College Football Rankings: Athlon Sports Top 25 (After Week 3)

Weekly college football top 25 rankings are a big part of every season, and Athlon Sports will update its top 25 following the games each weekend.

The third weekend of the 2026 season was headlined by Ole Miss’ win over LSU, Louisville’s high-scoring victory against SMU, Kentucky’s upset of Texas A&M and Alabama’s comeback to beat Florida State. Top-ranked teams Texas, Georgia, Indiana, Notre Dame, and Ohio State cruised to comfortable victories in Week 3.

Texas takes the No. 1 spot in the post-Week 3 top 25 rankings, followed by Georgia, Notre Dame, Ole Miss and Indiana. Here are Athlon Sports’ top 25 college football teams after Week 3:

College Football Top 25 Rankings (After Week 3)

1. Texas (3-0)

Last Week: 1

Week 3 Result: Defeated UTSA

After last week’s win over Ohio State, it was no surprise Texas was a little sluggish on Saturday night in a 30-6 victory against UTSA. The Longhorns open SEC play next week at Tennessee.

2. Georgia (3-0)

Last Week: 2

Week 3 Result: Defeated Arkansas

The Bulldogs opened SEC play with an easy 45-17 victory over Arkansas. The offense was efficient and effective (7.4 yards per play), and the defense limited the Razorbacks to just 300 yards. The schedule gets tougher for Georgia next week, as coach Kirby Smart’s team faces off against Oklahoma next Saturday.

3. Notre Dame (3-0)

Last Week: 3

Week 3 Result: Defeated Michigan State

The Fighting Irish defeated Michigan State 27-10 on Saturday night. Quarterback CJ Carr completed 18 of 24 passes for 234 yards, and Notre Dame’s defense allowed only 167 yards. Running back Nolan James Jr. gave the ground attack a spark with 121 yards.

4. Ole Miss (3-0)

Last Week: 9

Week 3 Result: Defeated LSU

Ole Miss got its revenge against Lane Kiffin with a 32-24 victory on Saturday night. Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss was the difference, completing 33 of 48 passes for 363 yards and two scores and rushing for another touchdown to guide an offense that recorded 426 overall yards. The Rebels struggled in the second half on defense but made a timely interception in the end zone to seal the victory.

5. Indiana (3-0)

Last Week: 4

Week 3 Result: Defeated Western Kentucky

Indiana finished non-conference play with a 38-0 victory over Western Kentucky. The Hoosiers have pitched back-to-back shutouts, while quarterback Josh Hoover has yet to throw an interception over three contests.

6. Ohio State (2-1)

Last Week: 5

Week 3 Result: Defeated Kent State

The Buckeyes didn’t have any hangover from last week’s loss at Texas. Coach Ryan Day’s squad easily dispatched Kent State 59-3.

7. Miami (3-0)

Last Week: 6

Week 3 Result: Defeated Wake Forest

Quarterback Darian Mensah was flawless once again, completing 30 of 34 passes for 220 yards and three scores in a 33-20 victory at Wake Forest. However, injuries are starting to stack up for this team, as running back Mark Fletcher Jr. and receiver Malachi Toney were banged up in Friday night’s win.

8. LSU (2-1)

Last Week: 7

Week 3 Result: Lost to Ole Miss

LSU’s second-half rally in Oxford fell short, as coach Lane Kiffin couldn’t get his revenge against his former team in a 32-24 loss to Ole Miss. Tight end Trey’Dez Green’s status after a leg injury is a major concern moving forward. The Bayou Bengals have to quickly regroup with Texas A&M coming up next.

9. Alabama (3-0)

Last Week: 11

Week 3 Result: Defeated Florida State

For the second week in a row, Alabama started slow and finished with a fury. The Crimson Tide trailed 14-3 in the first quarter against Florida State but reeled off 47 points over the final three quarters to win 50-36. Alabama’s defense struggled against the Seminoles by allowing 7.4 yards per play. However, coach Kalen DeBoer’s offense was sharp, averaging 8.6 yards per play behind 376 total yards and four scores by quarterback Keelon Russell.

10. Texas Tech (3-0)

Last Week: 12

Week 3 Result: Defeated Houston

The Red Raiders are clearly a work in progress, but Friday night’s 28-26 win over Houston was a crucial first step in a return trip to the Big 12 title game. After a slow start, Texas Tech’s offense found a spark through the air with quarterback Will Hammond and receiver Kenny Johnson. Coach Joey McGuire’s defense also came up big with a stop at the goal line to prevent the Cougars from converting a two-point try in the final minute to seal the victory.

11. BYU (3-0)

Last Week: 13

Week 3 Result: Defeated Colorado State

Running back LJ Martin gashed Colorado State for 176 yards and three touchdowns in a 41-23 victory for BYU. The Cougars averaged 9.6 yards per play, while the defense limited the Rams to only 302 yards.

12. USC (4-0)

Last Week: 10

Week 3 Result: Defeated Rutgers

USC’s defense remains a question mark, but coach Lincoln Riley’s offense was more than enough in a hard-fought 42-35 victory at Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights moved the ball (460 yards), yet two turnovers – including a 99-yard interception return for a touchdown – were costly. A showdown against Oregon is on tap next Saturday for the Trojans.

13. Penn State (3-0)

Last Week: 14

Week 3 Result: Defeated Buffalo

The Nittany Lions are ready for Big Ten play after crushing Buffalo 55-13 on Saturday. Coach Matt Campbell’s team won its first three games by a combined score of 127-22.

14. Tennessee (3-0)

Last Week: 15

Week 3 Result: Defeated Kennesaw State

The Volunteers are ready for SEC play after cruising to a 42-9 victory over Kennesaw State on Saturday night. Four players accounted for at least 40 rushing yards for coach Josh Heupel, including running back Daune Morris (116 yards) and quarterback Faizon Brandon (47).

15. Utah (3-0)

Last Week: 16

Week 3 Result: Defeated Utah State

Quarterback Devon Dampier threw for 253 yards and two scores, and Utah’s defense limited Utah State to just 188 yards, in an easy 33-0 win for coach Morgan Scalley’s team. The Utes also recorded four sacks and allowed just four third-down conversions on 14 attempts.

16. Louisville (2-1)

Last Week: 22

Week 3 Result: Defeated SMU

Louisville outlasted SMU 41-31 in a critical game for positioning in the ACC. Running back Keyjuan Brown gashed the Mustangs for 163 rushing yards, with quarterback Lincoln Kienholz recording three overall scores. Coach Jeff Brohm’s defense gave up six yards a play but made a couple of clutch stops, including three takeaways to help seal the win.

17. Oregon (2-1)

Last Week: 18

Week 3 Result: Defeated Portland State

The Ducks took out their frustration on Portland State from last week’s loss at Oklahoma State. Oregon scored on its first eight offensive possessions to cruise to an 84-0 victory.

18.Michigan (3-0)

Last Week: 19

Week 3 Result: Defeated UTEP

After a slow start, Michigan scored 28 points in the third quarter to put away UTEP in a 52-17 victory. Early-season ups and downs have plagued quarterback Bryce Underwood, but he threw for 223 yards and two scores on 19 completions in a solid outing for the Wolverines. The defense also generated 11 tackles for a loss against the Miners.

19. Iowa (3-0)

Last Week: 24

Week 3 Result: Defeated Northern Iowa

Three Iowa players eclipsed 100 rushing yards to power an offense that averaged 10 yards per play in a 55-0 blowout over Northern Iowa.

20. Florida (3-0)

Last Week: Not Ranked

Week 3 Result: Defeated Auburn

The Gators joined the top 25 following a 44-39 victory at Auburn on Saturday night. New coach Jon Sumrall’s defense is a work in progress, but Florida’s offense tallied nearly 500 yards (495) to lead the way. Running back Jadan Baugh ran for 162 yards, and quarterback Aaron Philo (15 of 22 for 204 yards) was solid in his first road start for the Gators.

21. Mississippi State (3-0)

Last Week: Not Ranked

Week 3 Result: Defeated South Carolina

The Bulldogs followed up last week’s road victory over Minnesota with an impressive 41-34 win at South Carolina. Quarterback Kamario Taylor (18 of 26 for 251 yards and four scores) delivered another standout performance, and the defense stepped up after a slow start to limit the Gamecocks to just 11 points in the second half.

22. Missouri (3-0)

Last Week: 25

Week 3 Result: Defeated Troy

A week after an impressive rivalry win over Kansas, Missouri turned in a sluggish effort in a 27-17 victory against Troy. Quarterback Austin Simmons (10 of 19 for 91 yards and a touchdown) was quiet, but running back Jamal Roberts ran for 122 yards, and the defense forced two takeaways to help end the Trojans’ upset bid.

23. Virginia Tech (3-0)

Last Week: Not Ranked

Week 3 Result: Defeated Maryland

The Hokies joined the top 25 following a 35-26 victory over Maryland. Quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer completed 31 of 39 throws for 314 yards and three touchdowns in the huge road win over the Terrapins on Saturday night.

24. Houston (2-1)

Last Week: 17

Week 3 Result: Lost to Texas Tech

The Cougars fell short in a 28-26 loss at Texas Tech. However, as Friday night’s game showcased, coach Willie Fritz’s team has all of the pieces to rebound and contend for a spot to potentially see the Red Raiders once again in the conference title game.

25. SMU (2-1)

Last Week: 21

Week 3 Result: Lost to Louisville

Three turnovers and an inability to stop the run proved costly for SMU in a 41-31 loss to Louisville.

Up Next: Boise State, Oklahoma, Kansas State, West Virginia, Tulsa, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M

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This story was originally published September 20, 2026 at 8:15 AM.