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.

Source: AP News –AP Top 25 preview: Clemson, South Carolina and Notre Dame lose in Week 3

The post Clemson, South Carolina, and Notre Dame Stumble as AP Top 25 Race Intensifies in Week 3 appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.

Published Time: 09-07-2025, 17:45 EDT

South Florida pulled off another shocking upset on Saturday, defeating No. 13 Florida 18-16 in Gainesville on a last-second field goal. Nico Gramatica, who earlier missed a long attempt, redeemed himself by drilling a 20-yarder as time expired, delivering the Bulls consecutive wins over ranked opponents to open the season.

Gramatica’s Redemption and Game-Changing Penalty

Gramatica had missed a 58-yard try with just under three minutes remaining, but the Bulls quickly got another chance after a costly mistake by Florida’s defense. Gators defensive lineman Brandon Bett was ejected for spitting on a South Florida player, a penalty that gave the Bulls 15 yards and an automatic first down.

The unsportsmanlike conduct helped ignite South Florida’s decisive 87-yard drive. With the clock winding down, Gramatica calmly converted the short kick, securing one of the program’s most memorable victories.

“This is the kind of game that tests your resilience,” South Florida head coach Alex Golesh said after the win. “Nico showed what it means to bounce back and deliver when it counts.”

Gators’ Missed Opportunities

The loss was another setback for Florida head coach Billy Napier, whose tenure has faced increasing scrutiny. The Gators are now 1-1 for the fourth straight year, a pattern that has frustrated fans and boosters alike.

Florida briefly appeared poised to take control when freshman Vernell Brown III returned a punt 40 yards, setting up quarterback DJ Lagway’s only touchdown pass of the night. However, the momentum faded quickly as the Gators’ offense sputtered down the stretch.

Napier’s play-calling and the offensive line’s performance drew heavy criticism. The line allowed consistent pressure and failed to open running lanes, leaving Lagway to force plays with his arm despite coming off shoulder rehabilitation.

South Florida’s Historic Start

The victory marked South Florida’s second consecutive upset of a ranked opponent after the Bulls defeated then-No. 25 Boise State in their opener. According to the Associated Press, South Florida became just the third unranked team since 2000 to begin a season 2-0 with wins over ranked teams, joining 2012 Oregon State and 2008 East Carolina.

“This group has proven it can compete with anyone,” Golesh said. “The challenge now is maintaining that focus against another tough opponent next week.”

Poll Implications

With two high-profile victories, South Florida is expected to break into the Associated Press Top 25 when the new poll is released on Sunday. The Gators, by contrast, are likely to slide out of the top 15, continuing a troubling trend of inconsistency under Napier.

Takeaways From the Game

For South Florida, the key takeaway is resilience and execution under pressure. Despite facing adversity after Gramatica’s earlier miss, the Bulls kept their composure and capitalized on Florida’s mistakes.

For Florida, the loss highlighted deeper issues beyond quarterback play. While Lagway showed flashes of promise, the offensive line’s breakdowns and the late-game collapse underscored systemic problems.

“The frustration is real,” Napier admitted in his postgame remarks. “We had opportunities to win the game, and we didn’t finish.”

What’s Next for Both Teams

South Florida’s challenging schedule continues with a trip to face No. 5 Miami next Saturday, the Bulls’ third consecutive matchup against a ranked opponent.

Florida will travel to Baton Rouge to face No. 3 LSU. The Gators have not won at Tiger Stadium since 2016, raising further doubts about their ability to compete with elite SEC programs.

Broader Context: Napier’s Job Security

Saturday’s loss adds to mounting pressure on Billy Napier, who is now in his fourth season as Florida’s head coach. The Gators have struggled to find consistency under his leadership, and fans have grown restless after repeated slow starts.

With Florida facing consecutive games against top-ranked SEC opponents, including LSU and Georgia later in the season, Napier’s future could hinge on whether the team can turn things around quickly.

For South Florida, however, the win represents a statement moment for a program seeking national respect. By defeating two ranked teams to start the year, the Bulls have signaled they are no longer underdogs but legitimate contenders in college football’s spotlight.

Source: AP News  – Gramatica’s kick lifts South Florida to an 18-16 upset at No. 13 Florida and heats Napier’s seat

The post Gramatica’s Last-Second Field Goal Lifts South Florida Over No. 13 Florida in Gainesville Stunner appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.