October was a messy month of upsets and shifts in the Top 25, but we saw what we saw in who might be good and who redeemed themselves on the biggest stage of the match. It doesn’t guarantee anything because the game truly starts in November. My dad preached this to me for years and November’s the month where we find out who stands out for the conference championships and a possible postseason. Expect plenty of trap games, more upsets, and rivalries to decide everything.

12) BOISE STATE

The most anticipated Friday game of the season didn’t disappoint. Ashton Jeanty couldn’t make many big plays like he usually does, but his workhorse mentality along with help from quarterback Maddux Madsen and senior safety Seyi Oladipo made sure they outlasted UNLV. Now that they finally got over that hump, there’s not much competition left unless a team in the last five weeks says otherwise.

11) BYU

In the new Big 12, it’s any team’s game and it’ll continue that way until December. However, BYU’s looking like the best team thus far playing on all sides of the ball. Defense continues to ravage offenses by being physical and forcing turnovers on a weekly basis. Quarterback Jake Retzlaff and running back LJ Martin continue to cook as the dynamic backfield. Special teams played a huge part in BYU’s success too. They head into a bye before traveling about an hour north to face their in-state Utah in the Holy War.

10) TENNESSEE

BYE WEEK

9) INDIANA

Indiana endured the GameDay hype and slowly, but surely, took care of business against Washington in every facet possible. Offense (without Kurtis Rourke), defense, and special teams all played a part, and made this a coming out party for Hoosier fans that starved for success for decades. I know Curt Cignetti would tell me “We still haven’t done anything yet. Calm down, kid” and he wouldn’t be wrong. Next month becomes a gauntlet and we’ll find out how good Cigs’ team really is.

8) MIAMI

Miami made sure to wall Florida State for most of the game. Defense needed a confidence booster, but the offensive line could be a wary issue after allowing four sacks. Still, Cam Ward cooked while running backs Damien Martinez and Mark Fletcher Jr. contributed with a rushing touchdown each. Miami has big tests in three of their last four games in November.

7) CLEMSON

BYE WEEK

6) OHIO STATE

Ummm…uh oh at The Shoe in Buckeyeland??? Ohio State had a bye after coming off a loss against Oregon. But Nebraska gave them a scare like they’ve seen Jim Harbaugh’s pet wolverine pop out at them before Halloween. It was an “in a pinch” moment for the Buckeyes, but defense came up clutch for the win. Buckle up, Buckeye fans. November will be a month to remember.

5) TEXAS

It wasn’t a bounce back. It was more like a “pick themselves up, dust themselves off” type of game because Vanderbilt didn’t hold back. Texas’ defense did a good job putting some pressure on Diego Pavia and the offense to limit their big play opportunity. Offense wasn’t pretty, but they did enough to ward off Vandy’s comeback opportunity. The Longhorns deserve their bye week before finishing off what should be an easier schedule before Texas A&M at the end of November.

4) TEXAS A&M

Speaking of A&M, they were on their heels at home, but the offense woke up in the second half to help retake the lead and hold the line while allowing only six points. Backup quarterback Marcel Reed took the wheels and carved LSU’s defense while Nic Scourton helped create pressure and force quarterback Garrett Nussmeier into making mistakes. A&M holds firm in the SEC, but traps are set next month. We’ll find out if the Aggies can stay hot.

3) PENN STATE

It was a defensive battle at the beginning, but Wisconsin made more big plays to make Penn State nervous. After a bit, Penn State eventually outplayed them on both sides of the ball as the game progressed. Drew Allar goes down with an injury, but backup Beau Pribula fills in well with his dual threat ability. Next week, they host Ohio State for Big Ten pole position.

2) GEORGIA

BYE WEEK

1) OREGON

The Ducks continue cooking behind the arm, legs and leadership of Dillon Gabriel. Everyone expected Illinois to make it a game, but Oregon wanted to dominate them as the Big Ten’s top newcomer. Will Oregon run into any resistance that’s not Ohio State???

HONORABLE MENTION

KENNESAW STATE

They’re the last FBS team to win their first game of the season and in program history at the FBS level in their first year. They also gave Liberty their first loss of the season and eliminated them from CFP contention. Congrats to the Owls, and congrats to fans for being respectful enough to return to their seats before storming the field for the second time lol

LA TECH’S CEDRIC WOODS

When it looked like UTEP had the first down when they were actually short, defensive back Cedric Woods faked his injury to stop the game to let officials review the play. That led to overturning the first down call on a fourth down play, which led to La Tech’s victory. That must become a penalty in the near future, but great tactical move by Woods and likely the staff that told him to go down. If you watch that play, he never touched a player at all.

PITT PASS DEFENSE

Pitt’s defense took their cleats, stomped on the Orange, and squeezed the life and juices out of it from start to finish. The pass coverage was responsible for five interceptions, eight pass deflections (3 resulting in interceptions), and three pick-6’s. This was a fantastic night for the defense and a nightmare for ‘Cuse quarterback Kyle McCord.

MOST DISAPPOINTED

GRAYSON MCCALL’S CAREER ENDING

MACK BROWN STEPPING DOWN

It’s nothing negative for either, but it’s understandable that Mack must step down. He did well for the players to get to where they are in life or at the next level, but UNC’s success was anything but great. As for Grayson McCall, him retiring from football bums me out a bit. He was one heck of a player and a great story during his high times at Coastal Carolina. It’s unfortunate things didn’t pan out well at NC State, but never let that take away from his success with Coastal in his first two seasons as a starter.