In a surprising turn of events, the Week 3 college football schedule delivered some unexpected upsets and lackluster performances from top teams. The day started with the first FCS-over-Power Five upset of the season, as Sacramento State defeated former coach Troy Taylor’s Stanford team. Upsets continued throughout the day, with Miami (Ohio) beating Cincinnati in overtime, Ohio defeating Iowa State, BYU defeating Arkansas on the road, and Syracuse beating Purdue by two touchdowns. In a remarkable feat, UNLV notched its first win over an SEC opponent since 2001 after shocking Vanderbilt 40-37.
However, one of the biggest talking points of the week was the struggles of Alabama’s offense. Fans had different preferences for the starting quarterback position, but it seemed that none of the options could solve the team’s offensive flaws. Alabama’s offense struggled against South Florida, a team that ranked 130th in total defense last year, with the quarterbacks combining for just 107 yards on 23 attempts. The running game showed some promise but averaged less than 5 yards per carry. These offensive struggles have raised doubts about Alabama’s chances of contending in the SEC this season.
On the other hand, Missouri emerged as a winner in Week 3. The Tigers secured a major victory by defeating No. 15 Kansas State with a 61-yard field goal as time expired. This win was significant for Missouri as they had struggled against ranked opponents under coach Eli Drinkwitz. Winning these types of matchups will be crucial for Missouri to establish itself in the SEC.
In terms of the national title contenders, the top four teams in the AP Top 25 all underperformed in their matchups. No. 1 Georgia trailed at halftime against South Carolina, No. 2 Michigan only led by one score against Bowling Green, No. 3 Florida State allowed Boston College to mount a comeback, and No. 4 Texas had a close game against Wyoming. This raises questions about the unimpeachability of the top teams and could lead to a highly unpredictable season.
Meanwhile, Tennessee suffered a crushing loss to Florida, which has dashed their hopes of replicating their successful 2022 season. The Volunteers allowed four straight touchdown drives in the first half and struggled to find cohesion on offense. With this loss, Tennessee’s chances of a national title are slipping away.
Amidst the struggles of top teams, Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. shone brightly. Penix had an outstanding performance, throwing for 375 yards and four touchdowns in a dominant win over Michigan State. Since the beginning of the 2022 season, Penix has thrown for nearly 6,000 yards, making him one of the top quarterbacks in college football.
In terms of conferences, the Big 12 had a disappointing week. Kansas State, Iowa State, and Texas all had close matchups against weaker opponents, and Oklahoma State suffered a humiliating loss to South Alabama. Some Big 12 teams did come away with victories, but the overall performance of the conference fell short of expectations.
However, West Virginia coach Neal Brown emerged as a big winner in Week 3. Brown’s team crushed rival Pitt in the first Backyard Brawl matchup since 2011. Despite losing their starting quarterback early in the game, West Virginia relied on a physical run game to secure the win. This victory gives Brown a renewed sense of confidence heading into Big 12 play.
Unfortunately, not every team had a successful week. UAB, once known for its consistency, has struggled under new coach Trent Dilfer. In two FBS games, the Blazers have been outscored 90-56, raising concerns about their transition to the AAC.
Lastly, Iowa offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz had a standout week as the team’s offense exploded with success. The team put on an impressive performance, although details about the game were not provided in the content.
Overall, Week 3 delivered unexpected upsets and lackluster performances from top teams, leaving college football fans anticipating a season filled with unpredictability.