No. 1 Ohio State avoids drama, at least. The most intrigue in a Buckeyes game is whether the opponent will cross the goal line.
Here are some questions left on my mind after an eventful Week 6:
Which team is college football's biggest flop?
∎Top flop:Clemson. When Clemson's shining moment is a decisive win against hapless North Carolina, that's a sign of how bad it got for the Tigers in September. Billed as a national championship contender in August, Clemson faceplanted in three losses that now have it earmarked for an also-ran bowl.Preseason rank: No. 6.Current rank: Unranked.
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∎Runner-up:Texas. It's not just thatArch Manningwas grossly overhyped. This whole team got blown out of proportion in the preseason. Manning's a bust, but he's also received little support. The offensive line is flimsy, the run game is insufficient and the defense isn't nearly as fierce as its billing.Preseason rank: No. 1.Current rank: No. 19.
∎Third:Penn State. Those thinking in August that James Franklin would produce a national championship and thatDrew Allarwas a Heisman contender must have been sipping some kind of Kool-Aid. Franklin and Allar have upheld their reputations for wilting in big games, but this loss to woebegone UCLA is a new wrinkle for misery.Preseason rank: No. 3.Current rank: No. 22.
∎Fourth:Kansas State. Never travel to Ireland. Not if you're a college football team. A year ago,Florida Statelost in Ireland to open the season and never recovered. Now, it's Kansas State, which lost a close one toIowa Statein Dublin, the first of four losses. A preseason Big 12 frontrunner, the Wildcats will struggle to reach a bowl game.Preseason rank: No. 20.Current rank: Unranked.
∎Fifth:SMU. The Mustangs returned their star quarterback from a playoff team. That should have laid groundwork for another year of playoff contention, except SMU was actually an average team in 2024 that qualified for the playoff thanks to a weak schedule and some poor logic by the committee. SMU's mask slipped in two September losses. More losses await.Preseason rank: No. 16.Current rank: Unranked.
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Rounding out the top 10:Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Notre Dame,Boise State.
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 01: Head coach Sonny Dykes (L) of the TCU Horned Frogs and head coach Bill Belichick of the North Carolina Tar Heels shake hands following their game at Kenan Stadium on September 01, 2025 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The TCU Horned Frogs defeated the North Carolina Tar Heels 48-14. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
(Jared C. Tilton, Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 20: Head coach Bill Belichick of the North Carolina Tar Heels walks off the field after losing 34-9 against the UCF Knights at FBC Mortgage Stadium on September 20, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
(Julio Aguilar, Getty Images)
Oct 4, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney with North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick before the game at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, Bob Donnan-Imagn Images)
Head coach Bill Belichick of the North Carolina Tar Heels and Jordon Hudson look on prior to the game against the Richmond Spiders at Kenan Memorial Stadium on September 13, 2025 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
(Lance King, Getty Images)
North Carolina football coach Bill Belichick watches his team during the first half against Central Florida at FBC Mortgage Stadium on Sept. 20, 2025 in Orlando, Fla.
(Julio Aguilar, Getty Images)
North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick walks the sideline during the first quarter against the UCF Knights at the Bounce House Stadium in Orlando, Florida.
(Mike Watters, Mike Watters-Imagn Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 08: North Carolina Tar Heels football head coach Bill Belichick and his girlfriend Jordon Hudson look on during the first half of the game between the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Duke Blue Devils at Dean E. Smith Center on March 08, 2025 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
(Jared C. Tilton, Getty Images)
Bill Belichick, North Carolina, $10,100,000
(Bob Donnan, Imagn Images)
Sep 13, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick on the sidelines in the second quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, Bob Donnan-Imagn Images)
Sep 20, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick walks into the field before the game against the UCF Knights at the Bounce House Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images
(Mike Watters, Mike Watters-Imagn Images)
North Carolina football coach Bill Belichick watches the Tabor Academy vs. Milton Academy game on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025.
(Marc Vasconcellos/The Enterprise)
Oct 26, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and girlfriend Jordon Hudson enter the field before the game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Navy Midshipmen at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images)
Sep 13, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick before the game at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan-Imagn Images)
Sep 1, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick with TCU Horned Frogs head coach Sonny Dykes after the game at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan/Imagn Images)
North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick meets with a recruit before the Tar Heels hosted the TCU Horned Frogs on Sept. 1, 2025.
(Bob Donnan/Imagn Images)
Sep 13, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick before the game at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, Bob Donnan-Imagn Images)
Sep 13, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Richmond Spiders head coach Russ Huesman with North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick after the game at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, Bob Donnan-Imagn Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 06: Head Coach Bill Belichick of the North Carolina Tar Heels walks off the field after the football game against the Charlotte 49ers at Jerry Richardson Stadium on September 06, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)
(David Jensen, Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 01: Head coach Bill Belichick of the North Carolina Tar Heels looks on during the second half of the game at Kenan Stadium on September 01, 2025 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
(Jared C. Tilton, Getty Images)
North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick looks on before his Tar Heels faced the TCU Horned Frogs in Belichick's collegiate coaching debut.
(Bob Donnan, Imagn Images)
North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick, right, embraces TCU head coach Sonny Dykes after TCU defeated UNC, 48-14 on Sept. 1, 2025.
(Bob Donnan, Imagn Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 01: Head coach Bill Belichick of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts during the first half of the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at Kenan Stadium on September 01, 2025 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
(Jared C. Tilton, Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 01: Head coach Bill Belichick of the North Carolina Tar Heels walks off the field following the completion of the first half of the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at Kenan Stadium on September 01, 2025 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
(Jared C. Tilton, Getty Images)
1/23
Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick struggling early on as North Carolina football coach
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 01: Head coach Sonny Dykes (L) of the TCU Horned Frogs and head coach Bill Belichick of the North Carolina Tar Heels shake hands following their game at Kenan Stadium on September 01, 2025 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The TCU Horned Frogs defeated the North Carolina Tar Heels 48-14. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
(Jared C. Tilton, Getty Images)
1/23
Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick struggling early on as North Carolina football coach
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 01: Head coach Sonny Dykes (L) of the TCU Horned Frogs and head coach Bill Belichick of the North Carolina Tar Heels shake hands following their game at Kenan Stadium on September 01, 2025 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The TCU Horned Frogs defeated the North Carolina Tar Heels 48-14. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
(Jared C. Tilton, Getty Images)
2/23
Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick struggling early on as North Carolina football coach
ORLANDO, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 20: Head coach Bill Belichick of the North Carolina Tar Heels walks off the field after losing 34-9 against the UCF Knights at FBC Mortgage Stadium on September 20, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
(Julio Aguilar, Getty Images)
3/23
Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick struggling early on as North Carolina football coach
Oct 4, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney with North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick before the game at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, Bob Donnan-Imagn Images)
4/23
Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick struggling early on as North Carolina football coach
Head coach Bill Belichick of the North Carolina Tar Heels and Jordon Hudson look on prior to the game against the Richmond Spiders at Kenan Memorial Stadium on September 13, 2025 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
(Lance King, Getty Images)
5/23
Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick struggling early on as North Carolina football coach
North Carolina football coach Bill Belichick watches his team during the first half against Central Florida at FBC Mortgage Stadium on Sept. 20, 2025 in Orlando, Fla.
(Julio Aguilar, Getty Images)
6/23
Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick struggling early on as North Carolina football coach
North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick walks the sideline during the first quarter against the UCF Knights at the Bounce House Stadium in Orlando, Florida.
(Mike Watters, Mike Watters-Imagn Images)
7/23
Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick struggling early on as North Carolina football coach
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 08: North Carolina Tar Heels football head coach Bill Belichick and his girlfriend Jordon Hudson look on during the first half of the game between the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Duke Blue Devils at Dean E. Smith Center on March 08, 2025 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
(Jared C. Tilton, Getty Images)
8/23
Who are the highest paid college football coaches? Check out the top 32.
Bill Belichick, North Carolina, $10,100,000
(Bob Donnan, Imagn Images)
9/23
Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick struggling early on as North Carolina football coach
Sep 13, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick on the sidelines in the second quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, Bob Donnan-Imagn Images)
10/23
Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick struggling early on as North Carolina football coach
Sep 20, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick walks into the field before the game against the UCF Knights at the Bounce House Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images
(Mike Watters, Mike Watters-Imagn Images)
11/23
Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick struggling early on as North Carolina football coach
North Carolina football coach Bill Belichick watches the Tabor Academy vs. Milton Academy game on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025.
(Marc Vasconcellos/The Enterprise)
12/23
Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick struggling early on as North Carolina football coach
Oct 26, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and girlfriend Jordon Hudson enter the field before the game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Navy Midshipmen at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images)
13/23
Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick struggling early on as North Carolina football coach
Sep 13, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick before the game at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan-Imagn Images)
14/23
Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick struggling early on as North Carolina football coach
Sep 1, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick with TCU Horned Frogs head coach Sonny Dykes after the game at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan/Imagn Images)
15/23
Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick struggling early on as North Carolina football coach
North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick meets with a recruit before the Tar Heels hosted the TCU Horned Frogs on Sept. 1, 2025.
(Bob Donnan/Imagn Images)
16/23
Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick struggling early on as North Carolina football coach
Sep 13, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick before the game at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, Bob Donnan-Imagn Images)
17/23
Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick struggling early on as North Carolina football coach
Sep 13, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Richmond Spiders head coach Russ Huesman with North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick after the game at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, Bob Donnan-Imagn Images)
18/23
Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick struggling early on as North Carolina football coach
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 06: Head Coach Bill Belichick of the North Carolina Tar Heels walks off the field after the football game against the Charlotte 49ers at Jerry Richardson Stadium on September 06, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)
(David Jensen, Getty Images)
19/23
Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick struggling early on as North Carolina football coach
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 01: Head coach Bill Belichick of the North Carolina Tar Heels looks on during the second half of the game at Kenan Stadium on September 01, 2025 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
(Jared C. Tilton, Getty Images)
20/23
Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick struggling early on as North Carolina football coach
North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick looks on before his Tar Heels faced the TCU Horned Frogs in Belichick's collegiate coaching debut.
(Bob Donnan, Imagn Images)
21/23
Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick struggling early on as North Carolina football coach
North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick, right, embraces TCU head coach Sonny Dykes after TCU defeated UNC, 48-14 on Sept. 1, 2025.
(Bob Donnan, Imagn Images)
22/23
Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick struggling early on as North Carolina football coach
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 01: Head coach Bill Belichick of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts during the first half of the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at Kenan Stadium on September 01, 2025 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
(Jared C. Tilton, Getty Images)
23/23
Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick struggling early on as North Carolina football coach
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 01: Head coach Bill Belichick of the North Carolina Tar Heels walks off the field following the completion of the first half of the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at Kenan Stadium on September 01, 2025 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
(Jared C. Tilton, Getty Images)
What's Bill Belichick's buyout?
Belichick would be owed more than $20 million if North Carolina fires its coach after one season. That buyout affords Belichick some protection for a second season, but UNC cannot hope to recapture the energy that surrounded the program barely more than a month ago, whenTar Heelsfans wanted to believe a six-time Super Bowl winner with theNew England Patriotswould spur an uprising. He'sspawned embarrassment.
By the second half of a38-10 loss to Clemson, Kenan Stadium looked emptier than a beach in a hurricane.
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Spare me the excuse Belichick's roster features more than 70 new players. Most new coaches nowadays undergo a significant roster overhaul, and the transfer portal allows opportunity for instant upgrade. In Curt Cignetti's first season at Indiana, he infused a mass influx of transfers to turn a 3-9 program into an 11-win playoff qualifier.
When I watch UNC, I don't see a squad that will improve greatly with another year of seasoning. I only see a bad team Belichick and his staff assembled.
If voting based purely off resumé, Miami should be No. 1. TheHurricanes look formidableand without weakness, and they own wins against Notre Dame, Florida, Florida State and South Florida, the last of which has a case for being the Group of Five's best team. That's an unmatched collection of wins. Miami dazzles on the eye test, too.
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If voting based on sheer dominance, thenOhio State is the play. The Buckeyes have allowed two touchdowns all season. No opponent has reached 10 points against them. Quarterback Julian Sayin keeps getting better, and the Buckeyes' wide receivers form one of those rare groups that's even a notch better than Miami's wideouts.
Ohio State doesn't have Miami's resumé. Its best win, in the season opener against Texas, lost luster after theLonghornswere subsequently revealed to be a fraud.
Not many nits to pick with the Buckeyes' performance, though.
If I had a vote, I'd put Ohio State No. 1, followed by Miami, followed by whichever team wins Indiana-Oregon this weekend.
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Is Billy Napier off the hot seat after Florida beat Texas?
Not by a long shot. Credit Napier for not turtling up and sticking his hand out for the buyout check. That's never been his style. He saves his finest coaching for when his rump sits on a scalding hot seat. He outcoached Steve Sarkisian ina 29-21 victory at The Swamp.
Napier now owns wins against Sarkisian, Brian Kelly and Lane Kiffin within the past calendar year. The problem is, those aren't his only games, and that loogie-logged loss to South Florida is a stain that won't scrub away with one win against Texas.
Napier remains a sub-.500 coach in his fourth season, and the remaining schedule is daunting. He'll need several more triumphs like this one against Texas to escape the heat, but allow the man a victory lap for throttling Texas. He earned that much.
