Georgia's 6.9-point lead over second-best team grows after 42-7 rout
The Bulldogs erased Ole Miss in three quarters, widening the gap at the top of the college football power rankings.
By Samuel Hayes ·
Georgia holds a 6.9-point advantage over the second-ranked team in the country, a margin that widened sharply after the Bulldogs dismantled Ole Miss 42-7 on Saturday night. The result places the Bulldogs atop the SP+ rankings and solidifies their status as the premier team in the sport.
The offensive disparity was stark. Georgia scored touchdowns on three of its first four drives and added another late in the first half. Meanwhile, the defense limited the Ole Miss offense to 175 yards over the first three quarters. The Bulldogs recorded five sacks, including four against starting quarterback Trinidad Chambliss. When Chambliss left the game, his backup was also sacked. The only score by the Rebels in the fourth quarter came on a 65-yard pass to Talyn Taylor, who finished with 140 receiving yards.
The loss pushed Ole Miss from the third tier of playoff contenders to the fifth tier. According to combined CFP odds from SP+ and the Allstate Playoff Predictor, the Rebels now have less than a one-in-five chance of securing a spot. The defeat exposed persistent issues with the team's run defense and a lack of explosive plays compared to last season.
The week also produced decisive results for other top teams. No. 11 Notre Dame defeated No. 1 Miami 31-24. Quarterback CJ Carr completed four passes of 20-plus yards and five of at least 13. His performance helped Notre Dame extend their lead, moving them into the top tier of playoff contenders with 95.5% average CFP odds. Miami remains in the top tier with 96.8% odds, but the close loss highlighted their offensive struggles in the absence of receiver Malachi Toney.
No. 3 Utah stayed unbeaten with a 28-20 win over No. 9 BYU in the Holy War. Utah led 14-0 after big early plays, but BYU scored on four straight possessions to take a 20-14 halftime lead. The Utes defense then dominated the second half, forcing two interceptions in the final six BYU possessions. Quarterback Devon Dampier threw for 177 yards and rushed for 99 without an interception.
No. 5 Alabama beat No. 14 LSU 31-13 in Baton Rouge. The Crimson Tide limited negative plays, a key factor in their victory. Alabama's success rate in LSU territory was 51.9%, while LSU's dropped to 38.0%. The Tigers missed a field goal, threw an interception, and turned the ball over on downs in the second quarter. This win moves Alabama into the second tier of the playoff picture with 88.5% average CFP odds.
No. 7 Texas defeated No. 18 Missouri 34-20. Raleek Brown rushed for 87 yards in the fourth quarter, leading a late surge. The win helps stabilize the Longhorns after recent losses. Currently, four teams sit in the first tier of the CFP race: Georgia, Miami, Notre Dame, and Utah, all with average odds above 94%.
