Three Associated Press top-five teams bit the dust on Saturday, sending college football into an upheaval entering October.
Here are our winners and losers from a landscape-altering weekend.
Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer improved to 2-0 against No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs with a 24-21 road win, thanks in part to an awful Kirby Smart decision to forgo a tying field-goal attempt from the Alabama 8-yard line in the fourth quarter. But DeBoer and the Tide deserve credit for once again having a game plan to move the ball against Georgia’s defense, scoring all 24 of its points in the first half. Georgia stymied Alabama in the second half, but it was still able to convert in key situations, finishing 13-of-19 on third downs, including a 3rd-and-5 with under two minutes remaining to seal the victory. The Tide might not be the same feared juggernaut they were under retired former coach Nick Saban, but they can still compete with the best.
No. 3 Penn State became the third top-five team to lose when Oregon defensive back Dillon Thieneman intercepted quarterback Drew Allar on the Nittany Lions’ first play of the second overtime to preserve a 30-24 win. But its loss was perhaps the most painful, coming after the team had erased a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit. This is also arguably head coach James Franklin’s best team, yet it still struggles on the biggest stages.
The redshirt freshman handled his first road start incredibly well, going to Seattle and defeating Washington, 24-6. Sayin was 22-of-28 for 208 yards and two touchdowns, at one point completing 10 consecutive passes as No. 1 Ohio State found a groove late in the second quarter and into the third. Entering October, the Buckeyes look like a legit contender to win a second consecutive College Football Playoff, and Sayin’s continued growth is a large reason why.
Loser: LSU Tigers quarterback Garrett Nussmeier’s draft stock
The second-year starter might be playing himself out of being a high draft pick with his uninspiring start to 2025. In a 24-19 loss to No. 13 Ole Miss, Nussmeier was 21-of-34 for 197 yards, one touchdown and one interception. His accuracy was spotty, and he struggled when extending plays, making more questionable than impressive throws. No. 4 LSU’s CFP hopes hinge on Nussmeier turning his season around, but his struggles could have a more long-lasting impact.
Head coach Clark Lea has turned Vanderbilt into a machine. The Commodores notched a 55-35 win over Utah State (3-2), one game after scoring 70 points against Georgia State (1-3). Per ESPN, it’s the first time Vanderbilt has scored 50 points in consecutive games in 110 years.
