It feels weird to say, but we’re now over 20% of the way complete with the 2025 regular season. There is still so much that we don’t know about all 136 teams in the FBS, but we learn a little bit more every week that goes by. Here are our top 10 takeaways from Week 3 of the 2025 College Football season.
The Dawgs found a way to get it done
In the game of the day, the Georgia Bulldogs eeked out a 44-41 Overtime victory over the Tennessee Volunteers. It was an instant classic, a back-and-forth affair that came down to a clutch two-point conversion with two minutes left on the clock. After watching the Georgia Tech game last season, I assumed Georgia would be awful yet again on two-point plays. But they got the job done. Gunner Stockton was mobile, poised, gritty, and, well, everything that Carson Beck isn’t – which Georgia fans adore about him.
Texas A&M might finally be ready to compete for an SEC Championship
Before their 41-40 road win over Notre Dame in Week 3, Texas A&M had not beaten a top-10 opponent on the road in a decade. The Aggies have not won or even played for an SEC Championship since joining the league in 2011. Marcel Reed and this year’s team are looking to change that, and getting this huge road win is the first step in legitimizing them as contenders in the best conference in the land.
The Irish are going to need a little luck to make it back to the College Football Playoff
I’m no math expert, but after falling to 0-2, the best record that Notre Dame could achieve is now 10-2. And this would be a 10-2, where two of the best opponents on the schedule are losses. Yikes. I think it’s quite possible that Notre Dame can still win out and get to 10-2, but they no longer control their own destiny in the CFP discussion. They would need some old-fashioned chaos to end up with better resumes than the teams they would be measured against.
Georgia Tech is going to be a factor in the College Football Playoff race
Haynes King and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets used a walk-off field goal to stun Clemson 24-21. I’m not one to look ahead, but sometimes it’s hard not to. Georgia Tech has a great chance to be 11-0 with an ACC Championship berth locked up before a Thanksgiving weekend showdown with Georgia. Their most difficult remaining game before Georgia is at NC State. The word “difficult” is being used very liberally there. Get used to seeing this team in the top-12 of the playoff rankings, because it’s not very likely that anyone is going to knock them out anytime soon.
Something is just off with Clemson
I was willing to forgive a Week 1 loss at home to LSU, and also a slow start in an unconvincing victory against Troy in Week 2. But Clemson did not “BYOG” on their road trip to Georgia Tech, and now sits at 1-2 overall and 0-1 in conference play. This was entirely unexpected for a Dabo Swinney-coached team that led the Power-4 in returning production entering 2025. They’ll need to win out to bring themselves back into the CFP conversation, and even that is not a guarantee.
The clock struck midnight for South Florida
The South Florida Bulls had quickly become the darlings of the college football world after opening the season with wins over Boise State and Florida. But the dreams of an undefeated season went up in smoke in a 49-12 loss to Miami, where the Hurricanes dominated both lines of scrimmage (side note: to the USF AD, what were you thinking with this non-conference schedule?). However, the story is not finished for USF, as they can certainly bounce back and win the American to clinch a bid to the CFP.
Tennessee won the “Great QB trade of 2025”
In one of the biggest stories of the college football offseason, Nico Iamaleava attempted to strong-arm Tennessee into a better NIL deal and was told to hit the road. What followed was Nico heading to UCLA, and newly minted UCLA QB Joey Aguilar heading to Tennessee before he had a chance to unpack. This weekend, Aguilar threw for over 300 yards against Georgia, while Nico’s UCLA team lost to lowly New Mexico. I’m willing to call it – Tennessee won this trade. Not only does Aguilar look like a great fit in the Heupel system, but Tennessee also has the No. 1 QB in the 2026 class, Faizon Brandon, ready to come in next season to replace Aguilar.
Billy Napier has the hottest seat in all of College Football
The Florida Gators have lost their second straight game after a 20-10 defeat in Death Valley to LSU. Florida Head Coach Billy Napier saved his job last season after a late-season resurgence, but it does not appear likely this season. Florida’s remaining schedule is TOUGH. I struggle to see how they will get to bowl eligibility, which is probably the bare minimum for Napier to stay in Gainesville.
The legend of Diego Pavia grows
The giant slayer himself, Diego Pavia, has added another one to his mantle, traveling to South Carolina and romping the Gamecocks 31-7. Gamecocks QB LaNorris Sellers exited the game with a head injury, which ended their hopes of a late comeback, but the defense could not stop Pavia all night. Honestly, I’m not counting them out of any games while he’s still starting at quarterback.
Will the real Alabama please stand up?
I don’t know what to make of the Alabama Crimson Tide. They looked utterly atrocious in their Week 1 loss to FSU, then took care of business in a 73-0 shutout of UL-Monroe, and in Week 3, they demolished Wisconsin 38-14. Ryan Williams returned from injury and starred with over 100 receiving yards. This is a team where we simply have no clue what to expect weekly.
