2025 Week 6 College Football Recap And Top Performers

While Week 6 may have lacked the headline matchups of Week 5, it more than made up for it with incredible upsets and unexpected twists. As we approach the midpoint of the season, it’s clear that no team is safe and no prediction is sacred. Here’s what Week 6 taught us—and why the second half of the season is shaping up to be a wild ride.

What Did We Learn After Week 6?

Feature Matchup: Alabama vs. Vanderbilt -

It might be time to have a serious conversation about Texas quarterback Arch Manning. At this point, it’s clear he’s far from Heisman contention—and even further from being a legitimate NFL draft prospect. The bigger question looming over Austin: is Manning truly ready to lead the Longhorns as their starting quarterback?

Their loss to a 1–3 Florida team was more than just a setback—it was an exposure. While the spotlight is on the quarterback, the defense isn’t off the hook either. The Longhorns failed to generate splash plays or momentum-shifting stops, leaving fans with more questions than answers.

With the Red River Rivalry looming next week, Texas will need a dramatic turnaround. Based on what we saw this weekend, the outlook isn’t promising.

• Just when we thought Clemson’s loss to Syracuse was the season’s low point, Penn State managed to outdo it. James Franklin’s squad fell to a previously winless UCLA team—a result that’s not just shocking, but potentially season-defining. To put it bluntly, Franklin’s seat is heating up fast. As for Penn State’s playoff hopes? After this weekend, they may have gone up in smoke.

• It wasn’t the smoothest start, but quarterback Ty Simpson found his rhythm and steered Alabama to a convincing win over a Vanderbilt squad that stunned them just a year ago. Coupled with last week’s triumph over Georgia, it’s clear that head coach Kalen DeBoer has the Crimson Tide locked into a championship-caliber groove. The swagger, physicality, and execution that define Alabama football are back—and with momentum building, this team is shaping up to be a serious threat in the national title race.

• By halftime of their matchup against Purdue, Luke Altmyer and the Fighting Illini had seized full control of the game. With that convincing win, Illinois now sits at 5–1—marking one of their most impressive starts in recent memory. Momentum is building in Champaign, and this team is starting to look like a serious contender.

  
  

• Don't let that forth quarter fool you, the Miami Hurricanes dominated the Florida State Seminoles and proved they were far and away, the better team. As it stands, the Hurricanes own the ACC until another team steps up to dethrone them.

  
  

• If you told us that Texas Tech is college football's most dangerous team, we wouldn't hold it against you. In this dominant win for a 4-0 Houston Cougars team, they beat them soundly on both sides of the ball; on offense, you have to deal with quarterback Behren Morton and his unit, on defense, it's sack artist, David Bailey and their talented crew. This Red Raiders team is looking more and more like a Championship contender.

• When you think of Texas A&M win over Mississippi State, the first name that should come to mind is Edge rusher Cashius Howell. Next to Rueben Bain, Howell is the premier pass rusher in college football and opposing offenses are going to somehow try to neutralize him. Good luck.

• Notre Dame’s win over Boise State didn’t offer many revelations—but one thing is crystal clear: freshman quarterback CJ Carr is the real deal.

• Oklahoma's first day without John Mateer went without a hitch. As excited as we should be about "Red River" next week, we are not expecting much from Texas after what they displayed against Florida.

  
  

• It’s officially time to put some respect on the Cincinnati Bearcats’ name. Don’t let the final score fool you—this team soundly beat undefeated Iowa State squad that came in riding high at 5–0. With that kind of statement win, Cincinnati is making a strong case for a spot in the Top 25. The Bearcats are rolling, and the college football world better take notice.

• Georgia’s win over Kentucky was solid, but it wasn’t without concern. Quarterback Gunner Stockton didn’t exactly light it up, and while the Bulldogs have the talent to contend for the SEC crown, Stockton’s inconsistency could be the one thing holding them back. To be fair, it’s still early—and there’s room for growth—but right now, the quarterback position remains a question mark in an otherwise championship-caliber roster.

• Michigan is officially a dangerous team. It’s one thing to boast a dominant ground game led by Justice Haynes, but when that’s seamlessly integrated with a sharp passing attack, the Wolverines become a complete offensive threat. What’s truly intimidating? This squad is still evolving—and they’re only going to get better. Buckle up, the Wolverines are on the hunt.

• Let’s take a moment to give a well-earned shoutout to the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, who improved to 5–1 following their victory over Delaware. With another win, they could very well break into the coveted Top 25 rankings—a real possibility that’s got fans buzzing.

• The last time we saw Clemson, they were reeling from a stunning upset at the hands of Syracuse. But fresh off their bye week, the Tigers bounced back in dominant fashion, dismantling Bill Belichick’s North Carolina squad with authority. Still, the road to redemption is steep. If Clemson wants to restore its national credibility.

Week 6 Top Performers

Offense

QB Taron Dickens - Western Carolina

QB Blake Horvath - Navy

QB Luke Altmyer - Illinois

QB Bear Bachmeier BYU

WR Chase Roberts - BYU

QB Mason Heintschel - Pittsburgh

QB Behren Morton - Texas Tech

WR Hank Beatty - Illinois

WR Carnell Tate - Ohio State

QB Nico Iamaleava - UCLA

QB Julian Sayin - Ohio State

QB Carson Beck - Miami

TE Bruin Fleischmann - Air Force

RB Rueben Owens II - Texas A&M

QB Cade Klubnik - Clemson

RB Justice Haynes - Michigan

QB Kevin Jennings - SMU

WR Eli Heidenreich - Navy

WR Jordan Napier - San Diego State

WR Dallas Wilson - Florida

RB J'Koby Williams - Texas Tech

WR Chris Bell - Louisville

QB Walker Eget - San Jose State

QB Ty Simpson - Alabama

QB Miller Moss - Louisville

QB Rocco Becht - Iowa State

RB Lucky Sutton - San Diego State

QB DJ Lagway - Florida

RB Evan Pryor - Cincinnati

Defense

EDGE Cashius Howell - Texas A&M

DB DeShon Singleton - Nebraska

S Naeten Mitchell - New Mexico State

LB Javin Wright - Nebraska

DB Jakobe Thomas - Miami

LB Chase Wilson - West Virginia

EDGE David Bailey - Texas Tech

DL Akheem Mesidor - Miami

DL CJ Nunnally IV - Purdue

DL Williams Nwaneri - Nebraska

DL Angelo McCullom - Illinois

DT Landon Robinson - Navy

DL Brien Taylor Jr. - Florida

LB Trey Reddick - Maryland

LB Daymion Sanford - Texas A&M

LB Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa - Notre Dame

DL Jacob Busic - UCLA

DL Isaiah Smith - SMU

LB Jacob Rodriguez - Texas Tech

EDGE Mitchell Melton - Virginia

DB Keionte Scott - Miami

LB David Omopariola - Syracuse

LB Amare Campbell - Penn State

DB Devin Moore - Florida

DL R Mason Thomas - Oklahoma

LB Owen Chambliss - San Diego State