Welcome back to Border Eight, a trip around the eight states that border Missouri for college football.
While this was not the best week for the border eight teams, there were definitely some highpoints.
The first of which were the Nebraska Cornhuskers. The Cornhuskers beat Rutgers 14-13 for their first road win in two years and their first two game winning streak in the Big Ten since 2018.
Their border rivals had a more embarrassing week. The Iowa Hawkeyes lost 9-6 to Illinois for the first time since 2008. This would launch Illinois into the AP rankings for the first time since 2011.
On the other side of Illinois, Northwestern took yet another embarrassing loss 42-7 at home to Wisconsin who was fresh off firing their head coach. Northwestern has yet to win a game on American soil.
Down in the SEC, Kentucky took a loss to an unranked South Carolina team 24-14. This is the first time the Wildcats have lost to South Carolina at home in ten years.
Down in Tennessee, the Volunteers won a huge game in Death Valley over number 25 LSU 40-13. Tennessee is 5-0 as they prepare to take on 6-0 Alabama at home as they hope to snap their fifteen-game losing streak to the tide.
Their in state rival Vanderbilt did their best against number 9 Ole Miss as they lead 20-17 at halftime, but the Rebels stepped on the gas coming out of the break and beat the Commodores 52-28.
The Arkansas Razorbacks continue to fall apart as they took their third straight loss to Mississippi State 40-17. The Razorback have gone from ranked number 10 in the country to last in the SEC West in three weeks.
Over in the Big 12, Oklahoma came into this week looking like they could not get worse. They very much did. The Sooners lost to their bitter rivals in the Red River Rivalry 49-0 to Texas.
Oklahoma State held of an upset minded Texas Tech 41-31 and remain unblemished on the season.
Just north, Kansas State took down Iowa State 10-9. While it was an ugly win, the Wildcats won nonetheless to advance to 5-1 and sit at the top of the Big 12 standings whereas Iowa State is at the bottom of the Big 12 with Oklahoma at 0-3.
Over in Lawrance, despite getting College Gameday and putting up 540 yards, the Jayhawks lost to TCU 38-31 in a battle of undefeated teams and fall to 5-1.
Back over in the ACC, Louisville bounced back from their loss to Boston College as they beat Virginia on the road 34-17.
At the Group of Five level, Northern Illinois lost yet another game to the Toledo Rockets 52-32. The reigning MAC champions are still looking for a conference win.
Western Kentucky had a rematch of last years’ conference championship and again came up short to UTSA 31-28.
Their border rivals MTSU got blown out 41-14 to UAB and have dropped two straight since upsetting number 25 Miami.
Down in the Sun Belt, Arkansas State lost 42-20 to James Madison to help the Dukes extend their undefeated streak and knock the Wolfpack to 2-4.
Over in the AAC, Tulsa got blown out by underdog Navy 53-21.
Finally, Memphis allowed an insane comeback by Houston as the Tigers lead 32-19 with 1:17 left in the game, but lost 33-32.
The border eight schools were a combined 6-14 on the weekend.