For the first time in a long time, this coming week’s Red River Rivalry has something on the line for both Texas and Oklahoma.
The Pac-12 meanwhile is cannibalizing each other and Louisiana stars shined in marquee matchups this past weekend.
Here are my takeaways from the weekend.
3 STORYLINES
- RED HOT RIVALRY
It has been a long time since the Red Rivalry Game has meant as much as this coming week’s annual tilt in Dallas. For the first time since 2011, the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners will enter their annual game undefeated. A win by either No. 3 Texas or No. 12 OU would place them firmly in the driver’s seat for the Big 12 Conference title and a spot in the College Football Playoff. There will be plenty of offensive firepower in the game. Texas, which is averaging 36 points per game, features quarterback Quinn Ewers (1,358 yards, 10-1 TD-INT ratio) and running back Jonathon Brooks (587 yards, 5 TD). Oklahoma, which is averaging 47.40 points per game, is led by Dillon Gabriel (,593 passing yards, 15-2 TD-INT ratio, 4 rushing touchdowns). Both teams have been better than expected on defense with UT giving up only 12.80 points per game, while OU is giving up only 10.80. Longhorns look to be the better team on paper, but this feels like the biggest game for Texas since 2009, when the team edged OU, 16-13, and was the last time that they won the Big 12 and played for the national championship. The final Red Rivalry Game in the Big 12 could be one of the series’ best games. - SEC EAST IS INTERESTING
The SEC East Division is off to an interesting start to the season. The two-time defending national champion Georgia Bulldogs do not appear to be the juggernaut they had been the past two seasons, see Saturday’s surprising 27-20 win at Auburn. Tennessee suffered a stunning loss to Florida which vaulted the maligned Gators into the Top 25. That proved to be short-lived as Kentucky demolished Florida 33-14 on Saturday. Then there is South Carolina who had a ton of preseason buzz but suffered a 21-point loss to Tennessee on Saturday, which was their third loss of the season. Besides undefeated Kentucky, the other big surprise has been Missouri which is ranked in the Top 25 and off to an undefeated start. Can any of the SEC East teams catch Georgia napping and hand the Dawgs a loss? The Wildcats will try to do that on Saturday but if anyone can dethrone UGA remains to be seen. That said, the division has been fascinating to watch so far. - PAC-12 BEATING UP EACH OTHER
For the second straight week, a previously unbeaten and nationally ranked Pac-12 team was defeated by one of its fellow soon-to-be dismantled conference mates. This past Friday, No. 10-ranked Utah went on the road and was bested by No. 19-ranked Oregon State. The Beavers beat the Utes in every facet of the game en route to a 21-7 victory. The previous week saw Colorado be humbled by Oregon 42-6 and Utah edge out UCLA 14-7. Who should be on watch this week? No. 13 Washington State plays at UCLA and No. 9 USC hosts Arizona. The Pac-12 has talented teams, with top-tier quarterbacks, to put a team in the College Football Playoff but will anyone get out of conference play unscathed?
3 LOUISIANA STARS
TRE HARRIS: In a game featuring plenty of offensive firepower, the former Comeaux High and Louisiana Tech star shined the brightest as he hauled in eight receptions for 153 yards and the game-winning touchdown in a 55-49 victory for Ole Miss over LSU.
TJ FINLEY: The ex-LSU and Auburn quarterback continues to shine for the Texas State Bobcats. The Ponchatoula High alum was very efficient as he completed 19-of-24 passes for 338 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions in a 50-36 victory on the road at Southern Miss.
OMARION MILLER: In a 48-41 loss to Southern California, the former North Caddo High star had a breakout game for the Colorado Buffaloes. Miller led all wide receivers with seven receptions for 196 yards, including a 65-yard catch, and one touchdown.
3 NATIONAL STARS
CALEB WILLIAMS: If you had forgotten just how good the reigning Heisman Trophy winner is then his Saturday’s performance was a friendly reminder. In a 48-41 win over Colorado, Williams completed 30-of-40 passes for 403 yards with six touchdowns and one pick.
BROCK BOWERS: The nation’s best tight end flexed his muscles and skill set in a closer-than-expected 27-20 win at Auburn. The Georgia Bulldog star caught eight passes for 157 yards, and the go-ahead 40-yard touchdown.
RAY DAVIS: The Kentucky running back carried the undefeated Wildcats to a 33-14 victory over the previously ranked Florida Gators. Davis led all rushers with 280 yards, averaging 10.8 yards per carry, and four total touchdowns.
3 GAMES TO WATCH THIS WEEKEND
SATURDAY
No. 12 Oklahoma (5-0, 2-0) vs. No. 3 Texas (5-0, 2-0), 11 a.m., ABC
Texas State (4-1, 1-0) at Louisiana (3-2, 0-1), 2:30 p.m., ESPNU
No. 20 Kentucky (5-0, 2-0) at No. 1 Georgia (5-0, 2-0), 6 p.m., ESPN