Top 10 NCAAF Moments in The College Season 2026

Whenever college football is on, it’s always a great time to reflect on past seasons and also analyze the way each team plays to better predict NCAAF betting odds before the next season commences.

NCAAF 2025 was a particularly great season for many teams, with lots of up-and-coming players smashing their performances out of the park. From historic turnarounds to heart-stopping finishes and unprecedented playoff drama, the year featured more twists than ever before in the expanded College Football Playoff era.

Though some of the most iconic moments occurred on the field during high-stakes games, others happened off-field with coaching changes, recruiting surprises, and bracket controversies. Because there were so many amazing moments in the sport, it can be pretty time-consuming to comb through the highlights and relive every clutch play, comeback, and celebration.

Whether you’re looking to get into the holiday spirit, reminisce about the season that just ended, or quickly satisfy your curiosity about what made 2025 so special, here are the top 10 moments that stand out from the rest and defined an unforgettable year in college football.

Fernando Mendoza's Heisman Moment

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza capped one of the most remarkable individual seasons in recent memory. In a pivotal late-season showdown against Penn State, he engineered a dramatic game-winning drive, overcoming a late deficit with precise passing and timely runs. His heroics not only kept Indiana's perfect season alive but also cemented his status as the frontrunner for college football's top individual honor. Mendoza's leadership, poise under pressure, and stats throughout the year made history as Indiana's first Heisman Trophy winner, symbolizing the program's meteoric rise.

Indiana's Historic National Championship

The Indiana Hoosiers, once among the most downtrodden programs in FBS history, completed a perfect 16-0 campaign by defeating Miami 27-21 in the College Football Playoff National Championship at Hard Rock Stadium. Led by Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza—who earned Offensive MVP honors with key throws and a signature rushing touchdown—Mendoza's late-game composure and a game-sealing interception by Jamari Shark erased a century of futility. This improbable title run, orchestrated by coach Curt Cignetti, stands as one of the greatest turnarounds in sports history, turning doubters into believers and giving Bloomington its first football championship.

Illinois Walk-Off Field Goal vs. USC

In one of the season's most thrilling regular-season finishes, Illinois kicker David Olano drilled a 41-yard game-winning field goal as time expired against previously unbeaten USC. After the Trojans mounted a furious fourth-quarter comeback capped by a late touchdown, Illinois responded with a quick 51-yard drive in just eight plays. Olano's clutch boot sent the home crowd into a frenzy and highlighted the Fighting Illini's resilience in a year full of dramatic endings.

Lane Kiffin's Move to LSU

The coaching carousel took another wild turn when Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin departed for LSU just before the CFP selection push. The high-profile switch added intrigue to late-season games, sparked debates about loyalty and program stability, and underscored the relentless pursuit of talent and resources in modern college football. Kiffin's departure left Ole Miss scrambling while injecting new energy into LSU's program amid a chaotic year for head coaches.

Arch Manning's Explosive Play

Texas quarterback Arch Manning wasted no time making his mark, connecting on a 75-yard swing pass to Ryan Wingo for a touchdown on the very first play from scrimmage against Vanderbilt. Breaking tackles and racing untouched to the end zone, the explosive play showcased the Longhorns' big-play potential early in games and gave fans a glimpse of Manning's arm talent and decision-making in a season full of quarterback highlights.

Alabama's Massive CFP Comeback

In the first round of the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff, Alabama erased a 17-0 deficit against Oklahoma in a gritty, momentum-shifting performance. The Crimson Tide's resilience—featuring big defensive stops, timely scoring drives, and relentless effort—tied one of the largest comebacks in CFP history and advanced them deeper into the bracket, proving that no lead was safe in this unpredictable postseason format.

Indiana's Game-Winning Drive vs. Penn State

Trailing late against a tough Penn State defense in a high-stakes Big Ten clash, Fernando Mendoza orchestrated one of the season's nerviest comebacks. Overcoming a 24-20 deficit in the fourth quarter, he led a sustained drive featuring clutch conversions and a game-tying-then-winning touchdown. The drive not only preserved Indiana's undefeated record but also became a signature moment in their march to the national title, showcasing Mendoza's poise and the Hoosiers' never-say-die mentality.

Wild Playoff Semifinal Moments

Indiana's dominant 56-22 Peach Bowl semifinal victory over Oregon featured fireworks, explosive plays, and celebratory energy that propelled the Hoosiers to the championship game. From multi-touchdown outbursts to defensive dominance, the blowout highlighted Indiana's peak form while other semifinals delivered last-second drama, including Miami's thrilling advances, making the expanded playoff's early rounds some of the most entertaining in history.

Selection Committee Drama

The CFP bracket reveal ignited fierce debates over placements for powerhouses like Notre Dame, Miami, and Alabama in the 12-team field. Controversial decisions, snubs, and at-large bids fueled national arguments, social media firestorms, and endless analysis, emphasizing how high the stakes had become in the new format and how one committee choice could alter a program's destiny.

Miami's Strong Run to the Title Game

Miami, under coach Mario Cristobal, surged to the national championship matchup against Indiana with a blend of physical play, key upsets (including early-season wins that shifted momentum), and standout individual performances. From dramatic victories over top opponents to resilient playoff pushes featuring pick-sixes and clutch drives, the Hurricanes' path showcased their resurgence and made the title game a fitting clash of emerging powers.

Summary

There were plenty of phenomenal moments to choose from, but these are the top 10 NCAAF moments in the 2025 college season you just have to know about. From Indiana's fairy-tale championship to wild finishes and coaching shakeups, 2025 will be remembered as a year when anything seemed possible in college football.