AP Top 25: Saturday Slaughter Rewrites CFB

Miami New No. 1 as five of top seven fall in historic upset spree

By Frank Cooney October 18, 2026

Saturday Slaughter Graphic by Hall of Football.

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College football spent Saturday doing what college football does best: destroying expectations, humiliating experts and reminding everybody that games are played on grass — or some facsimile — not spreadsheets.

For the first time in the 90-year history of the Associated Press poll, five of the nation’s top seven teams lost on the same Saturday during the regular season. Eight ranked teams fell overall, including No. 1 Georgia and No. 2 Notre Dame. The upheaval lifted Miami to No. 1 after the Hurricanes survived Florida State in double overtime.

Texas ranked No. 1 two weeks ago. Georgia replaced the Longhorns, then Auburn knocked off the Bulldogs, 27–24, on Alex McPherson’s field goal as time expired. The No. 1 ranking suddenly looks more like a weekly rental than a permanent address.

Meanwhile, Ohio State survived Indiana, 19–15, but lost quarterback Julian Sayin to a shoulder injury that could affect the Buckeyes more than any poll adjustment. BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier helped send Notre Dame home with its first defeat, while Florida freshman Tramell Jones Jr. guided the Gators past Texas and into the latest debate over Arch Manning.

Only two days after we considered the merits of a possible 24-team College Football Playoff, Saturday provided ammunition for both sides. Critics see proof that the regular season supplies drama no postseason expansion can improve. Advocates see another example of why determining a national champion should involve more football and fewer committee arguments.

Either way, Saturday belonged to the players who turned the rankings upside down. Sunday’s poll merely records the damage.

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Saturday’s top nine games

🏈🏈Auburn 27, No. 1 Georgia 24🏈🏈

Auburn quarterback Byrum Brown rushed for 115 yards, helping the Tigers erase a 14-point deficit before Alex McPherson kicked a 34-yard field goal as time expired to stun Georgia in Athens. The Bulldogs appeared ready to escape after quarterback Gunner Stockton directed a 94-yard tying touchdown drive late in the fourth quarter. Instead, Stockton lost a fumble in the final minute, his third turnover of the game, and Auburn capitalized. Georgia became the second consecutive No. 1 team to lose to an unranked opponent, following Texas a week earlier.

AP movement: Auburn remains unranked, receiving 61 votes; Georgia fell from No. 1 to No. 5.

🏈🏈No. 8 BYU 28, No. 2 Notre Dame 24🏈🏈

BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier delivered one of the season’s most remarkable individual performances, accounting for four touchdowns in three different ways: two rushing, one passing, one receiving. Bachmeier completed 23 of 36 passes for 224 yards, including the go-ahead touchdown to tight end Walker Lyons late in the fourth quarter. Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr and the Irish rallied from an 11-point halftime deficit but could not finish the comeback. BYU improved to 6-0 and recorded its highest-ranked victory in years.

AP movement: BYU climbed from No. 8 to No. 2; Notre Dame slipped from No. 2 to No. 4.

🏈🏈No. 4 Ohio State 19, No. 5 Indiana 15🏈🏈

Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith caught four passes for 68 yards, including a spectacular 38-yard touchdown on fourth down, as the Buckeyes ended Indiana’s 22-game winning streak. Indiana receiver Charlie Becker was outstanding with nine catches for 165 yards, but the Hoosiers’ final opportunity disappeared when Nick Marsh could not complete a potential winning touchdown catch inbounds. The victory came at a cost: Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin suffered a throwing-shoulder injury, creating uncertainty for both the Buckeyes’ championship pursuit and Smith’s Heisman campaign.

AP movement: Ohio State moved from No. 4 to No. 3; Indiana dropped from No. 5 to No. 6.

🏈🏈No. 14 Tennessee 26, No. 6 Alabama 10🏈🏈

Tennessee running back DeSean Bishop rushed 32 times for 159 yards and two touchdowns, while the Volunteers’ defense smothered Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell in Knoxville. Russell passed for only 147 yards with two interceptions, and the Crimson Tide committed four turnovers while managing just 201 yards of offense. Alabama trailed only 12-10 at halftime but failed to score again as Bishop took control and Tennessee completed its most decisive victory over Alabama in years.

AP movement: Tennessee rose from No. 14 to No. 11; Alabama tumbled from No. 6 to No. 13.

🏈🏈Florida 27, No. 7 Texas 24🏈🏈

Florida quarterback Tramell Jones Jr. turned his first career start into an upset, completing 22 of 35 passes with two touchdowns as the Gators rallied from a 14-point deficit in Austin. Texas quarterback Arch Manning completed 14 of 20 passes for 173 yards and a touchdown, including a late scoring drive that narrowed Florida’s lead to three. But Florida sacked Manning five times, with the final hit forcing a fumble that ended Texas’ comeback. The Longhorns, ranked No. 1 only two weeks earlier, suffered their second consecutive loss to an unranked opponent.

AP movement: Florida jumped from unranked to No. 20; Texas plunged from No. 7 to No. 19.

🏈🏈No. 3 Miami 43, Florida State 35 (2 OT)🏈🏈

Miami quarterback Darian Mensah strengthened his Heisman candidacy with 326 passing yards and three touchdowns, but receiver Malachi Toney supplied the decisive plays in a double-overtime escape against Florida State. Toney caught 11 passes for 154 yards and two touchdowns, then threw the winning two-point conversion to Cooper Barkate. Florida State nearly spoiled Miami’s unbeaten season before the Hurricanes survived and remained atop the national conversation.

AP movement: Miami rose from No. 3 to No. 1; Florida State remains unranked.

🏈🏈No. 9 Ole Miss 31, No. 13 Missouri 3🏈🏈

Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss strengthened his Heisman case with three touchdown passes and another score rushing as the Rebels overwhelmed Missouri in Oxford. Running backs Kewan Lacy and Makhi Frazier combined for 223 rushing yards, giving Chambliss plenty of offensive support. Missouri quarterback Austin Simmons threw for 339 yards against his former school but failed to produce a touchdown, while the Rebels limited running back Jamal Roberts to 39 yards after consecutive 200-yard performances. Missouri scored on its opening possession, then went silent.

AP movement: Ole Miss moved from No. 9 to No. 7; Missouri dropped from No. 13 to No. 22.

🏈🏈No. 20 Houston 35, No. 18 Oklahoma State 32🏈🏈

Houston quarterback Conner Weigman won a high-level passing duel with Oklahoma State quarterback Drew Mestemaker, throwing for 343 yards and five touchdowns as the Cougars improved to 6-1. Receiver Amare Thomas caught seven passes for 126 yards and two scores, while Trent Walker added 104 yards and a touchdown. Mestemaker answered with 365 passing yards and three touchdowns, but the Cowboys could not match Houston’s efficiency when the game tightened late.

AP movement: Houston climbed from No. 20 to No. 14; Oklahoma State fell from No. 18 out of the Top 25 and now leads Others Receiving Votes.

🏈🏈No. 22 LSU 31, No. 16 Mississippi State 0🏈🏈

LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt delivered his cleanest performance of the season, completing 31 of 38 passes for 289 yards and four touchdowns without an interception as the Tigers shut out Mississippi State in Baton Rouge. Receiver Jackson Harris caught two touchdown passes, while the LSU defense stopped all five Mississippi State fourth-down attempts. The Bulldogs, short-handed offensively, never seriously threatened. LSU regained momentum in SEC play; Mississippi State lost more than a game.

AP movement: LSU rose from No. 22 to No. 18; Mississippi State fell from No. 16 out of the Top 25 and into Others Receiving Votes.

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Week 8 Big Games

Saturday, October 24 — Week 8. Rankings reflect the October 18 AP Top 25. All times Eastern.

No. 7 Ole Miss (5-1) at No. 19 Texas (4-2) — 7:30 p.m., ABC

Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss brings a growing Heisman campaign into Austin, where Texas quarterback Arch Manning faces perhaps the most important start of his career. The Longhorns ranked No. 1 two weeks ago before consecutive losses dropped them to No. 19. Chambliss threw three touchdown passes and ran for another against Missouri. Manning must answer questions about an offense that continues to struggle despite its expensive collection of talent. Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said he would evaluate every position, including quarterback, so Manning’s starting status remains subject to confirmation.

No. 14 Houston (6-1) at No. 10 Utah (6-0) — 10:15 p.m., ESPN

Houston quarterback Conner Weigman threw five touchdown passes against Oklahoma State, sending the Cougars up six places in the poll. Now comes a more difficult assignment at unbeaten Utah, which survived Colorado, 27-24, on Saturday. The matchup also offers another opportunity to evaluate Weigman against a nationally ranked defense, with Big 12 championship implications for both teams.

Pittsburgh at No. 1 Miami (6-0) — Noon, ESPN

Miami quarterback Darian Mensah survived his first genuine crisis of the season, throwing for 326 yards as the Hurricanes escaped Florida State in double overtime. Miami now occupies the No. 1 ranking for the first time since 2002, bringing an entirely different level of scrutiny. Mensah also enters Saturday with an opportunity to strengthen his challenge to Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith for the Heisman Trophy.

No. 2 BYU (6-0) at UCF — 3:30 p.m., FOX

BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier followed the biggest victory of his career by moving into the Heisman conversation. His four-touchdown performance against Notre Dame lifted the Cougars six places to No. 2, their highest ranking since winning the 1984 national championship. The challenge now is sustaining that momentum on the road against a UCF team coming off an open date.

No. 6 Indiana (6-1) at Michigan — Noon, FOX

Indiana quarterback Josh Hoover faces a demanding trip to Michigan after Ohio State ended the Hoosiers’ 22-game winning streak. Hoover threw for 296 yards against the Buckeyes, but Indiana managed only 73 rushing yards. The defending national champions need a response from their offense, particularly against another physical Big Ten opponent.

Texas A&M at No. 13 Alabama (5-2) — 3:30 p.m., ABC

Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell needs a recovery after Tennessee held him to 147 passing yards and intercepted him twice. The Crimson Tide fell seven places in the poll following their 26-10 loss, leaving little room for another defeat. The Aggies present the next opportunity for Russell and an offense that produced only 201 yards against the Volunteers.

No. 18 LSU (5-2) at Auburn — Noon

Auburn quarterback Byrum Brown helped engineer the upset of top-ranked Georgia, but another SEC opponent arrives immediately. LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt threw four touchdown passes without an interception in the Tigers’ 31-0 victory over Mississippi State. This matchup features two quarterbacks coming off dramatically different but equally significant victories.

Also notable: No. 3 Ohio State is idle October 24, providing additional recovery time for injured quarterback Julian Sayin before the Buckeyes visit USC on October 31.

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Heisman Watch

Smith leads, Mensah closes; Chambliss and Bachmeier gain ground

Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith remains the Heisman Trophy favorite, but Saturday changed the circumstances surrounding his candidacy. Smith caught four passes for 68 yards against Indiana, including a remarkable 38-yard touchdown reception in double coverage. His season totals stand at 52 receptions, 984 yards and 12 touchdowns, with the added distinction of reaching 39 career receiving touchdowns to tie the Big Ten record.

The uncertainty involves his quarterback. Julian Sayin suffered an injury to his throwing arm and is expected to miss several weeks. Freshman Luke Fahey replaced Sayin against Indiana and figures prominently in Ohio State’s immediate plans. How effectively the Buckeyes continue delivering the football to Smith may help determine whether a wide receiver can hold off the quarterbacks.

Miami quarterback Darian Mensah emerged from Saturday as Smith’s strongest challenger. His 326-yard performance against Florida State helped preserve an unbeaten season, while Miami’s rise to No. 1 adds visibility to an already impressive campaign. Mensah leads the ACC with 18 touchdown passes against only one interception.

Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss remains firmly in contention after accounting for four touchdowns against Missouri. His next assignment, at Texas, offers another national showcase against a program desperately seeking answers.

BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier supplied the week’s most unusual Heisman résumé entry: four touchdowns against Notre Dame, including one as a receiver. The Cougars’ move to No. 2 gives Bachmeier additional national attention, although his season passing numbers still trail several other contenders.

Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr moved in the opposite direction. Carr passed for 261 yards without a touchdown against BYU, and the Irish suffered their first loss. His candidacy is far from finished, but the remaining schedule leaves less room for another setback.

The question now: Can Smith maintain his remarkable production without Sayin, or will Mensah, Chambliss or Bachmeier use the next several weeks to take control of the race?

Heisman odds snapshot, FanDuel via FOX Sports, October 17: Smith -125; Mensah +280; Chambliss +700; Carr +1300; Jesse Legree +1700; Bachmeier +2500. Odds vary by sportsbook and time.