Once the schedules were set for the 2026 college football season, everyone circled Week 3 as one of the best weekends of the season. The drama of Lane Kiffin returning to Oxford to face his former school was going to draw the attention of the college football world, and the game delivered on the hype.
Add in high-profile matchups like Alabama vs. Florida State, Texas Tech vs. Houston, and SMU vs. Louisville, and the weekend brought all the drama. After the upsets and the chaos of the weekend, we're taking our best guess at how the AP Top 25 poll will play out on Sunday.
Predicting the AP Top 25 poll after LSU vs Ole Miss and the chaos of Week 3
25. Washington Huskies
After dropping out of the AP Top 25 poll for a week, the Washington Huskies should rejoin the group on Sunday. Demond Williams Jr. continues to be electric, surpassing 400 total yards with 4 touchdowns, but he also threw a pick. Washington is going to have to take the next step in conference play, but Williams is dynamic enough to keep this team in any game.
24. Florida Gators
Jon Sumrall's SEC debut left a ton to be worked on, but Florida looks like a team that will be heard from in the SEC this season. Jadan Baugh continues to be unstoppable on the ground as he picked up 162 yards and 3 touchdowns on the ground, powering the Gators' offense. The defense needs to tighten up as Auburn put up 32 points, but the offense under Buster Faulkner is dynamic.
23. Oklahoma Sooners
The Oklahoma Sooners found themselves locked into a battle with a pesky New Mexico team, escaping with a 14-6 win. John Mateer had a more efficient game, but his two interceptions can't be a weekly occurrence. The Sooners have more than enough talent on defense, but this team has a limited ceiling with Mateer at quarterback.
22. SMU Mustangs
In the first true test for the SMU Mustangs, Rhett Lashlee's team let a golden opportunity to pick up a signature win slip away. As we saw against Florida State, SMU made far too many mistakes, but Louisville was good enough to make them pay. This team has all the talent to factor into the ACC and CFP races, but they have to start playing clean football.Â
21. Oregon Ducks
After an embarrassing loss to Oklahoma State last weekend, Oregon embarrassed Portland State in an 84-0 blowout. The offense scored on all but 1 drive while the defense pitched a shutout, which was a welcome change for the Ducks' fans. The real test comes next weekend when Oregon will have to show they've improved against a loaded USC Trojans team in a pivotal game for both coaches
20. Missouri Tigers
Missouri is far from a finished product with Ahmad Hardy sidelined, but the Tigers exit non-conference play with a 3-0 record. The Tigers exploded for 24 points in the 2nd quarter against Troy, but scored just 3 points the rest of the game, which is a concern. Next weekend brings a matchup against a dangerous Mississippi State team, where the defense is going to need to continue its string of strong performances.
19. Louisville Cardinals
The Louisville Cardinals picked up a massive win on Saturday, knocking off the No. 16 ranked SMU Mustangs in a pivotal ACC game. Keyjuan Brown was electric with 163 rushing yards and 2 scores, while Lincoln Kienholz continued to impress. The Cardinals struggled against SMU's rushing attack, but they took advantage of SMU's mistakes with three takeaways to secure the win.
18. Texas A&M Aggies
The Texas A&M Aggies saw their College Football Playoff hopes take a massive hit on Saturday as Kentucky came into College Station and left with an upset win. Marcel Reed's struggles as a passer continue to put a ceiling on this team, and it may end up being their fatal flaw. The secondary was exposed in their first big test as Kenny Minchey picked the Aggies apart, sending Mike Elko back to the drawing board with plenty of issues to clean up.
17. Michigan Wolverines
The first half was incredibly ugly, but Michigan eventually locked in and pulled away from UTEP with a dominant second half. Two lost fumbles were the biggest issue for Michigan's offense as they played a solid game the rest of the way. The Wolverines have to find a way to start games better moving forward, especially as next week's opponent Iowa, is fine playing a low scoring game.
16. Iowa Hawkeyes
The competition was only Northern Iowa, but the Hawkeyes scoring 55 points feels like a serious milestone. Hank Brown was a perfect 12-for-12 passing, while Iowa picked up 422 yards and 6 touchdowns on the ground. Next week brings the true test for this offense, as they'll be tasked with facing the Michigan Wolverines.
15. Utah Utes
Morgan Scalley picked up his first win in The Battle of the Brothers on Saturday, demolishing Utah State. Braden Pegan continues to look like the steal of the offseason, adding another 100+ yard performance to his resume. The start of Big 12 play next weekend should start to give Utah some resistance, but this team hasn't taken a step back even with the losses in the offseason.
14. Tennessee Volunteers
Tennessee had one final tune-up game against Kennesaw State before kicking off SEC play next weekend with a test against Texas. Daune Morris continues to look like a breakout star in the backfield, giving Faizon Brandon another back who can take pressure off him. The Vols offense looks like it has the potential to keep them in any game they play, but we won't know until they're actually tested.
13. Penn State Nittany Lions
Matt Campbell was given one last tune-up game on Saturday as Penn State hosted the Buffalo Bulls. Koby Howard continues to be the breakout star for this offense as he added another 115 yards and a touchdown on just 3 catches while the Nittany Lions rushed for 304 yards and 5 touchdowns. Next weekend's game against Wisconsin will be the first test, but the Nittany Lions appear to be ready to compete in the Big Ten.
12. USC Trojans
Lincoln Riley's team looked like a group that was caught looking ahead to next weekend's game against Oregon as they quickly found themselves in a battle with Rutgers. Leading wide receiver Trent Mosley was out for the Trojans, and this game became a group effort with great contributions on the ground and through the air. Lincoln Riley will finally have a real test next week, facing a vulnerable Oregon team in a game with massive College Football Playoff stakes.
11. Texas Tech Red Raiders
Friday Night's game against Houston couldn't have started worse for Texas Tech, but the team started to gel as the game went along. Will Hammond took some time to find a rhythm, but pairing him with Thomas Castellanos only makes this offense tougher to face, even if the two have to continue growing. Texas Tech has a great Big 12 win on their resume now, and they should only continue to climb up the rankings.
10. LSU Tigers
The LSU Tigers started as poorly as possible, falling in an early 24-7 hole that the team never overcame. Self-inflicted penalties and mistakes set LSU back countless times, as the Ole Miss crowd clearly made their impact. The concern for Lane Kiffin now turns to his tight end Trey'Dez Green who left the game injured as the Tigers may have lost their biggest weapon.
9. BYU Cougars
Kalani Sitake's team continues to look like the best team in the Big 12 as they added a blowout win over Colorado State to their resume. LJ Martin finally had his explosive game as he surpassed his season rushing totals in the first half to power the offense. The Cougars have already knocked off Arizona, and if they handle business in the next two Big 12 games, it'll be clear they're a true contender.
8. Alabama Crimson Tide
Alabama fans were likely saying, "Here we go again," as the Crimson Tide fell behind 21-3 to Florida State in a weird game delayed and stopped due to lightning in the area. Once Alabama finally found a rhythm, it was over for the Seminoles as Keelon Russell scored 4 touchdowns without turning the ball over. Keelon Russell is only getting better with more experience, and if the Crimson Tide can rebound defensively after a rough showing, this team has what it takes to make a deep playoff run.
7. Ohio State Buckeyes
After a disappointing loss last weekend, Ohio State rebounded by handing Kent State a 59-3 beatdown. Jeremiah Smith became the Buckeyes' all-time leading receiver while the rest of the offense was firing on all cylinders. Next weekend kicks off Big Ten play for the Buckeyes, and the matchup with Illinois should allow Ryan Day's team to continue growing with some resistance.
6. Miami Hurricanes
The Miami Hurricanes continue to look like a National Championship front runner as they opened ACC play with a 33-20 win over Wake Forest. Darian Mensah was nearly perfect, finishing 30-for-34 for 224 yards and 3 touchdowns. The Canes still have some things to clean up defensively, but this group has all the talent you could ask for, and Mario Cristobal should be able to make another deep Playoff run.
5. Ole Miss Rebels
Pete Golding's team had this game scheduled on the calendar all offseason long, and it was certainly an emotional night. After Ole Miss took a massive lead in the first half, LSU came storming back to make it a game. When it mattered most, Trinidad Chambliss drove the team down the field for the go ahead touchdown, and Pete Golding's defense stopped Lane Kiffin's offense on 4th and goal to secure the win.
4. Indiana Hoosiers
Curt Cignetti's team started slow on Saturday, but the Hoosiers eventually turned it around to beat Western Kentucky. The defending champions have looked solid in non-conference play, but it's hard to gauge if this team is a true contender, as they haven't played anyone. The start of the Big Ten slate is favorable for the Hoosiers, and it may mean this team isn't truly tested until Mid-October when they face
3. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Marcus Freeman's team faced a tough test on Saturday Night as Michigan State made the trip to South Bend. The Spartans scored 10 points in the second quarter, but outside that run the game was all Irish. CJ Carr and Micah Gilbert look like one of the best QB-WR duos in the Country, and Freeman's team has already put two wins over Big Ten schools on it's resume.
2. Georgia Bulldogs
On a day when Arkansas fans said they were going to boycott the Georgia game, the Bulldogs gave them every reason to be upset. The Bulldogs punished the Razorbacks with their rushing attack, picking up 254 yards and 4 touchdowns on the ground. Kirby Smart's defense held Arkansas to just 0.9 yards per carry, as Georgia appears to be ready to compete for another National Championship.
1. Texas Longhorns
After such an emotional high last weekend knocking off Ohio State, it would've been easy for Steve Sarkisian's team to sleepwalk into the UTSA game. Instead, Texas rode their rushing attack to a victory while Cam Coleman added a pair of touchdowns in the win. Steve Sarkisian's team now enters a tough stretch of SEC games with Tennessee and Red River on the horizon.
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