Oklahoma State Surges as ESPN Shakes Up College Football Rankings in Poll for Week 11, Top 25

Losses reshape team prospects

Missouri’s two-score home defeat to Texas came with two scoreless quarters and just 84 rushing yards, with no touchdowns on the ground. The loss left the Tigers in the middle of the SEC, ahead of a trip to Georgia.

Texas A&M remained in ESPN’s poll despite scoring nine points in a loss at South Carolina. The Aggies were 1-5 in SEC play in 2026. Nebraska, meanwhile, had lost four straight after opening 5-0, and offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen was dismissed; the Huskers had not scored more than 17 points during that run.

A team identified as the Cougars came back from an early 14-point deficit but failed to score after halftime, with Bear Bachmeier throwing four interceptions. The article calls this a crucial second loss for the playoff hopefuls, but does not identify the team in that passage.

Notable wins and upward moves

Oklahoma beat ranked Florida 23-7 on the road after changing offensive coordinators from Ben Arbuckle to Jason Witten. The Sooners improved to 3-3 in SEC play and were set to host Ole Miss.

Oklahoma State was ESPN’s biggest positive mover after routing Kansas State 66-28. The article says the Cowboys were college football’s third-best scoring team, and notes that the model accounts for large scoring differences.

Iowa beat Northwestern 24-10, with Hank Brown scoring twice on all-purpose plays and the defense completing the job. The Hawkeyes reached 7-2 and third place in the Big Ten.

Conference races remain unsettled

Houston improved to 7-2 after beating Cincinnati by a touchdown, but its losses to Utah and Texas Tech had weakened its conference-title chances. South Carolina moved to 6-3 with a 17-9 win over Texas A&M; quarterback LaNorris Sellers left with an ankle injury but returned.

Louisville beat Georgia Tech, the ACC’s last-place team, as Tre Richardson produced more than 100 total yards and scored twice. The Cardinals were 6-3 and near the top of the conference standings.

Texas Tech edged West Virginia 53-48, sealing the result with a safety, and stood second in the Big 12. Utah also strengthened its position at the top of the conference, though the article’s account of its game ends mid-sentence.

More results shape the outlook

Wake Forest piled up nearly 700 total yards against Merrimack and improved to 7-1, with road games against SMU and Georgia Tech next. Ole Miss scored only seven points in a 42-7 loss to Georgia; it was 6-3 and expected to be favored in its final three games.

Tennessee beat Kentucky 34-6, running for 240 yards. The Vols moved to 7-2 and back into the College Football Playoff conversation. USC was idle after improving to 7-2 with a win over Ohio State. Its next game was at Indiana, followed by a closing matchup at the Rose Bowl against undefeated UCLA.