The Ohio State Buckeyes are back on top in the nation’s only ranking of college football social media swagger.
After months of competition from Indiana, Georgia and Alabama, Ohio State reclaimed the No. 1 ranking in Week 13 of the
College Sports Social Pulse™
With the Ohio State-Michigan game only days away, fans are sparking a massive digital response, lifting engagement to nearly 1.5 million interactions with strong positive sentiment. Speaking of Michigan, the Wolverines come in at No. 10 this week.
“Ohio State has built a digital powerhouse that mirrors its on-field consistency,” said Clay Owen, professor of practice at the University of South Carolina’s College of Information and Communications. “Our analysis of the 2025 season shows the Buckeyes have maintained one of the most loyal, energized followings in college football.”
But the SEC continues to provide the sport’s emotional spark, placing seven teams in the Top 10, including Georgia, Alabama and Ole Miss. Each program is backed by passionate, highly active fan bases.
Top 10 Teams – Week 13, 2025
- Ohio State University
- Georgia
- Alabama
- Ole Miss
- Notre Dame
- Tennessee
- Oklahoma
- Texas A&M
- LSU
- Michigan
Players: Manning Leads, Rodriguez Rises
Texas quarterback Arch Manning continued his reign atop the Pulse’s player rankings with incredibly positive online buzz about the Longhorns QB.
Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez surged into the Top 10 for the first time this season as his magical season continues, buoyed by Heisman Trophy comments from high-profile TV commentators.
Top 10 Players – Week 13, 2025
- Arch Manning – Texas
- Gunner Stockton – Georgia
- Jeremiyah Love – Notre Dame
- Diego Pavia – Vanderbilt
- Trinidad Chambliss – Ole Miss
- Jacob Rodriguez – Texas Tech
- John Mateer – Oklahoma
- Caleb Downs – Ohio State
- Ty Simpson – Alabama
- DJ Lagway – Florida
Coaches: Kiffin Dominates the Discussion
Lane Kiffin of Ole Miss reclaimed the top spot among coaches. Kiffin’s future as the head coach in Oxford spiked online interest. Meanwhile Mike Norvell climbed back into the Top 3 after Florida State announced they would retain Norvell after this year’s disappointing season.
Top 10 Coaches – Week 13, 2025
- Lane Kiffin – Ole Miss
- Deion Sanders – Colorado
- Mike Norvell – Florida State
- Dan Lanning – Oregon
- Steve Sarkisian – Texas
- Lincoln Riley – USC
- Kalen DeBoer – Alabama
- Kirby Smart – Georgia
- Ryan Day – Ohio State
- Brent Venables – Oklahoma
Methodology
The College Sports Social Pulse™ analyzes millions of public social media posts each week across X, Instagram, Reddit and other platforms. Using a proprietary formula that blends engagement, sentiment and conversation volume, the Pulse identifies who’s winning the online conversation in college football.
Week 13 measures activity from Nov. 18–24, capturing the excitement, emotion, and storytelling that continue to fuel the sport’s digital heartbeat.
About the College Sports Social Pulse™
Developed by the University of South Carolina’s Social Media Insights Lab, the Pulse tracks the shifting heartbeat of college football fandom. Using data-driven analysis, it reveals which teams, players,and coaches are commanding the national conversation — regardless of what the scoreboard says.