UNDATED (AP) — Georgia has taken a big step toward the Southeastern Conference championship game by defeating Alabama 20-17. The Bulldogs' defense sacked Alabama's quarterback four times and held him to a season-low in passing yards. This victory could boost Georgia to No. 1 in the AP Top 25 rankings. Meanwhile, Oklahoma upset top-ranked Texas 27-24, giving coach Brent Venables a much-needed win. South Carolina also pulled off an upset, defeating Florida 38-19, easing pressure on coach Shane Beamer. In other games, Kentucky edged LSU 35-34, UCLA remained undefeated with a win over Oregon, and Indiana narrowly beat Nebraska to stay unbeaten.
IRVING, Texas (AP) — The College Football Playoff says discussions continue with broadcast partner ESPN beyond an exclusive negotiating window over media rights for a potential doubling in size of the playoff field from 12 to 24 teams. The CFP statement came Saturday, a day after at the end of the initial 30-day window. ESPN’s new deal that starts this year is worth $7.8 billion over six seasons. It provides the network the first option of adding the first two games in any expansion of the playoff. The CFP says dialogue throughout the window has been constructive.
STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) — Drew Mestemaker threw for 304 yards and two touchdowns, Evan Jackson returned a fumble 28 yards for another score, and No. 18 Oklahoma State pulled away from UCF in the second half for a 42-28 win Saturday. Mestemaker added a rushing touchdown and 2-point conversion for Oklahoma State (4-1, 2-0 Big 12 Conference), which outscored the Knights 21-7 after halftime. Sam Keltner kicked two field goals to give the Cowboys a 27-21 lead early in the fourth quarter. Keyone Jenkins threw for 265 yards and four touchdowns and was driving the Knights (3-3, 1-2) toward a possible go-ahead touchdown early in the fourth quarter. But his backwards pass was knocked down by Oklahoma State’s Christian Bodnar and returned for a touchdown by Jackson.
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) — Noah Fifita threw two of his three touchdown passes to Isaiah Mizell, Lee Molette III returned a fumble for a score and Arizona beat West Virginia 52-31. Antwan Roberts, Quincy Craig and Kendrick Reescano each had scoring runs for Arizona. The Wildcats won despite not having their top three wide receivers, who are out with injuries. Fifita had a season-high 341 passing yards and took advantage of a West Virginia secondary that has struggled all season. Mizell set career highs with six catches for 183 yards. West Virginia has lost three straight. The Wildcats were outgained 522-482 but made fewer mistakes and took advantage of their opportunities.
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Wayshawn Parker ran for 171 yards and two touchdowns to lead No. 12 Utah to a 41-24 victory over Kansas on Saturday night. Parker eclipsed 170 rushing yards for the second straight game after finishing with a career-high 174 yards against Iowa State two weeks ago. Devon Dampier threw for 238 yards and three touchdowns to help the Utes (5-0, 2-0 Big 12) stay undefeated. Dampier also ran for 68 yards and another score. Ricky Johnson had a season-high 104 yards and a touchdown on five catches for Utah. Isaiah Marshall threw for 333 yards and two touchdowns to lead Kansas. Cam Pickett had a season-high 134 yards on eight catches for the Jayhawks (2-3, 0-2), who surrendered 541 total yards to the Utes.
MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Conner Weigman and tight end Patrick Overmyer connected for four touchdown passes and No. 22 Houston beat Kansas State 35-16 on Saturday. Weigman was 19 of 30 for 242 yards for Houston (5-1, 2-1 Big 12). Avery Johnson was 16 of 30 for 182 yards and two touchdowns with an interception for Kansas State (3-2, 0-2).
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Cardae Mack ran for 154 yards and two scores, Cutter Boley threw two touchdown passes to Reed Harris and Arizona State grinded out a 30-12 win over Hawaii. The Sun Devils needed a bounce back following a 55-19 home loss to Baylor last week. It wasn’t always pretty, but Arizona State found a way to wear down the Rainbow Warriors for a much-needed win. Mack scored on a 2-yard run in the first half and broke off a 67-yard TD run late in the third quarter that put Arizona State up 24-6. Boley threw for 189 yards on 21-of-31 passing and hit Harris on a late 9-yard TD to close it out.
PROVO, Utah (AP) — Bear Bachmeier threw for a season-high 329 yards and two touchdowns to lead No. 8 BYU to a 24-10 victory over Iowa State on Friday night. Bachmeier completed 22 of 30 passes en route to his fourth career 300-yard game. He also ran for a career-best 109 yards to help the Cougars (5-0, 3-0 Big 12) overcome the absence of running back LJ Martin. It was the second straight season Bachmeier threw for more than 300 yards against Iowa State (3-3, 1-2) and his first career 100-yard game on the ground. Jaylen Raynor threw for 98 yards and a touchdown to lead the Cyclones. Aiden Flora added 86 yards on the ground but had only 11 rushing yards before halftime.
