AP Top 25 predictions after Week 3
1. Texas Longhorns (3-0)
– Previous ranking: 1
– Result: 30-6 vs. UTSA
– Summary: Texas began slowly but closed strong. Rasheem Biles intercepted Owen McCown on the opening play, and Arch Manning connected with Cam Coleman for a 24-yard score on the very next snap. Manning finished 16-of-32 for 161 yards with two touchdowns under pressure, while the defense limited UTSA to 143 total yards and no touchdowns.
2. Georgia Bulldogs (3-0)
– Previous ranking: 2
– Result: 45-17 at Arkansas
– Summary: Georgia controlled the game from start to finish. Chauncey Bowens tallied three rushing touchdowns on 11 carries, and Gunner Stockton went 10-of-13 for 147 yards and a touchdown, adding 97 rushing yards including a 62-yard run. The defense suffocated Arkansas, holding them to just 17 rushing yards.
3. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (2-0)
– Previous ranking: 3
– Result: 27-10 vs. Michigan State
– Summary: Notre Dame dominated defensively, limiting Michigan State to 44 rushing yards and 123 passing yards while forcing two interceptions. CJ Carr completed 18 of 24 passes for 234 yards, though he did not throw a touchdown. Nolan James Jr. led the ground attack with 121 yards and a touchdown. The win extended Notre Dame’s double-digit-win streak to 13, a school record dating to the Knute Rockne era.
4. Indiana Hoosiers (3-0)
– Previous ranking: 4
– Result: 38-0 vs. Western Kentucky
– Summary: Indiana started slowly but seized control in the second half. Josh Hoover passed for 273 yards and two touchdowns, and Turbo Richard rushed for 149 yards and a score. Charlie Becker broke the game open with a 79-yard touchdown run, contributing to consecutive shutouts and a 19-game winning streak, the longest active run in the FBS.
5. Miami Hurricanes (3-0)
– Previous ranking: 5
– Result: 33-20 at Wake Forest
– Summary: Miami built a 31-7 lead before injuries slowed the offense, limiting them to 13 yards in the fourth quarter. Wake Forest made a late push to 31-20, but Miami’s defense secured the win with a safety, fourth-down stops, and a late interception. Darian Mensah continued to impress, though the finish wasn’t as clean as desired.
6. Ohio State Buckeyes (2-1)
– Previous ranking: 6
– Result: 59-3 vs. Kent State
– Summary: Ohio State reasserted itself after a loss to Texas. The offense exploded to a 35-0 halftime lead, with Julian Sayin throwing for 241 yards and two touchdowns. Sayin delivered a key 49-yard Hail Mary to Brandon Inniss at the end of the first half. Jeremiah Smith contributed five receptions for 85 yards, and the defense delivered a dominant performance.
7. Ole Miss Rebels (3-0)
– Previous ranking: 8
– Result: 32-24 vs. LSU
– Summary: Ole Miss staged a dramatic home win in a game full of twists. The Rebels led 24-7 at halftime, watched LSU erase the deficit, and then answered when the game was tied at 24. Trinidad Chambliss threw for 363 yards and two touchdowns and scored the go-ahead touchdown on a 14-yard keeper with 6:19 remaining. LSU had a final chance at the end, but a fourth-down pass was tipped and intercepted in the end zone, sealing the victory.
8. Alabama Crimson Tide (3-0)
– Previous ranking: 10
– Result: 50-36 vs. Florida State
– Summary: Alabama weathered weather delays and a fast start from Florida State before taking control. Keelon Russell threw three touchdown passes and added a rushing score, anchoring a strong rushing attack that totaled 247 yards and three rushing touchdowns.
9. BYU Cougars (3-0)
– Previous ranking: 11
– Result: 41-23 at Colorado State
– Summary: BYU controlled most of the game, with LJ Martin rushing for 176 yards and three touchdowns. The passing game was less efficient, coughing up two interceptions and no passing touchdowns, but the defense and ground game carried the day.
10. USC Trojans (3-0)
– Previous ranking: 12
– Result: 42-35 at Rutgers
– Summary: USC showcased its scoring power, though the defense remained a concern. A 99-yard pick-six helped stabilize a late lead, and the offense overcame a Rutgers challenge to remain unbeaten. The upcoming schedule will test the defense further.
11. LSU Tigers (2-1)
– Previous ranking: 7
– Result: 24-32 loss at Ole Miss
– Summary: LSU fell after a rough start and a late rally fell short. An early 24-7 deficit became a comeback effort, but Ole Miss answered with a late touchdown drive, and Jaylon Braxton sealed it with an end-zone interception on a fourth-down play.
12. Texas Tech Red Raiders (3-0)
– Previous ranking: 13
– Result: 28-26 vs. Houston
– Summary: Texas Tech remained undefeated, surviving a late Houston challenge. The defense held on a final two-point attempt, preserving the victory after a close run throughout the afternoon.
13. Penn State Nittany Lions (3-0)
– Previous ranking: 14
– Result: 55-13 vs. Buffalo
– Summary: Penn State cruised, building a 34-6 halftime lead and finishing with dominant balance on offense—269 passing yards and 304 rushing yards. Quinton Martin Jr. led the ground attack with 100 yards.
14. Tennessee Volunteers (3-0)
– Previous ranking: 15
– Result: 42-9 vs. Kennesaw State
– Summary: Tennessee controlled the game, with Faizon Brandon throwing for 178 yards and a touchdown and adding 47 rushing yards and another score. The defense contributed as well, maintaining control throughout.
15. Utah Utes (3-0)
– Previous ranking: 17
– Result: 33-0 vs. Utah State
– Summary: Utah wore down Utah State and delivered another shutout. Daniel Bray broke the game open with a 63-yard touchdown run after halftime as the Utes continued their undefeated run.
16. Louisville Cardinals (2-1)
– Previous ranking: 23
– Result: 41-31 vs. SMU
– Summary: Louisville jumped into the rankings with a hard-fought win. Lincoln Kienholz directed the offense while Keyjuan Brown and Isaac Brown powered the run game, combining for a strong rushing performance.
17. Iowa Hawkeyes (3-0)
– Previous ranking: 18
– Result: 55-0 vs. Northern Iowa
– Summary: Iowa rolled to a lopsided victory, building a big lead by halftime. The rushing attack generated 217 yards in the first half, and the quarterbacks connected on efficient passing (17-of-18 for 201 yards and two touchdowns).
18. Michigan Wolverines (3-0)
– Previous ranking: 19
– Result: 52-17 vs. UTEP
– Summary: Michigan’s offense put together a dominant second half after a shaky start. Trailing early and fumbling twice, the Wolverines exploded for 38 straight points, including 28 in the third quarter, to seal the win.
19. Missouri Tigers (3-0)
– Previous ranking: 20
– Result: 27-17 vs. Troy
– Summary: Missouri remained unbeaten but faced a tougher-than-expected test. A strong ground game, led by Jamal Roberts with 128 rushing yards and a TD, complemented a modest passing effort to secure the victory.
20. SMU Mustangs (2-1)
– Previous ranking: 16
– Result: 31-41 at Louisville
– Summary: SMU dropped after a back-and-forth battle with Louisville. Kevin Jennings threw for 214 yards and a touchdown, but an interception and a late surge by Louisville sealed the result. Kendrick Raphael provided a solid rushing presence, yet the comeback fell short.
21. Oregon Ducks (2-1)
– Previous ranking: 21
– Result: 84-0 vs. Portland State
– Summary: Oregon overwhelmed Portland State, leading 49-0 at halftime and finishing with 84 points. The bigger concern moving forward is health, with top receivers Jeremiah McClellan and Jamari Johnson missing the game.
22. Texas A&M Aggies (2-1)
– Previous ranking: 9
– Result: 21-31 vs. Kentucky
– Summary: Texas A&M endured a dramatic drop after Kentucky erased a 21-0 third-quarter advantage. Marcel Reed threw two interceptions and the passing game struggled, leaving the Aggies with significant work to return to form.
23. Florida Gators (3-0)
– Previous ranking: Unranked
– Result: 44-39 at Auburn
– Summary: Florida earned its Way into the Top 25 with a road win at Auburn. Jadan Baugh rushed for 162 yards and three touchdowns, including a 53-yard score on a fourth-and-1, while Aaron Philo added 202 passing yards and a TD.
24. Mississippi State Bulldogs (3-0)
– Previous ranking: Unranked
– Result: 41-34 vs. South Carolina
– Summary: Kamario Taylor anchored a comeback, throwing for 251 yards and four touchdowns after an early interception. Mississippi State erased a 16-point deficit to pull off the upset in the SEC opener.
25. Oklahoma Sooners (2-1)
– Previous ranking: 24
– Result: 14-6 vs. New Mexico
– Summary: Oklahoma battled through a low-scoring affair, with John Mateer completing 19-of-25 passes for 238 yards and two touchdowns, offset by two interceptions. With bigger tests ahead, the Sooners face a critical period to stabilize offensively.
Note: This summary reflects Week 3 outcomes and the resulting shifts in perception for the AP Top 25. The standings highlight how late-game plays, defensive stops, and momentum swings can redefine rankings in a single weekend.
