Top ranked teams keep losing: 11 upsets in three weeks

College football’s top tier has never been this volatile in the modern era. According to ESPN Research, eleven top-10 teams have lost games over the past three weeks, a figure that ties the all-time record for any three-week span in the AP Poll regular season. The previous time this volume of elite losses occurred was in 2007. The instability has reshaped the College Football Playoff picture just as the regular season enters its final stretch.

The most dramatic shift came in Salt Lake City, where No. 2 BYU fell to unranked UCF in a double-overtime contest. The Cougars entered the week riding a high from their victory over Notre Dame, but that momentum evaporated on the road. Running back LJ Martin remained sidelined with a lower-body injury, leaving the offense stagnant. BYU averaged just 3.2 yards per carry, and quarterback Bear Bachmeier completed only 16 of 32 passes. The loss narrowed the margin for error for a team that still hopes to reach the postseason.

Other elite programs suffered similar fates this weekend. No. 7 Tennessee lost to South Carolina after a late-game collapse, with LaNorris Sellers playing a key role in the comeback. No. 8 USC dropped to Wisconsin, managing only seven points after returning from a bye week. No. 9 Texas Tech fell in Cincinnati, adding to the pile of upsets that have defined the last month of the season. These results have forced voters to re-evaluate the strength of the nation’s best teams.

The chaos extended to the Group of Six, where Boise State needed a late surge to avoid a stumble against Washington State. Meanwhile, Indiana survived at Michigan for a 13-6 overtime victory, marking the first time the Wolverines lost to a top-10 opponent while allowing 13 or fewer points since 1985. Indiana’s defense held Michigan to 54 rushing yards on 39 carries. The win keeps the Hoosiers in the conversation despite a recent loss to Ohio State.

At the top of the rankings, No. 1 Miami maintained its position with a 52-23 victory over Pitt. Wide receiver Malachi Toney set a school record with 16 catches for 194 yards. The Hurricanes’ secondary allowed 334 passing yards, but the game was largely decided before the final quarter. Miami travels to North Carolina next, with a showdown against Notre Dame looming on Nov. 7. The Canes must avoid complacency as the conference schedule tightens.

Ohio State spent its bye week preparing for the loss of starting quarterback Julian Sayin, who is out indefinitely with an elbow injury. True freshman Luke Fahey will start against USC on Saturday. The Buckeyes also gave former five-star recruit Tavien St. Clair snaps with the first team, though Fahey secured the backup role during the preseason. The team’s ability to adapt without its primary signal-caller will be tested in a crucial Big Ten matchup.

Georgia enters its bye week seeking to repair its rushing attack after gaining only 113 yards against Auburn. Star tailback Nate Frazier appeared rusty after missing time with a rib injury, while backup Chauncey Bowens remains sidelined with a lower-body issue. The Dawgs face Florida in Atlanta before traveling to Ole Miss. Their offensive line must improve to keep their SEC title hopes alive.

Alabama’s 6-2 record masks ongoing offensive struggles. The Crimson Tide rushed for only 68 yards in their win over Texas A&M, continuing a slide that has plagued the unit all season. Coach Kalen DeBoer noted that many injured players are expected to return for the Nov. 7 trip to LSU. The team needs to regain balance on offense and tighten its secondary to compete in the SEC’s final stretch.