Last week’s slate appeared wholly uninteresting before delivering, as college football always does. Week 3 left zero doubt from the jump — then it found a way to exceed expectations.
We’ll discuss it more later (spoiler!), but Georgia and Tennessee played the best game of the early season on Saturday afternoon. Georgia Tech-Clemson, the Backyard Brawl and Notre Dame-Texas A&M were all games that could comfortably be slotted in the top 10.
We also saw some pretty impressive individual performances. I haven’t done honorable mentions in the past, but I just have to give a nod to Ahmad Hardy out of Mizzou — who rushed for an incredible 250 yards on 11.2 yards per carry with 3 rushing touchdowns. I get it, it’s Louisiana, but those are mind-boggling numbers. You get a comet, or something, Hardy.
So, if 250 yards and 3 touchdowns doesn’t get a star, what does? Let’s dive in.
First Star: Vanderbilt
A brief aside here. This is entirely out of my comfort zone; I don’t think I’ve ever said, given serious thought to or had any intention of ever typing what I’m about to type.
I think the Vanderbilt Commodores might be pretty good at football.
Now, that’s not to say Vanderbilt beating South Carolina was some massive surprise. The entire Saturday Down South team picked the Commodores to beat the Gamecocks in Columbia, in fact. No, it’s the way they beat a (supposedly) top 15 team. On the road. By more than 3 touchdowns.
And the way the Commodores beat Virginia Tech in Week 2. On the road. By more than 3 touchdowns. Even with the Hokies struggling.
This game had to feel like a religious experience for Vanderbilt fans, because while Diego Pavia and his offensive line were amazing, it was Vanderbilt’s defensive effort that paved the way for its 3-0 start to the 2025 season. Even last year ,when Vanderbilt surprised a few people with its 7-win season, that was rarely the case — Pavia and the Vandy offense had to grit their teeth through offense-dominated, competitive battles in wins over Alabama, Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech.
The Commodores defense made life hell for LaNorris Sellers and Luke Doty, and folks can’t even use the Sellers concussion excuse because Vanderbilt was leading when he exited the game at the end of the first half. Vanderbilt forced 4 turnovers while owning the time of possession battle and held the Gamecocks to just 86 yards rushing on 29 carries. Vandy controlled this one from the jump.
Georgia State and Utah State stand in the way of a 5-0 Vanderbilt against a ranked Alabama at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 4.
Second Star: Ty Simpson
You would think Ty Simpson belonged on the FBI’s Most Wanted list the way some folks around the country regarded the Alabama quarterback following his performance in Week 1.
Boy, did he shut those folks up in Weeks 2 and 3. Some quick stats for you:
Simpson has completed 41 of his last 46 passing attempts for 608 yards and 7 touchdowns across his past 2 games. He has yet to throw an interception this season, and he currently holds the 17th best QBR in the country, per ESPN. ULM and Wisconsin pose weaker secondaries than Florida State did in Week 1, but that’s not the point I’m trying to make here.
He responded. He had a rough Week 1, flushed it and delivered back-to-back near-perfect performances. Heck, his performance against ULM was perfect — he completed all 17 of his pass attempts for 226 yards and 3 touchdowns. Can’t do any better than that!
Can Alabama keep this momentum going? We’ll find out soon enough. Next up, the Tide observe a bye before facing a Georgia team that looks like one of the best squads in the country.
Third Star: Georgia vs. Tennessee
Speaking of… there’s a real chance Neyland Stadium just hosted the Game of the Year. Again.
Week 3’s war between Georgia and Tennessee had a little bit of everything. For one, there were stakes — Tennessee had fallen to Georgia 8 straight times dating back to the Butch Jones era, a streak that, for Vols fans, agonizingly increased to 9 when it was all said and done. And it goes without saying that this result will be massive for Georgia in both the SEC and CFP race.
The game also featured a ton of offense, fantastic quarterback play from both sides, a late-game comeback, a missed field goal at the horn, overtime… what more can we say? Again, it had a little bit of everything.
It sure didn’t look like Gunner Stockton was making the first true road start of his career at Neyland Stadium, either. The Bulldogs quarterback proved that much with his pro-level throw to London Humphreys for a score. Late in the game. On 4th down. With all of Vol Nation in his ear. Seriously, talk about clutch:
Tennessee fell yet again, and the fanbase certainly won’t like any of that moral victory sympathy from me, but it’s hard to come away from that game feeling too negative about the Vols. Joey Aguilar looks legit, as does his offensive line. Not to mention, the Vols hung around with what appears to be an elite Georgia squad despite being down 2 starting cornerbacks, 1 (maybe 2) starting defensive tackle(s) and its presumed starting right tackle.
Who knows? Maybe Georgia and Tennessee will meet again in the SEC Championship Game.
Team Statistical Leaders (Week 3)
Most points scored: 63 – Mississippi State (vs. Alcorn State)
Fewest points scored: 7 – South Carolina (vs. Vanderbilt)
Fewest points allowed: 0 – Mississippi State
Most points allowed: 44 – Tennessee (vs. Georgia)
Most rushing yards: 427 – Mizzou (vs. Louisiana)
Fewest rushing yards: 72 – Alabama (vs. Wisconsin)
Fewest rushing yards allowed: 26 – Oklahoma (vs. Temple)
Most rushing yards allowed: 221 – Ole Miss (vs. Arkansas)
Fewest passing yards allowed: 4 – Mizzou
Most passing yards allowed: 371 – Georgia
Most total yards: 606 – Mizzou
Fewest total yards: 316 – LSU (vs. Florida)
Fewest yards allowed: 104 – Oklahoma
Most yards allowed: 526 – Ole Miss
Most penalty yardage accumulated: 86 – Texas A&M (vs. Notre Dame)
Fewest penalty yardage accumulated: 25 – Oklahoma
Best turnover margin: +4 – LSU
Worst turnover margin: -4 – Florida
Most first downs: 32 – Mizzou
Fewest first downs: 10 – LSU
Tackles for loss: 11 – Oklahoma
Sacks: 4 – Alabama, Oklahoma
Individual Statistical Leaders (Week 3)
Passing touchdowns: 4 – Joey Aguilar (Tennessee), Ty Simpson (Alabama)
Passing yards: 382 – Ty Simpson (Alabama)
Receiving touchdowns: 3 – Chris Brazzell (Tennessee)
Receiving yards: 207 – Mario Craver (Texas A&M)
Receptions: 9 – Braylon Staley (Tennessee)
Rushing touchdowns: 3 – Seth McGowan (Kentucky), Le’Veon Moss (Texas A&M), Ahmad Hardy (Mizzou)
Rushing yards: 250 – Ahmad Hardy (Mizzou)
Yards per carry (min. 10 carries): 11.4 – Ahmad Hardy (Mizzou)
Tackles: 14 – Davhon Keys (LSU)
Sacks: 1.5 – Caleb Herring (Tennessee)
PBU: 3 – Sammy Omosigho (Oklahoma)
Ethan Stone is a Tennessee graduate and loves all things college football and college basketball. Firm believer in fouling while up 3.
