It seems ‘survival weekend’ in college football didn’t quite go as many had expected. For the second consecutive week, the No. 2 ranked team experienced a shocking loss. This time, BYU found itself on the losing end against UCF in a dramatic double-overtime game filled with chaos, only a week after they had secured a win against Notre Dame.
It’s interesting, actually—Steve Sarkisian made comments earlier this week about the hype surrounding Arch Manning and how it might have created increased pressure on him as Texas’s quarterback. Arch himself seems aware of these dynamics. He mentioned that the buzz has been constant throughout his career, but now, he’s almost starting to enjoy being underestimated.
“I’ve been hyped up all my life, the preseason and all that,” Manning said after Texas defeated Ole Miss. “I think I kinda like being disregarded now.”
The Longhorns’ comeback against No. 7 Ole Miss has put them back in the College Football Playoff conversation, following a remarkable turnaround after a tough first half.
Meanwhile, chaos doesn’t just end there. The Big 12 had its share of drama too, with both No. 15 Iowa and No. 16 USC also falling short in their matches. Who would have thought that Texas Tech would lose on the road against an unranked Cincinnati team? It’s a bit surprising to see how lackluster the Red Raiders performed given their high-profile roster, which is backed by significant financial support.
There’s a lot of unpredictability in college football this season. Oregon had a rough outing, struggling against Illinois, and Michigan barely scraped through against Indiana in overtime. It’s hard to pinpoint which teams are truly elite amid this turmoil.
Arch Manning Leads Texas Past No. 7 Ole Miss, South Carolina Surprises No. 11 Tennessee
Seriously, what’s going on at the Texas football facility? One minute Arch Manning is impressing fans, and then the next, the team goes cold in the second half, raising questions about the inconsistency of Sarkisian’s offense.
The game on Saturday night in Austin resembled a classic SEC showdown—back and forth with both teams showing potential for playoff runs. Yet it leaves lingering questions about their performances.
Arch Manning has definitely shed that ‘aw shucks’ persona. His evolution is evident, even if he and Trinidad Chambliss need to figure out how to sustain their level of play throughout the game.
In the SEC, every team, aside from Georgia and Kentucky, seems to have two losses now, and yes, that includes Tennessee after a surprising end against South Carolina. For Vols fans, it’s a tough pill to swallow, especially when some might point fingers at the referees. South Carolina’s quarterback, LaNorris Sellers, stepped up significantly during the game, proving crucial in that moment.
It’s bizarre, really. After such a strong showing against Alabama the week before, you would expect Tennessee to perform better at critical junctures of the game. Instead, the Gamecocks wreaked havoc on the Vols, with Shane Beamer addressing fan theories about conspiracy angles from last year’s win over Tennessee.
Big 12 Turmoil: No. 2 BYU, No. 8 Texas Tech, No. 14 Houston Fall
If Texas Tech is still holding onto playoff hopes after their loss to Cincinnati, they can thank BYU for keeping their glimmer of hope alive. It’s clear that the current Red Raiders team isn’t on par with last year’s squad; the struggle to execute plays against Cincinnati was telling.
Perhaps this is karma for Brendan Sorsby’s tumultuous transfer saga to Texas Tech that left him sidelined due to ineligibility. Whatever the reason, something’s off with the team’s performance this season.
As for BYU, they offered opportunities to other teams in the Big 12 after their unexpected loss to UCF, who stunned them in double overtime. It’s a tricky season, and the trend shows that facing ranked teams on the road can be perilous, even for one coming off a win like BYU.
Oh, and we can look forward to the ‘Holy War’ between BYU and Utah soon. Just when it seemed like things in the SEC and Big Ten were heating up, the Big 12 took a wild turn.
The game between Utah and No. 14 Houston showcased a resilient defense, adding to the intrigue of the conference’s current state. Houston is reeling from its second loss, adding to the chaotic narrative of the Big 12 this season.
USC and Iowa Also Stumble—Where Do We Go From Here?
Clearly, we are in a period of uncertainty regarding the top teams in college football. In addition to the earlier chaos, Iowa fell to Minnesota with a last-minute field goal, while USC suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of Wisconsin. It’s just hard to say who the strongest teams are with so many surprising results.
Next week could provide answers regarding Ohio State’s performance without their star quarterback or Georgia’s readiness against tough competition following their recent loss. With a game against Florida on the horizon, these matchups could be pivotal.
All in all, it seems every weekend leaves us with more questions than answers in this unpredictable landscape of college football—especially regarding Manning’s ability to maintain his standout performance throughout the season.
