UPDATE: The stakes are higher than ever as college football enters Week 11 of the 2025 season, with crucial matchups and interim coaches facing their biggest tests yet. With November upon us, this weekend promises significant implications for the College Football Playoff race.
Key games will unfold on Saturday, featuring three ranked matchups: No. 7 BYU takes on No. 8 Texas Tech, No. 3 Texas A&M faces No. 22 Missouri, and No. 9 Oregon battles No. 20 Iowa. Each of these games could drastically affect playoff standings.
In a major shakeup, LSU and Auburn have new interim coaches stepping into the spotlight. Frank Wilson will lead LSU into a daunting matchup against No. 4 Alabama, while DJ Durkin takes over at Auburn, facing No. 16 Vanderbilt. Both coaches will need immediate success to solidify their futures, with Durkin’s first challenge being against a strong Commodores squad.
The momentum of interim coaches could sway their respective programs’ trajectories. Kent State recently promoted Mark Carney after a successful interim stint, while Blake Harrell at East Carolina has shown promise, leading his team to a 5-3 record. However, not all interim coaches have thrived; Bobby Petrino at Arkansas is still looking for his first win, facing a tough schedule ahead.
As the coaching carousel spins, Tulane and Memphis clash on Friday night, intensifying the competition in the American Conference title race. Both teams are vying for a potential College Football Playoff appearance. Tulane’s head coach, Jon Sumrall, and Memphis’ Ryan Silverfield are being closely watched as potential candidates for other coaching positions. The game kicks off at 9 p.m. Eastern, with Memphis favored by 4.5 points.
Meanwhile, Notre Dame sits at No. 10 in the initial CFP rankings, despite dropping two major games this season. The Fighting Irish’s path to the playoffs seems viable if they can maintain momentum, starting with a challenging matchup against Navy this weekend. Navy, led by quarterback Blake Horvath, boasts a formidable offense averaging 34.8 points per game.
With so many storylines unfolding, fans are anxiously watching how these coaching changes and high-stakes games will shape the remainder of the season. As Wisconsin’s athletic director, Chris McIntosh, faces scrutiny for retaining head coach Luke Fickell despite a disappointing record, the pressure mounts on coaches across the nation.
The atmosphere in college football is electric, with fans eager to see how these coaching decisions and matchups will impact playoff aspirations. As teams fight for survival in the playoff race, the urgency is palpable, making this weekend one of the most critical in the season so far.
