We’ve reached November, when the weather gets cooler and the stakes become clearer. Only four weeks remain to determine who gets a shot at the national championship, who’s stuck playing for bowl swag bags, and who’s going to be sitting at home in December. The Group of Five playoff spot is still wide open, and a few surprise teams are at the top of the ACC, SEC and Big 12. Can we expect these historical underdogs to finally break through, or is this new NIL-fueled parity just a mirage? Time to find out.

Top 25 Matchups

Rankings are from CFP Poll

Friday 11/7:

• Northwestern @ # 19 USC, FOX, 9PM

Saturday 11/8:

12:00-3:00PM

• #2 Indiana @ Penn State, FOX
• #5 Georgia @ Mississippi State, ESPN
• #7 BYU @ #8 Texas Tech, ABC
• #1 Ohio State @ Purdue, BTN
• The Citadel @ #6 Ole Miss, SECN+

3:30 – 6:30PM

• #3 Texas A&M @ Missouri, ABC
• #9 Oregon @ Iowa, CBS
• Syracuse @ #18 Miami, ESPN
• Auburn @ #16 Vanderbilt, SECN
• #23 Washington @ Wisconsin, BTN

7:00-10:30PM

• Wake Forest @ #14 Virginia, ESPN
• California @ #15 Louisville, ESPN2
• LSU @ #4 Alabama, ABC
• Navy @ #10 Notre Dame, NBC

Most Interesting Matchups

Tulane @ Memphis: The Green Wave’s playoff hopes took a massive hit last week with the loss to UTSA, but they can still fight for a spot in the AAC championship game. The Tigers still have both the AAC title and playoff berth within reach and should expect a tough fight here.

Oregon @ Iowa: The Ducks and Hawkeyes both come into this game at 4-1 in the Big Ten, tied for third in the conference. A loss for Iowa ends their shot at the playoff, and Oregon can’t afford to fall too far behind Ohio State and Indiana.

BYU @ Texas Tech: The first and second place teams in the Big 12 clash in Lubbock for what could be a preview of the championship game in Arlington come December. The Cougars have been on a roll recently, but the Red Raiders have been notoriously tough to beat at home this season.

Texas A&M @ Missouri: Is it the time for the Aggies to finally get the monkey off their back and break the dreaded 8-win barrier? The Tigers, fresh off a bye week following the Vanderbilt loss, are on the brink of playoff elimination and can’t afford to slip up at home against another top 10 opponent.

Navy @ Notre Dame: The Irish battle the Midshipmen for the 98th time under the lights in South Bend. Notre Dame holds a 7-game win streak in the series and needs to win out to ensure an at-large playoff berth. Navy has been playing well this season, but Notre Dame Stadium is a tough venue for visitors even in the best of circumstances.

FCS Game of the Week

North Dakota State @ North Dakota 2PM, ESPN+ and South Dakota State @ South Dakota, 4PM, ESPNU

The Dakotas have been a hotbed for elite FCS play for well over a decade, which will be on full display this Saturday afternoon with a pair of marquis matchups.

Selected Pick ATS

Last Week: 1-4 Season: 21-32 (Back to normal)

• Tulane @ Memphis (-5.5)
• Oregon (-6.5) @ Iowa
• BYU (+10.5) @ Texas Tech
• Texas A&M (-6.5) @ Missouri
• Navy(+25.5) @ Notre Dame