Ducks’ big victory shows they’re legit

The Ducks get a statement win. After becoming a punch line, the last few years, the Pac-12 received a much-needed win thanks to Oregon handing No. 3 Ohio State its first home loss since 2017. It was the Ducks’ first win over a top-five team since 2019 and clearly sent a message that Mario Cristobal’s team is an early contender for the College Football Playoff.

Ohio State needs a defensive overhaul. Ohio State entered its showdown with Oregon facing questions on the defensive side of the football. Those questions turned to full-fledged panic after the Buckeyes allowed 505 yards to the Ducks, including five explosive plays of 20-or-more yards. That included a 77-yard touchdown run. It was the second run of 50-plus yards the team has allowed this season.

Iowa is playing championship defense. Iowa is a perfect 2-0 to start the season in part because of its ball-hawking skills on defense. The Hawkeyes have six interceptions including picking off Iowa State’s Brock Purdy three times this weekend. It was the Cyclones’ sixth consecutive loss in the rivalry series. The Iowa defense is good enough to contend in the Big Ten, let alone make a run at a semifinal spot in the playoffs.

Texas A&M survives but its playoff hopes take a hit.

Texas A&M was an overwhelming favorite going into its game against Colorado, but the Aggies failed to score a touchdown until late in the fourth quarter to send them to a win over the Buffaloes. More concerning is the long-term health of quarterback Haynes King, who missed most of the contest after suffering a lower-body injury early in the game.

The Longhorns aren’t ready for SEC football.

Texas and Oklahoma aren’t set to leave the Big 12 for the SEC until 2025 at the latest, but the Longhorns received a rude awakening after Arkansas handed them their first loss of the season. The Razorbacks, picked to finish sixth in the SEC West, outmanned and outgunned Texas for its second victory over a ranked opponent in Sam Pittman’s tenure with the Hogs.

Georgia finds an offense to match its defense.

After scoring just 10 points in its opening win over Clemson last week, the Bulldogs found their offense and poured it on with 56 points and 539 yards against UAB. Stetson Bennett, playing for the injured QB JT Daniels, passed for 288 yards and five touchdowns in a nearly perfect performance against the Blazers.