Snap Judgments: FSU crumbles, more early Week 6 thoughts

• Wake Forest 35, No. 23 Florida State 30: An annual tradition now entering its second decade: We prognosticators vastly overrate Florida State in the preseason (No. 5 in the country this year), and the Seminoles prove shortly thereafter they're still not back.

Even the return of injured quarterback E.J. Manuel in the second quarter could not save FSU -- now 2-3 -- from a 35-30 upset at Wake. Increasingly regular 'Noles tormentors, the Deacons have now won four of their last six meetings with the Seminoles. After sliding to losing records the past two seasons, Jim Grobe's team (4-1, 3-0 ACC) is back to its old sneaky ways. Wake forced five turnovers, including a pair of interceptions from both Manuel and Clint Trickett, while underrated quarterback Tanner Price (22-of-36, 264 yards, four TDs, no INTs) enjoyed a national coming out party.

Injuries suffered in its 23-13 loss to Oklahoma have certainly hindered FSU's offense, but a talented defense has severely regressed starting with the Clemson loss. And injuries can't explain why Wake Forest now has a substantially better shot of winning the ACC than vastly more talented Florida State. (RECAP | BOX | HIGHLIGHTS)

• No. 16 West Virginia 43, Connecticut 16: Days after coach Dana Holgorsen ripped West Virginia fans for a poor turnout at last week's Bowling Green game, the Mountaineers went out and gave their fans ... a 10-9 halftime lead against one of the Big East's worst teams. Then Geno Smith got going and finished with 450 yards and four touchdowns. Crisis averted. (RECAP | BOX)

• No. 13 Georgia Tech 21, Maryland 16: It wasn't the finest hour for Paul Johnson's offense, but the 6-0 Jackets are bowl eligible on Oct. 8 after going 5-7 a year ago. Anyone call that in August? This team can win the ACC.

On the other sideline, Terps coach Randy Edsall pulled quarterback Danny O'Brien (1-of-6 for 17 yards) in the second quarter for sophomore C.J. Brown. Brown helped close a 21-3 gap to 21-16 thanks to 124 rush yards, but went just 4-of-17 for 36 yards and an interception. So, that's a bit of a mess. (RECAP | BOX)

• No. 18 South Carolina 47, Kentucky 3: What took you so long, Steve Spurrier? Newly-anointed Gamecocks starter Connor Shaw had a very un-Stephen Garcia like performance (26-of-39, 311 yards, four TDs, no INTs), particularly impressing with his ability to escape pressure and take off. This was against Kentucky's defense, not LSU's, but it should still give the Ball Coach a little more confidence in Shaw. (RECAP | BOX | HIGHLIGHTS)

• Purdue 45, Minnesota 17: On the heels of Minnesota's 58-0 loss to Michigan last week, Purdue (3-2) -- previously victors only against Middle Tennessee State and Southeast Missouri State -- went up 31-0 on the Gophers (1-5) early in the second quarter before Jerry Kill's team finally managed a field goal. Mercifully, Minnesota has a bye next week. (RECAP | BOX)

• North Carolina 14, Louisville 7: Shawn Watson replaced Mike Sanford as Louisville's offensive coordinator this week. It did not help. (RECAP | BOX)

• Mississippi State 21, UAB 3: UAB led 3-0 at halftime. "S-E-C ... S ..." (RECAP | BOX)