Week 10 CFB: Miami Collapse, Buckeyes Triumph

**Sunshine Showdown Heartbreak for Miami, Top Contenders Solidify Playoff Bids in Wild Week 10**

Week 10 of the college football season delivered a mixture of dramatic upsets and dominant statements on Saturday, November 4, 2023. While top contenders Ohio State and Alabama solidified their College Football Playoff aspirations with crucial victories, their triumphs were overshadowed by the “Sunshine Showdown,” where the undefeated Florida State Seminoles extended their perfect run at the expense of bitter rival Miami in a heart-stopping, come-from-behind win.

The Miami Hurricanes suffered arguably the most gut-wrenching defeat of the weekend at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida, falling to No. 4 Florida State 27-20. In front of a raucous capacity crowd, Miami had built a solid 17-3 lead deep in the second quarter, seemingly in control of the crucial in-state rivalry game. However, FSU, led by quarterback Jordan Travis and a stifling defense, completely shut down the Hurricanes in the second half, rattling off 24 unanswered points to secure the dramatic victory.

Miami’s offensive struggles were epitomized by quarterback Tyler Van Dyke’s tough day, which included two crucial interceptions. One of those picks came with just 5:36 left in the game near midfield, effectively sealing Miami’s fate and their third consecutive loss to the Seminoles. The defeat pushes Miami’s season record to 6-4 overall and a disappointing 2-4 in the ACC. It adds another painful chapter to a season already full of “brutal beats” for coach Mario Cristobal’s squad, most notably their Week 8 loss to Georgia Tech where a failed kneel-down play in the final seconds cost them a victory. For Florida State (9-0 overall, 7-0 ACC), the win solidified their dominance in the ACC Atlantic and kept their College Football Playoff hopes firmly on track.

Meanwhile, other top teams navigated their Week 10 challenges with more success, though not without early scares. No. 1 Ohio State traveled to SHI Stadium in Piscataway, New Jersey, and secured a 35-16 victory over Rutgers. The Buckeyes, now 9-0, found themselves uncharacteristically trailing the Scarlet Knights 9-7 at halftime. However, coach Ryan Day’s squad turned on the gas in the second half. Quarterback Kyle McCord bounced back to throw for 262 yards and three touchdowns, while star running back TreVeyon Henderson added 128 rushing yards and a touchdown, helping Ohio State cruise to the win and maintain their argument for the top spot in national rankings.

In the SEC, No. 8 Alabama made a strong statement at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, handling rival No. 14 LSU with a decisive 42-28 victory. The Crimson Tide’s physical rushing attack, coupled with a standout performance from quarterback Jalen Milroe, proved too much for LSU’s Heisman-contending quarterback Jayden Daniels and his offense. The win firmly puts Alabama (8-1 overall, 6-0 SEC) in control of the SEC West race, giving them the crucial head-to-head tiebreaker over LSU (6-3 overall, 4-2 SEC) and paving a clearer path to the SEC Championship Game.

As the regular season winds down, these Week 10 results have significant implications for conference championships and the College Football Playoff picture. While Florida State and Ohio State continue their undefeated campaigns, Miami faces the challenge of salvaging what has been a frustrating season, and Alabama appears poised for another run at a national title.