The college football landscape has always been unpredictable, but the opening weeks of the 2025 season have already delivered a dizzying array of upsets, coaching shake-ups, and dramatic storylines that have left fans and analysts alike reeling. With just three weeks in the books—four if you count the ever-mysterious Week 0—the Power Four conferences have already seen two high-profile head coaches dismissed, several interim leaders thrust into the spotlight, and a handful of jaw-dropping results that have upended preseason expectations.
Let’s start with the most seismic event so far: UCLA’s decision to part ways with head coach DeShaun Foster. The Bruins, who entered the season with cautious optimism and a new starting quarterback in Nico Iamaleava, suffered a humiliating 35-10 defeat at home against New Mexico on September 12. The loss was particularly galling because UCLA was a heavy 16-point favorite, and the Lobos didn’t just sneak by—they dominated from start to finish. According to betting market trackers, this was the biggest point-spread upset of the young season. The Lobos racked up a staggering 298 rushing yards on 46 carries, punching in three touchdowns on the ground and leaving the Bruins defense gasping for air. UCLA never held the lead and surrendered 21 unanswered points in the fourth quarter, an unraveling that all but sealed Foster’s fate.
That defeat was more than just a bad night at the Rose Bowl—it was the culmination of mounting frustration in Westwood. The coaching carousel music started to play, and by the end of Week 3, Foster was out. The Bruins now join a growing list of major programs in search of new leadership, and the hunt is on for a coach who can restore order and, perhaps more importantly, recruiting momentum to a proud but beleaguered program.
UCLA isn’t alone in its turmoil. Virginia Tech also made headlines by moving on from Brent Pry, marking the second Power Four firing before the calendar even turns to October. The Hokies’ decision reflects the high-stakes nature of modern college football, where patience is in short supply and a few early missteps can cost a coach his job. Over in the ACC, Stanford finds itself with an interim coach at the helm, while Kent State in the MAC is navigating similar waters. That’s four FBS programs with coaching uncertainty before Week 4—a remarkable statistic that underscores just how volatile this season has been so far.
But if coaching drama is one thread, upsets are another. The 2025-26 campaign has already produced a string of shockers that have bettors tearing up their tickets and fans scrambling for explanations. Beyond the UCLA-New Mexico stunner, several other games have stood out for their sheer unpredictability. On August 29, Tarleton State, a 14-point underdog, toppled Army 30-27 in a double-overtime thriller. The Black Knights clawed back from a 24-10 third-quarter deficit to force extra periods, but it was Tarleton State’s Brad Larson who coolly drilled a 37-yard field goal after Army’s Dawson Jones missed from 40 yards, sealing the upset.
That same night, Central Michigan pulled off a 16-14 win over San Jose State, again as a two-touchdown underdog. San Jose State seemed to have the advantage through the air, amassing 308 passing yards, but their defense couldn’t contain Central Michigan’s ground game, which churned out 236 yards. The Spartans’ hopes faded with two missed field goals in the fourth quarter—one from 33 yards, the other a desperate 56-yarder—leaving their fans in disbelief.
If those weren’t enough, Stanford delivered another shocker on September 13, defeating Boston College 30-20 as a 14-point underdog. The game, played late on the East Coast, may have escaped the attention of the casual fan, but it was a landmark moment for Stanford’s interim head coach Frank Reich. According to reports, this was Reich’s first career win as a collegiate head coach—a milestone that could not have come at a better time for a program in transition. Running back Micah Ford was the star of the night, piling up a career-high 157 rushing yards and a touchdown. The Cardinal defense clamped down in the second half, keeping Boston College scoreless and cementing the win.
Meanwhile, in one of the most watched games of the early season, Florida State stunned Alabama 31-17 on August 30. The Crimson Tide, led by head coach Kalen DeBoer in his first game of his second season, were expected to cruise, but the Seminoles had other ideas. Florida State’s ground attack was relentless, racking up 236 yards on 46 carries. Quarterback Tommy Castellanos backed up his offseason bravado, carrying the ball 16 times for 78 yards and a touchdown. It was a statement win for Florida State and a jarring setback for Alabama, whose fans are no strangers to early-season drama but hardly expected it this soon.
What’s behind this early-season chaos? Some point to the transfer portal, which has made rosters more fluid and unpredictable than ever. Others cite the pressure cooker environment created by NIL deals and heightened media scrutiny. Whatever the cause, it’s clear that no team—no matter how storied or well-resourced—is immune from the upset bug or the specter of sudden coaching change.
Recruiting potential, always a hot topic in college football, is now front and center as programs scramble to stabilize their futures. According to a recent 247Sports ranking, the current batch of FBS coaching jobs is being evaluated as much for recruiting upside as for on-field results. With UCLA and Virginia Tech both on the market, and Stanford and Kent State operating under interim leadership, the coming weeks could see a flurry of activity as athletic directors jockey for the best available candidates. The stakes? Nothing less than the future trajectory of some of the sport’s most tradition-rich programs.
As Week 4 approaches, fans can expect more twists and turns. Will another heavyweight fall to a plucky underdog? Will an interim coach seize the moment and make a case for the permanent job? Or will a blueblood program right the ship and restore order to this topsy-turvy season? One thing’s for sure: in college football, the only certainty is uncertainty. Stay tuned—this ride is just getting started.
