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Another week, another big win for Miami. Here are some takeaways from the Week 3 CFB slate and how things could be affected moving forward.
- Clemson - Dabo Swinney's Tigers are among the most disappointing teams in the country. Coming into the season, this was a team picked by the national media to make a deep CFP run, and maybe even win the national championship. Three weeks in, and Clemson is 1-2, its only win being a lethargic comeback against Troy. Many of the same problems that plagued Clemson last year are apparent this year. Bad run defense, lack of explosiveness on offense, lack of elite talent at skill positions. Like many on this board, I was not convinced by Clemson last year. They only beat 2 out of 5 teams they played with an above .500 record (one of those teams being 7-5 Pitt). They cruised the rest of the year off a charmin soft schedule. Much like last week, Cade Klubnick is who we all thought he was, and this Clemson team looks like a dud. Dabo's refusal to use the portal or buy into NIL is showing.
- Georgia Tech - Brent Key is a very good coach. With a winning record against ranked opponents and a tough-minded culture, this is a GT team that can compete. Ultimately, GT will be one of the few ACC teams to really compete for an appearance in Charlotte. Haynes King is a solid QB, Jamal Haynes is a hit, and this team is one to keep an eye on.
- Tennessee - Despite living up to the moniker of "Rocky Flop" this is a Tennessee team that will compete in the SEC and looks primed to make another appearance in the CFP Playoff. Joey Aguilar is an upgrade from Nico, and this roster has talent. While they lost a heartbreaker to Georgia, this is a team that can win 10 games. That defense needs to find its identity though, 500 yards of offense is inexcusable. Tenn has to hope for an SEC Championship Game rematch with UGA to get that monkey off its back finally.
- UGA - Tough win in a tough environment. Gunner Stockton isn't as talented a passer as Carson Beck, but he can get the job done. UGA's run game also looked good, after struggling in 2024. Like Tennesee, UGA's defense has a lot to figure out. Nearly 500 yards of offense is inexcusable. Either way, this is a team that will compete in the SEC and push for a CFP berth regardless. Next up, Alabama in Athens.
- Alabama - Ty Simpson, for the second straight week, looked like a good P4 QB. Bama dominated Wisconsin in nearly every aspect of that game, and the result was never really in doubt. Ryan Williams also showed what he can do after a poor showing against FSU in Week 1. Ultimately, I think this matchup was a mix of two things, (1) Bama is much better than what they showed in week 1 against FSU and (2) Wisconsin is not a good football team. Next up for Alabama, #5 UGA in Athens. If Bama can pull out a W, Kalen Deboer and the Crimson Tide are back in business.
- LSU - This is a good LSU team, but their continued offensive struggles are surprising. You look at that roster on offense, and on paper, it should be a Top 15 unit. In reality, though, this LSU offense lacks explosiveness and big-time playmakers. Nevertheless, LSU's defense is stout, and they shut down the gators in Death Valley. Ultimately, this is an LSU team that I think stumbles along the way, as their offense ends up putting a ceiling on their postseason aspirations.
- Florida - There's only one way to describe the 2025 Florida Gators up to this point: unmitigated disaster. Florida came into this season with CFP hype and a preseason favorite for the Heisman trophy. Of course, looks are deceiving, and like many on this board, I never bought the hype. Billy Napier is who he is, and a coach who went from 6-7 to 6-7 to 8-5 wasn't going to just make an astronomical leap. DJ Lagway also did not have the production in 2024 to warrant the hype he received. I compared him to TVD various times in Gator Tears, because he reminded me so much of him. Even then, TVD's comparative stats blew Lagway out of the water. Lagway was awful against LSU, throwing 5 interceptions and looking completely lost. For now, he seems like a one read QB that can't ID defenses. Florida goes into Hard Rock this Saturday as a clear underdog. Nevertheless, a wounded animal can kill, and Florida's gonna throw the kitchen sink in this game. Miami has to stay focused and ready, but nobody should pretend this Florida team is anyting other than what many on this board exepected: hyped and overrated.
- USF - 2-1 is better than USF ever thought they'd be coming into this season, but it was quickly clear on Saturday that the Bulls were no match whatsoever for the Canes. I thought this was a bad matchup going into Saturday for USF. Miami's defense completely shut down Byrum Brown, and USF did little of anything on offense (except 2-3 big throws). Miami's defense held USF to minimal points on a few redzone trips. USF's defense did absolutely nothing against Miami's offense. This is a USF team that'll compete for an AAC Championship and the CFP G5 bid.
- Miami - for the first time in 20 years, there's a legitimate argument to make that Miami is the #1 team in the country. Unlike last year, where the defense was a glaring deficiency, this team is deep and talented top to bottom. Carson Beck looks better than ever, Miami's RB room is one of the best in the country (without Jordan Lyle I will add), the WR room is deeper and better than last year, and we are elite in the trenches. The secondary looks night and day from last year, and our LBs look the part. Rueben Bain is a first round talent, and Akhem Messidor isn't far behind. This team has to stay focused and get a big win against Florida. We can't get ahead of ourselves, but there are maybe 2-3 teams in the country that you could make an argument are better than us.
- Notre Dame - what a let down these first two games have been for Notre Dame. Losing to A&M at home because of special teams disaster is peak tragedy. Even so, this is a team that can win its next 10 and maybe make an argument for a CFP bid in December. After all, ND lost to now #4 Miami and a solid A&M team. 0-2 is not indicative of how good this team will probably end up being.
- Virginia Tech - Brent Pry finally got the boot in Blacksburg. Virginia Tech is a shell of a shell of its former self. I've never seen the program at such a low, and they will need a solid hire to turn things around, especially as conference realignment heats up. Thats a top to bottom 2-3 year rebuild. They are terrible, and I expect Miami to embarrass them in Blacksburg come November.
- Virginia - this is an interesting team. One loss to a good NCST squad, close one at that, and some real talent at QB, RB, and WR. UVA's biggest matchup comes in two weeks, when they host FSU in Charlottesville. Tony Elliot desperately needs a big win, and this is a prime opportunity for them. I do not believe FSU is as good as people think - despite their fans talking about Charlotte and making the CFP. This is the same FSU team that its own writers predicted would go 7-5, and has zero depth at multiple positions. With Miami coming the week after, Virginia could catch FSU looking ahead, and deliver a big-time L.
