It was another entertaining week of college football. Friday night saw a top 25 clash between Texas Tech and Houston, with the Red Raiders coming away with a win. On Saturday, Alabama struggled early, but came away with a victory. Texas A&M never got over their struggles, falling to Kentucky at home. The night was capped with Lane Kiffin returning to Ole Miss. The Rebels took a big victory in that game, causing some shakeups in the top five.
With some major upsets and some teams struggling, there has been some movement in the top 25, with multiple new teams joining the rankings.
Previous Week:ÃÂ Preseason | Week 2 | Week 3
1. Texas (-)
Texas remains the top team in the nation after taking care of business on Saturday. The Longhorns are now 3-0 after a 30-6 win over UTSA. Arch Manning was not great in the game. He completed just 17 of 33 passes for only 164 yards. He did throw two touchdowns. Still, the running game was solid. Five different players ran for 39 or more yards, including Manning, who ran nine times for 50 yards. Texas has a massive game to open up SEC play next Saturday, as they hit the road to face Tennessee.
2. Georgia (-)
Georgia opened up SEC play with a victory over Arkansas, 45-17. The defense was smothering in the first half, as the Bulldogs built a 21-3 lead by the half. Arkansas did not find the end zone until the fourth quarter. Meanwhile, Gunner Stockton was amazing. He attempted just 13 passes in the game, but completed ten for 147 yards and a touchdown. He also ran the ball seven times for 97 yards before giving way to Ryan Puglisi. Georgia returns home to host a struggling Oklahoma team in Week 4.
3. Indiana (-)
The top three remain unchanged after Indiana had no issues with Western Kentucky. The first quarter was scoreless after Indiana missed a field goal on their only offensive drive, and Western Kentucky failed to score on a fourth down from the Indiana two-yard line. Indiana got the ball back and drove 98 yards for the touchdown to open the scoring in the second quarter. It would all be downhill sledding from there for the Hoosiers. Josh Hoover threw for 273 yards and two touchdowns, while Turbo Richard ran for 149 yards and a score. Indiana won the game 38-0 over Western Kentucky. Indiana will host Northwestern on Friday night in Week 4.
4. Notre Dame (+1)
With the LSU loss, Notre Dame is the first team to move up, gaining one spot. Notre Dame was not at their best against Michigan State. While the Irish put up 17 points in the first half, Cam Francher scored late in the first half to make it 17-10 at halftime. Notre Dame shut down Michigan State from there. Michigan State had just 40 yards in the second half and turned the ball over once, as Notre Dame won the game 27-10. Nolan James Jr. was the star for the Irish in the win, running the ball 26 times for 121 yards and a touchdown. Notre Dame hits the road in Week 4, facing Purdue.
5. Ole Miss (+4)
Ole Miss welcomed back Lane Kiffin to Oxford and handed him a loss. The Rebels started strong against LSU. After both teams went three-and-out on their first drive, Ole Miss drove the field for a field goal. They would force a second straight three-and-out before driving the field and finishing with a Kewan Lacy touchdown. Ole Miss had a 17-0 lead before LSU found the end zone, and led 24-7 at the end of the first half. The Tigers made a comeback, though. They opened the fourth quarter with a field goal that tied the game. Chambliss drove the field and scored on the ground to give the lead back to Ole Miss. Sam Leavitt was answering, driving to the Ole Miss six-yard line, but an interception ended the game. Chambliss put himself in the Heisman conversation, accounting for three touchdowns, as Ole Miss won 32-24. The Rebels hit the road in Week 4, facing Florida.
6. Miami (FL) (-)
Miami was not as dominant in Week 3, facing Wake Forest on a Friday night. They came away with a 33-20 win, but the Hurricanes let the Demon Deacons hang around for much of the game. Still, the stars for Miami showed why they are one of the best in the nation. Darian Mensah completed 30 of 34 passes for 220 yards and three touchdowns. Mark Fletcher accounted for 85 yards on the ground and a score, while Malachi Toney brought in 12 receptions for 114 yards and a touchdown. Miami returns home in Week 4, hosting Central Michigan.
7. Ohio State (-)
Ohio State was coming off a crushing loss to Texas in Week 2, but bounced back in a big way in Week 3. Julian Sayin was a star, passing for 241 yards and two touchdowns. Meanwhile, Bo Jackson and Ja'Kobi Jackson combined for 120 yards and three scores on the ground against Kent State. Jeremiah Smith became the Buckeyes' all-time receiving yards leader in the game after hauling in five receptions for 85 yards. The Buckeyes went on to win the game 59-3. Ohio State opens up conference play in Week 4, hosting Illinois.
8. Alabama (+2)
For a third straight week, Alabama started slow and ended up dominating. This time it was against Florida State. After starting the game with a three-and-out, Florida State drove the field and scored a touchdown. Midway through the second quarter, Florida State had a 21-6 lead. The Tide scored touchdowns on their final three drives of the first half, including a two-play, 56-yard drive, capped off by a Keelon Russell touchdown pass. They led 26-21 going into the half, but FSU scored to open the second half, taking the lead. Alabama took over from there. Russell threw for 320 yards with three touchdowns while running for 56 yards and a score in the 50-36 win. Next up for Alabama is a home date against South Carolina.
9. BYU (+3)ÃÂ
BYU continues to quietly climb the power rankings and show they may be the best team in the Big 12. The final score of this game is much closer than the game itself, as BYU defeated Colorado State 41-23. Bear Bachmeier was not at his best, completing 12 of 16 passes for 227 yards with an interception. Still, LJ Martin ran for 176 yards on 15 carries with three touchdowns. BYU led 38-7 at the end of the third quarter, but allowed two touchdown drives with the backups in, while managing just a field goal. BYU is off in Week 4 before hitting the road to visit conference foe TCU in Week 5.
10. Texas Tech (+3)ÃÂ
The other top team in the Big 12 is Texas Tech. They found themselves in a fight against Houston in Week 3, but managed to come away with the 28-26 win. Will Hammond threw for 257 yards with a touchdown and an interception, but the offense was focused on the ground game.ÃÂ Cameron Dickey ran for 65 yards and a score while J'Koby Williams had 62 yards and a touchdown. Houston scored with under a minute left in the game, but a failed two-point conversion sealed the game. The Red Raiders will host another in-state foe in Week 4, Sam Houston.
11. LSU (-7)
The first big drop of the week comes from LSU. The offense struggled early. They ran 14 plays for a total of 31 yards across their first three drives. LSU had every chance to come back in the game, though. They picked off Trinidad Chambliss in the third quarter, and then scored a touchdown. After a missed field goal by the Rebels, the Tigers got the game within three. They tied it in the fourth quarter, but Chambliss outplayed Sam Leavitt late. Chambliss led Ole Miss down the field, scoring on a 14-yard rush to take the lead. Leavitt led LSU into the red zone, but threw an interception, which ended the game. LSU will look to rebound next week, hosting Texas A&M.
12. USC (-1)
USC continued to win, moving to 4-0 with a 42-35 win over Rutgers. Still, the defense was not good in the game. They allowed Rutgers, who had struggled on offense all year, to rack up 460 yards on offense. That included 292 passing and 168 on the ground. Further, Rutgers went six of 11 on third down, while converting on three of four fourth-down attempts. Regardless, the difference in the game was made by the USC defense. Rutgers got the ball to open the second half and drove the field. On a first-and-goal play from the USC nine, Prophet Brown picked off a pass and returned it 99 yards for the touchdown. The Trojans will look to move to 5-0 when they host Oregon in Week 4.
13. Tennessee (+1)
In a result that shocked no one in Week 3, Tennessee moved to 3-0 with a 42-9 win over Kennesaw State. Faizon Brandon threw for 178 yards and a score while also running one in. The run game was amazing for Tennessee. They ran the ball 41 times for 268 yards and four touchdowns against the Owls. Now, the Vols will look to make a claim that they are one of the best in the nation with a top 25 matchup next week. Tennessee hosts top-ranked Texas in Week 4.
14. Utah (+3)
The Utes put their defense on display in Week 3, with a 33-0 win over Utah State. Utah State managed just 188 total yards, with only 58 on the ground, as the Aggies were held to just 2.3 yards per carry on the ground. Meanwhile, Devon Dampier threw for 253 yards and a touchdown while running for 34 yards. Braden Pegan hauled in eight receptions for 122 yards and two scores in the 33-0 win over Utah State. Utah hits the road for a Big 12 fixture against Iowa State in Week 4.
15. Penn State (-)
The result of Penn State's Week 3 game was never in doubt. Facing Buffalo, Penn State put up 55 points in the 55-13 victory. The defense shut down Jason Wright, who completed just ten of 25 passes for 60 yards. Meanwhile, Rocco Becht threw for 212 yards and two scores, while Quinton Martin ran for 100 yards on just ten carries. The offense was dominant on the ground. They ran the ball a total of 41 times for 304 yards and five touchdowns in the victory. Penn State will host conference foe Wisconsin in Week 4.
16. Iowa (+2)
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Iowa destroyed Northern Iowa on Saturday with the help of 42 first-half points. The ground game was amazing. Xavier Williams ran six times for 151 yards and three scores. Braeden Jackson ran 11 times for 125 yards and a touchdown. Finally, Nathan McNeil ran for 111 yards on 12 carries with two touchdowns. Overall, it was three different running backs running for over 100 yards. Making it more impressive is that none of them are the regular starting running back. Kamari Moulton missed the game with an injury. Iowa opens conference play with a top 25 fixture on Saturday, hosting Michigan.
17. Michigan (+2)
Michigan is 3-0 on the year, but once again, they did not make it easy on themselves facing UTEP. A fumble ended their first drive, and UTEP drove the field to take the lead. After Michigan tied it, Savion Hiter fumbled on the next drive, leading to a one-play, 18-yard touchdown drive for UTEP. Still, Michigan would manage a 17-14 lead at the end of the first half. From there, Michigan took over. The Wolverines scored touchdowns on all three drives of the third quarter and added a pick-six. They also scored a touchdown on their only full drive of the fourth quarter, with Tommy Carr throwing his first touchdown pass for Michigan. They would win the game 52-17. The Wolverines have a chance to prove that they are a contender in Week 4, visiting Iowa in a top-25 clash.
18. Missouri (+2)
Missouri moves up with other teams moving down, but it was not an impressive game for the Tigers. They were down 10-0 to Troy at the end of the first quarter. The game began to turn in the second quarter. Down 10-3, Missouri forced a punt, and DaMarion Fowlkes returned the kick 68 yards for a touchdown to tie the game. Missouri would add two more touchdowns in the second quarter, leading 24-17. From there, the defense took over. The second half saw six straight punts before a field goal from Missouri. Troy missed a field goal, and Missouri was able to drain the clock, winning 27-17. They visit a new top 25 team in Week 4, facing off with Mississippi State.
19. Louisville (+7)ÃÂ
Louisville had a solid offense in 2025 under Miller Moss, but they have upgraded under Lincoln Kienholz. Over the first three weeks, they have improved on early-down EPA, late-down success rate, and explosive pass rate. That showed in Week 3. Louisville hosted SMU in Week 3 as Keinholz passed for 177 yards and two touchdowns, while running for 42 yards and a score. Keyjuan Brown ran for 163 yards and two touchdowns, while Isaac Brown added 67 yards on the ground with a touchdown. The defense forced three turnovers from Kevin Jennings. Adding to the bump, the loss to Ole Miss by just three points looks much better in comparison now than it did just a week ago. The Cardinals host Wake Forest in Week 4.
20. Mississippi State (+6)ÃÂ
Welcome to the top 25, Mississippi State. The Bulldogs entered the contest against LaNorris Sellers and South Carolina as underdogs. They held Sellers to 282 yards and two touchdowns, while intercepting him twice. Meanwhile, Kamario Taylor proved to be a star for Mississippi State. He passed for 251 yards with four touchdowns while having just one interception. He also accounted for 33 yards on the ground. Meanwhile, Fluff Bothwell ran for 115 yards in the 41-34 victory over South Carolina. They will host Missouri in Week 4 with a chance to move up the rankings even more.
21. Florida (+5)
Florida continues the list of new teams to the Top 25, joining Louisville and Mississippi State. Jon Sumrall and the Gators went to Auburn and took the win. Aaron Philo was solid, throwing for 204 yards with a touchdown. Still, the star of the show for the Gators was Jadan Baugh. He ran the ball 26 times for 162 yards, averaging 6.2 yards per carry while scoring three times. The defense also made Auburn one-dimensional. Auburn averaged just 3.3 yards per carry. Byrum Brown had the bulk of the rushing yards, while running backs for the team managed just 37 yards on 13 carries. The Gators host Ole Miss next Saturday.
22. Virginia TechÃÂ (+4)ÃÂ
James Franklin has his first signature win as the head coach of Virginia Tech. They hit the road facing a power conference team in Week 3 and knocked off Maryland 35-26. Ethan Grunkenmeyer was amazing. He completed 31 of 39 passes for 314 yards and three touchdowns. He also scored on the ground. The run defense was great, but the pass defense struggled. They gave up 359 yards and three scores against Maryland. The last time Virginia Tech opened up the year 4-0 was in 2017. They have a chance to match that in Week 4, visiting Boston College.
23. Oregon (+1)ÃÂ
Oregon was impressive in their rebound game after losing to Oklahoma State. While it was against Portland State, scoring two or more touchdowns in every quarter is still quite the feat. Dante Moore was 19 for 23 for 280 yards and four touchdowns, while Dylan Raiola was 11 for 11 for 124 yards and three scores. The ground game added 273 yards and five touchdowns in the 84-0 victory. Now Oregon needs to prove it was not just beating up on an easy opponent, as they hit the road to face USC in Week 4.
24.ÃÂ North Dakota State (+1)
North Dakota State did nothing to lose their spot as the top non-power conference team. They moved to 4-0 this week after beating Sacramento State 31-10 on the road. It was early domination. Nathan Hayes hit Jackson Williams for a 33-yard touchdown on the first drive of the game, and then Darius Givance picked up a fumble for the scoop-and-score on the Hornets' first drive of the game. Sacramento State did not find the end zone until the fourth quarter, with the game already well in hand. The Bison will be off in Week 4 before a clash with Wyoming in Week 5.
25.ÃÂ Texas A&M (-13)ÃÂ
Possibly the biggest loser of the week was Texas A&M. While SMU took a loss, it was to a solid opponent. Meanwhile, Oklahoma struggled against an easier opponent. Still, Texas A&M lost at home in conference play to Kentucky. Kentucky had not won in College Station since 1952. It was a tight first half, with Kentucky missing a field goal and the two teams entering the half tied at seven. The Wildcats then dominated the third quarter. They scored touchdowns on all three drives, while forcing a punt and a turnover on downs. The Aggies had chances for a comeback, but a fourth-quarter interception by Marcell Reed sealed the loss for Texas A&M.ÃÂ Texas A&M will attempt to rebound in Week 5 as they visit LSU.
Joining the Top 25:ÃÂ ÃÂ Louisville, Mississippi State, Florida, Virginia Tech
Dropped from the Top 25:ÃÂ SMU, Virginia, Houston, Oklahoma
Just Missed Out:ÃÂ SMU, West Virginia, Boise State