College football’s November 14 schedule features five games in which both teams are ranked in the top 25 of at least one of the AP, Coaches or SP+ systems. Four are ranked matchups in both human polls. Texas Tech–Oklahoma State is the cross-poll addition because SP+ ranks the Cowboys No. 20 despite their absence from the AP and Coaches Top 25.

Rankings reflect the polls and SP+ ratings released Sunday, November 8. SP+ is a predictive efficiency rating rather than a résumé ranking. College Poll Archive

Matchup	AP	Coaches	SP+
Wake Forest at SMU	Wake Forest 11, SMU 25	Wake Forest 11, SMU 23	Wake Forest 12, SMU 18
USC at Indiana	USC 15, Indiana 6	USC 14, Indiana 5	USC 19, Indiana 5
Texas at LSU	Texas 8, LSU 24	Texas 8, LSU 22	Texas 6, LSU 7
Utah at Arizona	Utah 2, Arizona 22	Utah 2, Arizona 21	Utah 9, Arizona 21
Texas Tech at Oklahoma State	Texas Tech 10, Oklahoma State NR	Texas Tech 10, Oklahoma State NR	Texas Tech 13, Oklahoma State 20

No. 11 Wake Forest at No. 25 SMU

Saturday, November 14 — 11 a.m. CT — ESPN
Gerald J. Ford Stadium, Dallas, Texas
Wednesday line: Wake Forest -1.5; total: 61.5 at DraftKings

The opening game on the ranked slate could shape the ACC championship race. Wake Forest is 8-1 overall and 5-1 in the league, while SMU is 7-2 and 5-2. The teams are separated by less than a field goal in both the betting market and SP+, which ranks Wake Forest 12th and SMU 18th.

Wake Forest’s quarterback situation is the primary variable. Starter Gio Lopez missed last week’s 77-0 victory over Merrimack after injuring his right knee against Virginia. Backup Steele Pizzella responded with 432 yards and three touchdowns on 23-of-28 passing in his first career start. That performance came against an overmatched FCS opponent, but it demonstrated that Wake can retain the vertical element of its offense if Lopez is not cleared.

Carlos Hernandez has 945 receiving yards and gives either quarterback a proven primary target. The Demon Deacons average 487.7 yards and 43.3 points, with a defense allowing only 85 rushing yards per game. Their concern is a pass defense that ranks much lower than the run unit, creating an inviting matchup for Kevin Jennings.

Jennings threw for 350 yards and four touchdowns in SMU’s 51-28 win over Virginia Tech. Three of those scores went to Yamir Knight, and the Mustangs scored on each of their first eight possessions. Jennings has 2,764 passing yards, while Kendrick Raphael provides enough rushing balance to prevent Wake Forest from treating every snap as a dropback.

The first ACC availability report was due Wednesday evening. Wake’s Lopez and several SMU defenders therefore remained unresolved in the morning edition. SMU entered the week after playing without multiple defensive contributors against Virginia Tech, making the official report especially important. CFB

Wake Forest can control the game by forcing SMU to run into its strongest defensive unit. SMU’s path is to protect Jennings, attack the Demon Deacons’ secondary and make Wake’s quarterback prove he can match touchdowns on the road.

What decides it: Wake Forest’s quarterback health. A mobile, fully functional Lopez would widen the offense; another Pizzella start would place more pressure on protection and timing against a better defense.

No. 15 USC at No. 6 Indiana

Saturday, November 14 — 2:30 p.m. CT — CBS/Paramount+
Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium, Bloomington, Indiana
Wednesday line: Indiana -7.5; total: 50.5 at DraftKings

USC and Indiana return from open dates with a direct chance to strengthen their playoff cases. The Trojans are 7-2 after beating Ohio State 30-18, while Indiana is 8-1 following a 23-16 overtime escape against Minnesota. Indiana is fifth in SP+ and favored by more than a touchdown; USC is 19th in the model but brings the more explosive passing offense.

Jayden Maiava has thrown for more than 2,500 yards and gives USC the arm strength to challenge Indiana vertically. The Trojans’ win over Ohio State was built on explosive plays and a defense that prevented the Buckeyes from scoring a touchdown until the final minutes. Gary Patterson’s unit has improved, but its toughest task will be sustaining that performance away from the Coliseum.

Indiana allows only 12.4 points and 259.2 yards per game. The Hoosiers have held opponents below 100 rushing yards 28 times since the start of 2024, the most in the country. That profile can make USC one-dimensional, allowing Indiana’s pass rush to attack an offensive line already missing starting center Kilian O’Connor for the season.

The quarterback question belongs to Indiana. Josh Hoover has been dealing with an injury to his throwing arm since the Ohio State game. Grant Wilson provided a lift against Minnesota, throwing for 156 yards and the winning overtime touchdown to Charlie Becker. Curt Cignetti had not announced a change by Wednesday morning. Becker leads Indiana with 875 receiving yards and nine touchdowns, while Turbo Richard and Lee Beebe Jr. have combined for 1,460 rushing yards.

USC must win on early downs and prevent Indiana from turning the game into a long series of third-and-longs. Indiana must avoid the two turnovers and two-for-13 third-down performance that nearly cost it against Minnesota.

What decides it: Indiana’s quarterback efficiency. Competent play from Hoover or Wilson should let the defense dictate the game; turnovers would give USC the extra possessions its explosive offense needs.

No. 8 Texas at No. 24 LSU

Saturday, November 14 — 6:30 p.m. CT — ABC/ESPN app
Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Wednesday line: LSU -4; total: 46.5 at DraftKings

Texas–LSU presents the largest ranking disagreement of the weekend. The Longhorns are eighth in both human polls and LSU is 24th in the AP, yet SP+ places them sixth and seventh. The market sides with the model, making LSU a four-point home favorite despite its 31-13 loss to Alabama.

LSU’s defeat was not caused by an inability to move the ball. Sam Leavitt completed 35 of 47 passes for 380 yards, and Jackson Harris produced 166 receiving yards. The Tigers failed because they repeatedly left points on the field: they went zero-for-four on fourth down, missed a field goal and committed a turnover in Alabama territory. The analysis is straightforward—LSU must turn yardage into touchdowns.

Texas enters with three consecutive victories after beating Missouri 34-20. Arch Manning threw for 297 yards and three touchdowns as the Longhorns scored the final 21 points. Raleek Brown contributed 85 rushing yards and caught the go-ahead touchdown, giving Steve Sarkisian the balance he needs to attack LSU’s top-10 SP+ defense.

Texas’ defense has climbed to fourth in SP+ and is the most important unit in the game. The Longhorns can pressure Leavitt and challenge an LSU offense that has become heavily dependent on the pass. Edge rusher Colin Simmons was approaching a return from a high-ankle sprain last week, but his November 14 designation was not available Wednesday morning. Left tackle Trevor Goosby remains out for the season.

LSU’s defense has longer-term absences that include linebacker Charles Ross II and safety Dashawn Spears. Linebacker Whit Weeks also missed the Alabama game, and the first SEC report for Texas was not due until Wednesday evening.

Texas must protect Manning in Tiger Stadium and avoid falling behind the chains. LSU must prove last week’s empty possessions were an aberration rather than a structural red-zone problem.

What decides it: LSU’s finishing ability. The Tigers created enough offense to challenge Alabama but scored only 13 points; repeating those fourth-down and red-zone failures would hand Texas another road victory.

No. 2 Utah at No. 22 Arizona

Saturday, November 14 — 6:30 p.m. CT — FOX
Casino Del Sol Stadium, Tucson, Arizona
Wednesday line: Utah -2.5; total: 54.5 at DraftKings

Utah’s unbeaten season moves from the emotional peak of a Holy War victory to a dangerous road game against an Arizona team that has not lost at home. The Utes beat BYU 28-20 and climbed to No. 2 in both human polls. Arizona survived TCU 29-28 with a recovered onside pooch kick, a late field goal and an interception during the final two minutes.

Devon Dampier produced one of the season’s most unusual performances against BYU: 177 passing yards, 89 rushing yards, 29 receiving yards, two passing touchdowns and two rushing scores. Utah’s offense runs through his ability to create after the original design breaks. Wayshawn Parker supplies the conventional rushing threat, preventing opponents from devoting every extra defender to Dampier.

Utah also owns a far better defense than it did last season. The Utes allow 16.3 points and 103.3 rushing yards per game, and they lead the Big 12 in pass-efficiency defense. They have outscored opponents 103-9 in the first quarter, creating game scripts that force opposing offenses to chase.

Arizona’s answer is Noah Fifita. The veteran passed for 313 yards and two touchdowns against TCU and recovered a teammate’s late fumble before throwing the touchdown that started the comeback. Isaiah Mizell leads Arizona with 753 receiving yards, and his timing with Fifita gives the Wildcats a way to attack before Utah’s pressure arrives. tucson.com

The first Big 12 availability report was due Wednesday night. Arizona entered the week with several unresolved contributors, including tight end Cole Rusk and receivers Caleb Smith and R.J. Mosley. Utah had no new major absence confirmed Wednesday morning beyond previously established injuries.

Arizona cannot rely on another late miracle. It must withstand Utah’s first-quarter surge, protect Fifita and create enough early-down rushing success to keep the entire offense available. Utah must avoid the natural emotional letdown that can follow a rivalry victory.

What decides it: The opening quarter. Utah has dominated games before opponents settle in; Arizona must survive that initial pressure and keep Fifita in a balanced, one-possession contest.

No. 10 Texas Tech at No. 20 SP+ Oklahoma State

Saturday, November 14 — 8:30 p.m. CT — ESPN/ESPN app
Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater, Oklahoma
Wednesday line: Oklahoma State -3.5; total: 72.5 at DraftKings

The nightcap is a cross-poll shootout with direct Big 12 championship implications. Texas Tech is 8-1 and ranked 10th in both human polls, but SP+ rates Oklahoma State 20th and the market favors the 6-3 Cowboys at home. Texas Tech controls its path to the conference championship game; Oklahoma State is one of several two-loss teams trying to create a late tie.

Both offenses erupted last week. Tommy Castellanos passed for 362 yards and five touchdowns and ran for 102 yards as Texas Tech beat West Virginia 53-48. J’Koby Williams added 160 rushing yards, giving the Red Raiders two backfield threats capable of stressing every gap. Castellanos has replaced Will Hammond as the primary quarterback after Texas Tech struggled to finish drives earlier in the season.

Oklahoma State was even more dominant in a 66-28 win at Kansas State. Drew Mestemaker completed 22 of 28 passes for 313 yards and four touchdowns while adding a rushing score. Caleb Hawkins ran for 175 yards and three touchdowns and caught six passes for 71 yards. The Cowboys scored on 10 of 15 possessions and built a 49-14 halftime lead.

Oklahoma State averages 43.9 points and has gone three-and-out on only 5.5% of its possessions, the lowest rate in the FBS. Texas Tech’s defense has fallen to 37th in SP+ after allowing 48 points to West Virginia, creating a difficult matchup against Mestemaker, Hawkins and receiver Justin Bowick.

Texas Tech’s receiving depth is a concern. Coy Eakin will miss the game after surgery on a broken hand, Jalen Jones remains out with a hip injury and Donte Lee Jr. is out for the season. Malcolm Simmons was trending toward returning, but the Big 12 report was still pending Wednesday morning.

The enormous total is justified, but one defense will eventually need a stop. Texas Tech must contain Hawkins without giving Mestemaker isolated deep shots. Oklahoma State must account for Castellanos as a runner without vacating coverage behind its linebackers.

What decides it: Red-zone defense. Both teams will move the ball; the first unit to force field goals or a turnover on downs will create the separation in a game projected for more than 70 points.

Week 11 offers five ranked matchups with five different pressures: an ACC championship eliminator, a Big Ten playoff test, a top-10 SEC efficiency battle, Utah’s unbeaten road challenge and a late Big 12 shootout. Texas–LSU carries the strongest poll-versus-market debate, while Texas Tech–Oklahoma State may produce the night’s most dramatic scoreboard.