College Football

College football winners and losers: Oregon and Texas A&M headline the most disappointing teams of the first 6 weeks

October 11, 2026

With the college football season halfway complete, two programs that had lofty playoff ambitions are now facing significant disappointment. Oregon, despite losing star quarterback Dante Moore, has struggled to capitalize on its talent, highlighted by a 17-15 loss to UCLA where Dylan Raiola posted career-low numbers—completing just 6 of 19 passes for 43 yards and throwing three turnovers.

The Ducks’ offensive miscues, including seven total turnovers and a costly fumble on the final play, left them needing a game-tying two-point conversion attempt in the fourth quarter—a decision that backfired after an earlier failed conversion. With a roster full of unpolished potential, Oregon’s chances of returning to the College Football Playoff now hinge on an improbable win streak down the stretch, while questions linger over head coach Dan Lanning’s play-calling under pressure.

Texas A&M’s offensive collapse has been even more stark, as the Aggies’ 27-6 loss at Missouri exposed just how much the departure of Collin Klein and first-round draft pick KC Concepcion has hurt their attack. Without their dynamic duo, A&M managed fewer than 80 yards in the first half and trailed by seven at halftime before being completely outplayed in the second.

Head coach Mike Elko’s postgame remarks—including a blunt “Does this look confident to you?”—underscored the desperation gripping the program. Now at .500 after six weeks, Texas A&M’s playoff hopes appear all but vanished, leaving Elko scrambling to rebuild an offense that has shown little sign of improvement.