2026 College Football: Week 6 Takeaways
How does an upset happen? Sometimes, an underrated team simply outplays their opponent. Other times, the favored team does something stupid. This week, another team (Michigan State) lost by trying to go for 2 and the “win”. 5-0 Duke showed no urgency at the end of their game against Ga Tech, settling for a tying FG…which their freshman kicker promptly shanked. That doesn’t even begin to touch the five ranked teams that lost to lower-rated opponents. Two squads that narrowly avoided the upset bug, (5) Indiana and (15) Tennessee, ensured their relevance in the weeks ahead. Come check out the action in my week 6 takeaways!
(2) Georgia Edges by (6) Alabama in Hard-Fought Game
When these two SEC powerhouses play, it’s almost always a good show. Both teams entered the game firing on all cylinders, but lousy conditions brought by Hurricane Isaias dampened the offensive outlook. Alabama actually had a good opening drive going, but a fumble cut it short. Points were also hard to come by because of the presence of two elite defenses. Georgia’s stop unit had 4 sacks, while Alabama’s had the game’s only INT (on a poor RPO decision by Bulldogs QB Gunner Stockton). Therefore, when an opportunity presented itself, you had to take advantage. Both teams did at certain moments in the first half.
In the second quarter, Stockton was fortunate to corral a bad snap from his center. Unfazed by being behind the chains, he fired two lasers that covered 73 yards. The first took TE Jaden Redell, who looks like a new Brock Bowers, for 53 yards, while the second produced a score for WR London Humphreys (3/43/1). Later in the quarter, Alabama QB Keelon Russell (16/30, 185 yards, TD; 9/41, FUM rushing) finally found some rhythm and led his team to a TD drive as time expired. For the most part, Russell looked a bit overwhelmed, and the Crimson Tide would only score 1 FG the rest of the game. Still, they gave UGA their first deficit of the year.
To start the second half, Stockton (18/22, 249 yards, TD, INT; 6/12/1 rushing) and his backs asserted themselves in the run game. RBs Dwight Phillips Jr (17/120) and Bo Walker (10/69) filled in admirably for injured guys ahead of them on the depth chart, but it was Stockton whose 14-yard sprint retook the lead. The Bulldogs’ defense took over from there, and despite a missed FG from K Peyton Woodring, Stockton led another 84-yard drive to give his kicker another chance, which he nailed for the game-winning score. This was a team win, but as usual, the Georgia defense (and an idiotic penalty by Bama CB Dijon Lee Jr) carried the day.
I’m hesitant to draw too many conclusions about these teams given the poor playing conditions, but I’ll state a few. First, Alabama is finally on the upswing under HC Kalen DeBoer, but they’re a little under-seasoned. Russell has the talent to be a star, but he’s still so young. This team will only get better as the season continues. Georgia reaffirmed their status as my #1 team, and they’ll likely claim that ranking thanks to the outcome of another game (see below). Stockton doesn’t get enough credit in my opinion, nor does HC Kirby Smart. It’s hard to consistently be this good in the NIL era, yet the Bulldogs are always near the top.
Red River Rivalry Results in Sooners’ Upset of (1) Texas
Rivalry games have a way of bringing teams closer together. I don’t mean that emotionally in any way, shape, or form. I’m talking about results: good teams play down to their rivals, and bad teams play down to their rivals. We saw both sides of that in this year’s Red River Rivalry game. Texas and Oklahoma both rely on very strong defenses. However, the Longhorns are supposed to have the much superior offense. I’m going to go ahead and say it up front: QB Arch Manning is not “that dude”. I’ve loved his upside, but in year 3, we were supposed to see much more growth. His same flaws continue to emerge at bad times.
Manning (19/31, 260 yards, 3 TDs, 2 INTs; 7/20 rushing), as he typically does, made some jaw-dropping throws. His output was inconsistent though. Just like when his team played Tennessee, the offense performed well in the first half but sputtered after the break. Against the Volunteers, that worked out. Here, despite another great pass rushing effort (DE Collin Simmons had 2 more sacks), it wasn’t enough. That’s because Oklahoma scored most of their points when Texas’ defense wasn’t on the field. Their only first-half TD came on a blocked punt by Danny Okoye, which Dakoda Fields saved in the end zone for a score.
In the third quarter, neither team did much. The Longhorns collapsed in the fourth frame. Manning threw 2 INTs under pressure, one of which DB Peyton Bowen took back for a TD. His second one arguably hurt more, as the Longhorns were driving for a game-winning FG with the score tied at 24. Instead, Sooners QB John Mateer (18/26, 155 yards) led that type of drive. WR Isaiah Setegna (5/64) saved his best for last, catching 2 sideline passes to set up the winning kick. K Tate Sandell, who has been inconsistent this year and missed his first attempt in this game, drilled the 47-yard FG for a 27-24 victory.
This had to feel good for Mateer, who had been the subject of benching discussions in recent weeks. Manning is in no such danger, but this was a major letdown for the nation’s #1 team. He has his uncles’ clutch gene, but he isn’t cool under pressure. “Pressure” here means literal pass rushing pressure, as Manning makes most of his mistakes when under duress. That feels like an Achilles heel for Texas, particularly when they play better opponents. With all due respect to Oklahoma, they’re not a serious SEC contender. If Texas doesn’t clean up their act, we might be able to say the exact same thing about them.
(21) UCLA Withstands (13) Oregon’s Comeback in Backup QB Battle
A year ago, we actually talked about a UCLA victory just like we are right here. The difference is that those Bruins were 0-4, so their win was completely stunning. In 2026, UCLA is undefeated and taking down a top-15 opponent. The resurrection of Bruins QB Nico Iamaleava (10/17, 162 yards, 2 INTs, FUM) has been very fun, but this was not his best game. He lost control of the football without being touched to surrender a fumble, and he threw two INTs. Between the picks, Iamaleava got hurt. He returned a play later, only to throw an INT in the end zone before halftime. Iamaleava did not play another snap with his leg injury.
Surprisingly, instead of Nico’s brother Madden, a Cal Poly transfer came in: Ty Dieffenbach (3/6, 43 yards, TD). UCLA didn’t ask him to do too much, instead running the offense through RB Wayne Knight (22/103/1; 3/12/1 receiving). That was for two reasons. First, Oregon’s defense played great. LB Matayo Uiagalelei (2 sacks) was a particular thorn in Dieffenbach’s side. Second, UCLA knew that the Ducks had their own offensive meltdown. As well as backup QB Dylan Raiola played last week in relief of the concussed Dante Moore, he was equally horrific this week. He finished 6/19 for 43 yards, 2 INTs, and a fumble.
Basically, Raiola was off-target the entire game. He can thank the UCLA defense for his nightmares this week. Their DBs played sticky coverage, forcing Raiola to try and thread needles. The coverage made his head spin, and the results got so bad that Oregon benched him for Brock Thomas (11/15, 156 yards, TD, FUM). Thomas played significantly better (likely because the Bruins didn’t game-plan for him) and led a 9-point charge, but UCLA’s defense held strong and stopped a tying two-point conversion. Had Thomas entered earlier, we might have seen a different out come. Instead, Oregon fell 17-15 and now has two losses.
I must note that the 2-point try was only needed because on their opening TD, Oregon for 2 and missed. I don’t even know what analytics crap produced that idea, but it was a major blunder that cost the Ducks dearly late. We can’t blame the loss on that though, and it doesn’t even ALL fall on Raiola’s shoulders. Oregon lost 5 fumbles, and you can’t win doing that. I suspect Moore will be back next week whether he’s ready or not. As far as UCLA, I can’t say enough about the job HC Bob Chesney has done. He has immediately turned this program around, and they’re right in the thick of the Big Ten race. Who saw that coming?
Unranked South Carolina, Kentucky Take Out Top-16 SEC Foes
Once again, there are no easy games in the SEC. In terms of overall quality (not just at the very top), I consider the SEC better than the Big Ten. On any given Saturday, any of the 16 teams in the conference can beat any other. Oklahoma’s shocker at the Cotton Bowl was far from the only SEC surprise this week. First, the conference’s last-ranked team, South Carolina (0-3 in SEC play) went to the Swamp to take on a wounded (16) Florida team. Those Gators were out for blood, and SC felt like an easy target. The Gamecocks have been inconsistent except in terms of blowing leads, which they’ve been rather good at lately.
Nobody told them the script. From the jump, South Carolina looked like the better team. Florida took a 7-0 lead, and then the Gamecocks never trailed again. We saw the very best version of SC QB LaNorris Sellers (23/35, 279 yards, 4 TDs; 14/20/1 rushing). He threw the ball accurately and with conviction while sprinkling in some runs to good effect. DE Dylan Stewart returned from his team-imposed suspension and earned a sack, one of three on the day for his team. South Carolina also earned 2 INTs, including one from Vicari Swain, who’s known more as a returner. This 38-19 demolition was a sign of what SC could be.
Another SEC team that’s no stranger to beating ranked opponents this year is Kentucky, who actually beat South Carolina in OT last week. Beating Texas A&M didn’t prove very illuminating, but hosting (10) LSU was a great chance to teach us more about these Wildcats. Neither defense really lived up to their reputation, but the offenses showed out. The teams traded scores nonstop throughout the game, and I counted 7 lead changes. LSU operated through QB Sam Leavitt (25/34, 275 yards, 2 TDs, INT; 15/39/1, FUM rushing), while Kentucky relied on RB CJ Baxter (19/123/2), who looks almost back to his freshman phenom self at Texas.
When LSU took a 27-24 lead early in the 4th quarter, Kentucky seemed poised to respond again. However, K Adam Zouagui missed 42- and 26-yard FG attempts. The Wildcats defense deserves praise for preventing any further regulation points, allowing Zouagui to redeem himself with a game-tying 33-yard FG. LSU scored easily in OT, and so did Kentucky. However, as they did last week, they went for 2 to win the game. QB Kenny Minchey Jr (23/36, 246 yards; 7/12/1 rushing) ran a draw and won the game for the Wildcats. They shouldn’t have been dropped from the rankings last week, but I expect a return in the newest poll.
Mountain West’s CFP Chances Take Hit with NDSU’s First Loss
As you can clearly see, our theme this week is “upsets”. Those eyebrow-raising outcomes didn’t stay confined to the Power 4. In a game aired only on the CW while the Georgia-Alabama game was being played, North Dakota State suffered a 13-7 loss at UNLV. This all may not seem very significant, but there are several aspects that matter. First, consider that NDSU just joined the FBS after a legendary FCS run, and yet they didn’t skip a beat and began the year 5-0. That’s impressive but not CFP-relevant. Here’s the important part: zero teams in the Mountain West conference are undefeated anymore, reducing their margin for error.
Let’s address the game itself. UNLV’s defense had a masterful plan to confuse QB Nathan Hayes (12/22, 124 yards, TD, 3 INTs; 6/33 rushing). He threw 2 INTs in his first 5 starts but tossed three picks against the Rebels alone. DB Mumu Bin-Wahad caught 2 of them himself, demonstrating an ability to practically read Hayes’ mind. UNLV’s own air attack was similarly inept, and they’ve actually been one of the bigger Group of 6 disappointments. However, with their win over California last week, they seem to have turned a corner, and in this week’s game, they simply committed less turnovers than their opponents and rode their defense.
Back to the CFP point, based on the tweaked rules, two Group of 6 teams are unlikely to ever reach the playoff again after last year’s duo caused an outcry. There is one spot now reserved for the highest-ranked team among their members instead of the top 5 conference champions (the Power 4 champions are explicitly specified). In one sense, what five of the other conferences do might not matter in one particular scenario. If Boise State wins out and claims the Pac-12, they’re in no matter what; I fail to see how anyone’s resume would top theirs, which contains just one close loss to Oregon. They’re too respected by the committee.
If we assume that the Broncos slip up, then a different Pac-12 champion would be in the same boat as the champions of the other conferences. Due to the exodus of top MW teams to the reformed Pac-12, the Mountain West is no longer viewed favorably. I think the Pac-12, Sun Belt, and AAC are all above them (not the MAC or C-USA). The one thing that could’ve given them an edge was an undefeated champion, which could only have been NDSU entering week 6. With their loss, the MW officially cannot have an unblemished champion. Thus, their CFP destiny is out of their control, which is not a comfortable position.