Week Six of the college football season proved once again that chaos fuels conversation. While Alabama and Ohio State continued to dominate the field and the feeds, Vanderbilt University delivered the biggest surprise of the week, cracking the Top 3 in the College Sports Social Pulse™ team rankings.
The College Sports Social Pulse, produced by the University of South Carolina’s Social Media Insights Lab, measures which college teams, players and coaches are making the biggest impact online across X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Reddit and more.
Vanderbilt’s climb reflects an unprecedented burst of engagement after the Commodores’ hot start to the season and a spirited showing against Alabama. It’s the first time in Pulse history that Vanderbilt has appeared in the Top 5.
Texas Christian University also surged into the Top 4 following a dramatic Big 12 upset win, with fans sharing overwhelmingly positive comments online.
“The storyline this week is volatility,” said Clay Owen, professor of practice at the College of Information and Communications. “We’re seeing how unpredictable results create real-time swings in fan passion. Vanderbilt and TCU show that even outside the usual powerhouses, programs can capture the nation’s attention with the right moment.”
Top 10 Teams – Week Six 2025
- University of Alabama
- Ohio State University
- Vanderbilt University
- Texas Christian University
- Penn State University
- University of Miami
- University of Michigan
- Texas A&M University
- University of Florida
- University of Oklahoma
On the player side, Texas quarterback Arch Manning remained at No. 1, proving that Manning remains the focus of fans even as the Longhorns struggle on the field. The Crimson Tide clash against the Commodores moved their respective quarterbacks - Ty Simpson and Diego Pavia - into the next two slots. Carson Beck (Miami) and DJ Lagway (Florida) also broke through thanks to strong performances and viral highlights.
Top 10 Players – Week Six 2025
- Arch Manning – Texas
- Ty Simpson – Alabama
- Diego Pavia – Vanderbilt
- Carson Beck – Miami
- DJ Lagway – Florida
- Julian Sayin – Ohio State
- Dante Moore – Oregon
- Rueben Bain – Miami
- Jeremiah Smith – Ohio State
- Bryce Underwood - Michigan
Among coaches, Florida’s Billy Napier rose to No. 1 in the Pulse, reflecting the renewed optimism and energy surrounding the Gators after their upset of Texas last week.
However, disappointing performances from North Carolina and Penn State stirred up fans, sending UNC’s Bill Belichick and the Nittany Lions’ James Franklin into the No. 2 and 3 positions.
Top 10 Coaches – Week Six 2025
- Billy Napier – Florida
- Bill Belichick – North Carolina
- James Franklin – Penn State
- Deion Sanders – Colorado
- Mario Cristobal – Miami
- Ryan Day – Ohio State
- Steve Sarkisian – Texas
- Kalen DeBoer – Alabama
- Eliah Drinkwitz – Missouri
- Lane Kiffin – Ole Miss
Methodology
The College Sports Social Pulse Week Six rankings are built from millions of social posts across X, Instagram, Reddit and more. Using a formula that blends volume, sentiment and engagement, the Pulse shows who’s winning the online conversation.
Week Six measures online activity from Oct. 1–7. Every Pulse ranking reflects a single week of activity (Tuesday through Monday), allowing the Pulse to capture the volatility of college football in real time - the weekly rises, falls and breakout storylines that define the sport 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.