Loser: Tennessee Volunteers
If not this 12 months, when will Tennessee ever beat Georgia? The Vols might have crushed the Related Press No. 6 Georgia Bulldogs (3-0, 1-0 in SEC), who they’ve now misplaced to 9 consecutive instances, on a number of events however shrunk as a substitute.
The protection had an opportunity to get off the sphere with underneath three minutes remaining on a 4th-and-6 from its 28-yard line, however Georgia quarterback Gunnar Stockton accomplished a landing and two-point conversion to tie the sport. On the finish of regulation, kicker Max Gilbert missed a 43-yarder that may have gained the sport after No. 15 Tennessee (2-1, 0-1 in SEC) blew a 14-point lead. The celebrities not often align so neatly for a program-defining win, however the Vols could not take benefit. Who is aware of when the following alternative will come up?
Winner: LSU Tigers defensive coordinator Blake Baker
No coordinator’s inventory has risen extra because the begin of the season than Baker’s. The second-year Tigers defensive coordinator continues to excel along with his unit, which held Florida to 10 factors and compelled 5 interceptions, together with one returned for a landing in a 20-10 win. Because the LSU offense continues to seek for a rhythm, the protection has been important. It might result in Baker receiving a considerable elevate or job promotion this offseason.
Loser: Virginia Tech Hokies
One thing is rotten within the metropolis of Blacksburg. It has been a very long time because the Frank Beamer glory days, nevertheless it’s nonetheless stunning how far the once-perennial Large East and ACC contender has fallen. Virginia Tech (0-3) could have reached its nadir (one can solely hope) in Week 3’s beautiful 45-26 loss to the Outdated Dominion Monarchs (2-1). Through the first half, Outdated Dominion out-gained Virginia Tech 215-25 via the air. The Hokies had three drives, together with one which reached the Outdated Dominion 3-yard line, finish in a turnover. This system is 0-3 for the primary time since 1987, Beamer’s first season as head coach. Whereas Beamer was in a position to construct Virginia Tech into an influence, these Hokies underneath fourth-year head coach Brent Pry are solely sinking additional into irrelevancy.
Winner: Ole Miss Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss
That is the way you make a debut. Chambliss transferred to Ole Miss this offseason from Division II Ferris State, and the dual-threat quarterback, who accounted for 51 whole touchdowns and rushed for 1,019 yards a season in the past, was sensational beginning instead of injured Austin Simmons. He completed a 41-35 win over the Arkansas Razorbacks (2-1, 0-1 in SEC) 21-of-29 for 353 yards and three whole touchdowns, giving head coach Lane Kiffin one thing to assume bout forward of subsequent Saturday’s sport in opposition to the Tulane Inexperienced Wave (3-0), one of many high contenders for the Group of 5’s CFP auto-bid.
Loser: Kent State Golden Flashes
The wait continues. Kent State regarded poised to earn its first win in opposition to an FBS workforce since 2022 after leaping out to a 14-0 lead over the Buffalo Bulls, who took a web page out of the Buffalo Payments playbook in mounting a comeback win. The Golden Flashes took a 28-24 fourth-quarter lead after a formidable 21-play, 93-yard drive that took up 12 minutes and 15 seconds off the clock, solely to permit Buffalo to drive down the sphere for the profitable rating in 89 seconds. Kent State performs No. 10 Florida State (2-0) and No. 13 Oklahoma (3-0) over the following two weeks, so it can doubtless be some time earlier than it snaps its 23-game FBS dropping streak.
Winner: Delaware Blue Hens
Congrats to Delaware, which made its first win as an FBS program a memorable one by defeating UConn, 44-41, in an additional time barnburner, which featured 1,033 mixed yards of offense. The Blue Hens solely acquired an opportunity to drive for a tying subject purpose on the finish of regulation due to their protection, which acquired a fourth-down cease at their very own 23-yard line with 2:10 remaining. Quarterback Nick Minicucci gained it in additional time with a 13-yard speeding landing, his third of the sport.
