College Football

Oklahoma, UCLA upsets show NFL still can't touch college football's unpredictability | Opinion

October 11, 2026

College football’s unpredictability remains its defining trait, as underdog teams continue to defy expectations in Week 6. Oklahoma, despite a struggling offense and a coaching staff reportedly on the brink of major roster changes, stunned No.

1 Texas in the Red River Rivalry with a last-second 47-yard field goal. The Sooners’ victory hinged on a blocked punt for a touchdown, two interception returns for scores, and clutch throws from quarterback John Mateer to receiver Isaiah Satenga.

Meanwhile, UCLA, a program that hasn’t been relevant since the 1990s, stunned Big Ten power Oregon by forcing six turnovers, including a dominant performance from backup quarterback Ty Dieffenbach. The Bruins’ 5-foot-7 tailback, Wayne Knight—a transfer from James Madison—led the charge with 103 rushing yards, a touchdown, and another receiving score, showcasing the impact of transfers in reshaping teams.

Even South Carolina, reeling after an eight-game SEC losing streak, dismantled Florida in Gainesville, a team that had looked like a College Football Playoff lock just weeks earlier after a dominant win over LSU. The volatility underscores why predictions in college football are always risky, no matter how much money or conference realignment reshapes the landscape.