NCAAF teams
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Most important takeaway for each Top 25 team

College Football, UCF Knights, Clemson Tigers, Syracuse Orange, Ohio State Buckeyes, Texas A&M Aggies, Iowa State Cyclones, Virginia Cavaliers, Georgia Bulldogs, Kentucky Wildcats, Iowa Hawkeyes, Michigan Wolverines, Penn State Nittany Lions, Florida Gators, Utah Utes, West Virginia Mountaineers, Texas Longhorns, Boston College Eagles, NC State Wolfpack, Mississippi State Bulldogs, Alabama Crimson Tide, LSU Tigers, Oklahoma Sooners, Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Michigan keeps rolling, Georgia clinches the SEC East and Clemson keeps topping itself, putting up 77 points against an overmatched Louisville squad.

What else have we learned in Week 10? Check back all day as games go final.


No. 1 Alabama 29, No. 3 LSU 0

This might not count as breaking news anymore, but the Crimson Tide appear to be unbeatable. On the road against the No. 3 team in the country, in arguably the most hostile road environment in college football, Nick Saban's squad rolled to victory. It wasn't the final score that was most impressive, though. It was how Tua Tagovailoa shook off his first interception of the season to throw for 295 yards and three total touchdowns. It was how the defense, anchored by Quinnen Williams and Isaiah Buggs up front, manhandled Joe Burrow and the Tigers to the tune of minus-3 rushing yards through three quarters. And, remember, this was the same LSU team that beat No. 6 Georgia by 20 points and rushed for 275 yards in the process. Don't look now, but it looks as if it will be smooth sailing for Alabama from now until the College Football Playoff. -- Alex Scarborough

Looking on the bright side, the Tigers did manage to hold Alabama to a season-low 16 points at halftime. They even induced the first interception of Tua Tagovailoa's season. And yet ... the game was never really close. Despite an admirable effort on defense, LSU had nothing to offer on the other side of the ball. The offensive line was totally manhandled by the Alabama defense, rushing for minus-1 yards in the first half. Joe Burrow, bless his heart, didn't have any time to get rid of the ball, and even when he did, he couldn't make any plays through the air. Simply put, LSU was overmatched. With that said, though, all is not lost. With Arkansas, Rice and Texas A&M remaining on the schedule, winning out and getting into a New Year's Six Bowl is well within reach so long as the Tigers don't allow one loss to become two. -- Scarborough


No. 2 Clemson 77, Louisville 16

The Tigers went into the game against Louisville as 39-point favorites and quickly showed why, easily scoring on their first four possessions to get the rout started. There was no need for Trevor Lawrence to do much, not when the Tigers ran up and down the field on the Cards without any resistance. That includes a touchdown for a second defensive tackle this season: Dexter Lawrence barreled in for his own 2-yard score. Trevor Lawrence played a little more than two quarters, and finished with 59 yards passing. Clemson scored at least 70 points against an ACC opponent for the second time in school history, and this is now consecutive weeks where the Tigers embarrassed a conference opponent, after handing Florida State a historic home loss a week ago. Next week should provide a more difficult challenge at Boston College, with the Atlantic Division title on the line.-- Andrea Adelson


No. 4 Notre Dame 31, Northwestern 21

Fighting Irish coach Brian Kelly knew November wouldn't be easy, not with Notre Dame's history in the month during his tenure, plus an especially screwy closing schedule. He geared the offseason toward finishing better, which the Irish did not in 2017. Ian Book and his teammates took a step toward a better finish, surviving a fourth-quarter rally by Northwestern -- and more special-teams miscues by Notre Dame -- to remain perfect on the season. After Northwestern scored two quick touchdowns to make things very interesting, Book engineered a 10-play, 89-yard drive that he finished with a 23-yard touchdown run on a brilliant call by offensive coordinator Chip Long. Book, Long and the offense course-corrected after a lackluster second quarter, turning a 7-7 game into 24-7 advantage. Book's huge third quarter (10-of-13 passing, 169 yards, two touchdowns, four completions of 20 yards or longer) represented another step in his development as a big-time quarterback. Notre Dame's defense also took a step Saturday night, showing it can limit damage on the road despite playing most of the game without standout linebacker Drue Tranquill. The special teams, meanwhile, must get fixed or Notre Dame might not finish November with a perfect ledger and its first College Football Playoff spot. -- Adam Rittenberg


No. 5 Michigan 42, No. 14 Penn State

The Wolverines are growing stronger at the outset of November. The return of Rashan Gary helped the Wolverine's defense jump from dominant to darn near unfair this Saturday. They sacked Trace McSorley four times and held the Nittany Lions to negative rushing yards in the first half. They've surrendered a total of two touchdowns in their past three games -- all against ranked opponents. The offense continues to gain confidence between a steady rushing attack and some blossoming receivers, which has Michigan looking more and more like the Big Ten's best bet at earning a playoff spot. -- Dan Murphy

James Franklin's team has lost three divisional games, but this is the first where it looked truly overmatched. The Nittany Lions missed a couple of key opportunities to keep the game close in the first half against a team that doesn't provide many second chances. Trace McSorley, playing with a banged-up knee, wasn't the running threat he usually is, which kept the offense from every establishing a rhythm in Ann Arbor. This team should have what it takes to handle its final three opponents and finish the season with a solid 9-3 record, but Saturday made it clear that it is a tier below the most competitive teams in the country this season. -- Murphy


No. 6 Georgia 34, No. 9 Kentucky 17

The Bulldogs, who found themselves at No. 6 in the first playoff committee rankings earlier this week, clinch the SEC East and are in great position for the home stretch. What's most impressive about these Bulldogs? Their ability to run the football despite a banged-up offensive line. Center Lamont Gaillard and right guard Cade Mays both left the game with injuries on Saturday, but the unit still kept paving the way for D'Andre Swift and Elijah Holyfield, who each surpassed the 100-yard mark and led the Bulldogs to more than 300 rushing yards. That's not to say the O-line was without flaws; there were two fumbles on shotgun snaps that resulted in turnovers, and one of those snaps -- by freshman reserve Trey Hill -- was a tad high and they had issues in one fourth-quarter series at the goal line trying to run it in, but this Georgia team is getting better at an important time. -- Sam Khan Jr.

The Wildcats' SEC East dreams faded on Saturday night as they took an ugly gut punch from the Bulldogs. Georgia's defense keyed on running back Benny Snell and forced Terry Wilson to do the lion's share of the work, and that turned out to be a winning formula. In reality, Kentucky wasn't going to be able to continue to get away with scoring as sporadically as it has, having not scored more than 15 in the month of October. And the defense -- which hadn't allowed a team to rush for 200 yards and hadn't allowed an opponent to score more than 20 -- had its worst day at the worst time. The loss aside, Kentucky can still have a 10-win season: Tennessee, Middle Tennessee and Louisville are the Wildcats' final three opponents. If they were to win 10, it would be historic -- they haven't done that since 1977 -- and would secure them a quality bowl destination. -- Khan Jr.


No. 7 Oklahoma 51, Texas Tech 46

Oklahoma exhibited an ability to both trade and survive big blows, figuratively and very literally, in a deceivingly physical win at Texas Tech. That effort started and ended with Kyler Murray, who bounced back from a pair of early interceptions that led to a Tech 14-0. Never rattled, he accounted for four touchdowns for the seventh time this season. Said head coach Lincoln Riley: "Life in this conference means you're going to spend a lot of time with your back against the wall. When the guy wearing the No. 1 jersey is cool no matter what, then it makes it easier for everyone else to be the same way." -- Ryan McGee


No. 8 Washington State 19, California 13

The Cougars fumbled into and out of the end zone, missed a chip-shot field and for long stretches seemed destined to find a way to lose to Cal for a second straight year. And in years past, they probably would have. Not this time. Wazzu isn't just the only team in the Parity-12 with one loss this season, no other team has fewer than three. The win, however, doesn't really change much. With Washington still just a game back in the Pac-12 North, both schools can win out and reach the conference title game. - Kyle Bonagura


No. 10 Ohio State 36, Nebraska 31

Many of the same issues that have plagued Ohio State this season came up against Nebraska on Saturday. Despite winning the game, the Buckeyes still saw mistakes on defense that almost cost them the game. Missed tackles, big plays and allowing over 400 yards of offense made this a close game. Ohio State also had three turnovers that led to 14 points and some costly penalties that set the team back throughout the game. There were some bright spots as the offense scored three touchdowns on four trips to the red zone and the team had over 200 yards rushing in the game, both of which had been points of contention in previous games for Urban Meyer. Those mistakes that were made, however, still need to be addressed as Ohio State has Michigan State and Maryland before Michigan comes to town to close out the season. -- Tom VanHaaren


Missouri 38, No. 11 Florida 17

The five meetings before Saturday between Missouri and Florida were decided by an average of 24.2 points. So no surprise that the Tigers rolled the Gators for the fourth time in six seasons, right? No, not right. It was hard to see this flop coming for Dan Mullen's team, even after a disappointing performance last week against Georgia. Hangover effect or not, this happened against Missouri, which got its first SEC win of the season at the Swamp behind a strong showing from QB Drew Lock. So much for the Gators' manageable, four-game November path to a 10-win regular season. Their running game, which largely disappeared on Saturday, must find a spark.  -- Mitch Sherman


No. 12 UCF 52, Temple 40

The Knights trailed Temple at halftime on Thursday night, the second time in three games they needed a second-half comeback to win. Just like the Memphis game, the UCF defense allowed Temple to go up and down the field, but this is a team that has thrived in the third quarter all season. For the fifth time in eight games, UCF did not allow any points in that period, paving the way for its 21st straight victory. As great as McKenzie Milton (312 yards, three TDs) and running back Greg McCrae played (188 yards, one TD), there are lingering questions about the defense -- especially as the schedule gets more challenging over the final few weeks. Temple set a program record for total offense (670 yards) and ended up outgaining UCF. It was the type of performance that will not win anyone over as the Knights keep pressing their case for inclusion into the College Football Playoff. -- Andrea Adelson


No. 13 West Virginia 42, No. 17 Texas 41

The Mountaineers have been waiting for a victory like this since joining the Big 12. Thanks to QB Will Grier's late heroics and coach Dana Holgorsen's bold decision to go for the game-winning, two-point conversion, West Virginia is now alone in first place in the Big 12 standings, pending Oklahoma's result at Texas Tech later Saturday night. West Virginia controls its own destiny to the Big 12 championship game. And gets the Sooners in Morgantown in the regular-season finale. -- Jake Trotter

The Longhorns handcuffed West Virginia QB Will Grier for the entire second half. But in the closing seconds, they allowed him to beat them with a 33-yard touchdown pass with 16 seconds remaining, then a game-winning 2-point conversion run. Texas can still make the Big 12 championship game. But this so-called breakout season could turn the other way, especially with a road trip to Texas Tech and home bout with surging Iowa State on deck. -- Trotter


Arizona State 38, No. 15 Utah 20

When the day began, Utah was the clear favorite to win the Pac-12 South, and a berth in the Rose Bowl -- or possibly another New Year's Six bowl -- was easy to envision. But after losing to Arizona State and seeing quarterback Tyler Huntley go down with what the Utes' radio broadcast team reported to be a broken collarbone, all bets are off. The division is now completely up for grabs with Arizona, ASU, USC, UCLA and the Utes all within striking distance. -- Kyle Bonagura


Purdue 38, No. 16 Iowa 36

A 25-yard field goal by Spencer Evans with eight seconds to play sent the Hawkeyes to their second straight loss and third in Big Ten play, stripping control from Iowa in its bid to reach the Big Ten title game. The Hawkeyes two weeks ago looked like the team to beat in the West. They'll need lots of help now, starting with a home win next week over Northwestern. More pressing for Iowa, it was torched on Saturday by Purdue's David Blough for 333 yards and four touchdowns. Iowa's Nate Stanley regained some of his form from a few weeks back, but the Hawkeyes will win with defense and a strong ground game. And they ran for just 118 yards against the Boilermakers. -- Mitch Sherman


No. 18 Mississippi State 45, Louisiana Tech 3

The Bulldogs have emerged nicely from an early-season rough patch with two straight solid wins, dispatching this upset-minded Conference USA foe without a hint of danger in Starkville. Nick Fitzgerald was sharp in throwing for 243 yards and three scores as MSU jumped to a 31-3 halftime lead. So what does it mean in a larger context? Not a whole lot if the Bulldogs can't make some noise next week in the most difficult of all environments. If you're thinking it's too much to ask, remember that Mississippi State has played Alabama within one score twice in the past four years.  -- Mitch Sherman


No. 19 Syracuse 41, Wake Forest 24

The Orange had been boom-or-bust with QB Eric Dungey for so much of the past three years, but one of the real differences this season is the improvement of the ground game, and that showed Saturday in a dominant win over Wake Forest. Syracuse had five rushing TDs, scored by four different players, including two from Jarveon Howard. For the season, the Orange have scored 27 times on the ground -- the most they've had in a year since 2003. -- David M. Hale


Auburn 28, No. 20 Texas A&M 24

The latest SEC foe with a shot to put away the slumping Tigers, A&M could not close the deal, surrendering two touchdowns in the final six minutes. The Aggies, after their worst performance of the season in a loss to Mississippi State, allowed Jarrett Stidham to throw Auburn to victory with a late two-play drive to take the lead. And now the Aggies head down the stretch, with much of their momentum squashed and hopes for an eight-win debut season for Jimbo Fisher in doubt. -- Mitch Sherman


No. 21 NC State 47, Florida State 28

The biggest news for NC State was that it got a lot healthier for Florida State. Among the key cogs returning from injury was tailback Ricky Person, who went on to score three times in the win. The ground game is far more dynamic with a healthy Person, and the quest for 10 wins remains intact for the Wolfpack. -- David M. Hale


No. 22 Boston College 31, Virginia Tech 21

The Eagles' offense never seemed to quite click, but the ground game did enough damage and the defense did the rest. BC's D dominated the second half, holding Virginia Tech to just a late TD, and the defensive front, led by Zach Allen and Wyatt Ray, manhandled the Hokies' O-line. That might be the recipe for an upset next week, too, as BC hosts Clemson in a game that will decide the ACC Atlantic. -- David M. Hale


No. 23 Fresno State 48, UNLV 3

In less than two years, Jeff Tedford has taken over a team that went 1-11 and has it within striking distance of a New Year's Six bowl. Should Central Florida falter at some point down the stretch, the Bulldogs could potentially leapfrog the self-proclaimed defending national champions and become the highest-ranked Group of 5 team. It's not a particularly strong year for the Mountain West, but Fresno State has been dominant in each conference game this season and now prepares for what will likely be its toughest test: a trip to the blue turf at Boise State. -- Bonagura


No. 24 Iowa State 27, Kansas 3

The Cyclones are a real contender to play in the Big 12 title game. Nothing about this rout of the Jayhawks, coming off a home win over TCU, told us different. Iowa State used its Brock Purdy-to-Hakeem Butler combination, for which few teams nationally would have an answer, to score on strikes of 83 and 51 yards in the first eight minutes. After a perfect October that included wins over two ranked teams, ISU owns the tiebreaker over West Virginia and remains on a collision course with Texas in Week 12 for a battle that may send a team to Arlington on Dec. 1. -- Mitch Sherman


Pitt 23, No. 25 Virginia 13

The Cavaliers' Coastal Division hopes took a big hit after a disappointing home loss to Pitt on Friday night. Virginia, which has had issues slowing down the Pitt run game over the past several seasons, once again allowed Pitt to run all over the field. Darrin Hall ended up with more than 200 yards rushing, but it wasn't until an inexplicable horse-collar penalty in the third quarter that kept a Pitt drive alive that the Panthers really took control of the game. Virginia lost several key defenders, including safety Juan Thornhill, so that didn't help matters. But neither did the Cavaliers' undisciplined performance, featuring 10 penalties and a turnover. Virginia has made strides under Bronco Mendenhall, but the performance against Pitt showed this program still has a way to go to find the type of consistency it wants. -- Andrea Adelson

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