More upsets shake up the standings for CFP contenders

The GIST: There’s nothing more intense than November football, and this Saturday was no exception. Pending untimely disaster, the postseason is falling into place as the truly tough teams separate themselves from the posers.

Turbulence for top contenders: A surprising number of the CFP’s Top 10 ran into trouble Saturday, but the AP’s No. 1 Georgia, No. 7 Texas, and No. 10 Ole Miss luckily all escaped with narrow wins over now-unranked teams.

• No. 3 Ohio State also struggled through a sluggish start, but they peeled away from Rutgers in the second half to win 35–16. As for the Buckeyes’ mortal enemy…

No. 2 Michigan’s sign-stealing saga continues: Michigan destroyed Purdue 41–13, but off the field, their program is in shambles. The alleged architect of Michigan’s illegal sign-stealing scheme, staffer Connor Stalions, resigned last Friday. Plus, rumor has it Ohio State head coach (HC) Ryan Day is connected to the private investigators who tipped off the NCAA.

• Stalions insisted HC Jim Harbaugh knew nothing about illegal sign-stealing or scouting activity…although that may not be enough to save Harbaugh from a suspension. This is some Real Housewives–level sh!t.

Upsets shake the standings: Oklahoma has gone from CFP contender to desperation mode: The Sooners suffered their second straight upset, losing 27–24 to Oklahoma State in the storied Bedlam Rivalry. No. 15 Notre Dame also took a brutal 31–23 Lto Clemson, and No. 23 Arizona nabbed their third upset in a row with a historic 27–10 drubbing of UCLA.

A perfect record falls: Army handed Air Force their first loss of the season, stifling their offense in a 23–3 upset on Air Force’s home field. With that, only seven undefeated teams remain — and the race for the Group of Five team who earns an auto-bid to a New Year’s Six game becomes even more frenzied.

Penix surges in Heisman race: No. 5 Washington quarterback (QB) Michael Penix Jr. was a human highlight reel in his Huskies’ 52–42 scoring bonanza against USC. Despite some shaky performances in recent weeks, Penix is once again the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy, while USC is out of the Top 25 and their defensive coordinator is out of a job.