Miami stayed unbeaten and kept the top spot in the latest AP College Football Poll, squeaking out a 38-35 win over North Carolina to move to 8-0. Ohio State, which entered the week at No. 2, lost 30-18 to unranked USC and dropped to No. 11. The Buckeyes now have multiple losses before November for the first time since 2011.

The shake-up went well beyond the top two. Georgia dominated Florida 27-8 and has now won six straight games against the Gators. Indiana needed overtime to get past Minnesota, winning 23-16 in a tight game that ESPN Research flagged as a rare feat: the Hoosiers are the third team to win multiple overtime games as an AP top-10 team against an unranked opponent since overtime was introduced in 1996.

Utah and UCLA are making noise in the West

Utah and UCLA both remained undefeated. Utah beat Cincinnati 49-25 and is 8-0 for the first time since 2010. UCLA defeated Nevada 27-0 and is 8-0 for the first time since 2005. Both programs are now squarely in the conversation as the season tightens, and both have tough tests ahead.

Utah hosts BYU at noon ET Saturday on ABC, a matchup that also features BYU at 7-1 coming off a 27-20 win over Arizona State. BYU has only five losses since 2024, according to ESPN Research. UCLA travels to Minnesota at noon ET Saturday on Fox.

The fallen and the newcomers

Northwestern, SMU and Wisconsin all dropped out of the poll after losses to unranked opponents. Iowa, New Mexico and South Carolina took their places, giving the bottom of the ranking a fresh look and a new set of teams to watch.

USC enters the poll at No. 18 with a 7-2 record, one week after its upset of Ohio State. The Trojans next face Indiana on Nov. 14, a game that will carry weight for both teams as the season moves toward its final stretch.

Miami’s next test is in South Bend

Miami is 8-0 for the second time in the past three seasons, according to ESPN Research. The Hurricanes now head to Notre Dame for a Saturday night showdown at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC. The Fighting Irish are 7-1 and have 22 straight wins over unranked teams, a streak that makes them a dangerous opponent for any ranked team that visits.

Miami is 8-0 for the second time in the past three seasons.

That matchup could decide who controls the top of the poll heading into the final weeks. Notre Dame has the home field and a long winning streak against unranked opponents, while Miami has spent the season proving it can win close games. A win on Saturday would be a major statement for either side.

Other games shaping the Top 25

Georgia faces Ole Miss on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC, and the winner of that game will reshape the SEC picture. Ole Miss is coming off a 45-15 win over Auburn, with four players scoring rushing touchdowns in that game. Georgia is 7-1 and looks to keep its momentum after the Florida rout.

Texas, now at 6-2 after a 31-3 win over Mississippi State, travels to Missouri at noon ET Saturday on ESPN. Texas Tech, 7-1 after a 34-26 win over Arizona, hosts West Virginia at 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. Texas Tech has won 13 consecutive home games, tied for the longest streak in program history.

Kentucky, at 7-1, plays at Tennessee at 6:15 p.m. ET on ESPN, a game that also features a Tennessee team at 6-2. Alabama, at 6-2, goes to LSU at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC. Ohio State, now at 6-2, plays Oregon at 3:30 p.m. ET Saturday on CBS, a game that matters a great deal to its playoff hopes after the loss to USC.

Wake Forest, at 7-1, hosts Merrimack at 3:30 p.m. ET on ACC Network, following a 51-7 rout of Virginia. The Demon Deacons’ 44-point win was the second largest in the series history. Houston, now at 6-2, faces Cincinnati on Saturday.

What comes next for the playoff race

With the top four separated by only a handful of results, every Saturday now carries extra weight. Miami must win in South Bend to hold its position, while Utah and UCLA have their own hurdles before they can claim a spot in the conversation. Ohio State, Georgia and Indiana each have a path back up the rankings, but they must win to make that climb.

Fans should expect a lot of movement the next time the poll updates. Each team on this list has a clear test, and the margin for error is shrinking fast.