The College Football Playoff’s first rankings were a boost for the Big 12: BYU landed at No. 7 and Texas Tech at No. 8, with Utah close behind at No. 13. That makes Saturday’s BYU–Texas Tech meeting a potentially decisive game for both teams’ playoff hopes — a loss won’t automatically eliminate either side, but it would be a serious setback and shrink the margin for error down the stretch.
Other ranked games this weekend include No. 3 Texas A&M at No. 22 Missouri and No. 9 Oregon at No. 20 Iowa. Keep an eye on Iowa: the Hawkeyes looked much improved on offense after a convincing win over Minnesota, while Oregon had extra time to prepare after a less-than-dominant 21–7 victory over Wisconsin on Oct. 25.
How Texas A&M got better in 2025
The Aggies’ improvement this season hasn’t come from a wholesale schematic overhaul so much as better personnel and natural maturation. Offensive line coach Adam Cushing has rebuilt a unit that struggled late in the Jimbo Fisher era; the line is now playing at a level that has A&M in Joe Moore Award conversation. That protection has helped first-year full-time starter Marcel Reed settle in and process reads more comfortably.
A key difference this year has been the addition of playmaking receivers. Mario Craver and KC Concepcion are one of only three receiving tandems in the SEC with more than 500 yards each, and their vertical threat has opened running lanes and stretched defenses horizontally — Craver ranks second in the FBS in yards after the catch (455). Reed is averaging 9.1 air yards per attempt, second in the SEC, which has created more room for the run. A&M averages 2.35 yards per rush before contact, third in the conference, and Reed has produced both passing and rushing touchdowns in four straight games — the longest such streak by an Aggie since Johnny Manziel in 2012. Those pieces together explain why A&M looks more complete in 2025. — Dave Wilson
Five freshmen who’ve stood out
Bear Bachmeier, QB, BYU: Bachmeier transferred from Stanford and stepped into BYU’s offense immediately, leading the unbeaten Cougars into a crucial Big 12 test at Texas Tech. Through eight starts he has produced 2,101 all-purpose yards and 20 total TDs. Among true freshman QBs he ranks first in completion percentage (58.7%), passer rating (95.2) and yards per attempt (7.9), and his combination of size and rushing ability (tied for seventh among FBS passers with nine rushing TDs entering Week 10) has given BYU a genuine dual-threat leader.
Mason Heintschel, QB, Pitt: A three-star recruit, Heintschel has sparked a 5–0 run since taking over at quarterback, helping Pitt re-enter the CFP conversation. In five starts he has thrown for 1,547 yards with 12 TDs and five interceptions. Among true freshmen with 200+ pass attempts, Heintschel ranks near the top in completion percentage (64.1%) and rating (92.0), though turnover issues (nine giveaways in five games) remain a concern as Pitt faces Notre Dame, Georgia Tech and Miami to close the regular season.
Caleb Hawkins, RB, North Texas: Hawkins has been a workhorse for the Mean Green, who boast the nation’s No. 2 scoring offense. After a 33-carry, 197-yard, four-TD game in Week 10, he led all freshman running backs in carries (121), rushing yards (744) and touchdowns (11). Among FBS rushers with at least 50 carries, Hawkins ranks among the top in rushing scores and averages 6.1 yards per attempt. His emergence has put North Texas squarely in AAC title contention and made him a player to watch for future transfer interest from Power Four programs.
Graceson Littleton, CB, Texas: A late addition to Texas’ top-ranked 2025 class, Littleton has become a steady presence in the Longhorns’ revamped secondary, primarily lining up in the slot. He has logged 33 tackles, two pass breakups and two interceptions — tied for the national lead among freshmen defensive backs — and has played more snaps than all but four Texas defenders. Littleton’s early impact gives the Longhorns confidence as they approach late-season games against Georgia and Texas A&M.
Malachi Toney, WR, Miami: Toney reclassified early and has immediately been one of the nation’s most productive freshman receivers. He leads all first-year pass catchers in targets (66), receptions (52) and receiving yards (632), and ranks among the top receivers nationally in yards after catch (390) and first-down receptions (31). At 5’11” and with reliable hands — he has yet to drop a pass — Toney is Miami’s most explosive playmaker and figures to be a central contributor in 2025 and beyond. — Eli Lederman
Keys for BYU and Texas Tech
BYU: The Cougars need to keep it tight and trust their poise in close games. Texas Tech has shown it can win convincingly, but BYU’s composure in late situations has been an advantage this season. For freshman Bear Bachmeier, Texas Tech’s strong front seven will force quicker decisions; if he can minimize mistakes and manage the pocket, BYU can sustain drives. BYU’s defense hasn’t matched last year’s level consistently — this matchup would be an ideal time to reclaim that standard. — Kyle Bonagura
Texas Tech: Protect Behren Morton and finish drives. With Will Hammond out for the season, Morton’s health and protection are even more critical. Texas Tech has been kicking a lot of field goals in the red zone (15 field goals from red-zone trips this season), so converting more trips into touchdowns will be decisive. On defense, Tech’s top-ranked rushing unit must slow Big 12 leading rusher LJ Martin and force Bachmeier into third-and-long situations. The freshman has been disciplined in those spots, but Tech’s edge rushers David Bailey and Romello Height represent the best test Bachmeier has faced yet. — Max Olson
Quotes of the week
“I think we are desperate,” Texas A&M coach Mike Elko said of his unbeaten Aggies. “We’ve earned everything we’ve got… and every single Saturday someone is coming in and trying to take all of that from us, and that’s the urgency that we have.”
“They’re big humans that take up a lot of space,” Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire said of BYU’s line play. “We’re going to have to do a great job up front on our double-teams… win our one-on-ones. I think that’s huge.”
Miami coach Mario Cristobal on his team’s response to the Week 10 loss to SMU: “When things go wrong, that’s when all the rats start to come out… You got to go tell them to go. Go to work, and do it emphatically and do it with some guts. Go fix the things that we have to fix so we can go get better and win.”
Oregon coach Dan Lanning on Iowa: “I’m shocked this team isn’t ranked [in the AP poll]. If you look at the way they’ve been playing… I think this team probably is not getting near enough credit.”
Missouri’s Eli Drinkwitz critiqued the CFP committee, saying, “There needs to be play-in games… decide it on the field.”
Clemson’s Dabo Swinney on officiating accountability: “Refs are people, too… if they’re a part of the game, then by god, they ought to be a part of the accountability. They ought to have to answer for it.”
The weekend’s slate offers meaningful playoff implications, rising freshman stars and battles that will shape conference races — and perhaps the postseason picture — as the season enters its final stretch.