
Week 3 College Football Recap: Upsets, Coaching Changes, and Playoff Hopes
2025-09-14
Author: Chun
Tennessee's Heartbreak and Texas A&M's Triumph
This past weekend marked a whirlwind of emotions in college football, as Tennessee's dreams shattered against Georgia and Texas A&M celebrated a stunning upset over Notre Dame, leading to significant coaching casualties.
Notre Dame's Stumbles and A&M's Clutch Performance
In a shocking turn of events, Notre Dame, once a title contender, fell to an unexpected 0-2 after losing to Texas A&M, a team that hadn't defeated a ranked opponent on the road in over a decade. Quarterback Marcel Reed shined, throwing for 360 yards, including the game-winning touchdown to tight end Nate Boerkircher in a nail-biting 41-40 finish.
Tennessee's Missed Opportunity
Over in Knoxville, Tennessee fans were buzzing with optimism as the Vols raced to a 21-7 lead against Georgia. However, what seemed like a monumental victory turned into another agonizing defeat, with Tennessee succumbing 44-41 in overtime, marking their ninth consecutive loss in this fierce rivalry.
SEC Quarterbacks Underperform
As talented quarterbacks like Florida's DJ Lagway and Texas's Arch Manning struggled, the SEC landscape is in turmoil. Lagway threw five interceptions in a disheartening loss to LSU, while Manning's inconsistent play has raised eyebrows.
Georgia Tech Shocks Clemson; Miami Dominates USF
Georgia Tech pulled off a remarkable upset against 12th-ranked Clemson, thanks to Haynes King's standout performance. Meanwhile, top-ranked Miami cruised to a convincing 49-12 victory over USF, solidifying their position as a contender.
Alabama's Redemption and Rich Rodriguez's Revenge
Alabama rebounded from an earlier debacle with a dominant win over Wisconsin, while Rich Rodriguez earned sweet revenge against Pitt, leading West Virginia to a thrilling overtime victory.
A Coaching Carousel Begins
As programs like Virginia Tech and UCLA face dismal starts, coaches Brent Pry and DeShaun Foster are in precarious positions. With stakes rising, both programs eye make-or-break seasons.
Cal's Freshman Phenom and NC State's Strong Start
Cal's Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele is generating excitement with his electrifying play, while NC State is off to a fantastic start, showcasing talent that hints at a bright future.
A Salute to Kirk Ferentz
Lastly, a congratulations to Iowa's Kirk Ferentz for breaking Woody Hayes' Big Ten career wins record, a monumental achievement in a storied conference.
With Week 3 behind us, the college football landscape is shifting rapidly. As teams battle for playoff spots and coaches fight for their livelihoods, expect more drama in the weeks ahead.