Several prominent college football programs are facing growing pressure after a difficult stretch of the 2026 season. Oregon, Texas A&M, Washington and Texas suffered damaging defeats over the weekend, raising questions about coaching decisions, quarterback performance and whether preseason expectations can still be met.
The problems became more apparent on October 10, when Oregon lost to UCLA, Texas A&M fell to Missouri and top-ranked Texas suffered a stunning defeat against Oklahoma. Washington also struggled against Iowa, leaving its coaching staff searching for answers as the Big Ten season continued.
Oregon Falls From National Rankings
Oregon entered the 2026 season ranked No. 2 nationally, with head coach Dan Lanning hoping to maintain the Ducks' status as a College Football Playoff contender. Instead, the team has struggled to produce consistent results and entered the middle of October with a 3-2 record.
The latest setback came Saturday when No. 21 UCLA defeated No. 13 Oregon 17-15 at Autzen Stadium. Oregon managed just 272 yards of total offense and converted only one of 12 third-down opportunities.
Starting quarterback Dante Moore missed the game because of a concussion sustained during Oregon's September 26 victory over USC. His absence created another challenge for an offense already adjusting to major coaching changes.
Former offensive coordinator Will Stein left Oregon to become Kentucky's head coach. Former defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi also departed for a head coaching opportunity at California, requiring Lanning to replace two important members of his staff.
Kentucky has made a promising start under Stein, reaching 5-1 after an overtime victory against LSU. Oregon, meanwhile, has experienced uneven results despite retaining considerable talent.
The UCLA loss also brought controversy. The Big Ten acknowledged that officials incorrectly spotted the football during a late Oregon two-point conversion attempt. The conference said it would review the mistake, although the game result remained unchanged.
Oregon subsequently fell out of the Associated Press Top 25 for the first time since 2022. The Ducks must now improve their offensive execution while preparing for another important Big Ten matchup against Nebraska on October 17.
Texas A&M Struggles After Coaching Departures
Texas A&M has experienced an equally disappointing start under head coach Mike Elko. The Aggies entered the season hoping to build on their previous College Football Playoff appearance but have struggled to establish a reliable offense.
Saturday's 27-6 defeat against Missouri dropped Texas A&M to 3-3 overall and 1-3 in Southeastern Conference play. The Aggies failed to score a touchdown and received all six points from kicker David Olano.
Missouri's defense controlled the game, particularly during the first three quarters. Texas A&M repeatedly struggled to sustain drives, putting additional pressure on a defense that could not compensate for the team's offensive difficulties.
Quarterback Marcel Reed has faced increasing criticism as the passing attack has become less effective. Against Missouri, he struggled to establish a consistent rhythm while the offense battled protection problems and missed opportunities.
The Aggies also entered 2026 without two important coordinators from the previous season. Offensive coordinator Collin Klein departed for Kansas State, while defensive coordinator Jay Bateman joined Kentucky.
Those changes forced Elko to adjust his coaching staff while maintaining expectations for another successful season. However, the team's struggles cannot be attributed entirely to the departures, given its difficulties with execution, injuries and offensive consistency.
Following the Missouri loss, Elko acknowledged the seriousness of the team's problems. His remarks about criticism on the TexAgs fan website also attracted attention, prompting him to clarify his comments and emphasize accountability.
Texas A&M returns home to face The Citadel on October 17. The game offers an opportunity to rebuild confidence before the Aggies encounter more demanding opponents later in the SEC schedule.
Washington Searches for Answers After Iowa Defeat
Washington entered the season hoping to improve upon its 9-4 finish in 2025. Instead, the Huskies have struggled during the first half of the schedule, with offensive inconsistency and defensive problems contributing to a three-game losing streak.
The Huskies fell to 3-3 after losing 41-24 to Iowa on October 9. Washington struggled offensively during the first half, while Iowa exploited defensive weaknesses and maintained control of the game.
Quarterback Demond Williams Jr. had difficulty moving the offense before leaving the contest with an injury. Backup Elijah Brown provided a spark, throwing three touchdown passes and helping Washington produce a more competitive second half.
The performance created another decision for head coach Jedd Fisch, who must evaluate his quarterback situation while addressing the team's larger problems.
Washington also has faced questions about offensive leadership, although one claim in earlier accounts requires correction. Offensive coordinator Jimmie Dougherty remained listed in that position on the university's official 2026 coaching roster. Reports that he had departed for the NFL were not supported by that record.
The Huskies' problems extend beyond quarterback play. Inconsistent blocking, limited rushing production and defensive breakdowns have contributed to defeats that have weakened the team's postseason outlook.
Washington travels to Purdue for its next game, where another loss would place additional pressure on Fisch and his staff.
Texas Loses Top Ranking After Oklahoma Upset
Texas entered its annual rivalry game against Oklahoma ranked No. 1 nationally and carrying expectations of competing for the national championship. Those ambitions suffered a setback when the Sooners claimed a dramatic 27-24 victory at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas.
Oklahoma kicker Tate Sandell made a 47-yard field goal as time expired, completing the upset. The defeat dropped Texas to 4-1 and intensified scrutiny of quarterback Arch Manning and head coach Steve Sarkisian.
Manning passed for 260 yards and three touchdowns but also threw two costly interceptions. One was returned for a touchdown, while another helped Oklahoma regain possession during the closing minutes.
The quarterback also demonstrated his ability to respond under pressure. After Oklahoma moved ahead 24-17 in the fourth quarter, Manning directed a 75-yard touchdown drive that tied the game with 6:32 remaining.
However, the Longhorns could not finish the contest with a victory. Their difficulties sustaining drives and protecting possession overshadowed several strong defensive performances.
Sarkisian defended Manning following the defeat, arguing that expectations surrounding the quarterback are influenced by his family's football history. Manning is the grandson of former NFL quarterback Archie Manning and the nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning.
Reuters reported that Manning had thrown 10 touchdown passes and five interceptions through five games. His performance has shown productive stretches, but turnovers remain a concern against high-level opponents.
Texas fell to No. 7 in the latest Associated Press rankings and will look to recover against Florida. The Longhorns still have opportunities to contend for the SEC championship and a playoff berth, but their margin for error has narrowed.
Coaching Decisions Face Greater Scrutiny
The struggles of these programs demonstrate how quickly expectations can change during a college football season. Coaching departures, quarterback injuries and inconsistent execution have created different problems for teams that entered the year with considerable optimism.
Oregon must regain offensive stability without its regular starting quarterback. Texas A&M needs to improve its passing game, while Washington faces questions about both its offensive production and defensive reliability.
Texas has a different challenge: restoring confidence after losing a high-profile rivalry game. Sarkisian must address turnovers and offensive consistency without allowing one defeat to define the remainder of the season.
The next round of conference games will provide another measure of how effectively these coaching staffs respond. For Oregon, Washington and Texas A&M, further setbacks could make postseason goals increasingly difficult to reach.