The shocker of the weekend and perhaps the entire season came from the Rose Bowl, where 0-4 UCLA stunned No. 7 Penn State 42-37. The Nittany Lions, who were considered legitimate playoff contenders just two weeks ago, have now dropped back-to-back games in heartbreaking fashion. Penn State looked lifeless early, trailing 27-7 at halftime before mounting a furious comeback that ultimately fell short. For UCLA, it was a miraculous turnaround win that will live forever in program lore. For Penn State, it was a collapse that left fans and analysts alike speechless. A winless UCLA team toppling a top-10 power, this wasn’t just an upset, it was a shock to the system.
Over in Cincinnati, No. 14 Iowa State’s undefeated run came to an end, as the Cyclones fell 38-30 to the Bearcats. Playing without starting defensive backs Jeremiah Cooper and Jontez Williams, both lost for the season, Iowa State’s secondary was exposed while their defensive front was gashed for 260 rushing yards. Cincinnati’s Evan Pryor led the charge, rushing for 111 yards and two touchdowns on just 10 carries. His first score, a 30-yard sprint through a wide-open lane, broke the game open and symbolized how thoroughly Cincinnati controlled the trenches.
In Gainesville, No. 9 Texas suffered a frustrating 29-21 loss to Florida. Junior quarterback Arch Manning battled all game, showing flashes of his elite talent, but his defense let him down time and time again, and his O-Line was nonexistent for a majority of the game. The Longhorns’ secondary was repeatedly burned, allowing key conversions and explosive plays that kept the Gators in control. Manning’s two interceptions weren’t pretty, but the loss was not on him.
Elsewhere across the country-
Miami silenced Tallahassee, knocking off rival Florida State 28-22 in a game that wasn’t as close as the score suggested. The Hurricanes controlled the tempo throughout and stifled the Seminoles’ late rally.
No. 10 Alabama shook off a sluggish start to cruise past No. 16 Vanderbilt 30-14, reminding everyone they’re still a national threat.
No. 24 Virginia went on the road and handed Louisville its first loss of the season, winning a 30-27 overtime thriller.
No. 11 Texas Tech continued to prove why they belong among college football’s elite, further cementing themselves as a national championship contender with a dominant 35-11 road win over previously unbeaten Houston.
No. 1 Ohio State stayed flawless, steamrolling Minnesota 42-3.
And No. 21 Notre Dame, after starting 0-2, continued its resurgence with a dominant win over Boise State, marking their third straight victory.
When the dust settled, Upset Saturday had left the college football world spinning. A winless team took down a top-10 program, unbeatens were humbled, and several contenders saw their playoff hopes vanish. The message is clear in this chaotic season: no one is safe.