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Week 11 of college football brought yet another thrilling chapter to the 2024 season, with upsets, dominant performances, and playoff implications on the line. From Jalen Milroe’s unforgettable night in Death Valley to Indiana’s historic rise to prominence, chaos reigned supreme in a weekend full of surprises. Top-five teams fell, undefeated squads tasted their first defeat, and underdogs proved their mettle. As teams fight for a coveted spot in the College Football Playoff, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Among the biggest stories of the week, Alabama’s statement win over LSU stood out as a defining moment for the Crimson Tide. Milroe’s four-touchdown performance solidified his place as one of the nation’s top quarterbacks, leading Alabama to a dominant victory in Baton Rouge. Meanwhile, Indiana, who has never had a season like this, continued to make history with their 10-0 record and a stunning win over Michigan, putting themselves in the playoff conversation for the first time ever.
Elsewhere, teams like Old Miss and Colorado showed resilience when it mattered most, bouncing back from adversity to stay in the hunt for a potential playoff spot. But not every team had a good weekend. Programs like LSU, Michigan, and BYU saw their playoff hopes take a hit after tough losses. With just a few weeks remaining in the season, the road to the College Football Playoff is as wide open as ever. The results of Week 11 will have lasting effects on how the final rankings unfold, and it’s clear that anything can happen in college football this year.
Jalen Milroe’s performance in Alabama’s dominant win over LSU will be remembered as one of the most impressive individual performances of the season. Alabama, heading into a hostile Death Valley at night, had a clear mission: secure a statement victory.
Milroe delivered, running for four touchdowns and showcasing why he is considered one of the most dangerous dual-threat quarterbacks in the country. In conditions where many teams would falter, Milroe took full control, ripping off long runs of 70, 40, and 20 yards. His 17 carries for 160 yards and four touchdowns put on full display his athleticism, decisiveness, and ability to lead the Crimson Tide.
LSU’s defense, known for its resilience, had no answers for Milroe’s explosiveness. The Tigers were held scoreless offensively until garbage time, as Alabama’s defense smothered them all night. This performance has solidified Alabama as a team to watch in the College Football Playoff race, especially in the expanded 12-team format, where every team with the potential to get hot at the right time has a shot.
No one expected Indiana to be in the national conversation this season, but here we are. The Hoosiers made history with their 10-0 record, marking their best season ever. Their victory over Michigan, just the second time they’ve beaten the Wolverines in program history, catapulted them into the national spotlight.
With a huge showdown against Ohio State on the horizon, Indiana is not only vying for a spot in the College Football Playoff but also positioning themselves as a legitimate threat to other top teams in the country. The Hoosiers have come out of nowhere this season, and their meteoric rise—led by head coach Kurt Signetti—is one of the best stories of 2024.
A few weeks ago, Old Miss seemed to be falling apart, but this weekend, they proved that they’re still in the mix for a playoff spot. The Rebels dismantled a ranked Arkansas team that had previously knocked off Tennessee, showing they can still compete with the best.
What makes this win even more impressive is that Old Miss had to weather an early setback when starting quarterback Jackson Dart left the game after a rough interception. Backup quarterback Spencer Sanders stepped in and led the team effectively until Dart returned, helping the offense find its rhythm. The Rebels’ win was complete dominance across all three phases of the game: offense, defense, and special teams. This performance not only saved their playoff hopes but also reaffirmed the belief that they are a dangerous team when they click.
The Colorado Buffaloes have had a season full of ups and downs, but their performance against Texas Tech on Saturday was one for the ages. Down 13 points early in the game, many had written off the Buffaloes, especially with Texas Tech’s strong defense and home-field advantage. But Colorado, led by head coach Deion Sanders, rallied back in spectacular fashion.
Their defense was outstanding, shutting down Texas Tech’s offense after their early scoring flurry. Colorado then scored multiple unanswered touchdowns, including a game-changing scoop-and-score, to take control. With this crucial win, Colorado now has a clear path to the College Football Playoff—provided they win out. Sanders’ leadership, combined with a strong team effort, proves that Colorado is a force to be reckoned with.
Clemson didn’t have an ideal performance against Virginia Tech, but they got the job done in a huge way. Coming off a heartbreaking loss to Louisville, Clemson needed to bounce back—and they did, with a key defensive stand that helped them escape with a win. Despite offensive struggles, the Clemson defense was stifling, allowing only a late, garbage-time touchdown.
The win, coupled with losses from rivals Pitt and Miami, keeps Clemson’s hopes for an ACC Championship and a possible playoff berth alive. It wasn’t pretty, but when you’re in a race this tight, any win counts. Clemson is far from out of it, and this victory has given them new life.
LSU’s loss to Alabama at home, especially with the way it unfolded, was a bitter blow to their playoff hopes. Although the Tigers managed a few late-game touchdowns, their inability to score earlier and their defensive struggles all night left a lot to be desired. The defeat drops them from the conversation for a playoff spot, and they’ll now need a miracle to get back into contention, especially with two losses on their resume.
While Michigan has had an impressive season, their loss to Indiana has complicated their path to the College Football Playoff. The Hoosiers’ win in this historic matchup marks a key turning point for both teams. Michigan’s playoff hopes now hang in the balance as they need to win out and get some help from other teams.
Texas Tech had an excellent chance to pull off a major win at home, but they couldn’t hold on against Colorado. The early lead evaporated quickly as their defense couldn’t stop the Buffaloes’ offensive surge in the second half. This loss might haunt them as they miss an opportunity to rise in the rankings and improve their own bowl eligibility.
BYU had a tough rivalry game against Utah, and while they fought hard, mistakes and missed opportunities led to their downfall. The Cougars had a chance to secure a win against a solid but beatable Utah team, but poor time management and questionable play-calling led to a heartbreaking loss.
Pitt’s loss this weekend essentially eliminated them from playoff contention and further dented their hopes for an ACC Championship. Their loss to a non-ranked team shows that, despite having some talent, they have struggled to perform consistently, especially against top-tier opponents.
As we approach the final stretch of the season, the race for the College Football Playoff is tightening. With teams like Alabama, Indiana, and Old Miss still in the mix, and powerhouses like Georgia and Ohio State continuing to dominate, the next few weeks will be crucial. There’s still a lot to play for, and with the expanded playoff field next year, it’s anyone’s game.
If Alabama continues to play the way they did this weekend, they’ll be a dangerous team. The same goes for Old Miss, who still has a chance to claw their way back into contention with a strong finish.
And then there’s the intriguing story of Indiana—if they can get past Ohio State, they might find themselves with an automatic ticket to the College Football Playoff.
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As we head into the final weeks of the season, expect more drama, more surprises, and more history to be made. The College Football Playoff picture is far from settled, and every game will carry heavy consequences for teams on the brink of contention. With so much left to be decided, stay tuned to GSMC Sports for all the latest updates and expert commentary on the world of sports.
