7 Ranked Teams Fell on Saturday in College Football

Caleb Downs (2) of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates with teammates after breaking up a pass on fourth down during the fourth quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pa., on Nov. 2, 2024. Scott Taetsch/Getty Images

While not all massive upsets, seven ranked teams fell on Saturday, including three unbeaten squads.

That’s No. 3 Penn State (7–1), No. 11 Iowa State (7–1), and No. 18 Pittsburgh (7–1) all falling for the first time this season. Clemson (6–2), also ranked No. 11, joined the list of fallen ranked squads with No. 10 Texas A&M (7–2), No. 17 Kansas State (7–2), and No. 24 Illinois (6–3).

Third-ranked Penn State falling 20–13 didn’t come as a total surprise against No. 4 Ohio State (7–1), but the No. 10 Aggies, the only other top-10 team to fall, came with a little more surprise.

Texas A&M previously beat No. 16 LSU (6–2) decisively last week to improve to 5–0 in SEC play, but South Carolina (5–3) stunned the Aggies 44–20 in Columbia, South Carolina, as Gamecocks fans stormed the field. Gamecocks freshman quarterback LaNorris Sellers stepped up with 244 yards passing, two touchdowns, 106 yards rushing, and a touchdown.

“Obviously, we had an elite celebration in the locker room once we were able to get everyone off the field,” Gamecocks head coach Shane Beamer told reporters afterward. “I’m so happy for our fans because of how they deserve this and are true ‘12th Man’ for us as well out there with the impact they make. And then just so happy for our players, especially our seniors.”

Iowa State lost in a different kind of stunner when the Texas Tech Red Raiders (6–3) won 23–22 on a game-winning scoring drive by quarterback Behren Morton. The junior threw for 237 yards and two touchdowns.

“I’m so proud of this football team,” Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire told reporters. “It’s a huge win for us because we get bowl-eligible, and it keeps us in the mix.”

Clemson couldn’t overcome a lackluster first three quarters in a 33–21 defeat against Louisville (6–3). Cardinals freshman running back Isaac Brown rushed for 151 yards, and a touchdown on 20 carries against the Tigers in Death Valley.

“A lot of new guys have stepped up and played hard,” Cardinals head coach Jeff Brohm told reporters afterward. “To come on the road in this environment, against a really good team that was hot, and just play hard the entire game.

“We had to make plays. We played great tempo. We got stops. We were very sound in our defensive play. Just a lot of things way better, so just very proud of our team.”

Kansas State, meanwhile, fell to a team with a losing record in Houston (4–5). The Cougars even rallied late, scoring two fourth-quarter touchdowns by sophomore quarterback Zeon Chriss to win 24–19.

“They’re going to start believing,” Houston head coach Willie Fritz told reporters afterward. “We got to keep going.”

Pitt didn’t have enough answers early or late against No. 20 SMU (8–1) in a top-25 matchup. In addition, the Panthers couldn’t stop senior running back Brashard Smith, who had 182 total yards and three touchdowns in a 48–25 defeat.

“Our program belongs at this level,” SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee told reporters afterward.

Illinois, meanwhile, lost a lead late when Minnesota senior quarterback Max Brosmer threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to junior wide receiver Jameson Geers for a 22–17 lead with 5:14 left in the game. The Golden Gophers (6–3) held on with a defensive stop, a field goal, and a fumble recovery for 25–17 to pop a victory in Champaign, Illinois.

“They’re a really good football team,” Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck told reporters afterward. “Like I said, it’s a huge win for our program, another ranked victory in a really hostile environment, tough environment. They’re really hard to beat. They’re just hard to beat.”

Other top-25 teams, such as No. 1 Oregon (9–0), No. 5 Miami (9–0), and No. 19 Ole Miss (7–2), took care of business with blowout wins, but others, such as No. 2 Georgia (7–1), had to avoid Saturday’s upset train. The Bulldogs need a second-half comeback to win 34–20 to ward off the Florida Gators (4–4). Seventh-ranked Tennessee (7–1) needed a big third quarter to beat a 3–6 Kentucky squad 28–18 at home.