Winner: Nebraska’s positive publicity

It’s been a while since Nebraska was in the national spotlight based on its own merit. The No. 22 Cornhuskers haven’t achieved a winning season nor qualified for a bowl game since 2016, the last year they started a season 3-0 until Saturday. Nebraska beat Northern Iowa, 34-3, in its first week in the Top 25 since 2019.

Coach Matt Rhule experienced growing pains in last season’s 5-7 campaign, but he appears to have something cooking in Lincoln, Nebraska alongside five-star freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola. Friday’s matchup with No. 24 Illinois ought to provide a good gauge of where the Cornhuskers stand at the start of Big Ten play.

Loser: (State of) Florida football coaches

Dark clouds are looming over two of the Sunshine State’s major football programs. Florida and Florida State are off to miserable starts this season, with the Gators boasting a win over FCS Samford and the Seminoles still searching for their first victory after opening the year at No. 10 following last season’s 13-1 performance.

With the most difficult schedule in the country, the odds don’t seem to be in Florida coach Billy Napier’s favor to be employed by the end of the year. Florida State coach Mike Norvell has a bit more job security with back-to-back 10-plus-win seasons, but those came after losing records in 2020 and 2021. We’ll learn just how patient the Seminoles can be.

Winner: Arch Manning

When your Heisman Trophy-favorite starting quarterback leaves the game with an abdomen injury, you generally don’t get excited. But, when junior QB Quinn Ewers was forced out with an injury, redshirt freshman Arch Manning electrified the Austin crowd. 

Manning threw a touchdown on his first play and then ran for a 67-yard score on his next drive, en route to a five-touchdown day. It’s just good to have a Manning back lighting up the scoreboard.

Loser: Mark Stoops’ lack of cojones

With the No. 1-ranked Georgia Bulldogs on the ropes, the unranked Kentucky Wildcats had the massive upset within reach. With 3:03 left and only losing 13-12, Kentucky faced a 4th and 8 in Georgia’s territory. 

In a time when every other head coach would have put the ball in his team’s hands, giving them a chance at victory, Wildcat coach Mark Stoops decided to punt the ball away. Georgia iced the game and Kentucky left empty-handed. As Herm Edwards once said, “You play to win the game.”

Winner: Michigan fans (At least for now)

After a rough 31-12 loss to Texas last week, Michigan fans needed something to spark some hope. After two quarters in Saturday’s game against Arkansas State, there was a lot to like from Michigan. The Wolverines were up 21-3, despite senior quarterback Davis Warren throwing two picks. 

But when Warren threw for his third pick, a switch had to be made. Michigan fans got what they wanted as junior QB Alex Orji came into the game and scored a touchdown in his first drive. Despite the Red Wolves scoring two straight touchdowns, the Wolverines held on to win, with signs of hope that their offense could look competent going forward. 

Loser: Wisconsin’s defense

I know that Wisconsin was playing the No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide, but this game should’ve been more of a fight. This Crimson Tide team struggled in their 42-16 win over South Florida up until halfway through the fourth quarter. In the first quarter, the Badgers kept it a close score of 7-3. It was what happened after that made them my loser, as Alabama scored three straight unanswered touchdowns.. 

Offensively, Wisconsin lost senior QB Tyler Van Dyke to a knee injury in the first quarter. However, Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell’s defense allowed Alabama junior QB Jalen Milroe to throw for three touchdowns and run for two more. It’s hard to criticize the Badgers for losing this game, but it’s easy to be frustrated with how quickly they gave up.  

Winner: Washington State fans

Vindication for the Cougars: In Washington State’s first year after rival Washington departed for the Big Ten — leaving Washington State and Oregon State as the last schools standing in the Pac-12 — the Cougars defeated the Huskies, 24-19.

And they did it in the most satisfying way possible: A fourth quarter goal-line stand that ended with the Cougars stopping an option pitch by the Huskies.

So celebrate, Cougar fans. For another year, you’ve proven that the turncoats who killed the Pac-12 weren’t too good for you. So kick them while they’re down, and don’t let that Benedict Arnold over in Seattle ever forget what happened this weekend. 

Loser: Vanderbilt fans who had hope

I thought this was the year of the Commodores. After a season-opening win over Virginia Tech — in overtime, no less — I thought Vanderbilt would finally get back to a bowl game, and even dared to dream they could win one for the first time since 2012. 

That was my mistake. Georgia State took down Vanderbilt 36-32, ending the hopes that the team would be 3-0 heading into games against No. 7 Missouri and No. 4 Alabama. 

Sure, Georgia State deserves credit, too. The Panthers are no slouch, and the Commodores were only 8.5-point favorites. And it helped that this game was in Atlanta rather than Nashville. 

But that doesn’t mean this doesn’t hurt any less for the Commodore fans who made the mistake of having hope this season. I feel for y’all. I really do.