Atlanta, GA, September 15, 2025
News Summary
Georgia Tech and Vanderbilt have ascended into the AP Top 25 rankings following impressive victories, while South Carolina and Clemson have fallen out. Georgia Tech defeated Clemson 24-21, highlighted by a game-winning 55-yard field goal. Vanderbilt triumphed over South Carolina, winning 31-7 and showcasing a strong offense. Both teams now look forward to maintaining their rankings in upcoming matchups, with Vanderbilt set to face South Carolina again soon.
Atlanta, GA – In the latest AP Top 25 rankings, Georgia Tech and Vanderbilt have made significant strides following impressive victories, while South Carolina and Clemson have dropped out of the rankings after disappointing performances.
Georgia Tech, now positioned at No. 23, celebrated a 24-21 upset over Clemson. This win marked a pivotal moment for the Yellowjackets, who set the game’s tone early. Despite a late-game equalizer from Clemson that tied the score at 21 with 3:26 remaining, Georgia Tech’s quarterback Haynes King orchestrated a crucial 10-play, 38-yard drive. This culminated in a game-winning 55-yard field goal by kicker Aidan Birr.
Meanwhile, Vanderbilt’s robust performance against South Carolina saw them triumph 31-7, allowing them to break into the rankings at No. 20. Vanderbilt showcased a dominant offense, highlighted by a remarkable 44-yard rushing touchdown from Jamezell Lassiter in the third quarter, which extended their lead to 21-7. The situation worsened for South Carolina when their starting quarterback, LaNorris Sellers, sustained a concussion just before halftime, leaving backup Luke Doty to take the reins with limited effectiveness.
On the flip side, South Carolina, who boasted a 2-0 record before facing off against Vanderbilt, saw their ranking slip following the loss. In their previous games, they had defeated SC State in their home opener, despite encountering delays due to weather. The Gamecocks’ defense had been formidable, particularly strong in the opening quarters of their preceding match, prohibiting any touchdowns until the fourth quarter.
With the updated rankings, Ohio State holds the top position, followed by Penn State and LSU. Miami improved to No. 4 after exerting control over South Florida, while Georgia remains at No. 5 after a tightly contested game against Tennessee that required overtime to secure the win. Texas A&M climbed into the top 10 thanks to a thrilling victory at Notre Dame, while Notre Dame has made history as the first team ranked in the Top 25 with an 0-2 record since 1988.
Alongside South Carolina and Clemson, other notable rankings included Texas, Florida State, Illinois, and Oregon, the latter slipping to No. 6 despite a significant win over Northwestern. As for Vanderbilt, they maintained a record of 2-0 with a victory against Virginia Tech before facing South Carolina.
The upcoming game between South Carolina and Vanderbilt is set for September 13 at 7:45 p.m. ET, with the matchup broadcast nationally on the SEC Network. Commentators will be Tom Hart and Jordan Rodgers, with Cole Cubelic reporting from the sidelines. This game marks an intriguing showdown, especially considering both quarterbacks, Diego Pavia from Vanderbilt and South Carolina’s Sellers, are noted dual-threat players.
South Carolina historically leads the series against Vanderbilt 30-4 and has achieved 16 consecutive victories over them. Nevertheless, their performance has raised questions, particularly concerning the running game dynamics and the effectiveness of the offensive line. Vanderbilt’s quarterback, Pavia, has demonstrated significant ability with five touchdown passes in just two games, contributing to a confident and high-performing offense compared to previous seasons.
Game Highlights
- Georgia Tech beats Clemson 24-21, enters AP Top 25.
- Vanderbilt defeats South Carolina 31-7, enters AP Top 25 at No. 20.
- Both teams maintain national rankings amid shifting conference standings.
- Upcoming matchup on September 13 with South Carolina and Vanderbilt.
Team Performance Summary
| Team | Last Game Result | Current Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Tech | Won 24-21 vs. Clemson | 23 |
| Vanderbilt | Won 31-7 vs. South Carolina | 20 |
| South Carolina | Lost 31-7 vs. Vanderbilt | Out |
| Clemson | Lost 24-21 vs. Georgia Tech | Out |
FAQs
Q: What teams entered the AP Top 25 this week?
A: Georgia Tech, Vanderbilt, and Southern California entered the AP Top 25 rankings.
Q: Which teams dropped out of the AP Top 25?
A: South Florida, South Carolina, and Clemson fell out of the Top 25.
Q: When is the South Carolina vs. Vanderbilt game?
A: The game is scheduled for September 13 at 7:45 p.m. ET.
Q: How has Georgia Tech performed so far this season?
A: Georgia Tech has been impressive, notably achieving a 24-21 victory over Clemson to enter the rankings.
Q: What is the historical series record between South Carolina and Vanderbilt?
A: South Carolina leads the all-time series against Vanderbilt 30-4 and has won the last 16 matchups.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Conway and Greenville Named Among America’s 40 Most Charming Small Downtowns
Secure Status Implemented at Greer Schools Due to Suspicious Individual
High School Football Games Set for Greenville Metro Area
Columbia Players Claim Big Lottery Wins
U.S. Labor Market Faces Decline Amid Immigration Policy Struggles
Nationwide Vigils Held to Honor Charlie Kirk
Teacher Fired for Controversial Comments on Political Figure’s Assassination
Wetzel’s Pretzels Launches First Food Truck in South Carolina
Greenville Man Convicted of Murder in Motel Shooting
Greenville Man Sentenced for Voluntary Manslaughter
Additional Resources
- Greenville Online: South Carolina Rankings
- ECU Pirates: Football Travel
- USA Today: South Carolina vs. Virginia Tech
- Greenville Online: South Carolina Injury Report
- Greenville Online: South Carolina vs. Vanderbilt Predictions
- Wikipedia: College Football
- Google Search: South Carolina Football News
- Google Scholar: South Carolina Football
- Encyclopedia Britannica: College Football
- Google News: South Carolina Football
Author: STAFF HERE GREENVILLE
The HERE Greenville Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Greenville community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Greenville Our team includes lifelong Greenville residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent sales in the Heritage Historic District 17 , Greenville’s textile and railroad heritage 2 , and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Greenville Technical College programs) 27 . Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Greenville Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
