The Ohio State-Michigan November clash is simply known as “The Game.” It’s college football’s most storied showdown.
And this week, the rivalry pushed its two teams to the top of the College Sports Social Pulse™, the University of South Carolina’s weekly ranking of which teams, players and coaches command the biggest impact on social media.
“Ohio State finished the season where it started on the College Sports Social Pulse — right at the top,” said Clay Owen, professor of practice at the University of South Carolina. “When it comes to social media, the Buckeyes have been a model of consistency throughout the 2025 season with a huge national following, strong engagement and positive sentiment.”
But the SEC wasn’t about to let the Big Ten steal the entire show. Rivalry Saturday delivered emotional fireworks across the conference. Alabama edged out Auburn in the Iron Bowl. Ole Miss handled Mississippi State in the Egg Bowl. Vanderbilt capped a historic regular season with a statement win over in-state rival Tennessee. In all, the SEC placed seven schools in the Top 10.
Top 10 Teams – Week 14
- Ohio State
- Michigan
- Ole Miss
- LSU
- Alabama
- Oklahoma
- Auburn
- Texas
- Indiana
- Vanderbilt
Players: Buckeyes Dominate
Ohio State also took the top two spots in the Pulse player rankings with wide receiver Jeremiah Smith landing at No. 1. and quarterback Julian Sayin at No. 2, giving the Buckeyes a rare 1–2 punch atop the rankings. And safety Caleb Downs landed at No. 5.
Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia continues his remarkable season with another Top 5 finish, fueled by massive attention surrounding the Commodores’ 10-win season.
Top 10 Players – Week 14
- Jeremiah Smith – Ohio State
- Julian Sayin – Ohio State
- Diego Pavia – Vanderbilt
- Arch Manning – Texas
- Caleb Downs – Ohio State
- Trinidad Chambliss – Ole Miss
- Gunner Stockton – Georgia
- Bryce Underwood – Michigan
- Joey Aguilar – Tennessee
- Dylan Raiola – Nebraska
Coaches: Kiffin Closes the Regular Season at No. 1
Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin finishes the regular season exactly where he spent most of it — No. 1 among coaches. Kiffin generated incredibly high engagements this week, driven by the drama of his move from Oxford to Baton Rouge.
Ohio State’s Ryan Day surged to No. 2 after beating Michigan for the first time since 2019. Colorado’s Deion Sanders remains a fixture in the Top 5 despite a disappointing season, proof of his unmatched ability to command attention in victory or defeat.
Top 10 Coaches – Week 14
- Lane Kiffin – Ole Miss
- Ryan Day – Ohio State
- Deion Sanders – Colorado
- Kalen DeBoer – Alabama
- Steve Sarkisian – Texas
- Mike Elko – Texas A&M
- Mark Stoops – Kentucky
- Clark Lea – Vanderbilt
- Joey McGuire – Texas Tech
- Kirk Ferentz – Iowa
Methodology
The College Sports Social Pulse™ analyzes millions of public posts each week across X, Instagram, Reddit, YouTube, and online fan communities. Using a proprietary formula blending engagement, sentiment, and volume, the Pulse identifies who is truly winning the weekly conversation — regardless of scoreboard results.
Week 14 includes data from Nov. 25–Dec. 1, covering Rivalry Weekend and reactions leading into Championship Week.
About the College Sports Social Pulse™
Developed by the University of South Carolina’s Social Media Insights Lab, the Pulse tracks the emotional heartbeat of college football. By transforming raw social media conversation into actionable insights, the Pulse helps media partners, brands, and athletic departments understand what drives fan passion — and why it matters.