Eleven Top 10 Losses in Three Weeks

Eleven top 10 teams have lost games in the past three weeks. That number ties the record for the most losses by that tier in any three-week span during the regular season of the AP Poll. The last time college football saw such volatility was in 2007. The current streak began with the chaos of Week 7 and continued through a dramatic Week 8.

The upsets started early in the week. LaNorris Sellers and the South Carolina Gamecocks defeated the Tennessee Volunteers. That win came from behind and cooled the Vols' hopes for a College Football Playoff spot. Later, the Texas Tech Red Raiders fell to the Cincinnati Bearcats in a tense contest. The USC Trojans also lost, dropping to the Wisconsin Badgers. Lincoln Riley and his team managed only seven points after returning from a bye week.

BYU held the No. 2 ranking for exactly seven days. The Cougars beat Notre Dame in Week 7, but that momentum vanished in Week 8. They lost a double-overtime road game to the UCF Knights. The loss was described as bizarre and feisty. The absence of star running back LJ Martin, who is dealing with a lower-body injury, was a factor. BYU averaged just 3.2 yards per carry. Quarterback Bear Bachmeier completed 16 of 32 passes.

Other games ended in narrow escapes. The Indiana Hoosiers survived at the University of Michigan. They won 13-6 in overtime. Indiana held Michigan to 54 rushing yards on 39 carries. It was the first time since 1985 that the Wolverines allowed a top 10 opponent to score 13 or fewer points. Alabama also escaped. The Crimson Tide needed fourth-quarter touchdowns to beat Texas A&M. Boise State avoided a stumble over Washington State with a late surge.

Miami remained at No. 1 in the AP Poll. The Hurricanes defeated Pitt 52-23. Malachi Toney caught 16 passes for 194 yards, a school record. Miami faces North Carolina next, with a trip to Notre Dame on Nov. 7. Ohio State is No. 3 after a bye week. Quarterback Julian Sayin is out indefinitely with an elbow injury. True freshman Luke Fahey has taken over the starting role. The Buckeyes play at USC this Saturday.

Georgia is No. 4 after an open date. The Bulldogs lost to Auburn on Oct. 17. They are trying to heal their running game and offensive line before facing Florida in Atlanta. Nate Frazier, the star tailback, missed most of two games with a rib injury. Kentucky is No. 8 after beating Vanderbilt 34-17. The Wildcats are on a six-game winning streak and have secured only their third winning record in the SEC since 1977.

Utah is No. 9. The Utes are 7-0 and have the nation's longest winning streak. They beat Houston 21-13 after trailing 10-0 at halftime. Consistency remains a concern. Alabama is No. 10. The team is 6-2 and dealing with four injured starters. Coach Kalen DeBoer hopes key players return for the Nov. 7 game at LSU. Ryan Coleman-Williams and center Racin Delgatty have been missed on the field.

LSU is No. 12 after dominating Mississippi State and Auburn for a combined 69-17 score. Quarterback Sam Leavitt threw for 385 yards and three touchdowns against Auburn. The Tigers have a bye week before facing Alabama. Texas is No. 13 after beating Ole Miss. The Longhorns built a 24-3 halftime lead but allowed a 14-0 third-quarter run by the Rebels. Arch Manning had three turnovers, including a strip sack that led to a touchdown. Steve Sarkisian praised Manning's response to the pressure.

Ole Miss is No. 14 after falling to Texas. The Rebels scored just three points in the first half, their fewest in two seasons. Wake Forest is No. 13, though the source lists them in the rankings context with a note on their defensive front. Gio Lopez is the quarterback for the Demon Deacons. They face Virginia at home next. The ACC championship game is on Nov. 14 in Charlotte, North Carolina.