Week 10 of the college football season reinforced a clear trend: programs that invested heavily in name, image, and likeness (NIL) spending are largely winning. According to preseason reporting, 12 teams spent approximately $40 million on players this season, and those teams have combined for a 72.2% win rate. Only Michigan (5-4) and Texas A&M (4-5) among that group sit outside College Football Playoff contention entering Week 11.
NIL Investment Correlates With Success
The 12 highest-spending rosters include Georgia, Miami, and Notre Dame, each with one loss, while LSU, Ohio State, Oregon, and Ole Miss each have three losses. Georgia sits just below the $40 million threshold and also has one loss, likely claiming the No. 1 ranking. The data suggests a straightforward, albeit challenging, path to success for programs willing to spend.
Georgia Returns to Dominant Form
No. 2 Georgia demolished No. 10 Ole Miss 42-7 in Oxford, extending a run of seven wins in their last eight games against AP-ranked opponents. Defensive back KJ Bolden said the Bulldogs "could have put up 60" and "could have pitched a shutout." Quarterback Gunner Stockton completed nine passes, four to Talyn Taylor for 140 yards and three touchdowns. Georgia's only loss came at home to Auburn in October, a result that now feels distant.
Missouri Falters Again Against Ranked Foes
Missouri lost 34-20 to Texas at home, dropping to 1-11 in its last 12 games against ranked opponents. Quarterback Austin Simmons threw a critical interception in a comeback attempt. Despite Simmons announcing his return for the 2027 season, the Tigers face No. 2 Georgia and top-10 Kentucky in the next two weeks. CBS Sports' forecasting gives Missouri a 9.4% CFP chance with a win over Georgia, but the projection remains unlikely.
UCLA Continues Improbable Undefeated Run
The Bruins improved to 9-0 (6-0 Big Ten) with a 34-20 road win at Minnesota, their first 9-0 start since 1998. Coach Bob Chesney became only the second FBS coach to start 9-0 after taking over a nine-loss team, joining Curt Cignetti. Backup quarterback Ty Dieffenbach threw for 303 yards on just 8-of-16 passing, including back-to-back 75-yard touchdowns to Aidan Mizell, marking the fewest completions to reach 300 yards in a game since 2000.
SMU Revives Playoff and ACC Hopes
After a 51-28 blowout of Virginia Tech, SMU's playoff chances jumped to 8.8% and could reach 20.4% with a win over Wake Forest next week. The Mustangs also face Notre Dame on Nov. 21. Quarterback Kevin Jennings has thrown 13 touchdowns against one interception over the last five games, though the defense ranks 54th in scoring.
Lane Kiffin's Alabama Problem Persists
LSU fell 31-13 at home to Alabama as a 5.5-point favorite, dropping Kiffin to 0-6 against the Crimson Tide as a head coach, with four double-digit losses. The third-highest-paid coach in the sport ($11.5 million) has yet to win a major conference title or playoff game. USC's Lincoln Riley ($11.5 million) and Texas A&M's Mike Elko ($10.8 million) also face scrutiny for underwhelming results relative to their salaries.
First-Year Coaches Struggle at Michigan and Tulane
Michigan lost 15-6 to Michigan State, failing to score seven points in back-to-back home games for the first time since 1936. Coach Kyle Whittingham's offense has regressed despite high-priced quarterback additions. Tulane suffered a 60-10 home loss to Tulsa, falling to 4-5 one year after a playoff appearance. Coach Will Hall, previously 18-35 at Southern Miss, drew an embarrassed statement from athletic director David Harris, who called the point differential "alarming."
