Cross-country conference showdowns and upsets filled week seven of the college football season over the weekend of Saturday, Oct. 11.

University of Alabama vs. University of Missouri

The Saturday noon window started off with the No. 16 University of Missouri Tigers welcoming the No. 6 University of Alabama Crimson Tide to Faurot Field for a ranked Southeastern Conference (SEC) matchup. 

The game was tight for its duration, with the Tigers and Crimson Tide trading scoring possessions. Alabama entered halftime up 17-10. Crimson Tide kicker Conor Talty missed a 49-yard field goal in the fourth quarter, allowing the Tigers to hang around. 

However, a touchdown pass from Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson on fourth and goal late in the fourth quarter allowed the Crimson Tide to hang onto their lead, defeating the Tigers 27-24. Simpson threw for 200 yards, propelling Alabama to their fifth straight win and getting them one game closer to a College Football Playoff berth. 

University of Oklahoma vs. University of Texas

The afternoon window featured the newest edition of the Red River Rivalry between the No. 6 University of Oklahoma Sooners and the unranked University of Texas Longhorns. 

Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer was questionable coming into this game after needing surgery following a hand injury he suffered in the team’s matchup against Auburn. Texas, on the other hand, needed a win to redeem themselves after their loss to the University of Florida Gators last week. In their opening drive, Oklahoma kicked a 42-yard field goal, but both teams struggled to put up any real points early, leaving the game tied at 6-3 by halftime. In the second half, Texas flipped the script by scoring a touchdown after a seven-minute opening drive, followed by a six-minute drive that ended in a field goal, putting the Longhorns ahead 13-3 by the fourth quarter. 

The fourth quarter went just as well for Texas in this rivalry game, scoring a touchdown and a field goal to secure a 23-6 win. The Sooners will look to reassert their position in the SEC in the coming weeks, despite having to play ranked teams in five of their final six games.

Indiana University vs. University of Oregon

Indiana is not just a “one-hit-wonder.” The No. 7 Indiana Hoosiers continued their undefeated season with a 30-20 victory over the No. 3 Oregon Ducks on Saturday in Eugene, Ore. The Hoosiers had a dominant defensive performance. 

Indiana held the Ducks to 64 yards of offense in the second half and sacked quarterback Dante Moore six times. Oregon struggled to gain offensive momentum, finishing with a season-low 274 yards and 81 total rushing yards. Indiana’s offense maintained the lead, with Roman Hemby’s two touchdowns and a crucial 58-yard field goal just before halftime. 

The Hoosiers’ second-half adjustments were effective, limiting Oregon offensively. This victory marked Indiana’s second-ever win over a top five opponent.

Texas Agricultural and Mechanical University vs. University of Florida: 

Later, the No. 5 Texas A&M defeated Florida 34-17 on Saturday in College Station, Texas, remaining undefeated with a strong overall performance. Florida struggled to establish a consistent run game as their offensive line failed to create enough push, limiting its offensive production. 

After Florida’s opening touchdown, the Aggies responded just 54 seconds later to tie the game. A crucial fourth-and-six turnover near midfield early in the fourth quarter gave Texas A&M possession, leading to a 12-play, 53-yard drive capped with a touchdown that put the game out of reach at 31-17 with under five minutes remaining. 

The loss drops Florida to 0-3 on the road this season and extends Coach Billy Napier’s record to 0-14 in true road games against ranked opponents. 

University of Georgia vs. Auburn University

The evening slate of games was headlined by the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry between the No. 10 University of Georgia Bulldogs and the Auburn University Tigers. Georgia entered this game looking to save its SEC championship hopes, while Auburn looked to secure its first win in the conference. Despite the teams’ different performances through the first half of the season, this face-off was projected to be a close one. 

The underdog Tigers got up early with a 10-0 lead in the second quarter, but after a couple of controversial calls, the Bulldogs began to claw their way back into the game. After an unanswered 17-point second half by Georgia, the Bulldogs were able to complete a comeback to win 20-10. Auburn will play the No. 16 Missouri Tigers next week as they look to end their woes this season.

University of Michigan vs. University of Southern California

The evening slate also featured the No. 15 University of Michigan Wolverines traveling west to face the University of Southern California (USC) Trojans. The Trojans controlled the game for its duration, scoring first and never trailing. 

They upset the ranked Wolverines, winning 31-13. USC quarterback Jayden Maiava added fuel to his dark horse Heisman Trophy campaign, throwing for 265 yards and two touchdowns and propelling the Trojans to their first ranked win of the season. 

“We really were looking forward to this game, (and) I thought we attacked it, dominated the football game on all sides. A gritty, tough performance. You could just feel it with the group,” said USC head coach Lincoln Riley. 

Playoff Picture and Preview

This week’s results have left some significant changes on the College Football Playoff picture as Indiana and Texas have had their chances to make the playoffs shoot up after wins over top-10 teams. ESPN’s Playoff Predictor gives Indiana, Ohio State University and the University of Alabama the best odds to make the playoffs. However, teams like the University of Utah, the University of Missouri, the Georgia Institute of Technology and Washington University have also now entered the conversation.

Week eight appears to have a plethora of thrilling college football games with the University of Louisville Cardinals going head-to-head against the No. 2 University of Miami Hurricanes, the No. 5 University of Mississippi Rebels traveling to play the No. 9 Georgia Bulldogs and the No. 11 University of Tennessee Volunteers journey into Tuscaloosa, Ala. to take on the No. 5 University of Alabama Crimson Tide.