Copyright cleveland.com
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Ole Miss is surging toward the postseason, sitting at 9-1 after dismantling The Citadel 49-0 and staying firmly in the College Football Playoff conversation. While the Rebels dominate on the field, Lane Kiffin is dominating the internet. The head coach has turned trolling into an art form this season, firing off viral digs at rivals and even crashing a wedding proposal during Saturday’s blowout win. At halftime, with his team cruising, Kiffin couldn’t resist a jab at Mississippi State, telling the Ole Miss Radio Network he was “excited Georgia is boat racing Mississippi State” before casually adding, “Oh, our game? We’re playing well.” This isn’t new for Kiffin. From taking jabs at recently departed Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze and giving his two cents about who Auburn’s next head coach will be, to pulling out the receipts on Brian Kelly after beating LSU and encouraging fans to “take the over” after the announcement that his daughter was dating Tigers linebacker Whit Weeks, his social media antics, and general trolling tendencies, have been a storyline all year. Kiffin has mastered the modern coach persona by winning big, staying relevant, and making sure his name trends every Saturday. With Ole Miss eyeing an SEC title, a CFP berth and speculation about how much longer Kiffin will be leading the Rebels the trolling might just be the cherry on top of a season that’s becoming one of the most entertaining stories in college football. Speaking of entertainment, this weekend delivered plenty of it across the country. From surprise upsets to historic milestones, here’s a look at the winners and losers from an unforgettable weekend. Loser: Temple’s defense Temple had a chance to steal a win late against Army, but the Black Knights turned the final possession into a masterclass in ball control. With a one-point lead and nearly 10 minutes left, Army embarked on an 18-play, 75-yard drive that drained every second off the clock, culminating in a victory formation knee to seal it. For Temple, with no stops, no turnovers and no chance to respond it was a nightmare scenario. The Owls’ defense simply couldn’t get off the field, and that single drive summed up their season-long struggles with physical, run-heavy teams. When you let an opponent dictate tempo for nearly an entire quarter, you’re not just losing the game—you’re losing any hope of momentum. Winner: Josh Dasher, the ref who nailed Indiana’s game-winner When Indiana stunned Penn State with a last-second touchdown, all eyes, rightfully so, were on Omar Cooper Jr.’s catch. But the unsung hero was Josh Dasher, the official who ruled it good in real time. In a moment where hesitation could have sparked chaos, the referee confidently signaled touchdown without a beat. Replay confirmed it, but that instant call preserved the drama and avoided a prolonged review. For a game with major Big Ten title implications, that decisive whistle deserves a nod, especially in an era where, more often than not, people are looking to blame referees for some type of wrongdoing. Loser: Iowa’s CFP dreams Iowa came within inches of pulling off a season-defining upset against Oregon, but a late field goal sealed an 18-16 loss and officially ended the Hawkeyes’ College Football Playoff hopes. For three quarters, Iowa’s defense frustrated Oregon’s high-powered attack. The offense even managed a go-ahead score in the fourth. But when the Ducks got the ball back with under two minutes left, the Hawkeyes couldn’t get the stop they needed. A clutch throw from Dante Moore set up the game-winning kick, leaving Iowa to wonder what might have been. For a team that prided itself on toughness and execution, this was a gut punch—and the final nail in the CFP coffin. Winner: Akron’s bowl game dream Akron enters tonight’s rivalry clash with Kent State riding a two-game win streak and chasing history. A victory would mark the Zips’ third straight and inch them closer to their first bowl berth since 2017, and just the fifth in program history. For a team that started the season as an afterthought, this turnaround is monumental. With momentum building and a winnable matchup ahead, Akron suddenly looks like one of November’s best stories. Loser: Interim head coaches Penn State’s season went from bad to worse in a 27-24 loss to Indiana that felt like a slow-motion collapse. Interim coach Anthony Poindexter had his team in position to win, leading late in the fourth quarter, but the defense couldn’t hold. Indiana marched down the field and scored on a toe-tap touchdown with seconds remaining, stunning the Nittany Lions and dropping them to 3-6. For a program that entered the year with high expectations, this was yet another reminder of how quickly things unraveled this season. Bowl hopes? Gone. Morale? Rock bottom. But Penn State isn’t alone. Auburn looked ready to turn the page under interim coach Carnell “Cadillac” Williams, jumping out to a 17-3 lead against Vanderbilt. But the second half was a disaster. Missed tackles, blown assignments, and a costly turnover opened the door for the Commodores, who forced overtime and won 45-38. It was a collapse that showcased all the issues that have plagued the program this season. Interim or not, this one will sting for a long time. Winner: Delaware kicker Nate Reed Talk about ice in the veins. Delaware’s kicker didn’t just have a good game. He authored one of the most dramatic finishes of the season. After already drilling three field goals and an extra point, he executed a perfectly placed onside kick to give the Blue Hens one last shot at victory. Then, with the game on the line and the clock winding down, he stepped up and nailed a 51-yard game-winner to seal the deal. That’s five scoring plays, two of them in the final moments, and a performance that will live in program lore. For perspective, game-winning kicks of 50+ yards are extremely rare in college football, especially when paired with an onside kick recovery. It’s the kind of clutch sequence that turns a solid specialist into a legend overnight. Loser: BYU’s perfect season BYU entered Week 11 as one of the last unbeaten teams in the country, but Texas Tech slammed the door on their dream run with a 29-7 beatdown. The Cougars’ offense, which had been electric all year, managed just 255 total yards and seven points. Texas Tech’s defense dominated the trenches, and BYU never adjusted. For a team that had visions of crashing the CFP party, this was a harsh reality check—and a reminder that perfection is fragile in November.
