Two Top 10 College Football Programs Take Hits Following Losses to Unranked Opponents in Week 6

The College Football Playoff hopes of No. 9 Texas and No. 7 Penn State are in serious jeopardy after both programs suffered surprising losses to unranked opponents on Saturday.

Texas Longhorns’ Struggle Continues

Quarterback Arch Manning and the Texas Longhorns laid an egg in their first game against a Power 5 program since their season opener loss to then-No. 3 Ohio State. Behind a shaky offensive line, Manning threw for 263 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions as Texas fell 29-21 to Florida at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in front of 90,714 fans.

The outcome was unexpected, especially considering Texas entered the year ranked No. 1 in the Associated Press preseason poll. Meanwhile, Florida came into the game with a disappointing 1-3 record, making the Longhorns’ loss all the more startling.

Penn State Nittany Lions Falter After Overtime Heartbreaker

Following a heartbreaking overtime loss to No. 2 Oregon in Week 5, Penn State came out flat against a previously winless UCLA team. The Nittany Lions trailed 24-7 at halftime in the Rose Bowl, struggling to keep pace.

Quarterback Drew Allar helped close the gap in the second half, but it wasn’t enough. UCLA transfer quarterback Nico Iamaleava earned his first win in a Bruins uniform, as Penn State fell 42-37 in front of 39,256 fans.

Once a preseason favorite to contend for the Big Ten championship, the Nittany Lions are now 0-2 in conference play.

Fan Backlash and Rankings Fallout

Social media exploded with frustration and disappointment, with fans labeling Texas and Penn State as “frauds” following Saturday’s revelations.

“Texas and Penn State are the biggest frauds ever,” one fan wrote.

“As a Penn State fan, it’s easy to identify frauds (my team being one). Texas is always a fraud,” posted another.

“Most overhyped, overrated teams I think I have ever seen in all of my 40 years of enjoying college football: Texas and Penn State. Frauds. Period,” argued a third.

“Let’s go ahead and unrank Texas and Penn State,” suggested another fan.

“As the weeks go on, we see the frauds and the teams who are elevated by beating frauds. By now, many are waking up to the fact that Penn State and Texas are frauds and should have never been ranked. You’re late to the game, but welcome to reality,” added one more.

Looking Ahead

Following these setbacks, Texas and Penn State are all but certain to drop out of the Top 10 after Week 6. The question remains whether they will stay within the Top 25, and if so, where they will land.

Texas must regroup quickly as they prepare to take on No. 5 Oklahoma in the highly anticipated “Red River Rivalry” in Week 7. Penn State will host 3-2 Northwestern, looking to get back on track on their home turf.

Stay tuned as both teams fight to keep their College Football Playoff dreams alive.
https://www.newsweek.com/sports/ncaa/penn-state-texas-college-football-frauds-10829951