AP Top 25 poll preview: Indiana narrowly gets past Penn State, Texas Tech defeats BYU

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Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) looks to pass against Penn State during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)

Texas Tech running back Cameron Dickey (8) runs for a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against BYU, Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Annie Rice) — Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) looks to pass against Penn State during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)

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11:49 AM on Friday, November 7

By MAURA CAREY

Week 11 of College Football is underway, and this time, every team in the running for a College Football Playoff spot knows where it stands in the eyes of selection committee members.

No. 8 BYU at No. 9 Texas Tech headlined the slate as a showdown between the Big 12's top two contenders. Texas Tech came out on top and is set to leapfrog the Cougars in the rankings, taking sole possession of the conference.

No. 2 Indiana narrowly avoided its first loss of the season and a potentially significant drop-off in the rankings in a last-minute thriller against Penn State. Fernando Mendoza found Omar Cooper Jr. in the end zone with 36 seconds remaining, carrying Indiana to the 27-24 win.

Look for them to move up

– Texas Tech handed BYU its first loss of the season on Saturday, defeating the Cougars with a convincing 29-7 win. The Red Raiders rank directly below BYU in the AP Top 25 and College Football Playoff rankings and are poised to move up.

– No. 22 Memphis lost 38-32 to unranked Tulane on Friday night. Memphis trailed for the majority of the game, tying it up twice in the first quarter and early in the second. The Tigers went on a 15-0 run in the fourth quarter, but Tulane held them off for the win.

Look for them to drop

– BYU will drop after a loss in what was the first top-10 matchup for a Big 12 conference game since 2021.

Knocking on the door

— James Madison is two spots out of the AP Top 25, and a 35-23 win against Marshall paired with a Memphis loss to Tulane could be enough to crack the rankings. It was a solid performance for a Dukes' team that believes they're worthy of consideration for the CFP’s Group of Five spot.

Top games to watch

No. 3 Texas A&M (8-0, 5-0 SEC, No. 3 CFP) at No. 19 Missouri (6-2, 2-2, No. 22 CFP)

The Aggies are going for their first 9-0 start since 1975. The Tigers are facing their third top-10 opponent in four games and their playoff hopes are on life support. Mizzou freshman Matt Zollers makes his first start in place of the injured Beau Pribula. BetMGM Sportsbook: Texas A&M by 7.

No. 6 Oregon (7-1, 4-1 Big Ten, No. 9 CFP) at Iowa (6-2, 4-1, No. 20 CFP)

The Hawkeyes are 4-4 at home against top-10 teams since 2016, the third-best record among teams that have been in the Big Ten since then. Oregon will need to corral 235-pound Iowa QB Mark Gronowski, who has been more dangerous with his legs than his arm. BetMGM Sportsbook: Oregon by 6.

Wake Forest (5-3, 2-3 ACC) at No. 12 Virginia (8-1, 5-0, No. 14 CFP)

Virginia has a knack for playing close games and needs to keep winning them because the Atlantic Coast Conference appears headed toward being a one-bid league in the CFP. The Demon Deacons had won five in a row in the series before Virginia rallied from 13 points down to win 31-30 last year. Also, Wake Forest isn't as bad as it looked against Florida State last week. BetMGM Sportsbook: Virginia by 6 1/2.

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