CFB Week 3 winners and losers: LSU is all thrills, Florida State is all frills

While by no means Florida State's only problem, the former Clemson and Oregon State quarterback has failed to provide a spark. After another unimpressive outing, it's hard to imagine the benefit of starting Uiagalelei for the rest of the season.

Winner: Texas quarterback Arch Manning

Filling in for injured starter Quinn Ewers (strained abdomen), Manning accounted for five touchdowns in a 56-7 win over UTSA. The top recruit in the 2023 high-school class was 9-of-12 on his passing attempts, throwing for 223 yards and four touchdowns. Arguably, his most impressive play was when he ran 67 yards for a touchdown to give the Longhorns a 28-7 lead.

Ewers' status going forward remains to be seen, but Manning's strong performance in relief should give Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian comfort if he's thrust into the starting lineup.

Loser: Florida State, Pt. 2 — Wide receiver blocking

Wide receiver Ja'Khi Douglas (No. 0) did his best impersonation of a Walmart greeter during the loss to Memphis, kindly welcoming defensive back Kobee Minor to tackle wideout Jalen Brown behind the line of scrimmage rather than throwing a lead block, resulting in a three-yard loss.

That's the kind of effort it takes for a preseason top-10 team to remain winless after three games.

Winner: Washington State

What a week it's been for the Cougars. On Thursday, the Pac-12, down to Washington State and Oregon State in 2024, announced Mountain West programs Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State and San Diego State will join the conference in 2026.

Washington State (3-0) confirmed that the Pac-12's demise was greatly exaggerated with a thrilling 24-19 Apple Cup win over Big Ten Washington (2-1). The team capped the victory with a goal line stand late in the fourth quarter.

Loser: Florida State, Pt. 3 — Head coach Mike Norvell

It only fits that the Noles have as many losers in this column as losses this season. We'd be remiss to ignore Norvell's contributions to Florida State's ugly start. The talent advantage the program enjoyed a season ago has been wiped out, which is a sign of poor coaching, poor recruiting or both.

Regardless, it's a poor reflection on Norvell, who could be coaching for his job the rest of the season.

Winner: Ole Miss, Tennessee offenses

The Rebels are a cannonball on offense. Their breakneck pace overwhelmed Wake Forest early in a 40-6 win — Ole Miss had three touchdown drives of less than two minutes in the first quarter while gaining 283 yards (198 passing, 85 rushing).

Their dominant first quarter was equaled by the Vols, who also gained 283 yards — 157 through the air and 126 on the ground — in building an absurd 37-0 lead after one against lowly Kent State. Tennessee won 71-0.

Much tougher competition awaits both later this season, but Ole Miss and Tennessee showed they have the offensive firepower to compete for an SEC title.

Loser: West Virginia-Pittsburgh special teams

The Backyard Brawl was perfectly chaotic. Pittsburgh came from behind for a bonkers 38-34 win over West Virginia, but the game began falling off its axis in the third quarter.

West Virginia converted a fake punt on a fourth-and-3 after Pitt's special teams inexplicably sent everyone into punt coverage, allowing Mountaineers punter Oliver Straw to easily pick up the first down.

Because West Virginia can't have nice things, minutes later, Straw's punt was blocked on the same possession and returned by Panthers linebacker Brandon George for a touchdown and a 24-17 lead.

Winner: Toledo

The Rockets received $1.2 million from Mississippi State for their game in Starkville and left with a 41-17 win.

Toledo entered as a 10.5-point underdog but handily won, leading by as many as 32 points in the second half. While not as significant as Northern Illinois' one-point win over Associated Press No. 18 Notre Dame, the win gives the MAC two impressive wins in back-to-back weeks.

Loser: Auburn vs. the state of New Mexico

Unlike Mississippi State, Auburn survived a potential upset in Week 3. But the Tigers might want to avoid scheduling programs from The Land of Enchantment for the foreseeable future. A season after a stunning home loss to New Mexico State, Auburn was threatened by New Mexico in a 45-19 win that the Tigers led 17-13 at the half.

Auburn (2-1) ended the game with 268 rushing yards, but midway through, it averaged 2.1 yards per rush attempt, a far cry from what Montana State averaged against New Mexico in Week 0 (7.7 yards per attempt).

For the second year in a row, Auburn had its hands full against a New Mexico school in what should have been a buzzer-to-buzzer win.

Winner: Ohio trick play

The Bobcats pulled off a nifty trick play in a 21-6 win over FCS Morgan State. Ohio running back Anthony Tyus III took the snap from shotgun formation and handed it to quarterback Parker Navarro.

Instead of running, Navarro dropped into the pocket and threw it back to Tyus for a 19-yard touchdown.

Loser: Michigan

The Wolverines have some major issues entering Big Ten play. In a 28-18 win over Arkansas State, quarterback Davis Warren was intercepted three times. His top receiver, tight end Colston Loveland, suffered an undisclosed injury and it's uncertain whether he'll play against No. 11 USC next week.

Winner: Colorado wide receiver/defensive back Travis Hunter

The sensational dual-threat athlete's unreal performance against in-state rival Colorado State showed why many view him as the best player in college football.

One second-half sequence demonstrated what makes Hunter so special. On defense, he returned an interception 36 yards to set Colorado up near midfield.

On the ensuing Buffaloes drive, Hunter scored on a 21-yard touchdown reception.

Colorado handily won, 28-9, with Hunter posting 13 receptions for 100 yards and two touchdowns, along with five tackles, a pass breakup and an interception.

Loser: Florida

Florida State's misery has company. The Gators were steamrolled in the Swamp for the second time this season, losing 33-20 to Texas A&M, which started backup quarterback Marcel Reed. The Aggies outgained the Gators on the ground 310-52 during a game in which Florida head coach Billy Napier was deservedly booed.

With a brutal remaining schedule, including four games against current AP top-seven teams, the Gators are well on their way to a fourth consecutive losing season.