Prominent QB struggles the theme in a wild Week 7 of college football

Week 7 of the 2026 college football season was arguably the most exciting weekend of the season thus far. Several top-tier programs, including Georgia, Texas and Alabama, suffered surprising upsets.

However, amid the chaos, one theme stood out across the weekend: poor quarterback play. 

1. Arch Manning, Texas

Texas quarterback Arch Manning and the Longhorns were on top of the world after beating Ohio State in Week 2. Manning and Co. secured the No. 1 ranking in the nation and even went into Knoxville, Tennessee and defeated the Volunteers. 

The Longhorns won 11 of their last 12 games (dating back to 2025) until the wheels fell off for head coach Steve Sarkisian's team against the Oklahoma Sooners. Manning tossed for 260 yards and had two costly fourth-quarter interceptions (one was a pick-six) that put the Sooners in position to win. 

On Saturday, Manning had another abysmal outing against a reeling Florida Gators team at home. The former five-star recruit fumbled the ball with just under two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter and trailing by three, effectively ending the game. 

It was also reported that backup freshman quarterback KJ Lacey Jr. would be getting first team repetitions in practice. How could things go from good to worse so quickly for the Longhorns?

2. John Mateer, Oklahoma

After a monumental victory over the then-No.1 team in the nation Texas Longhorns, Mateer and the Sooners were brought back down to earth in a 21-13 loss to Kentucky. The 22-year-old tossed for 270 yards and one touchdown along with three interceptions. The third and final interception from Mateer was a pick-six that sealed the win for the Wildcats.

Mateer has struggled immensely with ball protection dating back to last season. Across the last two campaigns, Mateer has thrown a combined 23 touchdowns and 18 interceptions with a QBR of 58.8, respectively.

Can Mateer improve enough to help aid the Sooners into bowl contention? 

3. Gunner Stockton, Georgia

Perhaps the biggest upset of the weekend were the then-No.1 Georgia having lost to a two-loss Auburn team in Athens. The Bulldogs were fresh off a strong road victory against Alabama the week prior and were touted as the best team in the country. 

However, Auburn head coach Alex Golesh and the Tigers made Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton as uncomfortable as possible. 

The Tigers intercepted Stockton twice and forced a fumble late in the fourth quarter that set Auburn up for its eventual game-winning field goal. 

The Bulldogs have a tough slate of upcoming matchups against No. 20 Florida, No. 7 Ole Miss and No. 22 Missouri. 

4. Keelon Russell, Alabama

Keelon Russell and the Alabama offense struggled mightily in a 26-10 loss to Tennessee on Saturday. Russell had perhaps the worst outing of the season by having tossed for only 147 yards and two interceptions. 

Russell was sacked five times and faced constant pressure from the Volunteers defense throughout the entire game. The 19-year-old also lost a fumble on a strip sack by Tennessee linebacker Jeremiah Telander. 

Heading into Week 8, Russell's eight overall turnovers is the second most in the SEC.