Josh Pate’s personal Top 25 ahead of Week 2 put LSU No. 2 and Miami No. 3, slotting them ahead of Penn State (No. 4) and Georgia (No. 5) after opening-week results. That ordering differs from the AP poll (Ohio State, Penn State, LSU, Georgia, Miami) and reflects Pate’s read on the 2025 resume and performance, rather than what people think of the teams in the preseason.
Miami Hurricanes
Miami beat then–No. 6 Notre Dame 27–24 in primetime, seizing control early and closing with defense and special teams. Carson Beck went 20-of-31 for 205 yards and 2 TDs, Carter Davis hit the 47-yard game-winner with 1:04 left, and edge duo Rueben Bain Jr.