2025 College Football Thread: James Franklin decides losing big games wasn’t quite enough (19 Viewers)

[SWC]

GM's Top 20 – October 7, 2025

1. Ohio State – Dispatched the Boat Rowers with ease. Illinois awaits.
2. Miami – FSU made the final score respectable, but this game never felt in doubt. Runway is quite clear for them to run the table and finish undefeated.
3. Oregon – Just glad the Ducks are hosting Indiana. Should be a great game in Autzen.
4. Ole Miss – Wonder how the Kiffin family spent the week off? Hosting the Cougs Saturday.
5. Texas A&M – Relieved not to have to visit the Swamp this weekend to face Florda.
6. Oklahoma – Red River Shootout not as intriguing as it seemed this summer but not for the same reasons. Texas is favored by 2.5 and that seems very very fishy to me.
7. Indiana – Crazy that this is the biggest game of the weekend but here it is. Line opened at 10, bet down to 7.5.
8. Alabama – Undefeated Mizzou gets to see if they can topple the mighty Tide, playing as good as any team in the country right now.
9. Texas Tech – Trucked Houston and not hosts Kansas. Best team Lubbock money could buy!
10. Georgia – 5 SEC teams in the top 10? Could be 6 soon enough. Crazy.
11. LSU – Curious how this team looks after a week off with Coach Ratched angry at everything?
12. Tennessee – 7 SEC teams in the top 12. Criminy. Should have a fun time vs. Arkansas unless Petrino has a son that’s calling plays.
13. Georgia Tech – Moving up due to shortcomings of others. The American Way!
14. Michigan – Big10 needs more love now that Franklin crapped the bed. Interesting game @ USC.
15. Notre Dame – 3-2 and the schedule sets up super nice for them to win out.
16. Missouri – I still haven’t seen them play but 9am Saturday is my chance. Huge test for Mizzou.
17. Illinois – Really hard to forget about the 50 point beat-down by Indiana but they’ve rallied back. Can they keep this one close vs #1?
18. BYU – Quietly putting together a very good season at 5-0 and hopefully they don’t overlook Arizona for the Holy War on the 18th.
19. Virgina – One of the better stories of the 2025 college football season. Coach Elliott’s seat cooling off considerably.
20. Memphis – Elevating them here and consider them the frontrunners for the G5 playoff spot.

Dropping Out:

Penn State – They let Oregon beat them twice. Now what do they do? Franklin is an expensive problem.
Vanderbilt – Could easily get back into the Top 20. This is a good team.
Texas – This is not a good team. This is not a good QB. This is not my beautiful wife.
Iowa State – Ugh, you had everything going for you but Cincinnati derailed those good vibes. Can creep back into the picture but this loss stung.

Just Missed:

USC – Big opportunity in LA. Huge game vs Michigan.
Arizona State – Finding their footing in a nice victory over TCU.
Cincinnati – Makes me happy seeing Shuke happy. Let’s win another one!

i dont see wisconsin on there and frankly i shouldnt they stink that is all take that to the bank brohan

 

[Brunell4MVP]

ALA fans trying to fire their coach 2 weeks ago, now looking at the CFP. This is todays college football. Total knuckleheads about their teams

 

[General Malaise]

GM's Top 20 – October 7, 2025

1. Ohio State – Dispatched the Boat Rowers with ease. Illinois awaits.
2. Miami – FSU made the final score respectable, but this game never felt in doubt. Runway is quite clear for them to run the table and finish undefeated.
3. Oregon – Just glad the Ducks are hosting Indiana. Should be a great game in Autzen.
4. Ole Miss – Wonder how the Kiffin family spent the week off? Hosting the Cougs Saturday.
5. Texas A&M – Relieved not to have to visit the Swamp this weekend to face Florda.
6. Oklahoma – Red River Shootout not as intriguing as it seemed this summer but not for the same reasons. Texas is favored by 2.5 and that seems very very fishy to me.
7. Indiana – Crazy that this is the biggest game of the weekend but here it is. Line opened at 10, bet down to 7.5.
8. Alabama – Undefeated Mizzou gets to see if they can topple the mighty Tide, playing as good as any team in the country right now.
9. Texas Tech – Trucked Houston and not hosts Kansas. Best team Lubbock money could buy!
10. Georgia – 5 SEC teams in the top 10? Could be 6 soon enough. Crazy.
11. LSU – Curious how this team looks after a week off with Coach Ratched angry at everything?
12. Tennessee – 7 SEC teams in the top 12. Criminy. Should have a fun time vs. Arkansas unless Petrino has a son that’s calling plays.
13. Georgia Tech – Moving up due to shortcomings of others. The American Way!
14. Michigan – Big10 needs more love now that Franklin crapped the bed. Interesting game @ USC.
15. Notre Dame – 3-2 and the schedule sets up super nice for them to win out.
16. Missouri – I still haven’t seen them play but 9am Saturday is my chance. Huge test for Mizzou.
17. Illinois – Really hard to forget about the 50 point beat-down by Indiana but they’ve rallied back. Can they keep this one close vs #1?
18. BYU – Quietly putting together a very good season at 5-0 and hopefully they don’t overlook Arizona for the Holy War on the 18th.
19. Virgina – One of the better stories of the 2025 college football season. Coach Elliott’s seat cooling off considerably.
20. Memphis – Elevating them here and consider them the frontrunners for the G5 playoff spot.

Dropping Out:

Penn State – They let Oregon beat them twice. Now what do they do? Franklin is an expensive problem.
Vanderbilt – Could easily get back into the Top 20. This is a good team.
Texas – This is not a good team. This is not a good QB. This is not my beautiful wife.
Iowa State – Ugh, you had everything going for you but Cincinnati derailed those good vibes. Can creep back into the picture but this loss stung.

Just Missed:

USC – Big opportunity in LA. Huge game vs Michigan.
Arizona State – Finding their footing in a nice victory over TCU.
Cincinnati – Makes me happy seeing Shuke happy. Let’s win another one!

i dont see wisconsin on there and frankly i shouldnt they stink that is all take that to the bank brohan

They might be in the my bottom 20 GB and I'm sorry for that.

Oregon State, UNC, Wisconsin, Oklahoma State, Purdue, Arkansas, Kentucky all contenders for lousiest FCS football progrums in 2025.

BUT NOT UCLA!!!!!

 

[General Malaise]

ALA fans trying to fire their coach 2 weeks ago, now looking at the CFP. This is todays college football. Total knuckleheads about their teams

I think the Georgia game shut most of those idiots up. But to your point, they're just another loss away from getting the pitchforks back out.

I know I don't want to see Alabama in the playoffs. Nor their coach. He has Oregon's number. Only coach to beat Lanning 3 times. Only coach to beat him 2 times.

Kirby Smart, Jonathan Smith, Ryan Day all have one victory over Dan Lanning. DeBoer has 3.

 

[SWC]

GM's Top 20 – October 7, 2025

1. Ohio State – Dispatched the Boat Rowers with ease. Illinois awaits.
2. Miami – FSU made the final score respectable, but this game never felt in doubt. Runway is quite clear for them to run the table and finish undefeated.
3. Oregon – Just glad the Ducks are hosting Indiana. Should be a great game in Autzen.
4. Ole Miss – Wonder how the Kiffin family spent the week off? Hosting the Cougs Saturday.
5. Texas A&M – Relieved not to have to visit the Swamp this weekend to face Florda.
6. Oklahoma – Red River Shootout not as intriguing as it seemed this summer but not for the same reasons. Texas is favored by 2.5 and that seems very very fishy to me.
7. Indiana – Crazy that this is the biggest game of the weekend but here it is. Line opened at 10, bet down to 7.5.
8. Alabama – Undefeated Mizzou gets to see if they can topple the mighty Tide, playing as good as any team in the country right now.
9. Texas Tech – Trucked Houston and not hosts Kansas. Best team Lubbock money could buy!
10. Georgia – 5 SEC teams in the top 10? Could be 6 soon enough. Crazy.
11. LSU – Curious how this team looks after a week off with Coach Ratched angry at everything?
12. Tennessee – 7 SEC teams in the top 12. Criminy. Should have a fun time vs. Arkansas unless Petrino has a son that’s calling plays.
13. Georgia Tech – Moving up due to shortcomings of others. The American Way!
14. Michigan – Big10 needs more love now that Franklin crapped the bed. Interesting game @ USC.
15. Notre Dame – 3-2 and the schedule sets up super nice for them to win out.
16. Missouri – I still haven’t seen them play but 9am Saturday is my chance. Huge test for Mizzou.
17. Illinois – Really hard to forget about the 50 point beat-down by Indiana but they’ve rallied back. Can they keep this one close vs #1?
18. BYU – Quietly putting together a very good season at 5-0 and hopefully they don’t overlook Arizona for the Holy War on the 18th.
19. Virgina – One of the better stories of the 2025 college football season. Coach Elliott’s seat cooling off considerably.
20. Memphis – Elevating them here and consider them the frontrunners for the G5 playoff spot.

Dropping Out:

Penn State – They let Oregon beat them twice. Now what do they do? Franklin is an expensive problem.
Vanderbilt – Could easily get back into the Top 20. This is a good team.
Texas – This is not a good team. This is not a good QB. This is not my beautiful wife.
Iowa State – Ugh, you had everything going for you but Cincinnati derailed those good vibes. Can creep back into the picture but this loss stung.

Just Missed:

USC – Big opportunity in LA. Huge game vs Michigan.
Arizona State – Finding their footing in a nice victory over TCU.
Cincinnati – Makes me happy seeing Shuke happy. Let’s win another one!

i dont see wisconsin on there and frankly i shouldnt they stink that is all take that to the bank brohan

They might be in the my bottom 20 GB and I'm sorry for that.

Oregon State, UNC, Wisconsin, Oklahoma State, Purdue, Arkansas, Kentucky all contenders for lousiest FCS football progrums in 2025.

BUT NOT UCLA!!!!!

even more painful is that ole bert baluga is doing well at illinois take that to the bank brochachos

 

[Instinctive]

ALA fans trying to fire their coach 2 weeks ago, now looking at the CFP. This is todays college football. Total knuckleheads about their teams

I mean if we lose to Texas people are gonna freak out I think.

 

[wazoo11]

I’m going to my first sec game on Saturday in Baton Rouge!

 

[General Malaise]

I would love to see Indiana do well against the Ducks. Not because I dislike Oregon (or have love for Indiana) but because I enjoy seeing somebody new step up, and Indiana has been a really pleasant surprise these last two seasons.

That being said whenever they face the big boys they don’t do very well. They just don’t have the talent to match up. So look for Oregon to cover.

Here’s my upset of the week: Texas wins. OK not really an upset because I think they’re favored, but I’m predicting Arch shrugs off his struggles and has a very good game.

Well, they didn't do well LAST YEAR against the big boys (although they did beat Michigan). They also didn't have Fernando Mendoza, who should be a top 5-10 NFL pick. Recent mocks have him #5 overall.

They've only faced one ranked team so far in 2025 and they pulverized Illinois. A slog fest against Iowa, but that's a hard place to play historically. I'm just glad the Ducks are at home for this one. Indiana hasn't seen anything like this before. I know Ohio State is big, but even Buckeye fans told me Autzen is the loudest place they have ever visited before. It's just different. It's built for sound to be a problem, unlike other venue where noise can escape out.

We'll see....I have a 'draft' with my buddy for our season tickets. He got first pick and took Indiana, which I thought was silly and gladly countered with USC. He's the one laughing now - although I love it when USC visits. Their band is near my seats and I find their fight songs quite catchy. DOOOO-DO-DO-DO-DOOOO-DOOO-DOOOO....DOOOOOOOOO (not a music major).

 

[General Malaise]

I’m going to my first sec game on Saturday in Baton Rouge!

Go early and report back on food! This is one place I'd love to visit for a game.

 

[timschochet]

I would love to see Indiana do well against the Ducks. Not because I dislike Oregon (or have love for Indiana) but because I enjoy seeing somebody new step up, and Indiana has been a really pleasant surprise these last two seasons.

That being said whenever they face the big boys they don’t do very well. They just don’t have the talent to match up. So look for Oregon to cover.

Here’s my upset of the week: Texas wins. OK not really an upset because I think they’re favored, but I’m predicting Arch shrugs off his struggles and has a very good game.

Well, they didn't do well LAST YEAR against the big boys (although they did beat Michigan). They also didn't have Fernando Mendoza, who should be a top 5-10 NFL pick. Recent mocks have him #5 overall.

They've only faced one ranked team so far in 2025 and they pulverized Illinois. A slog fest against Iowa, but that's a hard place to play historically. I'm just glad the Ducks are at home for this one. Indiana hasn't seen anything like this before. I know Ohio State is big, but even Buckeye fans told me Autzen is the loudest place they have ever visited before. It's just different. It's built for sound to be a problem, unlike other venue where noise can escape out.

We'll see....I have a 'draft' with my buddy for our season tickets. He got first pick and took Indiana, which I thought was silly and gladly countered with USC. He's the one laughing now - although I love it when USC visits. Their band is near my seats and I find their fight songs quite catchy. DOOOO-DO-DO-DO-DOOOO-DOOO-DOOOO....DOOOOOOOOO (not a music major).

I really want to visit that stadium. My nephew is a freshman there this year so I promised we would visit him when UCLA plays there next. Hopefully that’s next season.

 

[bigbottom]

Fair expectations for the maize and blue. 2026 is shaping up to be a banger, but predicting the offense this year is pretty tough to do, especially with so many question marks at OL, TE, and WR. Underwood has a ton of hype, but as a true freshman there's going to be plenty of inexperienced mistakes. The D looks lights out though.

2025 preseason grades for every Michigan Football position group

The defense looks elite, but the offense is set to begin the season as more of a mystery. Today, we assign a preseason grade breakdown for every Michigan Football position group heading into the 2025 season:

www.maizenbrew.com

Any interest in a friendly wager on the Michigan - USC game this upcoming season? Doesn’t have to be money - we can do something fun.

What kind of wager are we thinking? We're a ways off from that one, but my interest is peaked. My creepy AArod avatar and your Nigel Tufnel, something else?

Sure! That sounds fun. Winner gets to choose the losers avatar for a month (just can’t be obscene or reputation harming - no Jeffrey Epstein avatar, for example).

You're on!

ETA. I consider anything oSU both obscene and reputation harming

DANGIT!!!

I'm serious, but also kidding. I don't have to worry about this, but let's say i did, if you want to see Ryan Day's jet black dyed hair or similar oSU nonsense I'll grit my teeth and do it. Ofcourse, I'm not worried about that happening.

Since I'm also a Packers fan your most recent Heisman winner would also be in poor taste, but less so

This is the week! Looks like the Trojans are favored by 2.5, which I find pretty astounding, but I guess that’s just the home field boost.

Gonna be a great game. It's tough to travel across the country so I'm not surprised to see it predicted to be close.

I think Michigan can bully them with the running game and grind out a win, but i don't think it'll be easy. This is the one that worries me the most until the OSU game and looking forward to it.

GO BLUE!!

Eta. Man this game came fast. Hard to believe we're this far into the season already.

Eta 2.
Michigan 31
USC 27

Well, I was really feeling good about USC’s D-line until last week when they crapped the bed against Illinois. And while our secondary is trash, I agree that the biggest factor will be whether USC’s defensive front can stop Michigan’s running game. If not, it’s going to be tough sledding.

With that said, I’m optimistic on USC’s offense so if it becomes a shootout, I like our chances. I think the key for Michigan will be to pound the rock, dominate time of possession and and keep USC’s offense off the field.

While I think Michigan probably takes it in a close one (USC seems to lose every close game), I can’t have that be my prediction. So I’ll go with this:

USC - 34
Michigan 27

 

[Yo Mama]

Interesting thread on Belichick supposedly looking to taking a buyout from UNC. Some of his coaches are already talking to other teams.

https://x.com/ollieconnolly/status/1976021814905332067?s=46&t=y6cC9YGHSWmPAqN66itfRA

 

[General Malaise]

I would love to see Indiana do well against the Ducks. Not because I dislike Oregon (or have love for Indiana) but because I enjoy seeing somebody new step up, and Indiana has been a really pleasant surprise these last two seasons.

That being said whenever they face the big boys they don’t do very well. They just don’t have the talent to match up. So look for Oregon to cover.

Here’s my upset of the week: Texas wins. OK not really an upset because I think they’re favored, but I’m predicting Arch shrugs off his struggles and has a very good game.

Well, they didn't do well LAST YEAR against the big boys (although they did beat Michigan). They also didn't have Fernando Mendoza, who should be a top 5-10 NFL pick. Recent mocks have him #5 overall.

They've only faced one ranked team so far in 2025 and they pulverized Illinois. A slog fest against Iowa, but that's a hard place to play historically. I'm just glad the Ducks are at home for this one. Indiana hasn't seen anything like this before. I know Ohio State is big, but even Buckeye fans told me Autzen is the loudest place they have ever visited before. It's just different. It's built for sound to be a problem, unlike other venue where noise can escape out.

We'll see....I have a 'draft' with my buddy for our season tickets. He got first pick and took Indiana, which I thought was silly and gladly countered with USC. He's the one laughing now - although I love it when USC visits. Their band is near my seats and I find their fight songs quite catchy. DOOOO-DO-DO-DO-DOOOO-DOOO-DOOOO....DOOOOOOOOO (not a music major).

I really want to visit that stadium. My nephew is a freshman there this year so I promised we would visit him when UCLA plays there next. Hopefully that’s next season.

Let me know if you follow through in this. You can have my tickets for that game. Five rows up from the corner endzone, right where the UCLA cheerleaders will be parked.

Controversial statement: UCLA cheerleaders >>>> USC.

 

[General Malaise]

Interesting thread on Belichick supposedly looking to taking a buyout from UNC. Some of his coaches are already talking to other teams.

https://x.com/ollieconnolly/status/1976021814905332067?s=46&t=y6cC9YGHSWmPAqN66itfRA

It was never meant to be. Unlike a relationship with a girl 60 years your junior.

 

[timschochet]

I would love to see Indiana do well against the Ducks. Not because I dislike Oregon (or have love for Indiana) but because I enjoy seeing somebody new step up, and Indiana has been a really pleasant surprise these last two seasons.

That being said whenever they face the big boys they don’t do very well. They just don’t have the talent to match up. So look for Oregon to cover.

Here’s my upset of the week: Texas wins. OK not really an upset because I think they’re favored, but I’m predicting Arch shrugs off his struggles and has a very good game.

Well, they didn't do well LAST YEAR against the big boys (although they did beat Michigan). They also didn't have Fernando Mendoza, who should be a top 5-10 NFL pick. Recent mocks have him #5 overall.

They've only faced one ranked team so far in 2025 and they pulverized Illinois. A slog fest against Iowa, but that's a hard place to play historically. I'm just glad the Ducks are at home for this one. Indiana hasn't seen anything like this before. I know Ohio State is big, but even Buckeye fans told me Autzen is the loudest place they have ever visited before. It's just different. It's built for sound to be a problem, unlike other venue where noise can escape out.

We'll see....I have a 'draft' with my buddy for our season tickets. He got first pick and took Indiana, which I thought was silly and gladly countered with USC. He's the one laughing now - although I love it when USC visits. Their band is near my seats and I find their fight songs quite catchy. DOOOO-DO-DO-DO-DOOOO-DOOO-DOOOO....DOOOOOOOOO (not a music major).

I really want to visit that stadium. My nephew is a freshman there this year so I promised we would visit him when UCLA plays there next. Hopefully that’s next season.

Let me know if you follow through in this. You can have my tickets for that game. Five rows up from the corner endzone, right where the UCLA cheerleaders will be parked.

Controversial statement: UCLA cheerleaders >>>> USC.

That’s very generous of you. Thanks I will