College Football Highlights From Week 12 and the New AP Top 25 – RedState

Things are focused on the playoff format – for the most part. The losses of the best teams take on even greater significance, and those that advance enter rarefied territory. While the top schools now seem pretty cemented to some extent, it’s the lower-tier teams vying for final playoff spots that are the question marks.

The Group of Five conferences continue to shuffle their offers, as USF suffered a loss, now leaving the door open to James Madison or North Texas. Meanwhile, the ACC can’t make things easy, as Louisville suffered a loss and made being at the top of this conference an even bigger question mark. From this point on, every game matters more, and the importance of the playoffs or bowl is on the line.

• Something you usually only see during bowl season took place this weekend, as two games took place at MLB stadiums. Fenway hosted the Coast Guard-Merchant Marine Academy contest, then Michigan survived against Northwestern at Wrigley Field in Chicago.

• Drummer Mick Fleetwood of the band Fleetwood Mac took to the field with the USC Trojans marching band to play a live version of the platinum-selling song “Tusk” which was originally recorded with the band in 1979.

I enjoyed playing Tusk with the USC marching band! Thank you to the university for this wonderful evening and to all the professors, alumni, fans and students who make this university amazing 🥳❤️ #uscmarchingband#bigtenfootball #uscalumni #uscfootball #universityofsoutherncalifornia pic.twitter.com/c3qqPjS8SQ

–Mick Fleetwood (@MickFleetwood) November 8, 2025

At U-Mass, the Minutemen made a field goal and the stadium erupted in fireworks. This overwrought celebration was even more ridiculous, since at the time they were down 45-0.

• In Utah, the quarterback position may have become redundant. Devon Dampier only threw for 80 yards the entire game, but the Utes didn’t even notice. They won 55-28 against Baylor thanks to 380 rushing yards and five touchdowns.

• As the South Carolina Gamecocks romped in College Station, there was a scuffle following an 80-yard score by wide receiver Nyck Harbor, who ran into a tunnel and then fell into a state trooper, who reacted angrily. The soldier was relieved of his duties on the spot, but he motivated the Aggies to take action in the second half.

Texas State Trooper collided with South Carolina players after SC touchdown

The soldier was relieved of duty on the day of the match pic.twitter.com/NosBtwK5B9

– Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 15, 2025

Some of the significant results:

Oklahoma 23 – Alabama 21

The Tide dominated statistically everywhere you looked – 406-212 total yards, 23-12 on first downs, and Ty Simpson throwing for 326 yards to John Mateer’s 138. But Alabama was broken down by two factors: a muted running game and three turnovers that resulted in two touchdowns (including a pick-6) and a field goal. While the loss may not have torpedoed Alabama for the playoffs, the Sooners find themselves in a stronger position.

Texas A&M 31 – South Carolina 30

In what is perhaps the most exciting match of the weekend, it was a tale of two halves. The Gamecocks made it 30-3 at halftime, as the Aggies faithful were ready to flee Kyle Field after three turnovers by Marcel Reed. Then the QB came back with three touchdowns in the third quarter to put together a 439-yard game.

Georgia 35 – Texas 10

In this week’s top 10, the Bulldogs jumped out to a 14-3 lead, but then felt bad about not trailing, as has been their tendency for most of the year. They eased off the gas and allowed the Longhorns to get closer, but then turned up the pressure with three touchdowns in the 4th quarter. Texas now sees its playoff chances fade with its third loss and second in the conference.

Georgia Tech 36 – Boston College 34

In a game that was poised to shake up the fog that is the ACC even further, the Yellow Jackets struggled for most of the game against the one-win Eagles. Tech was catching up, but after taking the lead in the 4th, BC scored another touchdown with four minutes remaining. The Rambling Wreck made a late drive to seal it with 00:11 remaining on the clock.

Ole Miss 34 – Florida 24

In typical SEC fashion, nothing was assured. The moribund Gators performed well enough on the road to take a 4-point lead into the 4th quarter, but the day belonged to Kewan Lacey. He amassed 224 yards rushing with three touchdowns, including two in the 4th quarter to deliver the dagger. There is still speculation that Rebels coach Lane Kiffin could be on the other side, taking over duties at UF.

The latest AP top-25 poll (first-place votes). Louisville, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and South Florida dropped out while Tulane, North Texas, Missouri and Houston entered the ballot.

1. Ohio State (57)

2. Indiana (8)

3. Texas A&M (1)

4. Georgia

5. Ole Mademoiselle

6. Texas Technology

7. Oregon

8. Oklahoma

9. Notre Dame

10. Alabama

11. BYU

12. Vanderbilt

13. Utah

14. Miami

15. Georgia Tech

16. U.S.C.

17. Texas

18. Michigan

19. Virginai

20. Tennessee

21. James Madison

22. North Texas

23. Missouri

24. Tulane

25. Houston

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