B/R's 2026 College Football Winners and Losers from Week 3

Key Points:

• Miami quarterback Darian Mensah set an ACC record with 24 consecutive completions and finished with 30-of-34 passing for 220 yards and three touchdowns in a 33-20 win over Wake Forest, showcasing his growing threat to defenses.
• Houston narrowly missed a major upset at Texas Tech, falling short on a last-minute two-point conversion attempt that would have forced overtime, marking a painful near-miss in their Big 12 aspirations.
• Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith became the school's all-time leader in receiving yards during a 59-3 win over Kent State, solidifying his legacy as one of the program's greatest players.
• NC State suffered a shocking collapse against Vanderbilt, fumbling on a risky 4th-and-7 play inside their own 10-yard line in the final seconds, allowing Vanderbilt to score and win 35-31 in a stunning finish.
• Louisville emerged as a top contender in the ACC with a 41-31 win over SMU, benefiting from a favorable schedule that positions them as a strong challenger to Miami for the conference title and a potential College Football Playoff spot.