We are now fully into conference play in the 2025 College Football season. After last week’s games, the landscape of who the best teams are is starting to become clear. But anything can happen to upset that hierarchy.
Let’s review Week 8.
Georgia holds on against the Rebels
The number five-ranked Ole Miss Rebels have had a strong start to the season. Coming into this week, Lane Kiffin’s side is undefeated and is seen as one of the contenders for the SEC. This is all with a backup quarterback who has easily made himself at home. This week, they faced their first test of the season (and their first road game since early September) against the number nine-ranked Georgia Bulldogs, who are also in contention for the conference title. Who would win this game and gain the advantage?
The Bulldogs had the first possession of the game and would be able to get the first points from it. Bulldogs quarterback Gunner Stockton was able to bring his offense down to the Rebels’ 33-yard line before the drive stalled, setting up a 51-yard field goal attempt for kicker Peyton Woodring. He was successful with this, giving Georgia the lead.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe lead would not last long. On the following drive, Rebels’ quarterback Trinidad Chambliss brought the team into the red zone, where a scare happened. Chambliss fumbled the ball on the seven-yard line, but was able to recover it. One play later, he found the endzone for the rushing touchdown.
This score would begin a streak of consecutive drives that ended with the ball finding the endzone. First, Stockton would find Lawson Luckie for an 11-yard touchdown pass, with Kewan Lacy responding with a one-yard rushing touchdown for Ole Miss. Then, Stockton scrambled 22 yards into the endzone, with Lacy again finding it from one yard out to restore the lead for the Rebels.
The Bulldogs would end the streak just before halftime, but Woodring would find the uprights from 35 yards out on the final play of the half. This meant that the Rebels had a slim 21-20 lead over the Bulldogs as the teams returned to the locker room.
Ole Miss had the first possession of the second half and would be able to extend their small lead from it. Chambliss found De’Zhaun Stribling for a 75-yard touchdown pass to make it an eight-point lead for the Rebels. However, the Bulldogs would immediately strike back, with Stockton finding Luckie for a three-yard touchdown pass. Georgia would then attempt a two-point conversion to level the scores, but this was unsuccessful.
Ole Miss would again find the endzone on their next drive, this time with Chambliss scoring a two-yard rushing touchdown. As we have seen throughout this game, the Bulldogs would immediately respond to this with a score of their own. On this occasion, Stockton would find Nate Frazier for a three-yard touchdown to make it a two-point lead for the Rebels going into the fourth quarter.
Ole Miss would punt on their next drive, something that Georgia was able to take full advantage of. Starting from their 33-yard line, Stockton and company made their way down the field to the Rebels’ seven-yard line. Here, he found Luckie for the touchdown pass to give them a five-point lead. This lead was extended on their next drive, with Woodring finding the uprights from 42 yards out.
Embed from Getty ImagesThis meant that with two minutes left to play, the Rebels had to find the endzone and score a two-point conversion to send the game to overtime. Their final drive of the game went nowhere, meaning that the number nine-ranked Georgia Bulldogs had defeated the number five-ranked Ole Miss Rebels 43-35.
This was a very close game throughout, and could have gone either way. This was before the fourth quarter starter. The moment that quarter began, Ole Miss seemed to crumble under the pressure. This does not mean the end of their season, as they fall to a 6-1 (3-1 SEC) record, while the Bulldogs improve to a 6-1 (4-1 SEC) record for the season.
Next week, Ole Miss faces Oklahoma, while Georgia is on a bye.
Vandy for the Natty?
The number 17-ranked Vanderbilt Commodores should now be seen as contenders for the SEC, something that nobody would have thought for the last 50 years. They were the easy side who would not cause any upsets and would be seen as an easy win for the big teams. Then, they beat Alabama last season and have been on a roll since. This is all because of quarterback Diego Pavia. This week, the Commodores faced the number 10-ranked LSU Tigers. Despite their minor struggles, they are still in contention for the SEC and CFP picture. Could we see another upset here?
The Tigers had the first possession of the game and were able to get the first set of points from it. The LSU drive would stall at the Commodores’ 31-yard line with kicker Damian Ramos finding the uprights from 48 yards out. Then, Pavia was given the ball. On his first drive, he was able to take the Commodores offense down to the Tigers’ one-yard line before finding the endzone himself for the rushing touchdown to give Vandy the lead.
The lead would not last long. On the following drive, Tigers’ quarterback (and someone who is still in the Heisman Trophy race, but it feels unlikely at this point) Garrett Nussmeier found Trey’Dez Green for a 24-yard touchdown pass to hand the lead back to LSU.
Embed from Getty ImagesBut Pavia and company would again bring Vandy down to the one-yard line on their next drive. Here, Sedrick Alexander found the endzone for the rushing touchdown to again restore their lead. LSU would try to claim it back on the next drive, but Ramos’s 52-yard line goal missed. Luckily, his 42-yard attempt on the following drive was successful, making it a one-point game just before halftime.
The teams would not return to the locker rooms with a one-point deficit, however. On the final play before the half, Commodores kicker Brock Taylor found the uprights from 46 yards out, to give them a 17-13 lead halfway through the game.
This lead would be added to on the first drive of the second half. For the third time, Pavia would bring the Commodores’ offense down to the Tigers’ one-yard line. Here, he found Cole Spence for the touchdown pass to make it an 11-point lead.
Embed from Getty ImagesLSU would immediately be able to respond to this score with an impressive score of their own. Nussmeier found Zavion Thomas for a 62-yard touchdown pass. They then attempted a two-point conversion attempt, with Nussmeier successfully finding Green. This made it a three-point game. But, this did not last long, as Pavia would score a 21-yard rushing touchdown to widen the lead to 10 points as the final quarter began.
The Tigers made it a one-possession game on their first drive of the fourth quarter as Ramos found the uprights from 23 yards out.
But then, the offensive power that we have seen from both teams throughout this game suddenly faded. Every single drive from this point ended in a punt, with this dip in form coming at the worst possible time for the Tigers.
This meant that the number 17-ranked Vanderbilt Commodores had defeated the number 10-ranked LSU Tigers 31-24.
I think it is now safe to call Vanderbilt real contenders for the SEC. They have beaten another top team, and Diego Pavia put on another strong showing, contributing three touchdowns in the win. This will seriously help their CFP chances and could give them a real chance of winning a conference championship for the first time in over 100 years. The last time this happened, it was sportswriters who chose the national and conference champions. Where did our power go? This win improves Vandy to 6-1 (2-1 SEC), while LSU falls to 5-2 (2-2 SEC).
Next week, the Commodores face Missouri, while LSU faces another tough test in Texas A&M.
Welcome back, 2024 Carson Beck
The number two-ranked Miami Hurricanes have had a fairly easy start to the season. They have been able to revive the nearly dead college football career of Carson Beck, and the former Georgia Bulldogs could do what Cam Ward couldn’t and send the Canes to the CFP. This week, they faced the Louisville Cardinals, who lost in overtime to Virginia last week. Can Miami get another win to keep their undefeated season and Natty hopes alive?
The Cardinals had the first possession of the game and were able to get the first points from it. Cardinals QB Miller Moss brought the offense down to the Hurricanes’ one-yard line before he found the endzone for the rushing touchdown. The lead would be extended on their next drive, with Moss finding Chris Bell for a 35-yard touchdown pass.
After a poor first drive from Miami, they were able to show what they could do on their second drive. Beck quickly moved his offense down to the Cardinals’ two-yard line before Mark Fletcher. Jr found the endzone for the rushing touchdown to half the Louisville lead.
But the Carson Beck of old would soon reappear. On the next two drives, his passes would be intercepted by the Cardinals’ defense. Luckily for Miami, their opponents were unable to move the ball far and would quickly punt back to them.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Hurricanes were able to bring themselves back into the game near the end of the first half when kicker Carter Davis was successful on a 27-yard field goal attempt. This meant that at halftime, the Cardinals had a 14-10 lead over the Hurricanes.
Louisville was able to add to its slim lead on its first drive of the second half when kicker Cooper Ranvier found the uprights from 48 yards out. Throughout the third quarter, neither team’s offense would be able to move the ball significantly down the field. Still, Miami was able to cut the lead back to four points after a 41-yard field goal near the end of the quarter, setting up what should be a competitive final 15 minutes.
The Cardinals would be able to widen their lead on their first drive of this final quarter. Starting from their 25-yard line, Moss and company were able to drive down the field to the Hurricanes’ 36-yard line. Here, he found Bell for the touchdown pas to make it an 11-point game.
In response to this, the Canes made a massive mistake. Beck’s pass was intercepted by the Cardinals’ defense. However, they would get the ball back almost instantly, as Issac Brown fumbled the ball, which Miami was able to recover in the Louisville red zone. This set up a good opportunity for a touchdown to bring them back into this game. Miami took this opportunity, with Toney finding the endzone. However, their two-point conversion attempt failed, keeping Louisville a field goal ahead.
Embed from Getty ImagesWith under four minutes left in the game, Miami again had possession and would be able to slowly make its way down to the Cardinals’ 30-yard line with 40 seconds left. A touchdown score and a field goal were both on the cards. However, Beck’s pass was intercepted by T.J. Capers here, ending any chances of victory.
This meant that the Louisville Cardinals had defeated the number two-ranked Miami Hurricanes 24-21.
This defeat was all on Carson Beck. The mistakes that plagued his 2024 season with Georgia returned in this game, and it cost the Hurricanes their undefeated start to the season. They will fall in the rankings this week, but due to the overall craziness of this season, a one-loss Miami should make the CFP. The Cardinals improve to 5-1 (2-1 ACC) with the win, while the Canes fall to 5-1 (1-1 ACC) for the season.
Next week, Louisville faces Boston College, while Miami faces Stanford.
What happened to the other Ranked Teams?
#1 Ohio State @ Wisconsin
The number one-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes continued their dominance this season with a win over the Wisconsin Badgers. Julian Sayin threw for four touchdowns and 393 yards in their 34-0 win.
Michigan State @ #3 Indiana
With the Miami Hurricanes losing this week, the number three-ranked Indiana Hoosiers had a good chance to become the second-best team in the country with a win over the Michigan State Spartans. On the week that coach Curt Cignetti signed a new long-term contract, Fernando Mendoza threw for four touchdowns in the Hoosiers’ 38-13 win to keep their undefeated season alive.
#4 Texas A&M @ Arkansas
The number ranked ranked Texas A&M Aggies came into their game with the Arkansas Razorbacks with an undefeated record. Arkansas was very close to recording a massive upset, but a late touchdown from Rueben Owens II gave the Aggies a 45-35 win, and their undefeated season is still alive.
#11 Tennessee @ #6 Alabama
It is the third Saturday in October, so the number six-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide faced the number 11-ranked Tennessee Volunteers. Despite their close records on paper, Alabama was the stronger team on the day, leading for most of the game, with the Crimson Tide recording a 37-20 win over the Volunteers.
Embed from Getty Images#7 Texas Tech @ Arizona State
Last week, the Arizona State Sun Devils suffered a heavy defeat to Utah. This week, it looked like they would be on the end of another defeat when they faced the undefeated, number seven-ranked Texas Tech Red Raiders. However, a late touchdown from Raleek Brown gave the Sun Devils a surprise 26-22 win, and the Red Raiders their first defeat of the season.
#8 Oregon @ Rutgers
After their defeat to Indiana last week, the number eight-ranked Oregon Ducks faced the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. Ducks’ quarterback Dante Moore recorded 290 yards and four touchdowns in their 56-10 win.
#12 Georgia Tech @ Duke
The number 12-ranked Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets kept their undefeated season alive with a win over the Duke Blue Devils. Haynes Kings had another strong performance in this game, as the Yellow Jackets recorded a simple 27-18 win.
#20 USC @ #13 Notre Dame
The number 13-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish faced rivals, the number 20-ranked USC Trojans, with both teams coming into the game with good records. A 100-yard kickoff return touchdown from Jadrian Prince, followed by a rushing touchdown from Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr, gave the Fighting Irish a 34-24 win over the Trojans.
Embed from Getty Images#14 Oklahoma @ South Carolina
Last week, the number 14-ranked Oklahoma Sooners forgot to show up to their game with the Texas Longhorns. This week, they faced the South Carolina Gamecocks and returned to the form that we have seen for most of the season. Sooners quarterback John Mateer threw for 150 yards and one touchdown in Oklahoma’s 26-7 win.
#23 Utah @ #15 BYU
We had Holy War in Utah this weekend as the number 23-ranked Utah Utes faced the number 15-ranked BYU Cougars. BYU QB Bear Bachmeier led the team to a 24-21 win over their state rivals, keeping their undefeated season alive.
#16 Missouri @ Auburn
The number 16-ranked Missouri Tigers faced the Auburn Tigers this week. This game went to overtime, with Missouri QB Beau Pribula finding the endzone in this period to give them a 23-17 win.
Washington State @ #18 Virginia
The number 18-ranked Virginia Cavaliers faced the Washington State Cougars, and as the fourth quarter began, it looked like the Cougars would get the upset win. However, a late comeback from Virginia was enough to get them back into the game, and a late safety gave the Cavaliers a 22-20 win.
Florida Atlantic @ #19 South Florida
The number 19-ranked South Florida Bulls face fellow Floridian side the Florida Atlantic Owls. Bulls quarterback Bryum Brown scored three touchdowns in their 48-13 win.
#21 Texas @ Kentucky
The number 21-ranked Texas Longhorns have struggled this season. These struggles continued this week in their game against the Kentucky Wildcats. A late field goal from the Wildcats would send this game to overtime. During overtime, a 45-yard field goal from Mason Shipley gave the Longhorns a 16-13 win over Kentucky, but an improvement needs to be seen from Texas in future games.
#22 Memphis @ UAB
The number 22-ranked Memphis Tigers faced the UAB Blazers in a game that they should have won. They did not. Blazers quarterback Ryder Burton threw for 251 yards and three touchdowns as the Blazers recorded a 31-24 win over the now one-loss Tigers.
Embed from Getty Images#24 Cincinnati @ Oklahoma State
The number 24-ranked Cincinnati Bearcats faced the struggling Oklahoma State Cowboys this week. The Bearcats were able to keep their undefeated start to the Big 12 with a 49-17 win.
#25 Nebraska @ Minnesota
The number 25-ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers faced the Minnesota Golden Gophers in a game where the Cornhuskers’ quarterback, Dylan Raiola, heavily struggled. The Golden Gophers were the stronger team on the day, recording a 24-6 upset win over ranked Nebraska.
That was week eight in the 2025 College Football season, and apart from Ohio State and Indiana, I have no idea who the four best teams in the country are. Next week, Texas A&M faces LSU, and Ole Miss plays Oklahoma in the highlights of the slate.
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