Cover 3 College Football Podcast

Episode: Week 3 Instant Reaction - Georgia Defeats Tennessee, Texas A&M & LSU Win, Georgia Tech Upsets Clemson

Date: September 14, 2025
Hosts: Chip Patterson, Tom Fornelli, Bud Elliott

Overview

This fast-paced, banter-filled episode of the Cover 3 Podcast delivers instant reactions and sharp analysis on a blockbuster Week 3 of the college football season. The crew dives deep into seismic SEC and ACC results: Georgia’s dramatic comeback win in Knoxville, Texas A&M’s shootout victory at Notre Dame, Georgia Tech’s upset of Clemson to (in their words) officially bury the Tiger dynasty, and more. The discussion spans playoff implications, coaching hot seats, and the shifting power balance in college football.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Texas A&M 41, Notre Dame 40 — Aggies Escape South Bend

• A&M’s win: An up-tempo, edge-of-your-seat shootout. Aggies QB Marcel Reed completed just 17 of 37, but for a whopping 360 yards (21.2 yards per completion), torching a regressing Irish secondary (08:07–10:01).
• Notre Dame’s defensive drop-off: Multiple hosts blame the switch from Al Golden to Chris Ash and loss of key players for the unit’s regression, noting that the Irish can’t generate tackles for loss or cover on the back end (07:26–08:07, 11:30–12:44).
  • Bud Elliott: “Defense can’t get stops. Gave up 488 yards, 7 yards a play. I have a hard time blaming the offense for this one” (11:31).
• Playoff outlook: Despite the crushing loss, hosts agree the Irish could theoretically still be in the playoff hunt if they win out, but acknowledge “the chances are very, very low” (13:10–14:48).
• A&M’s schedule and SEC position: The Aggies suddenly appear able to make real noise in the SEC West, with hosts speculating about potential tiebreaker chaos (15:06–16:16).

2. Georgia 38, Tennessee 35 — Dawgs Survive in Knoxville

• Tennessee’s fast start, Georgia’s resilience: Tennessee WR Chris Brazil dominated early (“six catches for 177 yards and three TDs”), but Georgia steadily adjusted. Georgia’s upgraded WR room (via transfers Branch, Colby Young) was decisive (18:10–21:19).
• Critical moments:
  • Tom Fornelli: “The drive that really killed Tennessee… they got the ball at Georgia’s 34, false start, three straight runs, field goal. Didn't go for the kill shot.” (22:46–23:32)
• QB comparison: While Tennessee QB Joey Aguilar delivered “the classic moon balls,” he’s still a marked improvement over last year (24:23–25:24).
• Playoff/SEC East outlook: None of the hosts “are out” on Tennessee as an SEC/playoff contender; Georgia earns praise for adjusting and showing championship mettle (23:32–27:12).

3. Georgia Tech 27, Clemson 24 — The End of the Clemson Dynasty?

• Dynasty over? Hosts declare “the Clemson dynasty is done!” after Georgia Tech upsets Tigers to hand them an eighth loss to unranked teams in four years (04:35, 46:10–50:40).
• Clemson’s malaise: Observations include regression on defense, low offensive efficiency with Cade Klubnik, and waning urgency/belief.
  • Chip Patterson: “You stop being Clemson, the kings of the ACC, when you lose games you are supposed to win... Congratulations, you’re entering your Texas A&M phase, Clemson.” (49:09)
  • Bud Elliott: “They are a good team. They are not great. We have to reevaluate the way we look at the Clemson Tigers.” (50:09)
• Georgia Tech’s road ahead: Very manageable (“They could go 10-2 easily. Getting to Charlotte [ACCCG] 100% in the cards.”) (58:02–59:13)

4. SEC Check-In: Alabama, LSU, Texas, and More

• Alabama’s bounce back: After demolishing Wisconsin, Bama “looked great” thanks to improved QB play (Ty Simpson), receiver depth (Ryan Williams, Jeremy Bernard), but with lingering run game worries (33:54–34:51).
• LSU grinds past Florida: Five Gator INTs buoyed LSU; Bud Elliott: “It's hard to lose when you get five interceptions.” Both teams praised for defensive effort but criticized offensively. (68:09–69:45)
• Texas underwhelms vs. UTEP: Arch Manning gets booed after a brutal performance (44% comp., 11/25, 114yds, 1 TD, 1 INT, 9 straight incompletions). Fan patience with Steve Sarkisian’s offense wearing thin. (63:15–66:46)
• Comparing LSU and Texas: Panel sides with LSU because of better QB play (Nussmeier over Arch), despite Texas’s “elite defense.” (67:29–67:56)

5. Coaching Hot Seat Discussion

• Wisconsin (Luke Fickell): Soundly beaten at Alabama; Fickell is now 8-13 in Power 4 games. “If things spiral, I don’t know that Fickell is as safe as I thought...” (39:24–44:44)
• Virginia Tech (Brent Pry): Destroyed by Old Dominion; morale and effort questioned (“they’ve quit on Brent Pry” – 82:49). VT’s investment and future as a top ACC job questioned (83:29–84:12).
• UCLA (Deshaun Foster): Calls for action after disastrous start (107:14–108:18).

6. Other Notables

• Miami handles USF: The crew agrees Mario Cristobal has built the best line-of-scrimmage team in CFB. “Probably the best O-line/D-line combined in the country.” (75:58–77:58)
• West Virginia wins Backyard Brawl: Emotional home OT win over Pitt, but “doesn’t mean a damn thing” for the bigger picture. (80:42–82:23)
• AP Poll projections: Vandy and Georgia Tech projected in, Clemson and South Carolina out. Notre Dame (0–2) might stick at back end due to résumé, sparking debate. (93:44–103:20)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Clemson’s fall:
  • “Congratulations, you’re entering your Texas A&M phase, Clemson. Congratulations, you’re entering a Miami phase, Clemson… now you’re one of those blue-chip teams that loses a couple games a year.” – Chip Patterson (49:09)
  • “They are a good team. They are not great. They are not elite.” – Bud Elliott (50:09)
• On the Georgia-Tennessee thriller:
  • “Tennessee has scored on five straight opening drives vs. Georgia, and Georgia has won all five.” – Tom Fornelli (18:58)
  • “I think Tennessee handled itself well in this rivalry game and gave itself a shot… The margins were so slim.” – Chip Patterson (23:54)
• Notre Dame’s woes:
  • “Defense can’t get stops… I have a hard time blaming the offense for this one. It’s the defense.” – Bud Elliott (11:31)
• On Texas fans booing Arch Manning:
  • “The Texas fans I saw on Twitter… they’re like, there’s no way in hell we’re going to waste this defense.” – Tom Fornelli (63:17)
• On Miami’s transformation:
  • “Miami’s the best line-of-scrimmage team in the country, I think.” – Tom Fornelli (76:49)
• On Virginia Tech:
  • “They’ve quit on Brent Pry.” – Tom Fornelli (82:55)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• A&M–Notre Dame reaction: 07:26–16:16
• Georgia–Tennessee breakdown: 17:55–28:13
• Clemson’s “dynasty is over”: 46:10–54:03 (with further reflection 54:34–56:48)
• Miami’s emergence: 75:29–77:59
• Texas & Arch Manning troubleshooting: 63:11–67:02
• LSU-Florida/SEC race: 67:29–72:36
• Wisconsin/Luke Fickell outlook: 39:24–44:44
• Virginia Tech & coaching carousel: 82:45–84:12
• AP Top 25 projection talk: 93:44–103:20

Final Thoughts

The Cover 3 team underscores a weekend full of shifting narratives: Georgia’s clutch gene, Texas A&M’s surging hope, the potential twilight of Clemson’s run, and big questions for established powers. Multiple races remain wide open, with playoff and coaching storylines intensifying. The episode closes with AP poll projections and a recognition that, for all the volatility, college football is delivering for fans in spades.

For further discussion, check out the full episode or visit CBSSports.com for updated AP Poll projections and detailed analysis by the Cover 3 crew.