CFB chaos and upsets reign supreme: Georgia is No. 1 team in college football rankings

Georgia makes the case

Georgia is the pick for No. 1 in a season marked by disorder and upsets. The Bulldogs’ performance at Ole Miss left them looking like a difficult opponent, even after their loss to Auburn.

The case rests on quality wins: Georgia beat Ole Miss and Alabama. Those results are described as more impressive than Utah’s victories over Houston and BYU.

Utah remains unbeaten

Utah is 9-0, but the comparison with Ole Miss raises doubts about whether the Utes can match Georgia. The assessment favors the Bulldogs, while acknowledging Utah’s strong record.

The season’s uncertainty was also evident Saturday, when Notre Dame and Miami traded blows. Notre Dame came away with the win, though it was fortunate to do so.

Results shape the rankings

South Carolina entered the rankings after winning its fourth straight SEC game. It has reached that mark for only the third time in the past 15 seasons. SMU beat Virginia Tech 51-28, and quarterback Kevin Jennings has a 180.8 passer rating among qualified FBS passers. He averages 9.77 yards per attempt.

Notable wins and setbacks

New Mexico beat Nevada 31-3 to extend its winning streak to six games, and the Lobos’ first AP ranking marked a first in school history. The team leads FBS in scoring defense, allowing 10.9 points per game.

Boise State won its eighth straight, defeating Colorado State 64-38 with 669 total yards. Dylan Riley recorded 280 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns. BYU’s comeback attempt at Utah fell short after Bear Bachmeier threw four interceptions. LSU took a late third-quarter lead against Alabama, but the Crimson Tide scored the game’s final 21 points.