Perfect storm, meet Happy Valley.
Penn State’s stunning loss to Northwestern, the firing of head coach James Franklin and a season-ending injury to quarterback Drew Allar drove the Nittany Lions to No. 1 in the College Sports Social Pulse™ team rankings.
The College Sports Social Pulse, produced by the USC Social Media Insights Lab, tracks which college teams, players and coaches are generating the most impact online across X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Reddit and more. Using a proprietary blend of engagement, sentiment and volume, the Pulse captures the real-time emotion of college football fandom.
While Penn State’s overall sentiment turned sharply negative, the sheer volume of fan discussion — from sympathy for Allar to frustration with the program’s direction — propelled the Nittany Lions to the top of the list.
“Unfortunately, bad news drives social media just as much as success does,” said Clay Owen, professor of practice at the College of Information and Communications. “When a program faces controversy or heartbreak, fans react immediately and that emotion shows up in the Pulse. The same passion that fuels celebration also amplifies frustration.”
Meanwhile, Ohio State continued to show the power of consistency. The Buckeyes held steady at No. 2 behind another strong Big Ten performance and the poise of quarterback Julian Sayin, whose mistake-free efficiency continues to draw praise. Alabama, Indiana, and Georgia rounded out the Top 5, underscoring the growing balance between Big Ten and SEC power online.
Top 10 Teams – Week Seven 2025
- Penn State
- Ohio State
- Alabama
- Indiana
- Georgia
- Oklahoma State
- Oregon
- Michigan
- Texas A&M
- Auburn
The player conversation reflected similar contrasts between heartbreak and heroics. Penn State’s Drew Allar led the Pulse for the first time this season following the injury that ended his college career. Meanwhile, Alabama’s Ty Simpson and the Longhorns’ Arch Manning held steady following big wins on Saturday over ranked opponents.
Top 10 Players – Week Seven 2025
- Drew Allar – Penn State
- John Mateer – Oklahoma
- Arch Manning – Texas
- Ty Simpson – Alabama
- Jeremiah Smith – Ohio State
- Gunner Stockton – Georgia
- Heinrich Haarberg – Nebraska
- Ryan Williams – Alabama
- Carson Beck – Miami
- Jackson Arnold – Auburn
James Franklin wasn’t the only coach with a negative storyline propelling him to the top. Mike Norvell of Florida State came in at No. 2 as his team’s struggles continued. Interim UCLA coach Tim Skipper also earned strong fan sentiment after leading the Bruins to another dominant win under his interim leadership.
Top 10 Coaches – Week Seven 2025
- James Franklin – Penn State
- Mike Norvell – Florida State
- Deion Sanders – Colorado
- Bill Belichick – North Carolina
- Kirby Smart – Georgia
- Matt Rhule – Nebraska
- Tim Skipper – UCLA
- Josh Heupel – Tennessee
- Kalen DeBoer – Alabama
- Chris Klieman – Kansas State
Methodology
The College Sports Social Pulse Week Seven rankings are built from millions of social posts across X, Instagram, Reddit and other major platforms. Using a proprietary formula that blends engagement, sentiment and volume, the Pulse measures who’s winning the online conversation — capturing the volatility and emotion that define college football beyond the field.
About the College Sports Social Pulse™
Developed by the University of South Carolina’s Social Media Insights Lab, the Pulse analyzes millions of social media posts each week to track the shifting heartbeat of college football fandom. Using a proprietary blend of engagement, sentiment and volume, the Pulse reveals which teams, players and coaches are dominating the national conversation online — regardless of what the scoreboard says.