Last season, when Auburn faced No. 22 Pennsylvania State, they had an opportunity to pull off an exciting win early in Bryan Hershin’s term. A year later, Saturday’s matchup at Jordan Hale Stadium was an opportunity to save tenure. That’s how fast the narrative changes in the SEC.
Unfortunately, the worst-case scenario was presented as the Tigers were overwhelmed on every front in a 41-12 loss to the Nittany Lions. Auburn averaged just 3.3 yards per carry and let Penn State quarterback Sean his Clifford move the ball freely. Freshman Lions running back Nicholas Singleton edged his opponent Tank Bigsby by 1.6 miles and both TJ Finley and Robbie Ashford threw interceptions.
After a brutal offseason and a poor run against San Jose State a week earlier, Hershin’s seat was already heating up. The embarrassing and ineffectual loss to Penn State may be remembered as the moment Hershin ran out of ropes.
Meet the winners, losers, and overreactions of Week 3 of college football.
winner
Washington: The Huskies scored 97 points combined against Kent State and Portland State, but their showdown against 11th-ranked Michigan State proved that their flashy offensive numbers were no fluke. Transferring quarterback Michael Pennix Jr. was in the bag, throwing for 397 yards, hitting nine different receivers and scoring four touchdowns against famous Big Ten opponents. It had one of the worst offenses in previous college football, scoring just 21.5 points per game over seasons 4-8. Coach Kalon DeBoer quickly turned things around, securing the Huskies as serious contenders for the Pac-12 from tonight onwards. Sunday’s polls should show Washington as the biggest supporter.
Basketball school: The biggest and best players in college basketball rule the ballpark. North Carolina and Kentucky were expected to be candidates. Kansas, Duke, Syracuse, and Indiana were all considered basement dwellers. Well, surprise! The basketball powers are 18-0 total in three weeks of the season, including a perfect 6-0 against the Power Five competition. Ironically, the schools that have won basketball titles since 2000 and are supposed to be playing the best football (Baylor, Florida, Michigan) have all lost.
Oklahoma: The No. 6 Sooners handed Nebraska one of the darkest losses in program history with a 49-14 decision. This was not as good as the final score. Oklahoma emptied the clip offensively and created major problems defensively. With Baylor, Texas and Kansas State already out, the Sooners are once again frontrunners in the Big 12.
loser
BYU: After a top 10 win over Baylor a week ago, the Cougars are ready to enter the playoff mix. Instead, BYU experienced a hangover of all (sober) hangovers with his 41-20 loss to No. 25 Oregon at Autzen Stadium. Oregon physically destroyed BYU’s impressive front, rushing for 212 yards. BYU quarterback Jaren Hall played well, but the Cougars shorted his pass and he couldn’t create any chances outside of the game. The Cougars had a chance to run the table and contest his playoff berth in college football, but those dreams are now over.
Colorado: Kansas is 3-0. Duke is 3-0. Vanderbilt is 3-1. Arizona is 1-1 and looks promising. And Colorado is quickly establishing itself as the worst power-five his team in college football after his 49-7 loss to Minnesota. The Buffaloes have won 128-30 in three games. 1 100 yard passer.
Colorado coach Karl Dorell told reporters after the game, “I’m happy with our attitude towards the game. We’re not very good at actually playing effectively and well.”
Unless Colorado delves into arcane rules that allow four touchdowns in exchange for a positive attitude, Dorell’s team may not win a game this season.
overreaction
georgia better than last year: It might be blasphemous to believe that the Bulldogs could be better after losing 15 players in the NFL Draft, but No. 1 Georgia’s start to the season is incredible. ‘Dawgs he demolished Oregon 49-3 and South Carolina on Saturday he demolished 48-7. The Gamecocks’ only score was with 53 seconds left in the game.
However, for the first time since 1954, Georgia held their first three opponents to seven or fewer points, the offense was actually more impressive. Quarterback Stetson Bennett has passed for 952 yards and five touchdowns without a pick in three games, and has three rushing scores. Georgia has a total of 95 points against FBS opponents.
This impressive offensive efficiency could give Georgia an even higher cap if their defense hasn’t retreated and their early returns are good.
The Big Ten Middle Class Is extreme: In week 3, we were playing games that most of the Big Ten could win. Results varied. Southern Illinois gave the Northwest his first FCS Overpower Five win of the season. Purdue allowed Syracuse to go down the field with 40 seconds to go for the win. Nebraska allowed 49 straight points against Oklahoma in the rivalry game.
The close call could have been even worse. Indiana needed his goal in overtime and he fielded 51 yards to beat his team in western Kentucky to start the Division II quarterback transfer. Rutgers had to make a late stop to help his team win 16-14 at the dreaded Temple. Add to those results Wisconsin lost at home to Washington State, Iowa scored his 7 against South Dakota, and Michigan was kicked out of the building by Washington.
Ohio and Michigan are great. Penn State looks solid. Minnesota could be aiming for her 8th win. After that, it’s hard to find a serious team at this conference.