That 41-24 loss to the Iowa Hawkeyes on Saturday had to sting for Washington Huskies fans, trust me. Emerald City, Week 6 of college football was an absolute whirlwind across the nation, and while our local squad took a tough one, down south, Kirby Smart just solidified his undisputed reign over Alabama. Out on the West Coast, UCLA made a monster statement win, officially throwing their hat into the ring as a serious contender.
Kirby Smart Just Ended The Alabama Problem, Period.
Alright, let’s talk about Kirby Smart, because the man is on a mission. We can finally, officially, put the “Kirby Smart’s Alabama problem” narrative to bed. Done. Finished. Kaput. He’s beaten Kalen DeBoer’s Crimson Tide twice in a row, including a huge win in Tuscaloosa this past Saturday. And let’s not forget, he already snagged a national title by beating Nick Saban back in the day. There’s no need to invent stakes or weaknesses when this guy faces off against college football’s biggest brands. Smart is arguably the game’s greatest coach right now, and frankly, he doesn’t need manufactured obstacles to prove it. He just wins.
No. 1 Texas Never Passed The Eye Test, And Arch Manning Proved It
Meanwhile, down in Texas, the Longhorns had been sitting pretty at No. 1 in the AP Top 25 for weeks. Everyone knew why: that big win over Ohio State. It put them right at the top, but honestly, the “eye test” was always a struggle. It was the whole “best versus most deserving” debate, and while rewarding that Ohio State win felt right, that Texas offense left a lot, and I mean a lot, to be desired.
A big chunk of that blame lands squarely on Arch Manning. The guy threw two crucial picks in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s loss to Oklahoma, and that’s just tough. But Head Coach Steve Sarkisian deserves a good portion of the blame too. Seriously, Texas has the highest three-and-out rate in the SEC, tied for second nationally. That screams inconsistency. Their offense just goes ice-cold for stretches, and you cannot win College Football Playoff games like that. They might not even reach the Playoff with an offense that’s this much of a limiting factor.
UCLA Is The Real Deal, And That Oregon Win Proved It
Now, for a legitimately exciting story! Everyone coming into this season wondered who would be the next Indiana, you know, after Curt Cignetti’s national title run. Who would be that next great college football turnaround? The next great American sports story? And yeah, it almost feels like a cop-out to say it’s UCLA, like “of course it’s another former James Madison coach turning around a Big Ten bottom-feeder.” But you know what? Of course it is!
Like Cignetti, UCLA’s Chesney came from JMU with a history of winning at lower levels. He knew how to win with less, how to identify and develop talent, how to build a winning culture. He even brought some key players, like Wayne Knight, and most of his staff to Westwood. He literally brought his dad, his “secret weapon,” to help instill that culture and ensure good vibes. And the vibes are absolutely fabulous, especially after a monster win at Oregon this past weekend. That win proved UCLA is way more than just a great story. This is a great, creative offense that can absolutely hang with, and even beat, teams with way more raw talent. They might even be favored in all of their remaining games. Talk about a glow-up!
So, yeah, Huskies fans, that Iowa score stings, and we’ve got to hope the team can regroup fast. For UCLA, it’s all about keeping that momentum rolling and proving they truly belong among the elite. Texas has to figure out that offense, and fast, if they want any shot at the Playoff. And for Kirby Smart, well, it’s just another week of proving why he’s the best in the game. It’s a long season, Seattle, but Week 6 certainly showed us some true colors and some wild swings!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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