College Football Season Brings Surprises and New No. 1 Team

By the Editorial Team · Monday, October 12, 2026

Oklahoma upset No. 1 Texas with a last-second field goal despite offensive struggles, while UCLA and South Carolina also secured notable victories against major rivals. These surprising results highlight the ongoing unpredictability of college football amid evolving team dynamics and the challenges posed by the transfer portal and NIL era.

This college football season has delivered a series of unexpected outcomes, underscoring the sport’s enduring unpredictability despite ongoing changes in the game’s structure and commercial landscape. From surprising victories to shifts in team fortunes, the latest rounds of competition continue to challenge conventional expectations.

One of the most notable upsets came from Oklahoma, led by coach Brent Venables. Despite significant struggles on offense and questions surrounding player personnel, Oklahoma managed to defeat No. 1-ranked Texas in the Red River Rivalry with a last-second field goal. The Sooners overcame a series of setbacks, including an underperforming offensive line and a quarterback with declining confidence, by capitalizing on special teams plays and key defensive stops. Venables emphasized the resilience of his players, saying, “Our guys refuse to break,” highlighting the team’s determination despite their statistical struggles.

UCLA also emerged as a surprising contender, using a backup quarterback and forcing six turnovers to secure a win against Big Ten powerhouse Oregon on the road. The Bruins’ performance defied recent decades of relative obscurity. Junior tailback Wayne Knight, a transfer from James Madison University, was a standout player in the game, rushing for 103 yards, scoring a touchdown on the ground and another through the air. Knight’s contributions have been critical in UCLA’s early-season success, as he has accounted for 10 total touchdowns in five games.

Meanwhile, South Carolina posted a decisive victory over Florida in Gainesville, ending an eight-game SEC losing streak against the Gators. Florida had appeared strong earlier this season, at one point seemingly positioned as a College Football Playoff (CFP) contender after a win over Ole Miss, a team that itself had defeated LSU.

Despite these surprises, analysts caution against prematurely projecting some teams as CFP locks. UCLA’s current success, for example, may not be sustainable with a backup quarterback facing increased defensive scrutiny. Similarly, the volatility seen across other programs reflects the broader uncertainty permeating college football, even as the sport grapples with evolving issues like the transfer portal and the name, image, and likeness (NIL) era.

Indiana also had a narrow escape, rallying late to win 20-17 against Nebraska, a program that has struggled to maintain competitiveness in recent decades. Indiana’s performance contributed to the mounting pressure on the defending national champions, who face a pivotal next game against one-loss Ohio State.

The season’s shifting dynamics reveal college football’s capacity to surprise and to defy predictability, in contrast with the more measured and uniform nature of professional football. Coaches and players alike are navigating an environment where resilience and adaptability remain paramount.

As UCLA coach Bob Chesney remarked, “This is not the normal UCLA,” alluding to the changing fortunes and emerging opportunities for programs across the country. For fans and participants, this season continues to embody the unpredictable spirit that has sustained college football for nearly two centuries.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.