College Football 2015 Week 3: Biggest winners and losers

Sep 19, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Auburn Tigers quarterback Jeremy Johnson (6) reacts after a turnover to LSU Tigers during the third quarter of a game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Winner: Auburn Tigers

I know what you’re thinking…”Wait, didn’t Auburn lose their game? Didn’t they get completely obliterated by Leonard Fournette and the LSU Tigers?”

Why yes, yes they did. But they truly do come out a winner from this.

After barely escaping with wins against Louisville and Jacksonville State in weeks 1 and 2, the Tigers were still holding on to the idea that they were a contender in the SEC and had a legitimate Heisman candidate as their starting quarterback.

That pressure has all now been removed. The Tigers won’t have to worry about that pesky ranking now, and they can focus on rebuilding this defense and trying to get healthy. It’s clear this isn’t the Auburn team that many figured them to be, so the spotlight can move elsewhere while Gus Malzahn goes about his business, trying to teach a young team how to win.

Jeremy Johnson has a lot of work to do at quarterback — starting with knowing which color jersey to whom he should throw the ball — and without the added burden of trying to pretend they are top 25 material, he can focus on learning.

Next: Loser No. 3