Clemson, South Carolina, and Notre Dame Suffer Week 3 Setbacks as Georgia, Texas A&M, and Alabama Strengthen AP Top 25 College Football Push

Published Time: 09-14-2025, 18:45

The third week of the 2025 college football season delivered dramatic twists, reshaping playoff outlooks and raising the stakes for teams across the AP Top 25. Upsets, narrow escapes, and critical injuries left poll voters with plenty to reconsider ahead of the latest rankings.

Georgia Survives Tennessee in Overtime Thriller

In one of the weekend’s most exciting matchups, No. 6 Georgia edged No. 15 Tennessee 44-41 in overtime. Tennessee controlled much of the game, leading for long stretches, but Georgia rallied late. The Volunteers missed a potential game-winning field goal as time expired in regulation, opening the door for the Bulldogs.

Running back Josh McCray sealed the win with a 1-yard touchdown run in overtime, handing Tennessee its first loss of the season. Georgia’s resilience against a strong SEC rival is expected to keep them firmly in the playoff conversation.

Clemson’s Struggles Continue in Stunning Loss

Unranked Georgia Tech shocked No. 12 Clemson 24-21, securing victory with a 55-yard field goal as time expired. The Tigers, now 1-2, struggled to maintain offensive rhythm and appear in danger of falling out of the AP Top 25.

The upset mirrored Clemson’s 2021 season struggles, raising concerns about whether head coach Dabo Swinney’s program can regain its footing. Georgia Tech, meanwhile, has built a strong case to enter the Top 25 after back-to-back impressive performances.

South Carolina Falters After Quarterback Injury

No. 11 South Carolina’s playoff hopes suffered a major blow after quarterback LaNorris Sellers exited with a concussion just before halftime against Vanderbilt. Backup quarterback Luke Doty was unable to spark the offense, and the Gamecocks fell 31-7.

Vanderbilt’s dominant win not only boosts its own credibility but also puts South Carolina’s ranking in jeopardy. With Sellers’ health uncertain, the Gamecocks could face more struggles in the coming weeks.

Smooth Sailing for Top Programs

While some ranked teams faltered, several others had no trouble maintaining momentum:

• No. 2 Penn State, No. 5 Miami, No. 13 Oklahoma, No. 21 Texas Tech, No. 22 Indiana, No. 23 Michigan, and No. 25 Missouri all cruised to decisive victories.
• These results suggest stability in the middle and upper tiers of the rankings heading into Week 4.

Teams on the Rise

• Georgia Tech: With their upset of Clemson, the Yellow Jackets are primed to enter the Top 25.
• Alabama: After a disappointing Week 1 loss to Florida State, the 19th-ranked Crimson Tide rebounded with a dominant 38-14 win over Wisconsin, positioning themselves for a move upward.
• Texas A&M: In perhaps the biggest shocker of the week, the Aggies stunned No. 8 Notre Dame 41-40 in South Bend. Quarterback Marcel Reed led a late game-winning drive, connecting with Nate Boerkircher on fourth-and-goal with just 13 seconds left.

Teams Likely to Slide

• Clemson: With two early-season losses, the Tigers are at risk of falling out of the Top 25.
• South Carolina: Their heavy defeat to unranked Vanderbilt could trigger a significant rankings drop.
• Texas: Despite a 27-10 win over UTEP, No. 7 Texas may slip in the polls due to an underwhelming performance.
• South Florida: The 18th-ranked Bulls were routed 49-12 by Miami, making a drop inevitable.
• Notre Dame: After falling to 0-2 with the loss to Texas A&M, the Fighting Irish are unlikely to remain in the Top 10.

Tennessee’s Position in Question

The Volunteers’ hard-fought loss to Georgia places them in a gray area. While they showcased the ability to challenge an elite SEC opponent, voters rarely reward ranked teams for close losses. Tennessee’s fate will depend on how the committee values competitive play against top-tier competition.

Programs Knocking on the Door

Several teams outside the Top 25 are making strong cases for entry:

• Mississippi State (3-0): After earning 52 votes last week, the Bulldogs crushed Alcorn State 63-0 to strengthen their bid.
• Vanderbilt (3-0): Following their blowout win against South Carolina, the Commodores are building momentum for a rankings debut.

Outlook: A Volatile Top 25 Ahead

Week 3 reshaped the college football landscape with dramatic finishes, surprise upsets, and injuries that will influence rankings and playoff outlooks. With perennial contenders like Clemson and Notre Dame stumbling, new opportunities are opening for programs such as Georgia Tech, Texas A&M, and Vanderbilt to climb into the spotlight.

As the season progresses, each week becomes more decisive—not only for playoff positioning but also for the future trajectory of programs battling to stay relevant in the Top 25.