Week 3 Overreactions: Most schools would trade starting QB for Arch Manning, Travis Hunter destined to be Heisman Trophy finalist
We’re already one-quarter of the way through the 2024 season for many of the teams in college football. That’s what makes this sport so special. It’s the smallest of sample sizes, and in a flash, it comes and goes.
With three full Saturdays in the books, we know more and more each week about these players, coaches and teams.
Here are some Week 3 overreactions.
Arch Manning would start at every other school in the country not named Texas, Georgia or Tennessee
I won’t come out and make a totally hyperbolic statement like Arch Manning is a darkhorse 2024 Heisman Trophy contender, but I do believe that all but maybe 2-3 schools in college football would trade their starting quarterback for Texas’ backup tomorrow.
Manning was outstanding Saturday in relief of Quinn Ewers, accounting for five touchdowns and displaying the full arsenal in his tool-kit. He’s a Manning who can move — ripping off the longest run by a Texas QB since Vince Young. With Ewers sidelined, Manning might get the next couple of games to really showcase his potential, too.
The Longhorns have obviously chosen to ride with Ewers over the sensational redshirt freshman, and for similar reasons, I believe Georgia would be loyal to Carson Beck, who patiently stuck around, won 12 games last season and is a projected Top 5 NFL Draft pick on a national title contender.
Other than that, Tennessee is the only team in the country I see who would definitely turn down an Arch Manning for Nico Iamaleava trade. Nico, and all he represents for the Vols’ present and future, means that much for Tennessee.
Ohio State would take Manning over the rest of its QB-room. Same for Penn State, Missouri and every Big 12 contender.
If given truth serum, I absolutely think Kalen DeBoer would do a swap Jalen Milroe for Manning. Same for Lane Kiffin with Jaxson Dart — and both of those veterans have been outstanding so far this season and are actually on the Heisman Trophy shortlist.
Miami, Oregon and USC all like their guys, but if Arch Manning was on the table?
Manning certainly looks like a guy who is going to win a future Heisman Trophy, and whenever his time comes as the starter, he looks like a star in the making for Texas.
Indiana will finish in the Top 8 of the Big Ten standings
Curt Cignetti’s team was slept on big-time this offseason — including by yours truly. While I loved the Hoosiers’ hire of the former JMU head coach, I wasn’t sure how a totally portal’d roster — including a ton of former Dukes coming to Bloomington — would fare in a new-look Big Ten in Year 1.
Well, the early returns have been splendid. Cignetti spent the offseason talking all sorts of smack, and all Indiana has done to start 2024 is bash teams in the face. The Hoosiers beat FIU and Western Illinois by a combined 108-10, and then this weekend, went to UCLA, took over the Rose Bowl, and won 42-13. They’ve been brutally efficient — on offense and defense.
Cignetti was furious throughout the blowout over the Bruins because the score could’ve been much, much worse, too! Indiana was flagged an absurd 14 times for 127 yards, with scores and third-down conversions being wiped away due to flags.
This team was projected to win just five games in 2024 and picked to finish 16th (out of 18) teams in the Big Ten. Now they’re favorites to start 6-0 before a home date with No. 22 Nebraska. Kurtis Rourke & Co., are going to finish in the top half of the league by season’s end.
Travis Hunter will be a Heisman Trophy finalist
Colorado’s two-way super-star did not crack the Top 3 on any of the On3’s Heisman Trophy ballots this week (including mine) but don’t confuse that with thinking I don’t believe Hunter is a viable contender for the award.
As long as he stays healthy, he’s going to get an invite to New York City — no matter how many games Colorado wins.
Hunter was incredible against Saturday, hauling in 13 receptions for 100 yards and two touchdowns while playing all the defensive snaps for the Buffs, too. He picked off a pass (his first this season), added a PBU and had five tackles.
Outside of Ashton Jeanty, no other player in the country is making more of an impact on their team. On the season, Hunter has 30 catches (second-most nationally), five touchdowns (also No. 2 in the country), 11 tackles and one interception.
With Big 12 playing starting next week, Hunter’s two-way brilliance will only be featured in more primetime spots, too. The Buffs’ team isn’t any good, but Hunter is a legitimate superstar unlike we’ve seen in modern CFB.