Final Week Six Thoughts from Auburn and Across the Land
Georgia @ Alabama
· Auburn did not play this past weekend as it was on its only bye week of the season. Much, if not most, of the college football viewing public was watching the Tigers’ next opponent on Saturday night. Kirby Smart’s Georgia Bulldogs outlasted Alabama 20-17 in Tuscaloosa. Georgia was the recipient of an absurd no-call on a clear pass interference penalty that would have positioned Alabama to tie or pull ahead in the game. The Crimson Tide then compounded their predicament when sophomore cornerback Dijon Lee proceeded to commit what can only be described as a boneheaded unsportsmanlike conduct penalty by hitting a Georgia receiver in the face mask after the play was over, directly in front of an official. That penalty allowed Georgia to run out the clock and preserve its victory. The Bulldogs will now boast a #1 ranking when Auburn travels to Athens Saturday afternoon. Will Georgia experience a letdown after Saturday’s emotional win? Will the Tigers have a fighting chance against its ancient rival? Perhaps, but only if Auburn has improved on both sides of the ball during its off week. An anemic start and pre-snap penalties on offense and failing to stop the run and poor tackling on defense would make for a long afternoon between the hedges.
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LSU @ Kentucky
· For the second straight week, first year Wildcats’ head coach Will Stein showed he certainly does not lack for fearlessness. After going for two and defeating South Carolina in overtime last weekend, Stein doubled down against LSU Saturday night. After tying the game in regulation on a field goal, Kentucky went on defense in the first overtime period. LSU easily scored, and the Cats answered on a CJ Baxter touchdown run. Stein again made the call to go for the win, foregoing an extra point and a second overtime period. Quarterback Kenny Minchey then proceeded to jog untouched on a quarterback draw right through the middle of a clueless LSU defense for a huge win that moved Kentucky to 5-1 on the year. It was another road loss for Lane Kiffin and his Bengal Tigers. Playing on the road in the SEC is still hazardous, regardless of the size of a visiting team’s NIL budget or head coach’s salary. Auburn will host Kiffin and company at Jordan-Hare Stadium on October 24th.
Texas vs. Oklahoma
· The Red River Rivalry delivered another instant classic. Oklahoma defeated Texas 27-24 on a game-ending 47-yard field goal by kicker Tate Sandell. The kick followed an Arch Manning interception, who had earlier in the fourth quarter, thrown a pick-six to Sooner defensive back Peyton Bowen. Texas also surrendered a touchdown on a blocked punt in the first half. It was certainly an afternoon of Longhorn debacles for Steve Sarkisian’s squad. Sandell, for his part, was heard in the postgame celebration demanding, "Give me my hat." The hat he was speaking of is the Golden Hat Trophy that goes to the winning team in this annual contest at Dallas’ Cotton Bowl adjacent to the Annual State Fair of Texas. It had to be a galling loss for Texas fans who must be wondering how their team came up short against an opponent that scored one offensive touchdown.
Indiana @ Nebraska
· The Hoosiers showed they still have championship spirit and championship DNA in them. Trailing 17-6 to the Cornhuskers in Lincoln, quarterback Josh Hoover and receiver Nick Marsh took over. The duo connected for two Indiana touchdowns in the fourth quarter to give the Hoosiers a victory in a game Nebraska controlled for much of the afternoon. It was another impressive comeback for Curt Cignetti’s team. There is not much time to celebrate, however, as Indiana returns home to Bloomington for a high Noon showdown with the Buckeyes of Ohio State this Saturday.
UCLA @ Oregon
· UCLA just might be for real. They are now 5-0 after defeating a talented Oregon team on the road. The Ducks were down to their third quarterback, but it is not an easy feat to go into Eugene and win. Bob Chesney and his team now sit at the top of the Big 10 conference with Indiana and Ohio State. Another inexcusable officiating mistake marred the end of the contest. With 2:16 to play, Oregon was attempting a two-point conversion to tie the game. They were stopped short, but UCLA was flagged for a face mask penalty. Officials then spotted the ball at the one-and-a-half-yard line instead of the half-yard line as required by the rules. Oregon’s second attempt came up a foot short. Severe and immediate accountability should be forthcoming, but I would not hold my breath waiting for it.
South Carolina @ Florida
· Just a couple of weeks ago, Jon Sumrall was riding high and trying out social media trolling as a side gig to coaching the Gators. Florida’s then number 8 national ranking is now a distant memory after getting demolished on the road against Missouri, followed by an embarrassing blowout loss at home to a struggling South Carolina team. It is a long season in the SEC. Every week is both an opportunity for reward and for humbling. Sumrall would do well to remember that. He’s not at Troy or Tulane anymore.
Other Notes
· Bill Belichick secured probably his biggest win as North Carolina’s head coach over Pitt in the steel city.
· Umass, who started the season an improbable 4-0, dropped their second in a row after going for two and coming up just short against Miami (OH). The Minutemen are still a feel-good story of the 2026 season.
· Huge win for Brent Key and his Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on the Flats Saturday, as they beat previously unbeaten Duke 28-25.
· Illinois stops Michigan State's two-point conversion to prevail 38-37 in overtime at East Lansing. Sparty’s misery continues.
· North Dakota State’s undefeated season ends at the hands of Dan Mullen, former Auburn quarterback Jackson Arnold, and the UNLV Running Rebels.
Until next week…
Auburn Undercover is an independent Auburn sports media company covering Auburn athletics, recruiting and insider news.
