Author: nfltalk

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Bill Belichick secured his first win against a Power Four opponent during North Carolina’s 27-10 victory over Syracuse on Friday. UNC entered this weekend 0-5 against Power Four competition and was coming off back-to-back devastating losses in ACC play against Cal and Virginia, where Belichick’s team had a chance to win the game in the final moments.

The highlight of Belichick’s tenure at UNC thus far — and a culmination of his team showing gradual improvement throughout the course of the season — was on display when the Tar Heels snapped their four-game losing skid against the Orange. It was also the first time UNC scored at least 21 points against a Power Four team this season.

North Carolina quarterback Gio Lopez finished 15 of 19 for 216 yards and two touchdowns. The Tar Heels trailed 10-6 at halftime before scoring 21 unanswered points in the second half to pull away for good. UNC racked up 425 yards of total offense and held Syracuse to just 147.

The Belichick era at UNC began with a blowout loss against TCU before the long-time New England Patriots coach secured his first win at the college level against Charlotte. UNC lost its last two games against Cal and Virginia by four points combined. Against Cal, UNC had a chance to take the lead in the final minutes before fumbling at the goal line. In the game against the Virginia, UNC was unable to convert on a 2-point conversion that would’ve given Belichick’s team a walk-off win.

Despite moving to 3-5 (1-3 ACC), North Carolina and Belichick still face an uphill climb to become bowl eligible. The Tar Heels face…

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The Oklahoma Sooners are going on the road this week to take on the Tennessee Volunteers in a game that holds big-time College Football Playoff implications for both teams. A win keeps both Oklahoma and Tennessee alive in the playoff race ahead of Tuesday’s initial rankings release. A loss for either team and they’re playing for bowl positioning the rest of the way.

Like last week, this week’s game against the Volunteers pits Oklahoma’s defense against one of the best offenses in the nation. It’s a tough matchup against their old quarterback and offensive coordinator, Josh Heupel. The Sooners’ defense has to have a rebound performance after struggling to slow down Trinidad Chambliss and Ole Miss last week.

Additionally, the Sooners need a complete performance from their offense. Tennessee’s defense can be scored on. Can Ben Arbuckle, John Mateer, and the offense take advantage of that reality? Are we in for a shootout on Saturday night? Here’s a look at this week’s Sooners Wire Staff Predictions.

Sooners Need Big Defensive Performance

Tennessee’s only two losses of the season have come against two of the best five or 10 teams in the country, and the Volunteers nearly won both, anyway. Oklahoma, while better than last year, doesn’t have the offensive oomph to keep up in a track meet. The Sooners’ best chance lies in their elite defense slowing down a top-five offense. On the road, that’s especially tough.

Tennessee 28, Oklahoma 20

Eric Bolin, Sooners Wire Contributor

Sooners Can Win

After struggling to overall contain Ole Miss’ offense last week, Oklahoma gets a statistically better one this week against Tennessee. Something tells me Brent Venables didn’t like being out-dueled by Lane Kiffin, and I think he’ll come out swinging against Josh Heupel. The Volunteers will score, but if the Sooners are better on third and…

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No. 5 Georgia plays Florida in their annual rivalry game in Jacksonville on Saturday. The Bulldogs are winners of three straight, including a 43-35 upset win over No. 5 Ole Miss. Quarterback Gunner Stockton has emerged as a dynamic playmaker, completing 70.5% of his passes with 17 total touchdowns to only one interception.

Florida fired coach Billy Napier after its 23-21 win over Mississippi State, only the second FBS win of the season for the Gators. Wide receivers coach Billy Gonzalez is serving as interim coach, with quarterbacks coach Ryan O’Hara promoted to playcaller to replace Napier. The Gators have not won an FBS game away from Gainesville. 

Georgia has won four straight matchups against Florida, and seven of the last eight under coach Kirby Smart. Last year, Georgia won 34-20 after knocking quarterback DJ Lagway out of the game. 

Georgia vs. Florida: Need to know

Return of the run game: Georgia’s rushing offense has quietly regressed over the past few years, dropping all the way to No. 102 and 4.06 yards per carry in 2024. Through seven games, the unit is back with a vengeance. Georgia averages more than 190 yards of rushing per game, which is top 40 nationally. The Bulldogs also rank No. 7 in Expected Points Added per Rush. Florida’s defense is strong, but Georgia is starting to get back to bullying people in the trenches. 

Rising wide receivers: Florida’s resurgence under Napier — however brief — was spearheaded by the emergence of a pair of true freshmen. Dallas Wilson and Vernell Brown III have exploded over the past three games since Wilson returned to the lineup. The duo have combined for 25 catches for 399 yards over the past three games, including three touchdown grabs. If the players were healthy early in the year,…

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The Miami Hurricanes have one of the friendliest schedules in college football this year.

After spending the first month at home, they’ve only made one trip to Tallahassee to knock-off the then-No.18 Florida State Seminoles. Must be nice to have eight of 12 games at Hard Rock Stadium.

This weekend will be the first time the Canes travel outside the Sunshine State in 2025. They’ll head west to Dallas for a meeting with SMU Mustangs. While the weather will be “less than ideal” with forecasted temperatures in the mid-50s at kickoff, Miami will look to keep their College Football Playoff hopes alive heading into the final stretch. 

Miami hasn’t played outside the state of Florida this year. They go to SMU on Saturday, kickoff temp in the mid-50s, overcast. Maybe something?

— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) October 29, 2025

SMU fell 13-12 to Wake Forest last Saturday. It snapped a three-game winning streak for Rhett Lashlee’s team and dropped them to 5-3 on the season. Just months removed from an ACC title game run and snagging a Playoff spot. 

On the other hand, Miami comes in needing a statement win to impress the Playoff committee. The story of the year for Mario Cristobal’s squad has been how well the offense has put it all together. Carson Beck has thrown for 1,673 yards and 12 touchdowns with 7 interceptions, but the balance has been consistent with Mark Fletcher Jr. leading the Canes with 552 yards and nine scores. 

One matchup to watch will be Beck against the Mustangs’ secondary, which is second-to-last nationally, allowing 303.5 yards per game (135th, FBS). 

No. 10 Miami faces SMU on Saturday (Noon ET, ESPN).   

More college football news: 

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