College Football Risers and Fallers After Week 11 - 2024 College Football

Week 11 was one of the wildest weeks yet as the season’s final month of play kicked off. The noon slate started with a wild Georgia Tech upset over Miami paired with dominant performances from two of the nation’s best in Ohio State and Texas.

Indiana toppled Michigan in the midday slate while Georgia sputtered, letting Lane Kiffin’s Ole Miss team back into the race. Kansas got out to a big lead and held off Iowa State to hand them back-to-back losses, while Colorado and Clemson notched big road wins.

Oregon dominated Maryland, Tennessee dominated Mississippi State, Alabama dominated LSU, and Penn State dominated Washington in what was a relatively boring night until BYU stayed unbeaten with a game-winning field goal in Utah. The playoff race is shaping up but is far from settled as we near the home stretch of the season. Let’s dig into risers and fallers.

Stock Up

UCLA Bruins

Early on in the season, UCLA was crowned as the worst team in the Big Ten. That has sense changed, as DeShaun Foster’s Bruins have battled back to a 4-5 record with three straight wins over Rutgers, Nebraska, and Iowa.

TOUCHDOWN BRUINS 🙌

Ethan Garbers put it right on target for Titus Mokiao-Atimalala 🎯 #B1GFootball x @UCLAFootball pic.twitter.com/OGvrhzf4f4

— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) November 9, 2024

Quarterback Ethan Garbers is playing good football, and there is plenty of reason to believe this team can win two of their next three (at Washington, vs. USC, vs. Fresno State) and sneak into a bowl game after starting 1-5.

Playoff Chaos

To everyone complaining about the structure of the playoff: this is what you asked for when you asked for a 12-team playoff. It is only fair to have at least some structure with the four auto-bid byes rather than leaving everything up to the eye test like we have in years past.

Is it very possible that we see Colorado, Boise State, or SMU earn a first-round bye? Yes, maybe even two of those teams will dodge a first-round playoff matchup while Ohio State or Oregon hosts a game on the first weekend. People are going to continue to complain, but by instilling a 12-team playoff this is what our sport has come to and this format is only fair to all teams. We may have some playoff matchups that appear lopsided on paper, but that's why we play the game.

Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

No player has boosted their stock in the past few weeks more than Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who is continuing to make a compelling argument to be the first quarterback and maybe even the first player off the board in April. It sounds like he will be happy if he lands in Las Vegas...

Cryptic Tweets, Shoutouts, Constant Hints: Shedeur Sanders Is Basically Begging The Raiders To Draft Him https://t.co/HSoP0eSKam pic.twitter.com/5t4qJ7Quhf

— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) November 12, 2024

Sanders’ latest accomplishment was a 30-for-43, 291-yard, three-touchdown performance in a 41-27 road win over Texas Tech to keep Colorado right in the thick of the Big 12 title race. If the Buffaloes can take down Utah, Kansas, and Oklahoma State over the next three weeks, they should be headed to the Big 12 title game for a shot to clinch a playoff spot.

Indiana Hoosiers

Even at 10-0, Indiana’s next test against Ohio State could have knocked them out of the playoff race with their otherwise weak schedule. With teams like Georgia, Iowa State, Miami, and LSU losing this weekend, the Hoosiers have to feel a bit more confident after securing a win against a tough Michigan squad.

It is very evident that Curt Cignetti’s team is full of winners, as they simply keep winning football games regardless of who is on the schedule. The biggest game in IU football history is coming up in two weeks and even with a loss, they have to be feeling good about their chances to sneak into the 12-team playoff field.

Stock Down

Carson Beck, QB, Georgia

Georgia quarterback Carson Beck continues to struggle, with his latest performance one of his least encouraging of the season in the 28-10 loss to Ole Miss. 

Beck completed 20-of-31 passes for 186 yards and an interception while also losing a fumble in a game where he was only able to lead one touchdown drive. Once considered one of the top quarterback prospects for the upcoming class, Beck’s stock has taken more of a hit than maybe anyone else in the nation over the course of the season as the Bulldogs face a must-win game this upcoming weekend against Tennessee.

LSU Tigers

Brian Kelly’s team never had a pulse at home on Saturday night, falling 42-13 at the hands of Alabama. It was the Tigers’ third loss, likely ending their playoff hopes. 

LSU gets to the SEC Championship Game IF...

LSU wins out

+

Tennessee loses to UGA or Vandy
-AND/OR-
Texas loses to Arkansas or Kentucky
-AND/OR-
A&M loses to Auburn

Also, there is basically no logical scenario where Tennessee wins out & LSU gets to Atlanta#LSU#SEC

— Brian Holland (@BHollandSports) November 12, 2024

The defense could not make a stop on the ground, as the Crimson Tide gashed them for 312 rushing yards. Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier had another poor showing, tossing two interceptions and losing a fumble in the rout. The Tigers have three opportunities to close the season out strong - at Florida, vs. Vanderbilt, and vs. Oklahoma - but playoff hopes are likely buried unless absolute chaos erupts.

Florida Gators Fans

Perhaps the biggest losers of this past week had already lost before any games were played, as it was announced that head coach Billy Napier will be back next season for Florida. Gator fans are growing restless with the lack of success that Napier has had with the program, and their weekend ended in a 49-17 loss to Texas.

The most cynical and self-serving AD in all of college football.@ScottStricklin pic.twitter.com/3ZlYobl9tr

— 10 Guys on the Field (@FireBillyNapier) November 10, 2024

On the flip side, it seems that star freshman quarterback DJ Lagway will return next season with Napier so at least the Florida faithful have something to be excited about.

Oklahoma Sooners

Just when it seemed Oklahoma’s season couldn’t get any worse, the Sooners lost to a previously pulseless Missouri team led by backup quarterback Drew Pyne, who gouged their defense for three passing touchdowns. 

The Sooners now need to win one of their next two to make a bowl game, and the matchups are against an Alabama team fighting for a playoff spot and a road game with LSU. Brent Venables’ seat is heating up in his first season in the SEC and it is hard to imagine this team clawing their way into a bowl game even with a much-needed bye this week.

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