College Football’s Unpredictable September: 2025 Season Surprises

The first four weeks of the 2025 college football season have defied preseason expectations, delivering a host of unexpected results and performances. From disappointing Heisman hopefuls to stunning turnarounds, September has proven that the only thing predictable about college football is its unpredictability.

One of the biggest shocks has been the struggles of some of the sport’s most hyped quarterbacks. Drew Allar, for instance, has Penn State undefeated but ranks a dismal 106th in QBR. Arch Manning, despite his immense hype, has struggled with a low completion rate and a QBR of just 54.3. Other high-profile quarterbacks like DJ Lagway and John Mateer have been hit with injuries, while Nico Iamaleava, who transferred to UCLA after leading Tennessee to the playoffs, has yet to secure a win. Clemson’s Cade Klubnik has also stumbled, leading the Tigers to a shocking 1-3 start. This is a monumental surprise, as the team has struggled on both offense and defense, with its lone win coming from a narrow victory against Troy.

However, the season has also produced some standout performers. The most notable is Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, a Division II transfer who has impressed with a 68% completion rate and five touchdowns in his first two starts. He has become a surprising star in the SEC, showing that talent can be found in unexpected places. Another massive turnaround has been Florida State’s transformation from a 2-10 team in 2024 to a legitimate CFP contender. The Seminoles have dominated opponents, including a strong win over Alabama to start the season, and currently rank first in the ACC in multiple offensive and defensive categories.

Beyond individual teams, entire conferences have been full of surprises. Vanderbilt, a team that stunned Alabama last year, has proven it’s not a one-year wonder. The Commodores are an undefeated 4-0 with impressive victories over Virginia Tech and a ranked South Carolina team, establishing themselves as a serious challenger in the SEC. Meanwhile, the American Athletic Conference has looked incredibly strong in its pursuit of a College Football Playoff spot. With three undefeated teams—Memphis, Navy, and North Texas—and a previously ranked South Florida, the conference has far exceeded its preseason expectations, signaling it could be a major player for the fifth CFP bid.