College Football Week 3: Upsets, Thrillers, and Emerging Stars
Week 3 of college football delivered thrilling finishes and shocking upsets, shaking up the landscape of both the SEC and ACC. Georgia narrowly escaped Tennessee with an overtime win, while Georgia Tech stunned Clemson. The weekend also highlighted breakout performances from quarterbacks across the nation.
SEC Showdown: Georgia Survives Tennessee Scare
In a nail-biting contest at Neyland Stadium, Georgia held off a determined Tennessee squad, winning 44-41 in overtime. Tennessee led early, but Georgia's relentless offense, led by Gunner Stockton (304 passing yards, 2 TDs), proved too much. Joey Aguilar threw for 371 yards and four touchdowns for the Vols, but a missed field goal in regulation proved costly. Despite allowing 496 total yards, Georgia's defense stiffened in overtime to secure the victory.
"They grew up," Georgia coach Kirby Smart said. "I mean, look, defense, for two weeks has heard about how good they are. They got punched in the face."
ACC Upset: Georgia Tech Dethrones Clemson
Georgia Tech pulled off a stunning upset, defeating Clemson 24-21 with a game-winning 55-yard field goal by Aidan Birr as time expired. Haynes King led the Yellow Jackets with 211 passing yards and 104 rushing yards. Clemson's offense continued to struggle, raising questions about their playoff aspirations. This marks Georgia Tech's seventh win against a ranked ACC foe under coach Brent Key.
Around the Nation: Aggies Upset Irish, UCLA Hits Rock Bottom
Texas A&M defeated Notre Dame 41-40 in a dramatic finish. A 13-play, 74-yard touchdown drive in the final 2:53 won the game for A&M led by Marcel Reed who threw for 360 yards. On the other hand, UCLA suffered a humiliating 35-10 loss to New Mexico, signaling a low point for the program. Other notable results include Oklahoma's win over Temple and South Carolina's loss to Vanderbilt.
Trending Up, Trending Down: Week 3 Vibe Check
- Trending Up: Spite songs, such as Georgia Tech playing "Sandstorm" after defeating Clemson.
- Trending Down: Losing "interestingly," as Florida's loss to LSU lacked the usual bizarre circumstances.
Heisman Watch: Emerging Candidates
Several quarterbacks made strong Heisman statements in Week 3. Oklahoma's John Mateer had 325 total yards, Utah's Devon Dampier dominated with 316 total yards, and Miami's Carson Beck continued his impressive play against ranked opponents. Texas A&M's Marcel Reed also made a name for himself with his game-winning performance. Missouri's Ahmad Hardy is also making a push with three straight 100-yard rushing games.
- Oklahoma QB John Mateer
- Utah QB Devon Dampier
- Miami QB Carson Beck
- Texas A&M QB Marcel Reed
- Missouri RB Ahmad Hardy
The Coaching Carousel: Virginia Tech in Crisis?
Following a 45-26 loss to Old Dominion, pressure is mounting on Virginia Tech coach Brent Pry. The Hokies are 0-3 for the first time since 1987. Could Shane Beamer be a candidate to return to Blacksburg?
Winners and Losers: Key Takeaways from Week 3
Week 3 exposed some pretenders and highlighted potential contenders. Texas A&M's win over Notre Dame signaled a potential turning point, while Clemson's struggles raise serious concerns. Georgia proved their resilience, while Virginia Tech faces a dire situation. The college football season continues to deliver surprises and excitement.
| Team | Result | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia | Won vs. Tennessee | Showed championship resolve despite defensive struggles. |
| Clemson | Lost vs. Georgia Tech | Offensive woes continue, playoff hopes in jeopardy. |
| Texas A&M | Won vs. Notre Dame | Upset win could be a turning point for the program. |
| Virginia Tech | Lost vs. Old Dominion | Head coach under immense pressure after 0-3 start. |
