College football weekends always deliver their mix of anticipation, chaos, and surprise. Some programs reassert their place, others stumble, and a few new stories start to form around players who are either proving themselves or still finding their footing. Last weekend was no different, with games that highlighted both resilience and vulnerability. Oklahoma in Primetime In Norman, Oklahoma took center stage on Saturday night. The Sooners in a primetime slot felt like a throwback to the days when such games were staples of the sport and defined the week. For Oklahoma, it was more than a feature. It was a chance to show they had moved past the six and seven season that defined last year. Brent Venables kept the focus on the game, but after it ended, his players made sure he knew what it meant. The Sooners’ defense played with purpose, holding their opponent to just 288 total yards. That is the kind of performance Venables has been chasing since his return to Norman. Quarterback John Mayer carried the offense, running for two touchdowns and throwing another. It was a reminder that Oklahoma’s identity can still be built on complementary football — defensive stops and a quarterback who protects the ball. Venables acknowledged afterward that Oklahoma was far from perfect. “We did not play our best but we still won by a couple scores, so we will take that,” he said, admitting self-inflicted mistakes that kept the game closer than it had to be. But the image that lingered was the Sooners finishing with a controlled fourth quarter, including a 78 yard drive capped by a field goal. That was the kind of composure they missed last year. Florida State, Ohio State, Oregon Florida State, Ohio State, and Oregon all handled business with ease, each producing blowouts that were essentially over by halftime. Florida State raced out to a 49 to 0 lead at halftime against East Texas A&M. It was not about the opponent. It was about reps, timing, and staying sharp. A team with playoff ambitions needs games like this to work on rhythm without stumbling, and the Seminoles took advantage. Ohio State and Oregon followed a similar script. Score early, score often, never give hope to the other sideline. It was not dramatic, but it was effective. The regular season will test them later. For now, they left no doubt. Arch Manning and Texas What stood out more than the blowouts was Arch Manning’s performance for Texas against San Jose State. The pressure on him has been unrelenting, and after a shaky opener, the criticism was loud. Fans were quick to question whether he was ready, if the hype had been misplaced, and if Texas had leaned too much on a name. Against San Jose State, he changed the conversation. Manning threw for four touchdowns, looked more comfortable in the pocket, and made quicker, cleaner decisions with the ball. He was more decisive, more efficient, and he looked like a quarterback growing into the role rather than drowning in expectation. It was not about the opponent. It was about showing growth in a single week and silencing the noise. As a former athlete, those are the moments that matter. Growth under pressure, even against an overmatched defense, is not easy when the entire college football world is waiting for you to fail. Manning responded with composure, and that can change the way his season unfolds. Illinois at Duke Illinois went to Duke and turned what started as a back and forth contest into a convincing win. By halftime they had seized control, and in the second half they poured in 31 points to finish the game with authority. Luke Altmeyer threw for 296 yards and three touchdowns, capitalizing on the momentum he built last year. This was not just another win. It was another step for Illinois as a program. They are no longer a curiosity in the Big Ten. They are positioning themselves as a team that belongs, one that opponents cannot ignore. A performance like this on the road signals a program on the rise. Iowa vs Iowa State In contrast, the annual Iowa vs Iowa State rivalry once again turned into a grind. It is always close, always contested, but rarely entertaining for those outside the fan bases. This year was no different. It was trench warfare, mistake-driven football, with the outcome depending more on who blinked last than who played with brilliance. It is not the kind of game that makes national headlines, but it speaks to the soul of college football. Rivalries are not always pretty. Sometimes they are survival contests where field position and patience matter more than highlights. For Iowa and Iowa State, that is part of their identity. Thread of the Weekend The theme across these games is one of control. Oklahoma found control in primetime, showing growth in a program desperate for it. Florida State, Ohio State, and Oregon demonstrated control in blowouts that never let their opponents breathe. Arch Manning reclaimed control of his narrative, proving that growth can happen fast under the right conditions. Illinois showed control in turning a close game into a statement. Iowa and Iowa State, for all their limitations, fought for control in a game where mistakes determined the outcome. Control is what separates contenders from pretenders. For Oklahoma, Florida State, and Texas, it is what can elevate seasons into playoff pushes. For Illinois, it is how they prove staying power. For Michigan and Arizona State, both faltered and still control the season outlook in conference, but it makes the obvious known in todays college football. Each loss is one step removed from playoff hope. The season is young, but the lessons are sharp. Control the line, control the moment, control the narrative. The teams that managed to do that this past weekend walked away winners. The ones that did not are left chasing.