By Harshit | September 29, 2025 | New York
The first month of the 2025 college football season is officially in the books, which means it’s time for everyone’s favorite tradition: overreactions. As usual, Week 5 gave us plenty to chew on, from statement wins in the SEC to early warning signs for perennial powers. Some of these takes might age like fine wine, while others will look foolish in a matter of weeks. But that’s the fun of college football — volatility is part of the DNA.
Here are the top five overreactions from Week 5.
Mississippi Is the SEC’s Best Team
For now, the No. 4 Rebels have earned their spot atop the SEC conversation. Their 24-19 home win against LSU gave them three conference victories in September, and they’re one of the few teams with both momentum and consistency on offense.
But before we crown Lane Kiffin’s team as the league’s alpha, let’s remember that two of those wins came against unranked opponents, and LSU itself had an uneven résumé despite its lofty No. 5 ranking entering the weekend. The Tigers’ earlier wins against Clemson and Florida haven’t exactly aged well, and whether Ole Miss’s Magnolia Bowl triumph will hold long-term value remains to be seen.
Still, style points matter, and right now, Ole Miss has the look of a true contender. The Rebels are physical in the trenches, quarterback play has been efficient, and their defense continues to create timely stops. Until Georgia or Texas prove otherwise, the SEC crown — for the moment — runs through Oxford.
Georgia Will Be Fine … Probably
The Bulldogs find themselves in unfamiliar territory after a September loss to Alabama. A year ago, they were in a similar position and ended up rallying to win the SEC title. This year, though, there are a few more red flags.
Concerns about Georgia’s pass defense emerged in its road win at Tennessee, and Alabama exploited those same vulnerabilities last weekend. The Bulldogs still have the luxury of a manageable schedule by SEC standards, but upcoming games against Ole Miss and Texas loom large. Splitting those contests keeps Georgia firmly in the playoff picture. Dropping both would create major December drama in Athens.
Kirby Smart has built enough equity to earn the benefit of the doubt, but this roster may not be quite as airtight as the 2021–24 editions.
Penn State Still Has Something to Prove
The Nittany Lions narrowly avoided disaster against Oregon by rallying in the fourth quarter to force overtime before falling 30-24 in double OT. That resilience salvages confidence in the short term, but the larger issue persists: Penn State still hasn’t beaten a true playoff-caliber opponent.
James Franklin’s team now faces a brutal stretch beginning October 18: at Iowa, at Ohio State, and home against Indiana. A 2-1 mark would likely secure a playoff berth. A 3-0 sweep would vault Penn State into conference championship contention. Anything less could mean another season of “almost.”
Until the Nittany Lions prove they can win the big one, skepticism will linger.
The SEC and Big Ten Will Own the At-Large Spots
With the new 12-team College Football Playoff allowing just seven at-large berths, space is limited — and two conferences are positioned to dominate. The SEC and Big Ten currently boast 16 of the Top 25 teams in the Coaches Poll, and their depth ensures that even one-loss squads will have plenty of opportunities to rack up “quality wins.”
For the ACC and Big 12, the margin for error is razor-thin. Clemson, Florida State, and Oklahoma all face uphill battles after September setbacks. Independent Notre Dame looked impressive in its dismantling of Arkansas, but ironically, the Irish may end up boosting the résumés of others more than their own. As of now, the playoff math tilts heavily toward the SEC and Big Ten, leaving everyone else fighting for scraps.
The Heisman Race Is Wide Open
Forget the usual suspects. Through five weeks, the Heisman Trophy feels as unpredictable as ever. Sure, Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith, Alabama’s Ty Simpson, and Oregon’s Dante Moore are firmly in the conversation. But this might be the year a dark horse storms through.
Players like New Mexico State transfer Diego Pavia, Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, or even Mississippi’s Trinidad Chambliss have delivered signature September performances. If they sustain production against tougher conference schedules, the Heisman could go to a program that has never hoisted the trophy before.
As always, the early hype will give way to October separation. But for now, the race feels more wide open than it has in years.
Outlook
One month in, the landscape looks familiar in some ways — Ohio State and Oregon remain unbeaten, Georgia is in the hunt, and the SEC is overflowing with ranked teams. But there are enough cracks and surprises to suggest 2025 could be one of the most chaotic playoff races yet.
For Ole Miss, the chance to validate its early claim as the SEC’s best team comes in October. For Georgia and Penn State, the next few weeks are about survival and proof. And for Heisman hopefuls across the country, the season is just beginning.
If Week 5 taught us anything, it’s that overreactions aren’t just part of college football — they’re the whole point.
