College Football Week 3 Review- Top Performers, Upsets, and NFL Draft Implications

From unexpected upsets to dominant displays, this week reshaped our understanding of the current college football landscape and its potential impact on the 2025 NFL Draft.

Top Performers and Key Storylines

1. Jalen Milroe (QB, Alabama): Milroe put on a show in Alabama's 42-10 demolition of Wisconsin at Camp Randall Stadium. The junior quarterback accounted for five total touchdowns (three passing, two rushing), showcasing his dual-threat capabilities. His performance not only solidified Alabama's position as a top contender but also boosted his NFL Draft stock. Milroe's ability to make plays both with his arm and legs has drawn comparisons to former Alabama star Jalen Hurts, and NFL scouts are taking notice.

2. Travis Hunter (WR/CB, Colorado): The two-way star continued to dazzle in Colorado's 28-9 win over Colorado State in the Rocky Mountain Showdown. Hunter recorded 13 catches for 100 yards and 2 TDs on offense while adding an interception on defense. What's truly remarkable is his stamina - playing 123 of 138 total snaps. Hunter's unprecedented versatility has made him one of the most intriguing NFL prospects in years. His ability to impact the game on both sides of the ball is reminiscent of players like Charles Woodson and Deion Sanders, making him a potential top-5 pick if he declares for the draft.

3. Shedeur Sanders (QB, Colorado): Not to be outdone by his teammate, Sanders threw for 310 yards and 4 TDs against Colorado State. His poise in the pocket and accuracy on deep throws are drawing comparisons to some of the top QB prospects in recent years. Sanders' football IQ and ability to read defenses have impressed NFL scouts, and his stock continues to rise with each impressive performance.

4. Georgia's Close Call: The defending national champions had a closer-than-expected victory over Kentucky, narrowly escaping with a 13-12 win. This performance led to Georgia being knocked down a spot in the AP Top 25 poll, raising questions about their offense heading into their Week 5 matchup against No. 4 Alabama. Carson Beck struggled to find rhythm, completing just 15 of 24 passes for 160 yards. The Bulldogs' offensive line, typically a strength, was pushed around by Kentucky's defensive front, which could be a concern for NFL scouts evaluating Georgia's draft-eligible linemen.

5. Texas Dominance: The Longhorns continued their impressive start to the season with a resounding 56-7 victory over UTSA. What made this performance particularly noteworthy was the seamless transition at quarterback. With starter Quinn Ewers sidelined due to injury, backup Arch Manning stepped in and didn't miss a beat. Manning, the highly-touted freshman, threw for four scores and ran for another, showcasing why he was one of the most sought-after recruits in recent memory. This performance not only solidified Texas as a legitimate playoff contender but also demonstrated their depth at the most crucial position.

Biggest Upsets and Their Implications

1. Northern Illinois 20, Florida State 12: In a shocking turn of events, Northern Illinois defeated Florida State, dropping the Seminoles to an 0-3 start. This upset severely damages FSU's playoff hopes and raises questions about DJ Uiagalelei's NFL Draft stock. The former Clemson transfer has struggled to find consistency, and his decision-making under pressure has been concerning. For NIU, this win puts them in the driver's seat for the Group of Five's automatic bid in the expanded College Football Playoff. It's worth noting that this is NIU's second major upset, following their victory over Notre Dame earlier in the season.

2. Memphis 20, Florida State 12: Adding insult to injury, Memphis handed Florida State their second loss of the week. This upset further solidifies Memphis as a Group of Five contender and deepens the crisis in Tallahassee. For Florida State, what started as a season full of promise has quickly devolved into a nightmare. The back-to-back losses to Group of Five opponents have exposed significant weaknesses in the Seminoles' roster and raised questions about the program's direction under head coach Mike Norvell.

3. UNLV 23, Kansas 20: The Rebels continue their impressive start to the season, knocking off a Power 5 opponent for the second time this year. UNLV's head coach Barry Odom is making a strong case for Coach of the Year consideration. Quarterback Matthew Sluka's clutch performance in the fourth quarter, leading an 18-play, 75-yard touchdown drive that chewed up 9:31 off the clock, showcased his leadership and decision-making skills. This win, coupled with their earlier victory over Houston, puts UNLV in prime position to contend for the Group of Five's automatic bid in the expanded College Football Playoff.

4. Toledo 41, Mississippi State 17: The Rockets stunned the Bulldogs in Starkville, showcasing the potential pitfalls of "money games" for Power 5 programs. Toledo quarterback Tucker Gleason was the star of the show, throwing for 325 yards and three touchdowns against an SEC defense. This loss is a significant setback for Mississippi State's bowl hopes and raises questions about the program's direction under head coach Zach Arnett. For Toledo, this win could be a springboard to a successful season in the MAC and potentially put them in the conversation for a New Year's Six bowl game.

Conference Race Impacts

1. SEC: Alabama's dominant win over Wisconsin cements their status as a top contender, while Georgia's narrow escape against Kentucky raises some questions about the Bulldogs' offense. The SEC currently has five of the top six spots in ESPN's Football Power Index (No. 1 Texas, No. 2 Alabama, No. 4 Tennessee, No. 5 Georgia, and No. 6 Ole Miss), with Missouri sitting at No. 10. This dominance in the rankings reflects the conference's overall strength and depth.

Texas, now officially part of the SEC, has made an immediate impact. Their convincing win over UTSA, even without their starting quarterback, sends a clear message that they're ready to compete at the highest level in their new conference. The Longhorns' balanced attack and improved defense under Steve Sarkisian have them looking like genuine national title contenders.

Ole Miss has been particularly impressive, being one of only two teams nationally that hasn't allowed a touchdown yet this season. Their dominance has even led Wake Forest to buy out their 2025 matchup, a testament to the growing gap between the SEC's elite and other Power 5 programs.

2. Big Ten: Ohio State enjoyed a bye week, while Michigan struggled against Arkansas State, winning 28-18. The Wolverines' quarterback situation remains a concern heading into their matchup with USC. Davis Warren's performance against Arkansas State (6.1 yards per pass with two touchdowns and six interceptions through three games) has opened the door for potential changes at the position.

Penn State, coming off a bye week, looks poised to challenge for the Big Ten East title. Their dominant defense and balanced offense make them a serious threat to both Ohio State and Michigan.

3. ACC: Miami continues to impress, with Cam Ward throwing for 346 yards and 5 TDs in a 62-0 rout of Ball State. The Hurricanes look like the team to beat in the ACC. Ward's exceptional start to the season has him climbing up NFL draft boards, with scouts praising his arm talent and decision-making.

Florida State's disastrous start has significantly impacted the ACC race. Once considered a potential playoff contender, the Seminoles now face an uphill battle just to reach bowl eligibility. This opens the door for other ACC teams to step up and challenge Miami for conference supremacy.

4. Big 12: Kansas State made a statement with a 31-7 win over Arizona, establishing themselves as a conference favorite. Their balanced attack and stout defense could make them a dark horse playoff contender. The Wildcats' impressive performance puts them in the conversation with Oklahoma and Texas as the teams to beat in the Big 12.

NFL Draft Stock Watch

Rising:

• Travis Hunter (Colorado): His two-way dominance is unprecedented in modern college football. Hunter could be a top-5 pick if he declares. NFL teams are salivating over his versatility and playmaking ability on both sides of the ball.
• Jalen Milroe (Alabama): Milroe's development as a passer, combined with his elite athleticism, has him climbing draft boards. His five-touchdown performance against Wisconsin showcased his dual-threat capabilities and improved decision-making.
• Cam Ward (Miami): Ward's hot start has NFL teams intrigued by his arm talent and decision-making. His ability to read defenses and make accurate throws under pressure has scouts projecting him as a potential first-round pick.
• Arch Manning (Texas): While it's early in his college career, Manning's impressive performance in relief of Quinn Ewers has put him on the NFL radar. His poise, arm talent, and football IQ suggest he could be a top prospect when he becomes draft-eligible.

Falling:

• DJ Uiagalelei (Florida State): Uiagalelei's struggles in FSU's 0-3 start have raised serious questions about his NFL potential. His inconsistent accuracy and decision-making under pressure are major concerns for NFL scouts.
• Michigan QBs: The Wolverines' quarterback carousel is not inspiring confidence in NFL scouts. The lack of a clear standout performer at the position could hurt the draft stock of whoever emerges as the starter.
• Carson Beck (Georgia): Beck's underwhelming performance against Kentucky has some questioning his ability to lead a championship-caliber offense. His struggles against a tough SEC defense have scouts wondering about his ability to perform at the next level.

Group of 5 Performances

Week 3 showcased the strength of Group of 5 teams, with several impressive performances against Power 5 opponents. This success is particularly significant given the expanded College Football Playoff format, which guarantees a spot for the highest-ranked Group of 5 conference champion.

Notable performances include:

• Northern Illinois' upset over Florida State
• UNLV's victory over Kansas
• Memphis defeating Florida State
• Georgia State upsetting Vanderbilt
• Toledo's dominant win over Mississippi State

These results showcase the potential for Group of 5 teams to make noise in the expanded College Football Playoff format. Teams like NIU, UNLV, and Memphis have positioned themselves as early favorites for the Group of 5's automatic bid.

Looking Ahead

Week 4 features several marquee matchups that could have significant implications for both the College Football Playoff race and NFL Draft evaluations. Key games to watch include:

• USC at Michigan: A battle of unbeaten teams with playoff aspirations and multiple NFL prospects. All eyes will be on USC's high-powered offense against Michigan's stout defense, as well as the Wolverines' quarterback situation.
• Tennessee at Oklahoma: Two high-powered offenses collide in a game that could vault the winner into the top 10. This game could feature a shootout between two talented quarterbacks looking to boost their NFL Draft stock.
• Utah at Oklahoma State: A crucial Big 12 matchup that could shape the conference race. Utah's defense will be tested by Oklahoma State's balanced attack, and the outcome could have significant implications for both teams' playoff hopes.

As we move deeper into conference play, expect the playoff picture to continue evolving and NFL Draft stocks to fluctuate based on performance in these high-stakes games. The expanded College Football Playoff format adds an extra layer of intrigue, with teams like Northern Illinois and UNLV now having a realistic path to compete for a national title.

Meanwhile, traditional powers like Florida State find themselves in unfamiliar territory, fighting for bowl eligibility rather than championship contention. Their struggles serve as a reminder of the volatile nature of college football and the importance of consistency week in and week out.

The SEC's dominance in the early rankings, with the possibility of getting five or more teams into the College Football Playoff, will be a major storyline to follow. As conference play heats up, it will be interesting to see if this dominance continues or if other conferences can close the gap.

For NFL Draft prospects, the coming weeks will be crucial in solidifying their stock. Players like Travis Hunter, Jalen Milroe, and Cam Ward have put themselves in excellent positions with their early-season performances, but consistency will be key as they face tougher competition in conference play.

Week 3 served as a reminder of college football's unpredictable nature and the importance of showing up every week, regardless of the opponent. As we look ahead to Week 4 and beyond, one thing is certain: the road to the College Football Playoff and NFL Draft glory is paved with opportunity for those who can rise to the occasion when it matters most.