College Football Game Delays Hit Week 11 After FAA Ground Stop
An FAA ground stop caused sports delays and forced ESPN to update its Week 11 college football programming. With three weeks left in the 2026 regular season, USC-Indiana, Texas-LSU and Utah-Arizona headline a slate that shapes the playoff picture.
College football game delays rippled through Week 11 after an FAA ground stop disrupted sports schedules, and ESPN updated its college football programming in response. The changes landed with three weeks left in the 2026 regular season and playoff selection approaching.
The disruption hit a slate with real stakes. Four matchups feature AP top 25 teams on the same field, with upset potential for the higher-ranked sides and extra attention on the ACC.
ACC race on the line
Wake Forest has a clear path to the ACC title game and College Football Playoff consideration. The Deacons sit second in the league, and the gap narrowed after Miami lost at Notre Dame. They are on a six-game win streak and averaging 49 points per game over that span.
SMU can crack the ACC picture wide open with a home win. The Mustangs are very close underdogs.
Big Ten and SEC pressure
Indiana has a clearer route to the Big Ten title game if its offense sharpens. The Hoosiers dropped in the College Football Playoff poll this week, so they need a marquee win. USC arrives off a big win over Ohio State but has not yet proven it can win key road games against Big Ten opponents.
Lane Kiffin is in a tough spot in his debut as LSU head coach. After an ugly loss to Alabama, another defeat would drop LSU under .500 in SEC play.
Texas stands 7-2 overall and has won three straight, including a big win at ranked Missouri. Arch Manning is playing better than usual, but he faces a determined LSU defense in a raucous road environment. A win keeps alive the path to hosting a first-round playoff game.
Big 12 contenders
Texas Tech's route to the Big 12 title eased when BYU lost at Utah last weekend. The Red Raiders have little margin for error, though. They lost at Cincinnati and escaped their own stadium in a 51-48 shootout against West Virginia last time out.
This week they host a Cowboys offense led by Drew Mestemaker. That unit leads college football in passing touchdowns and ranks third nationally in passing and scoring.
Utah is one of two undefeated FBS teams. The Utes lead the Big 12 after beating BYU, and they are on course for a first-round bye if they win out. Arizona, led by Noah Fifita, brings a potent passing offense.
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