**Rivalry Week delivered significant playoff implications as several ranked teams suffered crucial losses. Most notably, #3 Texas defeated #20 Texas A&M 27-17 in a result that strengthens the Longhorns' playoff positioning while likely ending the Aggies' hopes. Other major upsets included unranked Oklahoma stunning #15 LSU 17-13, California shocking #18 SMU 38-35, and Kansas State handling #25 Colorado 24-14. In the SEC, #11 Alabama narrowly escaped Auburn 27-20, while #2 Georgia struggled past Georgia Tech 16-9. The Big Ten saw #5 Indiana demolish Purdue 56-3 and #2 Ohio State comfortably beat Michigan 27-9.**
**Several teams strengthened their playoff cases with convincing victories. #4 Penn State survived a scare against Rutgers 40-36, #6 Notre Dame dominated Stanford 49-20, and #7 Oregon defeated Washington 26-14. In other notable results, #13 Boise State edged Utah State 25-24 to maintain their