17 of 17 Kent Horner/Getty Images One of the biggest feel-good stories of the young college football season was alive and well for a brief bit as a young Arizona State team went on its first road trip of the season to San Diego State. Then, the Aztecs' 3-3-5 defense smothered quarterback Manny Wilkins and the Sun Devils throughout the first 26 minutes of the second half, holding them to nine total yards on just 12 plays that consisted of four three-and-outs. That was the pivotal stretch in an eventual 28-21 loss. The dominant performance by SDSU's defense turned a 14-14 halftime tie to a 28-14 deficit. Wilkins, N'Keal Harry and the dynamic offense that helped ASU upset Michigan State a week ago was dormant, held without a single first down. After SDSU took control with a two-touchdown lead with four minutes to go, Arizona State put together a furious touchdown drive to get back within a score, but the Devils failed to corral the onside kick. They got the ball again after a forced fumble and made a couple of plays before a pass that Wilkins launched to Frank Darby, who looked like he caught the ball inside the 5-yard line. The Aztecs were called for targeting, and a replay led to the questionable decision that Darby lost control, so it was ruled incomplete. Wilkins got one more chance from the 35-yard line with six seconds left, and his lofted prayer into the end zone was batted away, so the Aztecs survived. It was a furious finish to what had been a frustrating offensive half. It has still been a better start to the season than expected for first-year head coach Herm Edwards, but everything was discombobulated Saturday night. ASU had just 36 rushing yards on 24 carries. The happy times now face some adversity, and it will be interesting to see how Edwards handles it. The Devils travel to Washington next week, and after a winnable game against Oregon State, they follow it up with a road trip to Colorado before hosting Stanford, heading to USC and hosting Utah.<doc-sep>Week 3 of the college football season is in the books. Sure enough, several marquee games across the landscape had major impacts. Though Ohio State went down to Texas and came away with a signature win over TCU, the rest of the Big Ten fared less favorably. After Saturday, how many legitimate contenders are there to the Buckeyes? And in the SEC, LSU stole a crucial early-season conference win at Auburn thanks to a game-winning field goal. With those games and so much more, it's time to take a step back and digest everything that's happened through the first three days of Week 1. Winners Ohio State: Anyone with a brain knew Ohio State was going to get TCU's best shot. Horned Frogs coach Gary Patterson is one of the best in the game for a reason. He's a brilliant defensive mind and also bold enough to take calculated chances. For about two-and-a-half quarters, Ohio State was in a real battle before three quick scores in four minutes changed the tone in a 40-28 win. TCU is a quality team that can compete for a Big 12 championship. Consider this test passed for the Buckeyes. The injury to defensive end Nick Bosa is concerning, however. LSU quarterback Joe Burrow: It feels a little wrong to call the Ohio State transfer a "missing piece" for LSU's offense, but when was the last time the Bayou Bengals had at least a semi-dependable quarterback? Burrow isn't a game changer for the Tigers, but he did enough to keep the sticks moving in LSU's 22-21 thriller over Auburn. He makes big plays when they need to be made. On LSU's game-winning drive alone, he had conversions on third-and-7 and a fourth-and-7. Keep in mind this was in his first SEC road start. This isn't an anomaly. He was also solid in third-down passing situations against Miami in Week 1. Through three weeks, LSU has the two best wins in the country. They may not have one if they were abysmal at quarterback. BYU: There was something strange about BYU being a 23.5-point underdog against No. 6 Wisconsin. The line felt a little large. Yes, that's easy to say in hindsight of the Cougars' 24-21 win in Madison, but low-key they've been a good team in the first three weeks. They upset Arizona in Week 1 and came up short against Cal, which should be a bowl-bound team. Is this an unexpected upset? Of course, but BYU has been a little better than most anticipated. Last year's 4-9 output was probably an anomaly. San Diego State: It still doesn't feel like coach Rocky Long gets enough credit for what the Aztecs do on an annual basis. With a 28-21 win over Arizona State -- a game that got a little more exciting than necessary at the end -- San Diego State has now beaten four Pac-12 teams in the last three years. Additionally, San Diego State has won at least 10 games in the last three seasons. All the guy does is win. Kansas: Rutgers is b-a-d, bad. Still, Kansas doesn't win every day, let alone notch a 55-14 takedown. So let the Jayhawks celebrate these little moments of satisfaction that come with beating the literal hell out of an opponent. The last time Kansas won back-to-back games was 2011. The last time it won back-to-back games against FBS opponents was in 2009 when Mark Mangino was coaching. Rock Chalk, etc, etc. Losers The Big Ten: A good policy is to never make sweeping conference generalizations that will only have to be walked back later. That being said, the Big Ten objectively had a rough day in Week 3. Outside of Ohio State's win over TCU, the Big Ten didn't have much going for it outside of some chalk scores. Wisconsin was upset at home by BYU. So was Nebraska at home against Troy, 24-19. Rutgers was housed by Kansas and Temple boat-raced Maryland 35-14. Northwestern blew an 18-point lead to lose to Akron 39-34 at home and Illinois gave up 18 fourth-quarter points to South Florida in a 25-19 loss. Finally, Purdue got nipped again 40-37 at the horn by Missouri. None of these things really change the perception of the Big Ten title race, but it was a forgettable Saturday all the same. Coaching saviors: Coaching tends to be overvalued in college football. It matters, make no mistake, but talent goes a long way. It doesn't guarantee anything, but it's harder to win without it. Coaches like Chip Kelly (UCLA) Scott Frost (Nebraska), Willie Taggart (Florida State) and Chad Morris (Arkansas) are finding that out quickly. Combined, they are 2-10 through three weeks. And Arizona, led by Kevin Sumlin, was winless heading into its game vs. Southern Utah. In time, they may get things turned around. Some tasks are obviously larger than others. For now, they're a lesson that regarded coaches can indeed struggle. Even Nick Saban went 7-6 and lost to Louisiana-Monroe in his first season. USC: The Trojans have some work to do after Texas pulled away 37-14. Clay Helton is 1-2 on the season and USC has its first set of back-to-back double-digit losses since 2000. This isn't a great Longhorns team, either, and yet USC found itself completely unable to run the ball (-5 yards on 16 attempts) or do anything on special teams. And USC gets Washington State next on a short week, too. A Pac-12 South title is looking a lot less secure than it was in the preseason. Utah: Nothing about a 21-7 loss to Washington was pretty by either side, but the Utes put on a clinic of how to shoot yourself in the foot frequently and with dire consequences. Utah lost three turnovers and easily could have had two or three touchdowns on the board that instead went nowhere. From fumbles to missing wide-open receivers in the red zone, Utah found about every way possible to stay off the scoreboard. Missed opportunities have become a recurring theme under coach Kyle Whittingham, but regardless, the Utes can't get this one back. Florida State quarterback Deondre Francois: The Seminoles hit rock bottom when they lost 30-7 to Syracuse. There are a lot of words to be written about this, but what sums up the general anxiety better than anything else is the sheer disgust Francois seems to have for his offensive line. He's so mad at them he doesn't even want their help peeling himself off of the turf. He continues to take more hits than just about any other quarterback -- so many hits he should qualify for worker's compensation. Watch this and say you wouldn't be mad, too: Best of the rest Texas Tech QB Alan Bowman: The true freshman quarterback went 43-of-59 for a whopping 605 yards and five touchdowns in the Red Raiders' 63-49 win over Houston. That's a Big 12 single-game freshman passing record and yet somehow still a pedestrian day for Texas Tech. Penn State running back Miles Sanders: Saquon Barkley is gone to the NFL and this is a sad fact for college football. However, it would very much appear that Penn State has another GIF machine in Sanders. This B-button move against Kent State is extremely Saquon-esque. Sanders had 86 yards in the 63-10 victory. Vanderbilt, encapsulated: Vanderbilt's catch-turn-strip-turn-fumble-turn-touchback for Notre Dame had more ups and downs than a roller coaster. And, in a way, no play was more appropriately Vanderbilt. The Commodores gave Notre Dame everything it could handle, but came up short 22-17. Ole Miss: The Rebels scored on the first play from scrimmage against Alabama, a 75-yard strike from Jordan Ta'amu to D.K. Metcalf. It's no secret that Ole Miss has a fun offense and some of the best wide receivers in the game, but that was a hot start if there ever was one. The problem? Ole Miss never scored again in a 62-7 beatdown. Oregon State: The Beavers were down 30-7 against Nevada, came all the way back to within two points (37-35) and then missed a 34-yard game-winning field goal as time expired. That's harsh. Thoughts and prayers. At least the Beavers have a cool turnover gimmick?<doc-sep>All your upset alerts and top plays are right here. Check back throughout the day to keep up with a busy day of college football. Updates 6:49 p.m.- BYU does it! No. 6 Wisconsin misses a would-be game-tying field goal with 41 seconds left as BYU burns two timeouts to ice the kicker. HE MISSED IT SITAKE IS A GENIUS — Yahoo Sports College Football (@YahooSportsCFB) September 15, 2018 BYU 24, No. 6 Wisconsin 21 6:25 p.m.– Upset watch in Madison: No. 6 Wisconsin trails BYU, 24-21, in the 4th quarter. Countering the Badgers’ renowned rushing attack, the Cougars have been powered by a strong back of their own. Senior Squally Canada has 112 yards and 2 TDs. Get to ABC to see if BYU can hang on and take down one of the Big Ten’s contenders. BYU 24, No. 6 Wisconsin 21 5:44 p.m.– Look who’s hanging around. Vanderbilt has outscored No. 8 Notre Dame 14-6 in the second half – moving within five on a Kyle Shurmur TD pass. We've got ourselves a game, folks! Get to @NBC now for the final minutes of #VUvsND or stream online here → https://t.co/srQVzIyjBv pic.twitter.com/OofhiCcq5U — NBC Sports (@NBCSports) September 15, 2018 The Commodores got a stop, and now it’s time to see if they can drive to take the lead in South Bend. All eyes to NBC. No. 8 Notre Dame 22, Vanderbilt 17 (All times ET unless otherwise noted) 2:45 p.m.– Florida State is staring an 0-2 ACC conference record in the face. Willie Taggart’s bunch is being shut out by Syracuse a week after struggling to beat Samford, an FCS opponent, at home. Story continues Syracuse 20, Florida State 0 pic.twitter.com/U29Uk4BYbf — Yahoo Sports College Football (@YahooSportsCFB) September 15, 2018 The Seminoles already dropped one ACC game to Virginia Tech on Labor Day in a similarly poor offensive performance. Syracuse 20, Florida State 0 12:57 p.m.– When playing the No. 3 team in the country, you have to bring your bag of tricks. But Middle Tennessee might have tried to do a bit too much on this third down and short against Georgia. Doesn’t look like an upset alert will be sounding in Athens. No. 3 Georgia 21, Middle Tennessee 0 Week 3 Watchlist Jarrett Stidham and No. 7 Auburn welcome SEC West rival No. 12 LSU for a big-time September battle. Get ready for a loaded college football Saturday with the Week 3 viewing guide. No. 5 Oklahoma at Iowa State, Noon, ABC No. 17 Boise State at No. 24 Oklahoma State, 3:30 p.m., ESPN No. 12 LSU at No. 7 Auburn, 3:30 p.m., CBS No. 1 Alabama at Ole Miss, 7 p.m., ESPN No. 4 Ohio State vs. No. 15 TCU, 8 p.m., ABC No. 22 USC at Texas, 8 p.m., FOX No. 10 Washington at Utah, 10 p.m., ESPN<doc-sep>
Sue Ogrocki/Associated Press Just like Week 2 in college football, Week 3 has the potential to deliver some eye-popping upsets and send shockwaves across the AP Top 25. While we just missed out on a chaotic weekend in Week 2, the formula is there for Week 3 to come through and put some of the top teams in the nation under pressure. Nine ranked teams take to the road Saturday, with three of them facing off against opposition in the Top 25. A key divisional race in the SEC will be impacted, and if results fall in a certain way, there could be a shift in the College Football Playoff discussion. AP Top 25 1. Alabama (2-0) 2. Clemson (2-0) 3. Georgia (2-0) 4. Ohio State (2-0) 5. Oklahoma (2-0) 6. Wisconsin (2-0) 7. Auburn (2-0) 8. Notre Dame (2-0) 9. Stanford (2-0) 10. Washington (1-1) 11. Penn State (2-0) 12. LSU (2-0) 13. Virginia Tech (2-0) 14. West Virginia (2-0) 15. TCU (2-0) 16. Mississippi State (2-0) 17. Boise State (2-0) 18. UCF (2-0) 19. Michigan (1-1) 20. Oregon (2-0) 21. Miami (1-1) 22. USC (1-1) 23. Arizona State (2-0) 24. Oklahoma State (2-0) 25. Michigan State (1-1) Auburn Has Most To Gain in Week 3 The Auburn Tigers could leave Week 3 with a pair of wins over ranked opponents on their resume. After taking down Washington in Atlanta on opening weekend, the Tigers moved closer to the top five, and a win Saturday over LSU could push them higher. Video Play Button CFB National Signing Day 2019 Did Not Disappoint Martell Is Leaving Ohio St. and Is on His Way to the U White House Treats National Champions to Fast Food Cheat Day Northwestern May Have CFB's Most Hyped Coach Army's Historic Bowl Beatdown Caps Off Epic Season Purdue Football's No. 1 Fan Is Inspiring the Team CFB's Creative Entrances Put WWE to Shame CFB's Walk-on Scholarship Season Has Returned Tua Continues to Take Hawaiian Football to Another Level CFB Players Teaming Up to Tackle Hunger in Miami 4'2" WR Will Walk on at Baylor University Felder's Film Room: Ferocious Front 7's Will Decide National Championship UAB Is Making CFB Even More Fun and Having Its Best Season at the Same Time Heisman Hopefuls: B/R Highlights Finalists Prior to Trophy Ceremony Who Should Be the 2017 Heisman Finalists? Miami vs. Clemson: Which Elite Defense Will Prevail in ACC Championship Game College Football Top 25 Upset Alert for Week 11 College Football Top 25 Upset Alert for Week 10 Which CFB Stars Need More Heisman Hype? College Football Top 25 Upset Alert for Week 9 Right Arrow Icon A triumph at Jordan-Hare Stadium Saturday would bring a multitude of benefits for the Tigers, who enter Week 3 as the No. 7 team in the AP Top 25. The Tigers would put themselves into the College Football Playoff conversation with two quality wins, and they'd jump out to an early advantage in the SEC West. Even though a victory would put Auburn in good position, it can't rest on its laurels, as at least three games against ranked opponents remain, including a three-week stretch in November in which it faces Georgia and Alabama. If Auburn wins, it will arguably contain the best resume in college football, but a loss won't kill the Tigers' hopes because of the opportunities in front of them in the nation's most difficult conference. Oklahoma Looking To Avenge Home Defeat To Iowa State Iowa State handed Oklahoma its only regular-season defeat in Norman, Oklahoma, a year ago. Even though Baker Mayfield isn't around to avenge the loss to the Cyclones, there are plenty of Sooners who remember the heartbreak caused by Matt Campbell's team. Saturday's trip to Ames, Iowa, is the only road test the Sooners face until October 20, as their next three games are at home or a neutral site. Video Play Button CFB National Signing Day 2019 Did Not Disappoint Martell Is Leaving Ohio St. and Is on His Way to the U White House Treats National Champions to Fast Food Cheat Day Northwestern May Have CFB's Most Hyped Coach Army's Historic Bowl Beatdown Caps Off Epic Season Purdue Football's No.