelson
Earlier rating: 22
After Arch Manning’s second straight 300-yard passing sport, coach Steve Sarkisian stated the development of Texas’ offensive line, together with the expertise and maturity of Manning at quarterback, means he can get his offense extra in assault mode. The one-two punch of Quintrevion Wisner and CJ Baxter returning permits the Longhorns to open up the play-action sport, like they did in opposition to Vanderbilt as Manning went 12-of-15 for 166 yards and three TDs on play fakes. Texas will get a bye week to heal up earlier than a Nov. 15 showdown in Athens in opposition to No. 5 Georgia adopted by house video games in opposition to Arkansas and Texas A&M. Key stats for Texas’ playoff hopes: Sarkisian has 12 wins over ranked groups over the previous three campaigns, second solely to Kalen DeBoer (13); and Texas is 17-1 at house throughout that very same span, tied for fewest house losses within the FBS. — Wilson
Earlier rating: 16
Late within the 28-16 win over Virginia Tech, Cardinals working again Isaac Brown got here up limping close to the sideline. Brown has been on hearth as of late, and he had one other 130 yards on the bottom Saturday. However he additionally has been Louisville’s solely constant big-play risk, and if he’s to overlook any time, it is easy to marvel what this Cardinals offense would appear to be with out him. Quarterback Miller Moss has been mediocre for a lot of the season, and Saturday’s outing was a microcosm of bigger considerations. Moss threw a choose and averaged simply 4.9 yards per cross. Moss’ 66.1 Whole QBR ranks 54th nationally, and he has had at the least one turnover in six of eight video games this season. Moss was by no means more likely to be as prolific as Tyler Shough had been a yr in the past for the Cardinals, however Moss in all probability must be a tick or two higher than he has been if Louisville needs to make a severe push for the playoff. — Hale
Earlier rating: 7
The Yellow Jackets’ struggles in opposition to the run lastly caught up with them in Week 10 in opposition to NC State, which ran for 243 yards in a 48-36 win. Quarterback Haynes King was nonetheless distinctive, accounting for 511 of Georgia Tech’s 559 yards, however a number of the cracks within the offensive facade confirmed by, as nicely. The speeding assault got here up quick a number of occasions within the crimson zone, forcing Georgia Tech to accept too many area targets, and the receivers had a number of key drops. In all, Tech’s offense stays one of many higher teams within the nation. However the dependence on King to be the superhero was on show within the loss to NC State, and the struggles in stopping the Wolfpack on protection was a reminder that irrespective of how dynamic King is, somebody nonetheless must cease the opposite staff too. — Hale
Earlier rating: 11
The Commodores clawed again in opposition to Texas however had been in too large of a gap, beginning the fourth quarter down 34-10 earlier than scoring 21 unanswered. The most important cause was the shortage of safety for Diego Pavia, who had been sacked simply seven occasions all season earlier than Texas obtained to him six occasions. Vanderbilt additionally entered the sport averaging 203 yards speeding, however it was held to only 58, the bottom output in two campaigns since offensive coordinator Tim Beck arrived (together with Pavia). Pavia was 7-for-12 for 86 yards when he was pressured in opposition to Texas however 20-of-26 for 279 when he wasn’t, so solidifying issues up entrance is essential for the stretch run. Vandy has house video games in opposition to Auburn and Kentucky then an end-of-year journey to Knoxville to tackle Tennessee. ESPN Analysis presently offers the Commodores a 25% likelihood to make the playoff — however a 94% likelihood in the event that they win out. — Wilson
Earlier rating: 24
The Utes’ offensive turnaround this season has been outstanding. Once they’re clicking, they’ve probably the most enjoyable offenses to look at in faculty soccer. The playcalling is inventive, and there are large gaps to run by. It is pleasing to the attention. Within the two video games the Utes had been stifled — by Texas Tech and BYU — the offensive line simply wasn’t capable of get the identical push, and it threw off the timing of every thing. At its most interesting, Utah may be one of the best staff within the Massive 12. However with two convention losses — to groups it trails within the standings — Utah will want lots of assist to achieve the title sport. — Bonagura
Earlier rating: 18
With Beau Pribula out with a dislocated left ankle, Missouri obtained a bye week to arrange freshman Matt Zollers for his first profession begin in opposition to No. 3 Texas A&M this Saturday. Zollers was a smooth-passing top-100 recruit, and he went a good 14-for-23 for 138 yards and a landing whereas practically main a comeback in opposition to Vanderbilt. However Mizzou must do him some favors by reestablishing a strong run sport. It is rather a lot simpler to run than throw in opposition to A&M anyway, however after incomes early-season All-American hype, Tigers again Ahmad Hardy has averaged solely 3.7 yards per carry over his previous three video games. If Hardy cannot get going once more (and the offensive line can not help a bit greater than it has of late), beating a top-five staff goes to be awfully tough. — Invoice Connelly
Earlier rating: 9
The Hurricanes have discovered themselves in fairly a pickle headed into the stretch run: All however eradicated from ACC title sport rivalry, they nonetheless have an out of doors shot at an at-large CFP berth. With that in thoughts, how will Miami repair its offensive points over the ultimate 4 weeks of the season? Penalties — specifically pre-snap flags — have killed drives and sapped momentum in losses to Louisville and SMU. However greater than that, when the run sport stalls, Miami has not carried out a adequate job stretching the sector with explosive performs within the passing sport. A few of that’s as a result of the Hurricanes wouldn’t have a dependable receiver outdoors of Malachi Toney. CJ Daniels confirmed he may very well be that earlier within the yr, however he missed the SMU sport with an damage. In opposition to a Mustangs protection that had given up its justifiable share of huge passing performs, Miami couldn’t get the ball down the sector persistently sufficient and misplaced. — Adelson
Earlier rating: 25
The Trojans had a little bit of a job reversal of their 21-17 win in opposition to Nebraska because the protection was capable of will them to a hard-fought highway victory whereas the offense appeared to regress. Till this week, USC’s offense underneath quarterback Jayden Maiava had been probably the most potent items within the nation (and it nonetheless ranks third in SP+). However Maiava struggled, finishing solely 9 passes for 135 yards and throwing one interception. USC has playoff hopes which might be very a lot inside its grasp, however it seemingly must belief its personal run sport much more than it’s presently (202 speeding yards in opposition to Nebraska) down the stretch. Regardless of accidents to its prime two backs in Eli Sanders and Waymond Jordan, walk-on King Miller has been a revelation, speeding for 357 yards over the previous three contests. If the Trojans are set to make a real run on the CFP, each Maiava and Miller will must be at their finest. — Uggetti
Earlier rating: 21
The pregame picture of Justice Haynes, the Massive Ten’s main rusher, with a boot on his foot and needing a scooter to get round can be daunting for some groups, however not Michigan. The Wolverines are set as much as run the ball productively no matter who’s logging carries. Jordan Marshall stepped in for the injured Haynes and had a profession efficiency in opposition to Purdue, ending with 185 speeding yards and three touchdowns on 25 makes an attempt. Michigan’s development on offense stays with its passing sport and freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood, who contributed to the speeding assault however registered solely 145 passing yards together with one interception. Michigan will search for extra from Underwood and his cross catchers this month. — Rittenberg
Earlier rating: NR
The Tigers easily navigated a possible Friday night time entice sport at Rice, using a 31-point first half to a simple 38-14 win in Week 10. The primary half of Memphis’ season was all in regards to the run sport: The Tigers averaged 237.8 yards speeding per sport throughout their 6-0 begin. Over the previous month, nevertheless, issues have flipped. Quarterback Brendon Lewis and Memphis’ passing sport got here to life in October, most prominently in Lewis’ 307-yard efficiency in this system’s Week 9 win over South Florida. The Tigers have proven they’ll win in a number of methods on offense. The query now’s whether or not Memphis can get issues clicking on the bottom and within the air on the identical time. If that’s the case, coach Ryan Silverfield & Co. will hit the enterprise finish of the marketing campaign with a whole offense able to lifting an American Convention title and, in flip, probably clinching a spot within the playoff area. — Lederman
Earlier rating: 15
Not together with sacks, Tennessee averaged 5.6 yards per carry and 37.4 speeding makes an attempt over its first seven outings. Over the previous two: 31.5 carries and three.4 yards. The run sport has deserted the Volunteers as of late, and in Saturday’s 33-27 loss to Oklahoma, their backs rushed 24 occasions for simply 69 yards. After scoring 10 factors on its first three possessions, Tennessee suffered a drought of seven factors throughout seven drives due to a one-dimensional assault and a few poor selections from quarterback Joey Aguilar. With a bye week to arrange for the final three video games of the season — New Mexico State, at Florida, Vanderbilt — the Vols might want to rediscover the run and provides Aguilar extra assist for any hope of profitable out and perhaps, with assist, salvaging a playoff berth. — Connelly
Earlier rating: NR
That the Huskies have managed to lose solely to Michigan and Ohio State is indicative of the standard of the staff and the expertise they do have, particularly on offense and particularly with quarterback Demond Williams Jr. The sophomore has thrown for over 2,000 yards and accomplished 73% of his passes, and he boasts a 14-to-4 touchdown-to-interception ratio in addition to 429 speeding yards. (Actually, he has twice been the Huskies’ main rusher.) Williams and his offense have had their method in opposition to equal and lesser defenses, however their worst two performances have are available in these two losses going through elite defenses. (Williams threw three of his 4 interceptions to this point in opposition to the Wolverines.) If Jedd Fisch’s staff is hoping to maintain stunning and rising up the rankings, the remainder of its season presents a highway map that’s inside attain, as Washington seemingly shall be favored in three of its closing 4 contests, with the exception being its Nov. 29 house sport in opposition to Oregon. However it would require one of the best model of the Huskies’ offense and ask gamers akin to working again Jonah Coleman to step up and assist Williams too. That closing regular-season matchup in opposition to the Geese will characteristic among the best defenses within the nation making an attempt to cease it. — Uggetti
Earlier rating: NR
The Hawkeyes are 68th in offensive EPA (anticipated factors added), a substantial bounce from final season, once they ranked 88th. If solely Iowa might generate just a few extra large performs within the passing sport. The Hawkeyes rank final amongst Energy 4 offenses with simply 5.64 yards per passing try. Iowa has accomplished solely 14 passes for greater than 20 yards and none for over 50 yards. The Hawkeyes did get two large completions (29 and 28 yards) of their resounding 41-3 victory over Minnesota final weekend. They will must discover a strategy to get much more of these over these subsequent two weeks if they will knock off Oregon and USC to hold on within the Massive Ten title sport image. — Trotter