Week three of the 2025-2026 college football season proved to be yet another week of absolute cinema. The game of the week featured number-six-ranked Georgia coming to Knoxville, TN, to face the number-15-ranked Tennessee Volunteers.
The Volunteers had lowered expectations coming into this season due to starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava transferring to UCLA, as well as many key players leaving for the draft. In the offseason, the Vols picked up Joey Aguilar, an unproven transfer from Appalachian State.
Although these expectations were low, Tennessee picked up right where they left off from last season, blowing out both teams they played and Aguilar looking like a Heisman contender while doing so. Georgia is led by junior quarterback Gunner Stockton. Stockton, the former four star, committed to Georgia three years ago and has been waiting for his chance to become QB1—this season was his chance.
The game did not disappoint. It was a shootout all game as both teams scored over 40 points, a rare occurrence in a high-ranked SEC game. Aguilar totaled 370 yards and four touchdowns. While he had a monster game statistically, he also threw for two crucial interceptions that ultimately cost them the game. On the other hand, Georgia’s Stockton threw for a much more efficient 300 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions. This efficiency allowed Georgia to stay ahead in the game most of the time.
As the game winded down to the final seconds, it was locked at 38-38. Tennessee had worked the clock down to three seconds remaining with a chance to win it with a field goal. With three seconds remaining, sophomore kicker Max Gilbert lined up for the 43-yard field goal. As the kick was away, it immediately went wide right for a miss. Georgia had another chance to win it in overtime.
In overtime, the Georgia defense held the Volunteers to only a field goal, in which they capitalized with a game winning rush from star running back Nate Frazier.
Other important games included number-10 Texas A&M taking down top-10-ranked Notre Dame. This game went down to the wire as a faulty hold on an extra point cost them the game. Tyler Buchner, the lacrosse star and backup quarterback, was the place holder for the kicker. As the ball was snapped, Buchner could not grab it and had to roll out to throw the ball away. Down six points with around a minute to go, Texas A&M scored a game-winning touchdown at the end of regulation to secure the 4q-40 victory.
Notre Dame, a preseason favorite, is now likely out of the college football playoff only three weeks into the season, as they are now 0-2. Another preseason top 15 team, Florida also has two losses to start the season as they lost to LSU, 20-10. Florida quarterback DJ Lagway threw for an astonishing five interceptions, which without a doubt cost them the game.
