AP Top 25 Shake-Up: No. 2 Miami Falls as SEC Showdowns Take the Spotlight
| Updated Oct. 18, 2025
It didn’t take long for the college football landscape to turn upside down this week. The AP Top 25 rankings are set for a major shuffle after No. 2 Miami suffered a stunning 24-21 home defeat to unranked Louisville on Friday night — a game that saw Louisville’s defense intercept Miami quarterback Carson Beck four times.
The Cardinals, entering as 13½-point underdogs, pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the season and are now expected to break into the Top 25 when the new rankings are released Sunday. Meanwhile, Minnesota added more chaos by taking down No. 25 Nebraska, 24-6, setting the tone for a dramatic weekend.
SEC Showdowns Steal the Spotlight
With Miami’s collapse grabbing early headlines, attention now shifts to the Southeastern Conference (SEC) — home to three of this week’s marquee Top 25 matchups.
No. 5 Mississippi (6-0, 3-0 SEC) at No. 9 Georgia (5-1, 3-1 SEC)
The only head-to-head Top 10 clash of the week features Mississippi visiting Georgia, a place where the Rebels haven’t won since 1996. Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss will make his first road start, while Georgia looks to shake off a slow-starting trend — trailing at halftime in three of its four SEC games.
BetMGM Sportsbook: Georgia favored by 7.5 points.
No. 11 Tennessee (5-1, 2-1 SEC) at No. 6 Alabama (5-1, 3-0 SEC)
Two of the conference’s most explosive quarterbacks — Joey Aguilar (Tennessee) and Ty Simpson (Alabama) — face off in Tuscaloosa. Alabama’s Simpson remains a leading Heisman Trophy contender, while Tennessee’s struggling defense (ranked 106th nationally in scoring) faces a tough challenge.
Tennessee has lost 10 straight games at Alabama.
BetMGM Sportsbook: Alabama by 8.5 points.
No. 10 LSU (5-1, 2-1 SEC) at No. 17 Vanderbilt (5-1, 1-1 SEC)
Both quarterbacks, Garrett Nussmeier (LSU) and Diego Pavia (Vanderbilt), aim to regain rhythm after inconsistent performances. Nussmeier, once a Heisman front-runner, has struggled with injuries, while Pavia’s turnovers cost Vanderbilt dearly in their last game against Alabama.
BetMGM Sportsbook: Vanderbilt by 2.5 points.
Other Key Matchups
No. 20 Southern California (5-1) at No. 13 Notre Dame (4-2)
This storied rivalry for the Jeweled Shillelagh carries high stakes — both teams still eyeing playoff contention. USC boasts one of the nation’s hottest offenses, while Notre Dame’s defense has allowed only 27 points in its last three games.
For Notre Dame, a loss could end playoff hopes, while USC faces a brutal upcoming schedule against Nebraska and Oregon.
BetMGM Sportsbook: Notre Dame by 9.5 points.
No. 23 Utah (5-1, 2-1 Big 12) at No. 15 BYU (6-0, 3-0 Big 12)
The Holy War rivalry gets even fiercer as both teams battle within the Big 12. Last year’s controversial finish — a defensive holding call that extended BYU’s final drive — still lingers. BYU is aiming for its third straight win in the rivalry, a feat last achieved between 1989–1992.
BetMGM Sportsbook: Utah by 3.5 points.
Washington (5-1, 2-1 Big Ten) at Michigan (4-2, 2-1 Big Ten)
The winner of this game could re-enter the Top 25. Washington, fresh off a home win over Rutgers, has had extra time to prepare for another long road trip. Michigan, coming off a blowout loss at USC, looks to rebound at home.
BetMGM Sportsbook: Michigan by 5.5 points.
The Bigger Picture
Between Miami’s shocking fall, Louisville’s resurgence, and multiple SEC heavyweight battles, the AP Top 25 rankings are set for one of the most dramatic reshuffles of the season. Expect movement across the board — especially in the Top 10 — as several contenders fight to stay alive in the College Football Playoff race.
Source: Associated Press
Photo Credit: AP Photo / Michael Laughlin
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