To think you can avoid a date in the USA TODAY Sports court is foolish thinking. It’s just a matter of when you’ll have to show up.
For some college football teams, they’re arriving in front of the judge this season a lot sooner than is deal.
Week 3 was by far the most chaotic one of the young season thus far. We had three ranked teams fall to teams outside the US LBM Coaches Poll and others that avoided disastrous upsets. It maded for a busy day inside the court room, with much more high-profile names awaiting to hear their fate after presenting their case.
No. 8 Alabama
The case: The Crimson Tide again had a sluggish start, trailing Florida State 21-6 in the second quarter before the offense exploded late in the second quarter to key a wild 50-36 win.
The verdict:
Not guilty. The starts haven't been great, but Alabama looks extremely dangerous. If the Crimson Tide can put together four full quarters, it's tough for anyone to take down Keelon Russell and company. Kalen DeBoer ought to inspire his team before it takes the field because these slow starts are eventually going to become too big to overcome.
No. 11 LSU
The case: Lane Kiffin's return to Oxford didn't end glory. LSU rallied from a 17-point halftime deficit to tie the game but couldn't complete comeback, losing on an interception in the final minute.
The verdict: Not guilty. With all the emotions and hostility, it would have been easy for LSU to fold after such a bad start. But to the credit of the Tigers, they put up a valiant fight that it nearly pulled off. Now that the emotions of his return to Ole Miss is complete, Kiffin can turn the page and focus on the rest of the season.
No. 12 USC
The case: USC went across the country to face a winless Rutgers team, and the Scarlet Knights got close to an upset with the Trojans hanging onto a 42-35 win that was largely aided by a 99-yard pick six.
The verdict: Jury is still out. So much for that Gary Patterson defense. After hearing how much it improved, the Trojans defense looked very much like a Lincoln Riley one, allowing Rutgers to look the best it has been all season. Luckily, USC's offense is elite, but it's not going to be able to carry the weight all the time. While still innocent, don’t get too happy; the true evidence will be revealed against Oregon in Week 4. A verdict will be handed out.
No. 19 Louisville
The case: One of the biggest statements made in the ACC so far, Louisville's offense rolled in the second half to beat SMU 41-31 and start conference play 1-0.
The verdict: Not guilty. We have to start talking about playoff contender Louisville. Lincoln Kienholz is a gifted passer finally able to shine, and Keyjuan Brown and Isaac Brown getting in sync creates a lethal backfield. There's a reason Ole Miss was lucky to get out alive in Week 1, as the Cardinals are on their way to an ACC title game if it keeps it up.
No. 20 Texas A&M
The case: The Aggies couldn't defend home field against one of the lower quality teams in the SEC, with Kentucky scoring 28 unanswered points to power it to a 31-21 upset of Texas A&M.
The verdict: Guilty. After catching a reprieve in Week 2, Texas A&M got caught red handed in Week 3. The defense hasn't been anywhere near good enough, and Marcel Reed really struggled before he had to play catch up late. It's further proving the Aggies really got lucky against an easy schedule last season, and they're bound to take a step back with a much more difficult slate still coming up.
No. 25 SMU
The case: After it was found guilty earlier this season, SMU went for an appeal. In it, Kevin Jennings wasn't able to recreate more magic on the road, losing to Louisville after it turned the ball over twice in the fourth quarter and the Cardinals capitalized.
The verdict: Guilty. Being talented on paper only gets you so far. SMU's struggles taking care of the ball continue with seven turnovers in three games, and Jennings responsible for the three against Louisville. Whatever Heisman Trophy campaign SMU tried to build with him has been wrecked, and the Mustangs can't do much when it can't retain possession. A failed retrial.
Virginia
The case: The battle of the Virginias went to the way of West Virginia, with quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. playing the best game of his career so far to give the Mountaineers a ranked win over the Cavaliers.
The verdict: Jury is still out. All the talk was about the experience the Virginia offense had, but the defense was exposed. The offense did take time to find a flow, but there were clear issues with handling a mobile quarterback. It felt like a one-off in West Virginia just had everything work for it, but the defense has to work to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
North Carolina
The case: All was well for Bill Belichick when the Tar Heels jumped to a 17-3 lead that had the boo birds raining down in Clemson. But UNC sputtered in the second half with the Tigers completing a comeback after a lengthy weather delay.
The verdict: Guilty. The sweet start for North Carolina was good while it lasted. It really was a tale of two halves, only amassing 149 yards in the final two quarters as Bobby Petrino’s play-calling sputtered. Still, the offense hasn’t be impressive at all and there aren’t many indications it’ll get better with bowl eligibility now a tougher task than it was a few days ago.
Vanderbilt
The case: The lucky winner of the week is Vanderbilt, which was about to drop its first game of the season until North Carolina Statebotched a planned safety with a fumble in the end zone the Commodores recovered for a miraculous 35-31 win.
The verdict: Guilty. No matter how much lipstick you put on, it’s still a pig. Vanderbilt’s 3-0 record is extremely suspect given how it hasn’t really looked that good in any of the wins. The Commodores have benefitted from weak scheduling and a massive blunder. Jared Curtis looks like he has potential in his first season to get Vandy into bowl eligibility, but he’s going to have plenty of growing pains once the SEC games begin.
No. 22 Florida
The case: Winning is back in Gainesville with the Gators beating Auburn in an offensive explosion on the road to move to 3-0 for the first time since 2019. Jon Sumrall’s team is now ranked.
The verdict: Not guilty. He may not be your ordinary coach, but believe in what Sumrall has going. Florida’s offense is dangerous, starting with Jaden Baugh who is second in the country in rushing (458). A strong run game compliments a growing Aaron Philo, and you have a team that can easily play spoiler to some SEC heavyweights. The Swamp home field advantage is going to be even greater with these vibes.
Guilty teams this season
- Oregon
- Michigan
- Oklahoma
- SMU
- Clemson
- Nebraska
- Illinois
- Texas A&M
- North Carolina
- Vanderbilt
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fraud Alert: What SEC teams are legit or guilty after Week 3 results?
