B/R's 2026 College Football Experts Top 25 Rankings After Week 3
With fewer cupcakes and more conference matchups in Week 3, more volatility in this week's Top 25 was inevitable.
The big upset of the day came during the afternoon slate when Kentucky upended Texas A&M at Kyle Field, throwing an early wrench into the SEC landscape.
Louisville handing SMU its first loss of the season could also be an important result in the race to the ACC championship game. After playing Ole Miss tough in Week 1, the Cardinals are one to watch in the coming weeks.
All of that was the appetizer to Lane Kiffin's highly anticipated return to Oxford, as Ole Miss came out on top in a 32-24 thriller.
Now it's time for Bleacher Report's updated top 25 ranking, with the college football writing staff of David Kenyon, Adam Kramer, Joel Reuter and Brad Shepard making up our voting panel.
Nos. 25-21
1 of 10
25. Texas A&M (2-1, Previous Rank: 7)
Week 3 Result: LOSS vs. Kentucky (21-31)
Next Week: at LSU
After a 48-20 blowout against Arizona State last week on the strength of 24 fourth-quarter points, the Aggies were simply outplayed by Kentucky for three quarters. A 28-7 deficit proved too steep to overcome in a major blow to their College Football Playoff hopes. Marcel Reed threw two interceptions, falling to 2-4 in his career in games when he throws multiple picks, including both of the Aggies' losses a year ago.
24. Florida (3-0, Previous Rank: NR)
Week 3 Result: WIN at Auburn (44-39)
Next Week: vs. Ole Miss
The Gators blew out Florida Atlantic (66-21) and Campbell (52-3) to start the season, but earned their spot in the rankings with a road win against Auburn to kick off SEC play. Jadan Baugh shouldered the offensive load once again, recording 26 carries for 162 yards and three touchdowns for his third straight 100-yard rushing performance. Defensively, the Gators managed to contain dual-threat quarterback Byrum Brown. He finished with 271 passing yards and 65 rushing yards while throwing an interception and averaging 3.6 yards per carry.
23. Duke (3-0, Previous Rank: NR)
Week 3 Result: WIN vs. Stanford (35-7)
Next Week: vs. William & Mary
The Blue Devils have quietly played one of the more balanced schedules in the nation so far this year, with victories over Tulane, Illinois and Stanford. Running back Nate Sheppard entered play on Saturday with 434 total yards and five touchdowns. He further padded those gaudy stats with 23 carries for 154 yards and three scores, including a two-yard receiving touchdown. That Nov. 14 game at Miami is looking more and more interesting with each passing week.
22. Michigan (3-0, Previous Rank: 23)
Week 3 Result: WIN vs. UTEP (52-17)
Next Week: vs. Iowa
The Wolverines fell behind early with a lost fumble and a turnover on downs in their first two offensive possessions and led just 17-14 at halftime, but they blew the game open with 28 unanswered points in the third quarter. Bryce Underwood (19/25, 233 yards, 2 TD) had his best game of the season under center, while Savion Hiter (11 carries, 62 yards, 2 TD) and Jordan Marshall (12 carries, 59 yards, 1 TD) led a rushing attack that finished with 185 yards on 42 carries.
21. Kansas State (3-0, Previous Rank: NR)
Week 3 Result: WIN vs. Tulane (31-20)
Next Week: at Cincinnati
Avery Johnson tallied 152 rushing yards and two touchdowns while completing 21-of-28 pass attempts for 227 yards. The Wildcats piled up 428 total yards of offense against a solid Tulane defense. On defense, the Wildcats logged 12 tackles for loss and six sacks while allowing just 2.9 yards per carry to a Green Wave offense that had 212 rushing yards in Week 2.
Nos. 20-16
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20. Missouri (3-0, Previous Rank: 19)
Week 3 Result: WIN vs. Troy (27-17)
Next Week: at Mississippi State
Only six different players recorded offensive touches for Missouri in a less-than-dominant performance against Troy, where they were 26.5-point favorites. Jamal Roberts (22 carries, 128 yards, 1 TD; 2 catches, 13 yards) accounted for more than half of Mizzou's 230 total yards. The Tigers punted seven times in a game where they never found an offensive rhythm outside of a 24-point second quarter that proved to be the difference.
19. Virginia Tech (3-0, Previous Rank: 24)
Week 3 Result: WIN at Maryland (35-26)
Next Week: at Boston College
After blowout victories over VMI and Old Dominion, the Hokies logged an impressive road victory against Maryland on Saturday night to solidify their status as a nationally relevant team heading into ACC conference play. Ethan Grunkemeyer completed 31 of 39 passes for 314 yards and three touchdowns. Virginia Tech built a 35-14 lead that held up down the stretch when Maryland responded to a pair of punts with touchdowns of their own to make things close.
18. Iowa (3-0, Previous Rank: 22)
Week 3 Result: WIN vs. Northern Iowa (55-0)
Next Week: at Michigan
After a grind-it-out battle in the Cy-Hawk rivalry against Iowa State last week, the Hawkeyes had far less trouble with a different in-state foe on Saturday as they steamrolled Northern Iowa. Xavier Williams, Braeden Jackson and Nathan McNeil each broke 100 yards rushing. Iowa finished with a staggering 422 yards and six touchdowns on 41 carries. Hank Brown also went a perfect 12-of-12 for 153 yards and two touchdowns in what has been an improved passing game in the early going.
17. Mississippi State (3-0, Previous Rank: 25)
Week 3 Result: WIN at South Carolina (41-34)
Next Week: vs. Missouri
Kamario Taylor continued his breakout season with a second straight road win following a Week 2 victory at Minnesota, completing 18-of-26 pass attempts for 251 yards and four touchdowns while chipping in another 33 yards rushing. The Bulldogs trailed 16-0 early in the second quarter and 23-14 at halftime, but ripped off 27 unanswered points coming out of the break to put things out of reach. Will it be enough for them to earn a spot in the AP poll for the first time since 2022?
16. Penn State (3-0, Previous Rank: 17)
Week 3 Result: WIN vs. Buffalo (55-13)
Next Week: vs. Wisconsin
A relentless Nittany Lions rushing attack piled up 41 carries for 304 yards and five touchdowns. Rocco Becht added 212 yards and two scores through the air in a gaudy performance by the Penn State offense. They have outscored Marshall, Temple and Buffalo by a 127-22 margin in a relatively easy 3-0 start that has given Matt Campbell's new-look roster a chance to build some confidence and cohesion heading into conference play.
Nos. 15-11
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15. Louisville (2-1, Previous Rank: 20)
Week 3 Result: WIN vs. SMU (41-31)
Next Week: vs. Wake Forest
Trailing 31-28 early in the fourth quarter, Louisville used a 4-play, 75-yard touchdown drive to take the lead, forced a turnover on downs and then made it a two-possession game with a 3-play, 64-yard drive before the defense locked down the win with a forced fumble and an interception. Lincoln Kienholz (177 passing yards, 42 rushing yards, 3 TD) continues to be one of the early breakout stars of the 2026 season, while Keyjuan Brown (10 carries, 163 yards, 2 TD) was the headliner out of the backfield.
14. Tennessee (3-0, Previous Rank: 15)
Week 3 Result: WIN vs. Kennesaw State (42-9)
Next Week: vs. Texas
True freshman Faizon Brandon continues to look like a future star for the Volunteers, showcasing his dual-threat talents once again against Kennesaw State with 178 passing yards, 47 rushing yards and two touchdowns. The Tennessee rushing attack finished with 41 carries for 268 yards and four touchdowns. They cruised to victory after building a 35-3 lead through three quarters. A different level of test awaits next weekend when the Longhorns come to Knoxville.
13. Utah (3-0, Previous Rank: 16)
Week 3 Result: WIN vs. Utah State (33-0)
Next Week: at Iowa State
The Utes forced almost as many punts (8) as they allowed first downs (10) en route to their first shutout against an FBS opponent since 2019. They have now outscored the opposition 142-24 during their 3-0 start to the year. Devon Dampier (22/32, 253 yards, 2 TD) and Braden Pegan (8 catches, 122 yards, 2 TD) had a terrific connection through the air, while the running game accounted for 286 yards on just 25 carries.
12. Texas Tech (3-0, Previous Rank: 13)
Week 3 Result: WIN vs. Houston (28-26)
Next Week: vs. Sam Houston
The Red Raiders' defense kept Houston quarterback Connor Weigman out of the end zone on a two-point conversion attempt that would have tied the game with 49 seconds remaining, surviving what currently stands as the only game on their schedule against a ranked opponent. Cameron Dickey (16 carries, 65 yards, 1 TD) and J'Koby Williams (7 carries, 62 yards, 1 TD) both found the end zone during the second half to anchor the Texas Tech offense.
11. BYU (3-0, Previous Rank: 12)
Week 3 Result: WIN at Colorado State (41-23)
Next Week: BYE
Colorado State had no answer for the BYU running game, as the Cougars carried the ball 41 times for 332 yards and five touchdowns. LJ Martin (15 carries, 176 yards, 3 TD) led the way offensively, while Bear Bachmeier had 227 yards and an interception while only attempting 16 passes. The Cougars carried a 38-7 lead into the fourth quarter in a road game against a Rams team that had posted two lopsided victories to start the year.
Nos. 10-6
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10. LSU (2-1, Previous Rank: 10)
Week 3 Result: LOSS at Ole Miss (24-32)
Next Week: vs. Texas A&M
LSU looked headed for a blowout loss when Ole Miss made it 24-7 at halftime with a flawlessly executed two-minute drill, but the Tigers stormed back, as a 23-yard field goal with 11:21 remaining in the fourth quarter made it 24-24. The defense surrendered a 13-play, 74-yard touchdown drive on the subsequent possession, while Sam Leavitt led a 14-play, 69-yard march of his own into the red zone. However, his fourth-and-goal pass attempt was tipped at the line and picked off in the end zone to leave the comeback six yards short.
9. Alabama (3-0, Previous Rank: 11)
Week 3 Result: WIN vs. Florida State (50-36)
Next Week: vs. South Carolina
The Crimson Tide put together three touchdown drives inside the final 10 minutes of the first half to turn a 21-6 deficit into a 26-21 lead, then put points on the board in each of their first four possessions of the second half to take control of the game. Keelon Russell completed 23-of-30 pass attempts for 320 yards and three touchdowns in his best aerial performance of the young season, adding 56 rushing yards and another score. The defense had three sacks, three interceptions and allowed 2.7 yards per carry.
8. USC (4-0, Previous Rank: 9)
Week 3 Result: WIN at Rutgers (42-35)
Next Week: vs. Oregon
Allowing 35 points and 460 yards to a Rutgers team that lost to UMass in Week 1 is not exactly one for USC's highlight reel, but a 4-0 start and a Big Ten road win is still plenty to hang their hat on. Jayden Maiava (20/32, 277 yards, 2 TD) had a less efficient game than he did in three excellent performances to open the year, while King Miller (16 carries, 102 yards, 1 TD) helped provide some balance and the defense came away with a pair of interceptions to offset the yardage allowed.
7. Ohio State (2-1, Previous Rank: 6)
Week 3 Result: WIN vs. Kent State (59-3)
Next Week: vs. Illinois
Julian Sayin (18-of-22, 241 yards, 2 TD), Bo Jackson (11 carries, 73 yards, 1 TD) and Jeremiah Smith (5 catches, 85 yards) all put together strong individual performances in a palette cleanser game for the Buckeyes following their Week 2 loss to Texas. The defense forced three turnovers, allowed 134 total yards and surrendered just six first downs in a dominant performance across the board that will be the springboard into Big Ten play.
6. Indiana (3-0, Previous Rank: 5)
Week 3 Result: WIN vs. Western Kentucky (38-0)
Next Week: vs. Northwestern
The Hoosiers didn't put points on the scoreboard until the 10:00 mark in the second quarter after missing a field goal on their opening drive, but that's about the only hole to poke in a lopsided victory where they outgained Western Kentucky 513-186 in total yardage while the defense pitched a shutout for the second week in a row. Josh Hoover continued his strong start by completing 18-of-24 pass attempts for 273 yards and two touchdowns, while Turbo Richard (15 carries, 149 yards, 1 TD) and Lee Beebe Jr. (17 carries, 50 yards, 2 TD) both did significant damage on the ground.
5. Ole Miss Rebels (3-0, Previous Rank: 8)
5 of 10
Week 3 Result: WIN vs. LSU (32-24)
Next Week: at Florida
After 17 unanswered points from LSU coming out of halftime saw a 24-7 Ole Miss lead evaporate into a tie game, Trinidad Chambliss responded with a 13-play, 74-yard drive that was punctuated by a 14-yard touchdown run from the Rebels star quarterback.
The defense bent on the subsequent LSU possession but didn't break, holding on in a first-and-goal to eventually come away with the game-ending interception on a tipped fourth down pass.
Chambliss finished with 363 passing yards, two passing touchdowns and one rushing touchdown, adding a signature win to his Heisman Trophy candidacy.
4. Miami Hurricanes (3-0, Previous Rank: 3)
6 of 10
Week 3 Result: WIN at Wake Forest (33-20)
Next Week: vs. Central Michigan
Darian Mensah completed his first 24 attempts to set a new ACC record for consecutive completions. He finished 30-of-34 for 220 yards and three touchdowns as the Hurricanes came out on top in their first legitimate test of the season.
A pair of Wake Forest touchdowns in the second half made things interesting, cutting a 31-7 deficit down to a 31-20 game with 14:56 remaining in the fourth quarter, but the Miami defense clamped down with a safety, two turnovers on downs and an interception over the Demon Deacons' final four possessions.
Malachi Toney (12 catches, 114 yards, 1 TD) and Mark Fletcher Jr. (16 carries, 85 yards, 1 TD) once again had standout days offensively, while the defensive front held Wake Forest to 22 rushing yards on 16 carries.
3. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (3-0, Previous Rank: 2)
7 of 10
Week 3 Result: WIN vs. Michigan State (27-10)
Next Week: at Purdue
CJ Carr (18/24, 234 yards) and Micah Gilbert (8 catches, 170 yards) had a big day through the air. The running game finished the job with 161 yards and three scores, but the Notre Dame defense slammed the door after halftime.
Michigan State mustered only three punts and an interception in the second half. The Spartans were limited to 167 total yards and two turnovers.
The Fighting Irish also dominated the time of possession battle (37:02 to 22:58), running 22 more plays than Michigan State and fully controlling a game that was not as close as the final score suggests.
2. Georgia Bulldogs (3-0, Previous Rank: 4)
8 of 10
Week 3 Result: WIN at Arkansas (45-17)
Next Week: vs. Oklahoma
The Bulldogs were leading 38-3 with 150 total yards allowed on defense before Arkansas closed out the game with consecutive 75-yard touchdown drives, so the performance was even more dominant than the final score suggests.
Gunner Stockton had 147 passing yards, 97 rushing yards and one touchdown in another abbreviated outing under center. Chauncey Bowens had three rushing touchdowns and the Bulldogs' defensive front surrendered 17 rushing yards on 20 carries.
Next week's game against Oklahoma will be their first major test, as they face a Sooner team looking to make a statement after a disappointing start.
1. Texas Longhorns (3-0, Previous Rank: 1)
9 of 10
Week 3 Result: WIN vs. UTSA (30-6)
Next Week: at Tennessee
With veteran quarterback Owen McCown and the No. 55 spot in The Athletic's ranking of all 138 FBS teams, UTSA was by no means a cupcake game for the Longhorns. They managed to avoid a letdown coming off last weekend's emotional comeback victory over Ohio State.
Arch Manning had 164 passing yards and two touchdowns. He also chipped in 50 rushing yards as Texas piled up 228 yards on 48 carries to dominate time of possession and keep the Roadrunners from finding any momentum.
McCown, who threw for 2,995 yards and 30 touchdowns last year, was limited to 14-of-23 passing for 70 yards and an interception. Now, the SEC grind begins for the nation's No. 1 team.
B/R Top 25 Ranking After Week 3
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B/R Top 25
1. Texas
2. Georgia
3. Notre Dame
4. Miami
5. Ole Miss
6. Indiana
7. Ohio State
8. USC
9. Alabama
10. LSU
11. BYU
12. Texas Tech
13. Utah
14. Tennessee
15. Louisville
16. Penn State
17. Mississippi State
18. Iowa
19. Virginia Tech
20. Missouri
21. Kansas State
22. Michigan
23. Duke
24. Florida
25. Texas A&M
Others receiving votes: Oregon, SMU, Oklahoma
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