A quarter-century ago, the University of Miami was the most feared program in college football. While much has changed since those days, Saturday’s results suggest a significant shift may be underway. After decades of inconsistency, the Hurricanes appear to be back.
Miami’s resume is rapidly gaining strength. The season began with a victory over Notre Dame, a team that now looks like a legitimate contender after a decisive 28-7 win against Boise State. The Hurricanes then dominated a strong Group of 5 opponent in USF and convincingly defeated a Florida team that showed its potential by stunning Texas in Week 6. On Saturday in Tallahassee, Miami solidified its resurgence with a commanding 28-19 victory over rival Florida State.
As Miami ascended, other top programs faltered. Six weeks into the 2025 season, many preseason assumptions have been shattered. Teams once considered playoff favorites, such as Clemson, Arizona State, and Illinois, saw their hopes crumble in September. In Week 5, four top-10 teams—Florida State, Penn State, LSU, and Georgia—were defeated. Week 6 continued the trend, as No. 7 Penn State and No. 9 Texas were upset by teams that had yet to win a Power 4 game.
Florida’s 29-21 victory over Texas was a testament to coach Billy Napier’s resilience. The Gators’ defense was dominant, recording six sacks and two interceptions against quarterback Arch Manning, while holding the Longhorns to just 52 rushing yards. For Texas, the preseason No. 1, the loss marked another disappointing turn for a team that has struggled to meet immense expectations.
Meanwhile, preseason No. 2 Penn State is facing a crisis. A week after an overtime loss to Oregon, the Nittany Lions were overwhelmed by UCLA. Penn State trailed 27-7 at halftime and failed to mount a comeback, ultimately falling to a Bruins team that entered the game with an 0-4 record and had recently fired its head coach.
“Obviously we didn’t handle last week’s loss well,” Penn State coach James Franklin said afterward, acknowledging the lingering effects of the Oregon defeat.
The fact that Florida and UCLA—two of the most disappointing teams through the first month—toppled the preseason’s top two programs speaks to the unpredictable nature of this season. With no clear favorite or dominant force, the path to the playoffs remains wide open.
In this landscape of uncertainty, Miami is emerging as a surprisingly stable bet. The Hurricanes appear to have no glaring weaknesses, featuring a determined quarterback, powerful offensive and defensive lines, and skilled players who embody the swagger that once defined the program. While fans who have witnessed the team’s struggles over the past 20 years may be hesitant to embrace the hype, the evidence is becoming difficult to ignore. Nearly midway through a chaotic season, the strongest contender in college football might just be the Miami Hurricanes.
UNC Falters in “Disappointment Bowl”
What was billed as a marquee matchup between coaching titans Bill Belichick and Dabo Swinney turned into a one-sided affair in Chapel Hill. With North Carolina and Clemson entering the game with a combined 0-5 record against Power 4 opponents, the contest was more of a battle to avoid further disappointment.
Clemson seized control from the outset. The Tigers scored touchdowns on five of their first six drives, taking a 28-3 lead after the first quarter. Quarterback Cade Klubnik was nearly perfect, throwing four touchdowns against only two incompletions before the offense eased up in the second half. The lopsided performance underscored a difficult season for a UNC program that, despite high-profile leadership, has failed to deliver on its preseason promise.
Week 6 Trend Report
Trending Up: Alabama’s Revenge Tour
Alabama’s resurgence continued with a 30-14 victory over Vanderbilt, avenging a shocking loss from the previous season. Running back Jam Miller rushed for 136 yards and a touchdown, while quarterback Ty Simpson passed for 340 yards and two scores. The decisive win allowed the Crimson Tide to reassert its dominance and quiet the critics who had celebrated last year’s upset.
Trending Down: High-Profile Hires
When Luke Fickell left Cincinnati for Wisconsin after the 2022 season, the move was widely praised. However, the results have been mixed. On Saturday, Wisconsin fell 24-10 to Michigan, having failed to score more than 20 points in eight of its last 10 games against FBS opponents. Meanwhile, Cincinnati, now led by Scott Satterfield, improved to 4-1 with a 38-30 upset of No. 14 Iowa State. The Bearcats’ success, powered by a 260-yard rushing attack, has established them as a contender in the Big 12.
Trending Up: TCU’s Retribution
Sonny Dykes and TCU earned a measure of revenge against Deion Sanders and Colorado with a 35-21 victory. The win came in their first meeting since Colorado stunned the Horned Frogs, then fresh off a national championship appearance, in Sanders’ debut. After falling behind 14-0, TCU dominated the second half behind four touchdown passes from quarterback Josh Hoover. Under Sanders, Colorado is now 15-16, with more retired jerseys (2) than wins over ranked opponents (1).
Trending Down: Maryland’s October Collapse
In a familiar pattern, Maryland followed a strong start with a devastating loss. After opening the season 4-0, the Terrapins built a 20-0 lead over Washington midway through the third quarter, only to see the Huskies score three unanswered touchdowns in the fourth to win 24-20. The collapse continues a troubling trend for the program, which since 2013 has a 40-10 (.800) record in August and September but falls to 28-70 (.286) for the remainder of the season.
Trending Up: Navy’s Air Attack
In the annual clash of service academies, Navy not only defeated Air Force but did so by dominating through the air. Quarterback Blake Horvath delivered a historic performance, completing 20 of 26 passes for 339 yards and three touchdowns while also rushing for 130 yards and another score. He became just the second player in Navy history to record over 300 passing yards and 100 rushing yards in a single game.
Trending Up: Pittsburgh’s New QB
After benching starter Eli Holstein, Pittsburgh turned to freshman Mason Heintschel, who immediately ignited the offense in a 48-7 rout of Boston College. In his first career start, Heintschel threw for 323 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions, becoming the first ACC freshman to achieve those marks in a debut since Deshaun Watson in 2014.
Under-the-Radar Play of the Week
In a Division II matchup, Colorado School of Mines attempted a final, multi-lateral play to win, but the Colorado Mesa sideline emptied onto the field. A Mesa player who was not in the game made the final tackle, resulting in an illegal participation penalty. The five-yard penalty forced Mines to retry the play, which Mesa’s defense stopped to secure the victory.
Under-the-Radar Game of the Week
Western Kentucky moved to 5-1 after a narrow 27-24 victory over Delaware on Friday. The Hilltoppers overcame a halftime deficit with the help of a pick-six and a crucial fumble recovery in the end zone. Leading by three, WKU watched as Delaware drove 70 yards in the final minute to set up a potential game-tying 42-yard field goal. The kick sailed wide, allowing Western Kentucky to escape with the win.
The Heisman Five
- CJ Carr, QB, Notre Dame: Over his last three games, Carr has thrown for eight touchdowns with no interceptions while leading the Fighting Irish to three straight wins. With a favorable ACC-heavy schedule ahead, his numbers could become staggering.
- Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama: Despite an early loss to Florida State, Simpson has guided Alabama back into contention. His steady improvement and leadership have been crucial to the Crimson Tide’s midseason turnaround.
- Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State: Smith continued his stellar season with seven catches and two touchdowns in Ohio State’s 42-3 win over Minnesota. He remains one of the most dynamic and productive receivers in the nation.
- Brendan Sorsby, QB, Cincinnati: Perhaps the most underrated player in the country, Sorsby has been exceptional for the surprising Bearcats. With a Total QBR of 87.2, 12 passing touchdowns, and only one interception, he has positioned Cincinnati as a serious Big 12 title threat.
- Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana / Dante Moore, QB, Oregon / Trinidad Chambliss, QB, Ole Miss: All three quarterbacks were on a bye in Week 6 but remain prominent figures in the Heisman conversation as their teams head into the second half of the season.
