Week 10 delivered a pivotal shift in the College Football Playoff landscape, with seven ranked matchups serving as elimination games for several contenders. The most significant outcome was Notre Dame’s victory over Miami, a result that cracked open the door for a new national champion and forced a major reshuffle in the top tier. While Utah and UCLA preserved their undefeated records—Utah knocking off top-10 BYU and Georgia delivering a blowout over Ole Miss—the conference dynamics shifted dramatically, setting the stage for a volatile final stretch.
Mustangs dominate ACC rivals while Notre Dame’s win reshapes the national hierarchy.
In the ACC, SMU’s Mustangs surged forward with a commanding 51-28 victory over Virginia Tech, a battle between two two-loss contenders that saw SMU assert total dominance. The Mustangs scored on their first eight offensive drives, building a 44-14 lead that proved insurmountable. Kevin Jennings was electric, throwing for 350 yards and four touchdowns, while the balanced rushing attack added 219 yards at an efficient 6.1 yards per carry, securing two additional scores. This performance solidifies SMU’s position as a serious playoff contender despite a blemished record.
Looking ahead, SMU faces a critical test against Wake Forest, with Notre Dame still looming on the schedule. A win over the Demon Deacons would significantly bolster the Mustangs’ resume, potentially propelling them higher in the B/R expert rankings. With the top 25 undergoing substantial changes following Week 10, every remaining game carries heightened stakes for teams seeking to capitalize on the chaos at the top of the nation.
Source: Bleacher Report
