{"id":873181,"date":"2025-09-15T21:12:35","date_gmt":"2025-09-16T02:12:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2025\/09\/15\/takeaways-from-cfb-week-3-a-lot-to-track-in-the-acc\/"},"modified":"2025-09-15T21:12:35","modified_gmt":"2025-09-16T02:12:35","slug":"takeaways-from-cfb-week-3-a-lot-to-track-in-the-acc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2025\/09\/15\/takeaways-from-cfb-week-3-a-lot-to-track-in-the-acc\/","title":{"rendered":"Takeaways from CFB Week 3: A lot to track in the ACC"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets quarterback Haynes King (10) hands the ball off to running back Jamal Haynes (1) against the Clemson Tigers in the second quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field. <\/span>
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Another wild week of college football was in full effect Saturday, providing upsets, coaches\u2019 hot seats warming and breakout performances that reshaped early playoff narratives.<\/p>\n

Here are seven takeaways from Week 3 of the college football season.<\/p>\n

Football
\nGeorgia Tech<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0is coming for the ACC title<\/strong>
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Georgia Tech delivered one of the most dramatic wins of Week 3, stunning No. 12 Clemson with a 55-yard game-winning field goal from Aidan Birr. The kick not only kept the Yellow Jackets undefeated but also sent a clear message across the conference on how they are a legitimate contender for the ACC.<\/p>\n

Quarterback Hayes King made a triumphant return from his Week 1 injury, totaling 319 yards and a touchdown, while Georgia Tech’s defense backed him up, holding preseason Heisman hopeful Cade Klubnik to just 15 completions.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Under head coach Brent Key, the Yellow Jackets have now gone 7\u20131 against ranked ACC opponents, and this win marks their first over Clemson since 2014. With a favorable conference schedule<\/a> that avoids both No. 5 Miami and No. 10 Florida State, Georgia Tech\u2019s path to the ACC Championship is open.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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\n\u2014 ACC Football (@ACCFootball) September 13, 2025<\/a>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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Football
\nLuke Fickell\u2019s spark for\u00a0<\/strong>Wisconsin<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0is losing steam<\/strong>
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Wisconsin\u2019s 38-14 loss to Alabama was another reminder of how far the Badgers have fallen from Big Ten contention. Fickell is now 15-14 since taking over the Badgers, and 0-7 in games against ranked opponents. With five ranked opponents remaining<\/a> on the schedule, Fickell faces mounting pressure to deliver his signature win with the Badgers.<\/p>\n

Football
\nGeorgia<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/strong>Tennessee<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0are high-octane offenses<\/strong>
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No. 6 Georgia and No. 15 Tennessee proved why they boast two of the most explosive offenses in college football following the Bulldogs’ 44-41 overtime win. Both teams finished with over 500 yards of offense, with Georgia’s Gunner Stockton throwing for 304 yards and two touchdowns, and Tennessee’s Joey Aguilar throwing for 371 yards and four touchdowns.<\/p>\n

Football
\nMiami<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0continues to thrive with Carson Beck at the helm<\/strong>
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After an injury-plagued final season at Georgia, Beck has quickly reestablished himself in Miami, leading the Hurricanes to a 3-0 start. In their dominant 49-12 win over No. 18 USF, Beck delivered another strong performance \u2014 throwing for 340 yards and three touchdowns, while adding another score on the ground. It marks Miami’s second ranked win this season.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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\n\u2014 ACC Football (@ACCFootball) September 13, 2025<\/a>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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Football
\nBrent Pry\u2019s Tenure at\u00a0<\/strong>Virginia Tech<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0is nearing its breaking point<\/strong>
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Virginia Tech\u2019s 45-26 loss to Old Dominion felt like a tipping point in Brent Pry\u2019s time in Blacksburg. The Hokies have now dropped their first three games of the season, marking their worst start since 1987. The defensive identity Pry was brought in to restore has completely collapsed, as the Hokies have given up 89 points over their last two games.<\/p>\n

Football
\nDiego Pavia has\u00a0<\/strong>Vanderbilt<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0rolling<\/strong>
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Vanderbilt is no longer a punchline in the SEC. The Commodores have opened the 2025 season 3-0 after upsetting No.11 South Carolina 31-7. Quarterback Diego Pavia has been the key contributor, holding the ninth-highest<\/a> QBR in college football.<\/p>\n

While the Commodores will have to face six more ranked SEC opponents, the lopsided win over South Carolina shows an early, positive sign.<\/p>\n

Football
\nNotre Dame<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0is in trouble<\/strong>
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After a 27-24 loss to Miami in Week 1, No. 8 Notre Dame suffered another gut punch at home, falling 41-40 to No. 16 Texas A&M. It marks the first time in program history the Irish have opened a season with back-to-back losses to ranked opponents.\u00a0<\/p>\n

With no conference title to chase, Notre Dame will likely need to run the table to stay in the playoff conversation. The one silver lining is that Texas A&M was the last ranked opponent on their regular-season schedule, meaning the Irish now control their destiny \u2014 but the margin for error is razor-thin.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTaylor Bretl<\/a>
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Taylor Bretl<\/a> writes about Major League Baseball with a focus on the Milwaukee Brewers. He is founder of Around the Globe Baseball.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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