Miami, Florida – The reign of chaos continues as another week of games concluded, bringing big changes to the Lemon City Live Heisman Watchlist Power Rankings. Fans watched the third-ranked Miami Hurricanes defeat No. 18 Florida State 28-22 in a marquee matchup at Doak Campbell Stadium. Elsewhere, two upsets made headlines across the country, sending shockwaves throughout the CFP landscape. The unranked Florida Gators upset the ninth-ranked Texas Longhorns 29-21, while winless UCLA pulled off one of the biggest upsets in college football, defeating No. 7 Penn State 42-37. Each program found itself out of the Top 25. In fact, for the first time in the history of the Associated Press Top 25, the preseason No. 1 and No. 2 ranked teams both fell out of the rankings in the same season. And at the same time, at that.
These weren’t the only surprises. Another team threw its own amount of discord. The Cincinnati Bearcats brought down No. 14 Iowa State 38-30. Fans were also likely watching the SEC battle between Vanderbilt and Alabama, resulting in the latter emerging victorious 30-14, affecting the Heisman race. There’s a lot of bedlam not only in the ACC and SEC but also in the Big 12. Speaking of firsts, for the first time in the short history of the Lemon City Live Heisman Power Rankings, we have not one but two Hurricanes players.
Carson Beck
CARSON BECK 44-YARD FLEA FLICKER TO 17-YEAR-OLD MALACHI TONEY 🪄 pic.twitter.com/u4MbEGzmOA
— ESPN (@espn) October 5, 2025
Previous Ranking: 3
Now that’s how you regain the lead in the Heisman race! Carson Beck came out of the bye week locked in, putting up a 241-yard and four-touchdown performance that included a 44-yard beauty to Malachi Toney on the trick play. As a bonus, he was not picked off. Beck now has 1,213 yards, 11 TDs, and three interceptions for the 2025 season. The team is entering its second bye week, and Carson’s hold of the top spot will be tentative.
Dante Moore
I love how effortlessly Oregon's Dante Moore spins it
Motion reminds me a little of Jayden Daniels. Very much in the QB1 mix early on pic.twitter.com/a5zJM3ZpWi
— Mike Renner (@mikerenner_) September 29, 2025
Previous Ranking: 1
The Oregon Duck QB was on a bye week, but break time is over. Dante Moore is now preparing to host seventh-ranked Indiana in a battle of unbeatens. Moore has recorded 1,210 yards, 14 touchdowns, and an interception through five games. The Ducks are favored to win the high-end clash. However, someone else on this list might have something to say to that.
Ty Simpson
Ty Simpson is moving me pic.twitter.com/HmnVABassZ
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) October 4, 2025
Previous Ranking: 4
The Crimson Tide struggled a bit in the first half and then quickly recovered to put away Vanderbilt thanks to Ty Simpson. The junior tallied 340 yards, a pair of touchdowns, and an interception, outdueling Diego Pavia. Standing at 1,478 yards, 13 TDs, and a solitary pick, Simpson has a road game at Missouri next. The SEC stud can gain more ground this weekend with a strong performance.
Fernando Mendoza
Fernando Mendoza is ridiculous 🍿 @IndianaFootball pic.twitter.com/bqUk1jVeqK
— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) October 9, 2025
Previous Ranking: 2
The Indiana Hoosiers are also back from their first bye week, and that means Fernando Mendoza returns to action. He’ll face Dante Moore and the No. 3 Oregon Ducks as the Hoosiers try to continue their rise in the rankings. This will not be an easy assignment, but Mendoza might be up to the task. The Miami-native checks in with 1,208 yards, a whopping 16 TDs, and one interception.
Rueben Bain Jr.
BAIN WITH THE PRESSURE
THOMAS WITH THE INT pic.twitter.com/7jhcIbQs3R
— Grant Speaks (@GrantSpeaks1) October 5, 2025
Previous Ranking: NR
Ladies and gentlemen, I warmly welcome defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr. The edge rusher demonstrated dominant pass-rushing and run-stopping abilities throughout the season, with his performance against FSU warranting a spot in the list. Credited with two quarterback hits, 11 QB pressures, a 90.7 Pass Rush Grade, and a 32% Win Rate, Bain was in full attack mode at Florida State. Accumulating 26 tackles (12 solo), including two sacks and a forced fumble, Rueben is in the thick of the conversation. He even has an interception to boot.
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