Stock up, stock down from college football Week 3: The Gators’ offense is back
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Lane Kiffin went down to his former school, Ole Miss, in Week 3 of college football, and that was the storyline of the week. But there were a lot of other storylines that followed an action-packed weekend of football.
NC State found a new and embarrassing way to lose. QB C.J. Bailey fumbled the ball into the end zone, where Vanderbilt recovered to win the game. The Wolfpack wanted to run out the clock and take a safety to win the game, but the one thing that can’t happen — happened.
On Friday night, Darian Mensah continued his incredible play and went a perfect 24-for-24 to start the game. And there was a lot more that happened.
Here is our latest stock up, stock down from the weekend.
MORE: College football overreactions after Week 3: Give Darian Mensah the Heisman
Stock up: Mississippi QBs
It was one heck of a weekend for both Trinidad Chambliss and Kamario Taylor from Ole Miss and Mississippi State, respectively. The Rebels took care of Lane Kiffin and LSU, 32-24, and the Bulldogs took down South Carolina, 41-34, to remain undefeated.
Both Chambliss and Taylor are in the early running for the Heisman Trophy. Chambliss is averaging 308 yards per game, which ranks him No. 6 in the country, and he has seven passing TDs and two rushing TDs to his name in 2026.
As far as Taylor, he has 832 passing yards in three games, along with 11 passing TDs and one rushing TD. We all knew Chambliss was a special talent, but Taylor has come on strong and will be a fun watch for the remainder of the year.
Stock down: Texas A&M Aggies
It was a great weekend for the Mississippi schools, but one to forget for Mike Elko and the Aggies. One week after struggling with Arizona State for a half, Texas A&M fell to Kentucky at home. The Wildcats came into Kyle Field and left with a 31-21 win.
The Aggies went from No. 9 to No. 23 in the AP Top 25, and QB Marcel Reed threw a pair of picks in the game. Texas A&M will play LSU this weekend and neither team can afford another loss, but it might be tough sledding for the Aggies moving forward.
Turnovers and inconsistent offense might doom Elko’s team.
Stock up: Lincoln Kienholz is the right guy for Jeff Brohm
The Cardinals took a tough loss to open the season against Ole Miss, which is playing as well as anyone in the country through three weeks. But Louisville isn’t playing bad and head coach Jeff Brohm’s team picked up a major win. Louisville took down SMU, 41-31, this weekend.
It all starts with the Ohio State transfer Lincoln Kienholz, who continues to produce in his first season starting. Kienholz threw for 177 yards and two TDs, while rushing for another in the Cardinals’ win. He likely won’t produce gaudy stats this season, but he fits Brohm’s system to perfection.
Kienholz has a good enough arm to stretch the defense and can move with his feet to extend plays. It’s a match made in heaven, and Louisville is going to be dangerous.
Stock down: Kevin Jennings’ Heisman candidacy
SMU’s Kevin Jennings is as talented a QB as there is, but he can’t stop turning the ball over. Jennings threw two INTs and fumbled once in the loss to Louisville over the weekend. In three games, Jennings now has five turnovers in three games to his name.
He’s explosive, and the SMU offense can score a bunch of points, but the Mustangs will lose the big games if Jennings can’t rein in his turnover issues. It’s still early, but SMU has a loss in ACC play and can’t afford any more if it’s going to accomplish its goals.
Stock up: Dare we say the Gators are back?
Oh boy, here we go again. Jon Sumrall has the Florida Gators playing some good football, and while the Gators’ defense allowed 39 points to Auburn, it’s Florida’s offense that appears to be explosive. In three weeks, UF has the No. 2 scoring offense, averaging 54 points per game.
Granted, Florida has faced both Florida Atlantic and Campbell, but the UF of old wouldn’t have put up these types of numbers. Georgia Tech transfer Aaron Philo is playing well at the QB spot, and Jadan Baugh is one of the best RBs in the country.
The Gators will take on Ole Miss this weekend. Let’s see what kind of performance they put on.
Stock down: Mike Norvell’s time at FSU
Florida State had a 21-6 lead over Alabama in the second quarter, but lost the game 50-36. FSU is now 1-2 and both of the Seminoles’ tough games were losses. FSU had chances to beat both SMU and the Tide.
But Mike Norvell’s team continues to find ways to lose games, even when QB Ashton Daniels throws for 377 yards and two TDs — the three INTs are another point altogether.
FSU already made the decision to move on from Athletic Director Michael Alford, and now the writing is on the wall for Mike Norvell. The Seminoles will win this weekend against Central Arkansas, but a three-game stretch of Virginia, Louisville and Miami won’t be kind to Norvell or his job.
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