College Football 2023: Winners and Losers from Week 6
Friends, I regret to inform you that Texas is not back.
The third-ranked Longhorns endured a heartbreaking defeat to a familiar foe, losing to rival Oklahoma in devastating fashion. That dramatic finish at the Cotton Bowl is easily the headliner of the Week 6 schedule.
As always, though, there was plenty more to come on another busy Saturday of college football.
Top 15 teams Alabama and Washington State went on the road against conference foes, but only one survived. Then, the evening state included a pair of Top 25 clashes in Kentucky at Georgia and Notre Dame at Louisville.
This piece will be updated throughout Saturday.
Winner: Friday Underdogs
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As the weekend began, we welcomed a new wave of upsets.
First up, Oklahoma State entered its clash against Kansas State with low expectations since the Pokes had already fallen to South Alabama and Iowa State. The Cowboys, meanwhile, closed as a 12-point favorite for their trip to Stillwater.
However, the OSU defense turned three takeaways into 10 points and forced a couple key turnovers on downs in a 29-21 win.
Nebraska soon followed suit, riding a hot start to a 20-7 victory at Illinois. After the Huskers recovered an unintentional onside kick, Heinrich Haarberg's 25-yard touchdown run built a 10-point first-half lead, and a strong defensive effort carried the three-point dogs the rest of the way.
Both teams improved to a much-needed three-win record that keeps Oklahoma State and Nebraska as fringe bowl contenders.
Loser: Maryland's Upset Bid
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For a moment, the Terps had a chance at pulling off a shocker. They headed into the locker room at a 10-10 tie against fourth-ranked Ohio State and opened the second half with a touchdown.
But it all went downhill from there.
Ohio State quickly evened the score at 17, then Lathan Ransom snagged an interception that set up a field goal before the Buckeyes forced a punt, converted a 2nd-and-33 and scored another touchdown. Suddenly, OSU had a 10-point advantage and ultimately won 37-17.
So close, yet so far. Maryland gained only 31 yards on its final five possessions of the conference game.
As long as the Terps beat Illinois and Northwestern, they can carry a still-impressive 7-1 record into November. But they'll be searching for this signature upset against Penn State or Michigan instead.
Winner: LSU's Latest Epic Game
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Need a break, LSU fans?
For the third straight week, the Bayou Bengals played a nerve-testing game. After surviving Arkansas and losing to Ole Miss, though, they continued their roller coaster with a 49-39 triumph at No. 21 Missouri.
The only reason the contest ended with a 10-point margin is because LSU's Major Burns snatched a pick-six in the final minute. Otherwise, the back-and-forth matchup featured a 12-point Missouri lead in the second quarter and five lead changes throughout the game.
Jayden Daniels continued his Heisman Trophy-caliber season with 259 passing yards, 130 rushing and four total touchdowns. (LSU's two losses complicate that chase, but he's been fantastic so far.)
No rest is coming for LSU supporters, though. Next weekend, the Tigers host SEC West adversary Auburn.
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Loser: Sorry, Texas
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All jokes aside, Texas has legitimately looked dangerous this season. Short of a shaky performance opposite Wyoming, the Longhorns excelled in an upset of Alabama and rolled over Baylor and Kansas.
Regardless of Saturday's result, it wouldn't be wise to count out Texas as a leading Big 12 contender.
However, the Horns are no longer the favorite.
Oklahoma celebrated a 34-30 win thanks to Dillon Gabriel's last-minute touchdown pass to Nic Anderson. Worst of all for Texas, it had taken a 30-27 edge a mere 62 seconds earlier on Bert Auburn's 47-yard field goal. Dreams of an epic victory were right in front of them.
Texas racked up 527 offensive yards, but three turnovers and a miserable attempt at a clutch defensive stand—OU cruised 75 yards in five snaps on the decisive drive—ruined the Longhorns' undefeated season.
Following an idle weekend, the Horns will try to get back on track during a trip to Houston. But they'll be chasing Oklahoma, which is now a perfect 6-0, for the rest of the regular season.
Winner: Alabama Avoids a Repeat
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Two years ago, Alabama left College Station thinking about a last-second loss to Texas A&M. Given that the Crimson Tide already lost to Texas, they couldn't afford lightning to strike twice.
Disaster avoided.
Texas A&M put together a strong opening half as the defense completely shut down Bama's running game. Entering the locker room, the Aggies held a 17-10 advantage. They picked off Jalen Milroe on the opening possession of the third quarter, too.
That was the peak, though. Two plays later, Max Johnson threw an interception that led to the Tide's tying touchdown. Alabama forced a punt and scored again, taking a lead it would not relinquish in a 26-20 win.
Alabama is now 5-1 and, most importantly, holds a 3-0 mark in SEC play.
Despite an early loss to Texas and a not-so-convincing run into October, the Tide—armed with a head-to-head victory over Ole Miss—are the lone SEC West program still unbeaten in conference games.
Loser: Wazzu's Undefeated Year Ends
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It was fun while it lasted.
Unfortunately for No. 13 Washington State, the dream season took a hit during the Cougars' trip to UCLA. They mustered only 216 yards in a disappointing 25-17 loss to the Bruins.
The wildest part—considering UCLA outgained Wazzu by 266 yards—is that the Cougs legitimately had a chance to win in the fourth quarter. In fact, they opened the closing frame with a 17-12 edge. An early interception led to a field goal, and Kapena Gushiken had an incredible pick-six in the final minutes before halftime.
But the offensive woes proved too much to overcome. UCLA running back Keegan Jones scored twice in the fourth quarter, and Wazzu's offense had an interception, three-and-out, three-and-out and turnover on downs over its last four possessions.
Washington State remains a Pac-12 contender, but the Cougs missed an opportunity to escape the second tier.
Winner: Georgia's Statement Game
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We knew the Dawgs were a good team. We expected they would have a breakout game sometime soon. But we certainly didn't have a great idea of exactly when.
Make that Week 6.
After a handful of valuable yet only modestly impressive wins, the nation's top-ranked team put a hurting on No. 20 Kentucky. Georgia steamrolled the unbeaten 'Cats in a commanding 51-13 win.
Carson Beck threw for 389 yards and four touchdowns, hitting Brock Bowers seven times for 132 yards and a score. Most strikingly, UGA totaled 608 yards and surrendered only 183.
The Bulldogs head to Vanderbilt in Week 7 before entering the toughest portion of their schedule. This upcoming stretch was always going to define UGA's season, but the confidence level should be noticeably higher after shredding Kentucky.
Loser: Fresno State's NY6 Lead
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In the latest AP Top 25, the only Group of Five program included was Fresno State. That will no longer be the case.
Wyoming, which clipped Big 12 squad Texas Tech a month ago, snagged a second major upset at home with a 24-19 win. Andrew Peasley tossed three touchdowns to push the Pokes to an early 24-7 advantage, and Fresno State's last-minute comeback effort ultimately fell short.
The result is more meaningful than the AP poll, though.
Since the highest-ranked G5 team heads to a New Year's Six bowl, the window of opportunity for Air Force, Memphis and Tulane (among others) just expanded. Appearing on that national stage is a potential boon for both recognition and recruiting, so they're certainly not upset about Fresno State's loss.
And, hey, don't count out 5-1 Wyoming, either.
Winner: Louisville Demands the Headlines
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Through five weeks, Louisville had done its job: Win. Simultaneously, it's understandable to not adore victories over Georgia Tech, Murray State, Indiana, North Carolina State and Boston College.
That all changes with an upset of Notre Dame.
Louisville racked up five takeaways in a 33-20 win, holding the Fighting Irish to a season-worst 298 yards. Jawhar Jordan also rushed for 143 yards and two touchdowns to send the Cardinals to a 6-0 record.
While this particular win doesn't boost UL in the ACC, it sends a message to the rest of the conference. It avoids Florida State, Clemson and North Carolina, so there's a definite path for the Cardinals to crash the league championship game.
Jeff Brohm is working some magic in his first year at his alma mater.
Loser: Miami's Last-Second Defense
10 of 10From the comfort of my couch, I understand a simple rule: With the game on the line, don't let the receiver behind you.
Easier said than done, it appears.
Miami straight-up wasted a likely win opposite Georgia Tech on Saturday night. Holding a 20-17 lead, the 'Canes simply needed to stop the Yellow Jackets from covering 44 yards in the final 10 seconds.
Clearly, you know where this discussion is headed.
Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King eluded some light pressure, rolled to the right and lofted a pass to Christian Leary. He'd somehow managed to create three-plus yards of space behind Miami's secondary and strolled into the end zone for a shocking last-second score.
Miami had plenty to prove before earning the label of a top-tier ACC contender, but that's a brutal way to exit the conversation.
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