In Nashville, the college football landscape was shaken on Saturday as the Vanderbilt Commodores pulled off a monumental upset, defeating the No. 1-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide 40-35. This stunning victory marked Vanderbilt’s first win against an AP top-five team in the program’s history. Despite Alabama’s dominance in previous matchups, where they outscored Vanderbilt 172-13, the Commodores executed a game plan that kept the ball away from Alabama’s high-powered offense, controlling the clock for 42 minutes compared to Alabama’s 18.
The game kicked off with fireworks as Vanderbilt’s defense made a big play early. Heisman hopeful Jalen Milroe threw a first-quarter interception, leading to a pick-six that set the stage for an early 13-0 lead for Vanderbilt. Despite a strong effort from Alabama to catch up, including a fourth-quarter drive that appeared promising, the Commodores disrupted Milroe with a crucial fumble recovery that ultimately decided the game.
Quarterback Diego Pavia led the Vanderbilt offense effectively, completing 16 of 20 passes for 252 yards, along with scoring two touchdowns. Milroe, by contrast, finished with 310 passing yards but was hampered by a late-game fumble. This victory boosts Vanderbilt’s record to 3-2 overall and 1-1 in the SEC as they prepare to face Kentucky next week. Alabama, now standing at 4-1 and 1-1 in the SEC, aims to rebound next week against South Carolina.
Meanwhile, in another dramatic turn of events, the Arkansas Razorbacks defeated the No. 4 Tennessee Volunteers 19-14 with a late-game touchdown, handing Tennessee its first loss of the season. The game was characterized by strong defensive plays, and despite Tennessee’s high-octane offense averaging over 60 points in previous games, the Razorbacks effectively controlled possession and disrupted their rhythm.
Over in Northwest Stadium, the Washington Huskies claimed a measure of revenge over No. 10 Michigan, upsetting them 27-17. Both teams saw significant changes since their last encounter, leading to a thriller that saw the Huskies jump out to an early lead and maintain momentum through the final stretch.
In closely contested battles, the Golden Gophers from Minnesota edged out No. 11 Southern California 24-17, capitalizing on turnovers and a powerful rushing game led by Darius Taylor. Meanwhile, Texas A&M crushed Missouri in a one-sided affair, with the Aggies’ defense dominating throughout the game.
As the season progresses, fans eagerly await how these results will reshape the landscape of college football. With so many unexpected twists, it’s clear anything can happen, especially as conference play heats up in the coming weeks.
