Loser: Tennessee Volunteers
If not this year, when will Tennessee ever beat Georgia? The Vols could have beaten the Associated Press No. 6 Georgia Bulldogs (3-0, 1-0 in SEC), who they’ve now lost to nine consecutive times, on multiple occasions but shrunk instead.
The defense had a chance to get off the field with under three minutes remaining on a 4th-and-6 from its 28-yard line, but Georgia quarterback Gunnar Stockton completed a touchdown and two-point conversion to tie the game. At the end of regulation, kicker Max Gilbert missed a 43-yarder that would have won the game after No. 15 Tennessee (2-1, 0-1 in SEC) blew a 14-point lead. The stars rarely align so neatly for a program-defining win, but the Vols couldn’t take advantage. Who knows when the next opportunity will arise?
Winner: LSU Tigers defensive coordinator Blake Baker
No coordinator’s stock has risen more since the start of the season than Baker’s. The second-year Tigers defensive coordinator continues to excel with his unit, which held Florida to 10 points and forced five interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown in a 20-10 win. As the LSU offense continues to search for a rhythm, the defense has been essential. It could lead to Baker receiving a substantial raise or job promotion this offseason.
Loser: Virginia Tech Hokies
Something is rotten in the city of Blacksburg. It’s been a long time since the Frank Beamer glory days, but it’s still shocking how far the once-perennial Big East and ACC contender has fallen. Virginia Tech (0-3) may have reached its nadir (one can only hope) in Week 3’s stunning 45-26 loss to the Old Dominion Monarchs (2-1). During the first half, Old Dominion out-gained Virginia Tech 215-25 through the air. The Hokies had three drives, including one that reached the Old Dominion 3-yard line, end in a turnover. The program is 0-3 for the first time since 1987, Beamer’s first season as head coach. While Beamer was able to build Virginia Tech into a power, these Hokies under fourth-year head coach Brent Pry are only sinking further into irrelevancy.
Winner: Ole Miss Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss
That’s how 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 total touchdowns and rushed for 1,019 yards a season ago, was sensational starting in place of injured Austin Simmons. He finished a 41-35 win over the Arkansas Razorbacks (2-1, 0-1 in SEC) 21-of-29 for 353 yards and three total touchdowns, giving head coach Lane Kiffin something to think bout ahead of next Saturday’s game against the Tulane Green Wave (3-0), one of the top contenders for the Group of Five’s CFP auto-bid.
Loser: Kent State Golden Flashes
The wait continues. Kent State looked poised to earn its first win against an FBS team since 2022 after jumping out to a 14-0 lead over the Buffalo Bulls, who took a page out of the Buffalo Bills playbook in mounting a comeback win. The Golden Flashes took a 28-24 fourth-quarter lead after an impressive 21-play, 93-yard drive that took up 12 minutes and 15 seconds off the clock, only to allow Buffalo to drive down the field for the winning score in 89 seconds. Kent State plays No. 10 Florida State (2-0) and No. 13 Oklahoma (3-0) over the next two weeks, so it will likely be a while before it snaps its 23-game FBS losing 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 overtime barnburner, which featured 1,033 combined yards of offense. The Blue Hens only got a chance to drive for a tying field goal at the end of regulation because of their defense, which got a fourth-down stop at their own 23-yard line with 2:10 remaining. Quarterback Nick Minicucci won it in overtime with a 13-yard rushing touchdown, his third of the game.
