Diehard G6 Top 25 — Boise State survives 46-45 to hold No. 1, but Madsen’s knee injury looms over the stretch run

Boise State is still No. 1 in the Diehard G6 Top 25, but the stretch run toward the Broncos' first Pac-12 championship and potentially representing the Group of 6 in the College Football Playoff now has a big question: Will the Broncos have to do it without starting quarterback Maddux Madsen?

Madsen left Saturday's 46-45 win over Texas State with an apparent left knee injury and emerged from the medical tent on crutches. Spencer Danielson said post-game the injury "initially didn't look great." Backup Max Cutforth threw three touchdowns in the final seven minutes to pull out the win.

Memphis beat Army 49-22 — 49 points against a team that had committed just two turnovers in seven games and won three straight — and climbs five spots to No. 5. Army drops 14 to No. 23, the week's biggest fall. Oregon State lost at Fresno State 38-22 and falls three to No. 7. Fresno State climbs four to No. 19. James Madison lost to Troy 24-21 in overtime — its second straight defeat — and drops from No. 5 to No. 10. Two weeks ago the Dukes were unbeaten and ranked No. 2.

Texas State enters the rankings at No. 24 despite losing to Boise State. GJ Kinne's team scored 45 on the road against the G6's top team and has games at No. 7 Oregon State this week and at Fresno State on Nov. 14 — two matchups that could reshape the Pac-12 race.

Eight teams enter Week 10 unbeaten in conference play across six conferences. In the Pac-12, Boise State (4-0) leads Oregon State (3-1) by a game. In the Mountain West, New Mexico (4-0) has separation — Wyoming (4-1) and UNLV (3-1) meet Saturday in what amounts to an elimination game for the teams chasing the Lobos. In the American, UTSA and North Texas are both 4-0 with Memphis (4-1) one game back. In the MAC, Ohio (4-0) is the only unbeaten with Western Michigan (4-1), Buffalo, Toledo and Miami (OH) all at 3-1. In CUSA, Liberty and Jacksonville State are both 4-0 — they meet Nov. 22 in a game that could decide the conference title. In the Sun Belt West, Louisiana Tech (4-0) has won five straight. Georgia Southern leads the Sun Belt East at 3-1.

Five ranked-vs-ranked matchups headline Week 10:

No. 20 Buffalo at No. 18 Miami (OH) — Tuesday at 7 PM CT on ESPN. Both teams are 3-1 in MAC play behind unbeaten Ohio. The loser falls a full game back with the tiebreaker gone.

No. 3 UTSA at No. 25 FAU — Thursday at 6:30 PM CT on ESPN. UTSA is 4-0 in the American and has won five straight. FAU is 2-2 and needs the upset to stay alive in the conference race. The 71.5 over/under is the highest on the Week 10 board.

No. 16 Wyoming at No. 22 UNLV — Saturday at 9:30 PM CT on CBSSN. Wyoming is 4-1 in the Mountain West. UNLV is 3-1. Both are chasing unbeaten New Mexico. The loser is effectively eliminated from the conference title race.

No. 21 Air Force at No. 23 Army — Saturday at 6:30 PM CT on CBS. The annual rivalry game with real stakes. THe winner improves positioning for a bowl game.

No. 24 Texas State at No. 7 Oregon State — Saturday at 9:30 PM CT on CW. Oregon State (3-1) can't afford another loss in the Pac-12 race after last week's defeat at Fresno State.

All rankings are from the Diehard G6 Top 25, our weekly poll of the top 25 teams outside the Power 4.

Here is the Diehard G6 Top 25:

1. Boise State (7-1, 4-0 Pac-12) — Spencer Danielson, Year 3 (prev: 1)

Beat Texas State 46-45. Led 28-3 at halftime. Texas State scored 36 straight to take a 39-28 fourth-quarter lead. Maddux Madsen left with an apparent left knee injury with 8:58 remaining. Max Cutforth entered, went 8-of-13 for 131 yards and three touchdowns — the last an 18-yard game-winner to Akeem Wright with 2:40 remaining. Madsen finished 24-of-33 for 236 yards before the injury. Danielson said the injury "initially didn't look great." The Broncos have won seven straight.

Next: at Colorado State (3-5, 1-3), Saturday (5 PM CT, USA Net)

2. New Mexico (7-1, 4-0 MW) — Jason Eck, Year 2 (prev: 2)

Beat San Jose State 21-16. Austin Brawley intercepted Luke Weaver at the goal line with 11 seconds remaining to seal a game the Lobos nearly gave away. New Mexico survived three turnovers — including an 89-yard pick-six by Tuli Tagovailoa-Amosa that made it a one-score game. The Lobos won in San Jose for the first time since 1969.

Next: at Nevada (3-5, 2-2), Friday (8 PM CT, CBSSN)

3. UTSA (7-1, 4-0 American) — Jeff Traylor, Year 7 (prev: 3)

Had a bye. UTSA and North Texas are the only unbeaten teams in American play. The Roadrunners have won five straight entering a Thursday road test at FAU on ESPN — the week's highest over/under at 71.5.

Next: at FAU (5-3, 2-2, No. 25), Thursday (6:30 PM CT, ESPN)

4. North Texas (6-2, 4-0 American) — Neal Brown, Year 1 (prev: 6, +2)

Beat FAU 48-41 on Thursday night. Tayven Jackson threw for 404 yards and four touchdowns. Jahiem White ran for 193 yards and two scores, including a 59-yard touchdown. FAU's Caden Veltkamp answered with 452 yards and five touchdowns — the first FBS game of 2026 with two 400-yard passers.

Next: vs Rice (1-7, 0-4), Saturday (3 PM CT, ESPNU)

5. Memphis (7-2, 4-1 American) — Charles Huff, Year 1 (prev: 10, +5)

Beat then-No. 9 Army 49-22. Marcus Stokes accounted for five touchdowns — four passing, one rushing — and completed 29-of-35 for 371 yards. Memphis converted 11-of-15 third downs and rolled up 554 total yards. The Tigers make the week's biggest climb — five spots to No. 5.

Next: Bye

6. North Dakota State (7-2, 4-2 MW) — Tim Polasek, Year 3 (prev: 8, +2)

Beat UTEP 31-7. Marion Moore intercepted his fifth pass of the season, then returned a fumble 46 yards for a touchdown two plays later to blow the game open in the fourth quarter. Nathan Hayes threw for 240 yards and accounted for two touchdowns. The Bison defense — ranked No. 2 nationally at 250.1 yards per game — held UTEP to 238 total yards.

Next: Bye

7. Oregon State (5-3, 3-1 Pac-12) — JaMarcus Shephard, Year 1 (prev: 4, -3)

Lost to then-No. 23 Fresno State 38-22. The five-game winning streak ended in the Central Valley. Oregon State is one game behind Boise State in the Pac-12 and needs to win out to have any chance at the conference title.

Next: vs Texas State (4-4, 2-2, No. 24), Saturday (9:30 PM CT, CW)

8. Liberty (7-1, 4-0 CUSA) — Jamey Chadwell, Year 4 (prev: 11, +3)

Beat FIU 49-10 on homecoming. Deshawn Purdie completed 16-of-19 passes for 227 yards, including 12 straight completions to close the game. Liberty scored on its opening drive for the seventh consecutive game, built a 28-0 halftime lead and rushed for a season-high six touchdowns.

Next: at New Mexico State (3-5, 2-2), Saturday (7 PM CT, ESPNU)

9. Toledo (6-2, 3-1 MAC) — Mike Jacobs, Year 1 (prev: 12, +3)

Had a bye. The Rockets hold the head-to-head over Western Michigan after last week's 45-38 victory and sit one game behind unbeaten Ohio.

Next: at Sacramento State (2-7, 1-5), Wednesday (6 PM CT, CBSSN)

10. James Madison (7-2, 4-2 Sun Belt) — Billy Napier, Year 1 (prev: 5, -5)

Lost to Troy 24-21 in overtime. JMU's second straight loss drops the Dukes five spots. Two weeks ago they were 7-0 and ranked No. 2. James Madison travels to Southern Miss on Thursday needing to stop the slide.

Next: at Southern Miss (3-5, 2-2), Thursday (7 PM CT, ESPN2)

11. South Florida (6-2, 2-2 American) — Brian Hartline, Year 1 (prev: 13, +2)

Beat UAB 30-10. CJ Hicks tied a USF program record with four sacks and forced two fumbles — both returned for touchdowns by Grayson Howard and Asani Redwood. The Bulls totaled only 237 yards of offense and won the game on defense. UAB led 10-0 in the first quarter before USF scored the final 30 points. South Florida opens as a 1.5-point road underdog at East Carolina on Friday night.

Next: at East Carolina (4-4, 2-2), Friday (6:30 PM CT, ESPN2)

12. Ohio (6-2, 4-0 MAC) — John Hauser, Year 1 (prev: 14, +2)

Had a bye. The Bobcats are the only unbeaten team in MAC play and have won 17 straight at home. They open the week on Tuesday night at Akron.

Next: at Akron (1-7, 0-4), Tuesday (6 PM CT, ESPN2)

13. Jacksonville State (6-2, 4-0 CUSA) — Charles Kelly, Year 2 (prev: 15, +2)

Beat New Mexico State 24-0. Caden Creel rushed for a career-high 211 yards on 21 carries and threw a 29-yard touchdown to Luke Gilbert. The defense held NMSU to 29 passing yards in Jacksonville State's first shutout of the season.

Next: vs Sam Houston (1-7, 0-4), Saturday (6 PM CT, CBSSN)

14. Louisiana Tech (6-2, 4-0 Sun Belt) — Sonny Cumbie, Year 5 (prev: 16, +2)

Beat South Alabama 35-20. The Bulldogs are the only team without a conference loss in the Sun Belt West and have won five straight. Louisiana Tech visits Troy on Saturday — a Troy team coming off its overtime upset of then-No. 5 James Madison.

Next: at Troy (4-4, 2-2), Saturday (3 PM CT, ESPN+)

15. Western Michigan (6-3, 4-1 MAC) — Lance Taylor, Year 4 (prev: 17, +2)

Beat Bowling Green 23-10. Cole Cabana broke an 82-yard touchdown run to open the scoring — his longest run of the season — and finished with 110 yards on seven carries. Dieter Kelly hit three field goals, including a 50-yarder in the fourth quarter. The defense sealed it with three interceptions on Bowling Green's final three possessions.

Next: Bye

16. Wyoming (5-3, 4-1 MW) — Jay Sawvel, Year 3 (prev: 19, +3)

Had a bye. The Cowboys have won three straight and visit UNLV on Saturday night in what amounts to an elimination game. The loser falls two games behind New Mexico with three weeks left.

Next: at UNLV (5-3, 3-1, No. 22), Saturday (9:30 PM CT, CBSSN)

17. App State (5-3, 2-2 Sun Belt) — Dowell Loggains, Year 2 (prev: 7, -10)

Lost to Georgia Southern 19-3. The Mountaineers were shut down in Statesboro a week after their biggest win of the season at James Madison. App State managed three points after scoring 42 at JMU the week before.

Next: vs Georgia State (4-4, 1-3), Saturday (1:30 PM CT, ESPN+)

18. Miami (OH) (5-3, 3-1 MAC) — Chuck Martin, Year 13 (prev: 20, +2)

Had a bye. The RedHawks host Buffalo on Tuesday night in a top-20 MAC showdown on ESPN — the winner takes sole possession of second in the conference behind Ohio.

Next: vs Buffalo (5-3, 3-1, No. 20), Tuesday (7 PM CT, ESPN)

19. Fresno State (5-3, 2-2 Pac-12) — Matt Entz, Year 2 (prev: 23, +4)

Beat then-No. 4 Oregon State 38-22. The Bulldogs handed Oregon State its first Pac-12 loss and climbed four spots — the week's second-largest rise behind Memphis.

Next: at Utah State (3-5, 2-2), Saturday (8:30 PM CT, USA Net)

20. Buffalo (5-3, 3-1 MAC) — Pete Lembo, Year 3 (prev: 21, +1)

Had a bye. The Bulls open the week with a road trip to Oxford for a top-20 matchup at Miami (OH) on Tuesday night — the loser drops to fourth in the MAC.

Next: at Miami (OH) (5-3, 3-1, No. 18), Tuesday (7 PM CT, ESPN)

21. Air Force (6-2, 3-2 MW) — Troy Calhoun, Year 20 (prev: 22, +1)

Beat UConn 35-26. Kemper Hodges rushed for 200 yards and four touchdowns — including a 62-yard score — as the Falcons piled up 366 rushing yards on 74 carries. Air Force did not complete a pass, going 0-for-3 through the air. UConn rallied in the second half but ran out of possessions.

Next: at Army (5-3, 4-2, No. 23), Saturday (6:30 PM CT, CBS)

22. UNLV (5-3, 3-1 MW) — Dan Mullen, Year 2 (prev: 25, +3)

Beat Northern Illinois 31-24. Jackson Arnold hit Kayden McGee for a 75-yard touchdown on the game's opening play and threw three touchdown passes. Jai'Den Thomas added 114 rushing yards and a 60-yard scoring run. NIU outgained UNLV 493-473 but fell to 0-8.

Next: vs Wyoming (5-3, 4-1, No. 16), Saturday (9:30 PM CT, CBSSN)

23. Army (5-3, 4-2 American) — Jeff Monken, Year 13 (prev: 9, -14)

Lost to then-No. 10 Memphis 49-22. Marcus Stokes threw for 371 yards and four touchdowns and ran for another against an Army defense that had not allowed more than 28 points in a game this season. Memphis converted 11-of-15 third downs and rolled up 554 total yards. The 14-spot drop is the week's largest.

Next: vs Air Force (6-2, 3-2, No. 21), Saturday (6:30 PM CT, CBS)

24. Texas State (4-4, 2-2 Pac-12) — GJ Kinne, Year 4 (prev: NR, NEW)

Lost to then-No. 1 Boise State 46-45. Texas State enters the rankings despite the loss after scoring 45 on the road against the G6's top team. The Bobcats scored 36 straight points to erase a 28-3 halftime deficit and led 39-28 in the fourth quarter before Cutforth's comeback. Games at No. 7 Oregon State this week and at Fresno State on Nov. 14 give the Bobcats two chances to shake up the Pac-12 race.

Next: at Oregon State (5-3, 3-1, No. 7), Saturday (9:30 PM CT, CW)

25. FAU (5-3, 2-2 American) — Zach Kittley, Year 2 (prev: 18, -7)

Lost to then-No. 6 North Texas 48-41 on Thursday night. Caden Veltkamp threw for 452 yards and five touchdowns in the loss. Easton Messer caught a school-record 16 passes for 189 yards and three scores, but FAU couldn't stop Tayven Jackson (404 yards) and the Mean Green offense. FAU hosts No. 3 UTSA on Thursday — the biggest home game of the Owls' season.

Next: vs UTSA (7-1, 4-0, No. 3), Thursday (6:30 PM CT, ESPN)

Dropped out

Louisiana (5-3, 2-2 Sun Belt, prev: 24) — Had a bye. The Ragin' Cajuns are 2-2 in Sun Belt play after the Southern Miss loss two weeks ago. Louisiana hosts South Alabama on Saturday.