A key play sequence in the fourth quarter perfectly encapsulates what happens when No. 3 Penn State faces No. 4 Ohio State: it’s a close game, but Penn State just can’t quite pull it off.

The Nittany Lions fell to the Buckeyes for the eighth straight time in this rivalry, losing 20-13 after failing to score on four consecutive plays near the goal line with about five minutes remaining in the game. Despite the marked improvement the offense has shown under new coordinator Andy Kotelnicki, questionable play calling in this crucial moment likely dashed Penn State’s hopes of a Big Ten championship.

However, all hope isn’t lost. For weeks, Penn State has been considered a strong candidate for a College Football Playoff berth, even if it means earning an at-large spot. This remains highly probable considering their single loss and a relatively easy schedule for the rest of November.

Still, this was a game the team needed to win, and despite coming close, the loss to Ohio State stings.

Needing a victory in one of college football’s toughest road environments to stay on track for a potential rematch with No. 1 Oregon in early December, the Buckeyes bounced back from some early mistakes by quarterback Will Howard to deliver one of the best wins of the regular season in the Football Bowl Subdivision.

This crucial defensive stand in the fourth quarter comes just after pulling off another near-goal-line stop in a close win against Nebraska. In hindsight, that 21-17 victory seems influenced by Nebraska’s travel schedule, sandwiched between road trips to No. 1 Oregon and Penn State.

What followed the forced incompletion might be even more impressive. Backed up deep in their own territory, the Buckeyes managed the clock by marching down the field with 59 rushing yards over 10 plays to seal the victory: a statement drive for both sides of the ball.

When both sides of the ball are functioning as one unit — as they were against the Ducks — you can see why Ohio State might be the best team in the Big Ten and a favorite for the national championship.

Conversely, the Nittany Lions are left feeling embarrassed. Not because they lost; that’s nothing new for Penn State or head coach James Franklin. It’s how this loss happened: with a failed offensive series and a breakdown on defense.

This pattern of heartbreaking performance in key moments has become a familiar story. This matchup highlights the biggest winners and losers of Saturday’s college football action:

Winners

The Big Ten

Ohio State’s victory is great news for the Big Ten. Should Penn State secure wins for the remainder of the season, the conference is guaranteed at least three teams in the playoff, and maybe even four, if No. 13 Indiana continues their impressive upward climb under new coach Curt Cignetti. While that likelihood probably would’ve remained the same even if the Buckeyes had lost — they would’ve had two road losses against two of the country’s best teams — Saturday’s result is the ideal outcome for the conference.

Indiana

The most surprising success story in the Power Four achieved another milestone. After initially trailing Michigan State 10-0, the Hoosiers responded with a dominant 47 unanswered points to reach 9-0 for the first time in program history. Quarterback Kurtis Rourke, who missed last week’s game with a thumb injury, completed 19 of 29 passes for 263 yards and four touchdowns without an interception. To truly appreciate this unexpected success under coach Cignetti, consider this: Indiana## College Football Winners and Losers: A Breakdown

This week saw some major shakeups in the college football world, with upsets and surprising performances. Let’s take a look at who came out on top and who stumbled:

**Winners**

* **Vanderbilt:** Beating Auburn 17-7 was a historic win for the Commodores, sending them to a bowl game for the first time since 2018 and putting them on track for their first winning season since 2013.

**The Iowa Hawkeyes** showed unexpected offensive firepower in recent weeks, putting up 40+ points against Washington and demonstrating their strength against tough rivals like Purdue and Illinois. Though they didn’t put up those same numbers against Michigan and Indiana this past week, they continue to be a force to be reckoned with.

**Clemson:** While they suffered a loss against Louisville, perhaps more shocking was their opponent — Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish were themselves struggling, but they managed to pull out a hard-fought victory

**Losers**

* **Iowa State:** After a near-perfect start, the Cyclones’ dream season took a hit with a loss to Texas Tech. This loss prevents them from achieving an 8-0 record and significantly impacts their chances of both winning the Big 12 and earning a playoff spot.
* **Texas A&M:** Their loss to South Carolina was a wake-up call, showing that their path to the playoff won’t be smooth.

* **Kansas State:** A shocking loss to Houston has put a dent in Kansas State’s Big 12 championship hopes.
* **Arkansas:** With three straight losses at home, Arkansas’s season is slipping away. Coach Sam Pittman will need to turn things around quickly to save his job.

* **Virginia Tech:** Despite running for a season-high 249 yards, the Hokies lost in overtime to Syracuse, further illustrating their struggles this season.

* **Memphis:** Their loss to an underdog Texas-San Antonio team has hurt their chances of representing the Group of Five in the playoffs.

This week’s results have significantly shaken up the college football landscape, setting up an exciting final stretch of the season.