College football: An unpredictable season
A new season has brought upsets, new faces and has kept fans on the edge of their seats.
The 2025 college football season has just reached its fourth week, but it's already clear that this season will be filled with upsets and fans left wanting more. Some of the best schools have stumbled, and underdogs have risen. If this energy continues, the competition for a spot in the College Football Playoff will be very unpredictable.
After a statement win over the preseason No. 1, University of Texas Longhorns, The Ohio State University Buckeyes made their way to the top of the Associated Press Top 25 poll, securing their first regular-season No. 1 ranking since 2015. The Buckeyes’ defense smothered the Longhorns’ offense, while quarterback Devin Brown had a memorable performance.
Penn State University is just behind at No. 2. Louisiana State University, University of Miami and University of Georgia round out the top five, giving the rankings a new look compared to the preseason. Miami, once a dynasty, has spent two decades trying to recapture national relevance. Now, under head coach Mario Cristobal, the team is gaining traction.
Southeastern Conference
Despite Texas’s loss, the Southeastern Conference remains loaded with talent. The University of Alabama Crimson Tide pounded the University of Wisconsin Badgers 38 - 14 over the weekend, but remains ranked a relatively modest No. 19. Their strong fan base is accustomed to playoff appearances, so their position in the rankings is likely to fluctuate throughout the season.
Texas A&M University provided the conference’s loudest statement of the week. In a thriller at the University of Notre Dame, A&M pulled off a 41 - 40 win that will be remembered for its back-and-forth scoring. A&M’s victory moved them into the Top 10, landing at No. 10 in the AP poll. The A&M Aggies’ execution in the final minutes showcased their team's talent, with a particular emphasis on the consistency of their special teams unit.
Notre Dame
At 0 - 2, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish became the first victoryless team to remain ranked in the AP Top 25 since 1988, ranked at No. 24. Their beginning-of-year schedule has been a tough one, facing some of the league’s top opponents, including Texas A&M and Miami. Next Saturday, they will face unranked Purdue University. This win will be vital if they want to maintain their ranking and have a chance at the playoffs.
Coaching
The University of California, Los Angeles made one of the most significant moves of the year by firing head coach DeShaun Foster just three games into his tenure. A former UCLA Bruins running back himself, Foster’s season ended after an embarrassing 35 - 10 home loss to University of New Mexico, which dropped the team to 0 - 3. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University also made a coaching change, dismissing Brent Pry after a similar winless start. The Virginia Tech Hokies, once a contender in the Atlantic Coast Conference, have slipped into irrelevance over the past decade. Their decision to part ways with Pry just three games into the season signals a desperation to regain the competitive game they once had, quickly.
This past weekend
Week three provided no shortage of competitive gameplay. In addition to Texas A&M’s one-point victory, The University of Oklahoma beat Temple University 42 - 3, showing its dominance in the SEC. The University of Utah also beat University of Wyoming 31 - 6, showcasing its impressive defense, and University of Missouri cruised past Louisiana 52 - 10, a result that may not come as a surprise, but it maintains the LSU Tigers' position at No. 25.
The coming weeks are just as exciting with closely ranked matchups like No. 17 Texas Tech University at No. 16 Utah and No. 22 Auburn University’s trip to No. 11 Oklahoma. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign will face off against Indiana University Bloomington in a competitive competition, while Miami will attempt to continue its 3-game winning streak.
For Ohio State, the challenge is keeping its spot as the No. 1-ranked team. The No. 1 ranking is a tough spot to maintain, with teams like the Penn State Nittany Lions, Miami Hurricanes and the Oregon Ducks trying to take their place as the best in the nation.
Whatever happens, college football proves to be one of the most exciting times of the year, with fans on the edge of their seats and teams working to showcase their talent, boost their school pride, and become the best in the league.
Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The Justice.