2026 College Football Rankings Top 25 – Week 3: Expert picks, analysis, projections including Texas, Michigan
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Week 2 of THE College Football season was insane!! Not only do we have a new number one after Ohio State blew a 20-point fourth quarter lead at Texas, but Oregon lost at Oklahoma State, and Michigan upset Oklahoma a week after being knocked out of the top 25 following a Hail Mary win. The script writers this season are sure off to a good start. Let's take a look at my Top 25 rankings and where each team belongs!
2026 Record: 2-0 (0-0)
Last Game: 24-23 win vs #1 Ohio State
Next Game: Vs UTSA — Saturday at 8:00 PM ET
Arch Manning has shed the notion that he cannot win the big games! Texas completed a 20-point fourth quarter comeback over No. 1 Ohio State that was one for the ages. It was the largest comeback for Texas since 2007 and the first time in 195 games dating back to 2004 that the No. 1 team in the AP Poll was up 20 points in the fourth quarter and lost. Manning went 8-for-11 in the fourth quarter with 91 total yards and a touchdown pass. The Longhorns scored touchdowns on their final three drives of the game compared to Ohio State who had three punts, a missed field, a made field, and an interception on the six second half drives.
2026 Record: 2-0 (0-0)
Last Game: 70-20 win vs Western Kentucky
Next Game: At Arkansas — Saturday at 12:00 PM ET
Georgia is on a mission to demolish its opponents this season. The Bulldogs have now won by 60 and 50 against Tennessee State and Western Kentucky. Georgia goes to Arkansas this upcoming weekend, which is a good spot for the Bulldogs since the Razorbacks are coming off a road loss across the country to Utah.
2026 Record: 2-0 (0-0)
Last Game: 55-0 win vs Howard
Next Game: Vs Western Kentucky — Saturday at 4 PM ET
The Indiana defense was outstanding against Howard. The Hoosiers allowed four first downs, 57 total yards, and a 2-of-14 mark on third downs. Josh Hoover completed six passes and four of them went for a touchdown, plus Turbo Richard turned his first 100-yard game as a Hoosier (108 rushing yards). Indiana hosts Western Kentucky net week, which should be another blowout.
2026 Record: 2-0 (1-0)
Last Game: 77-7 win vs Florida A&M
Next Game: At Wake Forest — Friday at 7:30 PM ET
Miami routed Florida A&M, 77-7, putting up a school record 856 yards, including 430 on the ground! The defense didn't allow a single points as Florida A&M's defense returned a fumble for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. Darian Mensah is 41-of-45 (91.1%) for 653 yards with eight touchdowns through two games. Miami goes to Wake Forest next week for their second conference road game in 15 days.
2026 Record: 1-1 (0-0)
Last Game: 24-23 loss at #4 Texas
Next Game: Vs Kent State — Saturday at 12:00 PM ET
Ohio State blowing a 20-point lead in the fourth quarter was not on anyones bingo card. However, the loss doesn't take away from the Buckeyes being National Title contenders, Big Ten contenders, or any of that. Julian Sayin threw for 278 yards, one touchdown, and one pick, while Jeremiah Smith caught eight passes for 164 yards and a score. Smith had a chance at two more touchdowns that he couldn't haul in and it made a difference. Kicker Connor Hawkins had a chance to put the game away with 4:16 left up 23-17 in the fourth, but Smith couldn't haul in a touchdown the play prior, then Hawkins missed a 45-yard field goal, which was his only miss of the game (3/4). A made field goal would have made the score 26-17 and the Buckeyes would have won. Instead, Texas marched 73 yards down the field and scored with 25 seconds remaining. It's all in the details.
2026 Record: 2-0
Last Game: 52-0 win vs Rice
Next Game: Vs Michigan State — Saturday at 7:30 PM ET
Notre Dame handed Rice its worst loss since 2021 as they shutout the Owls, 52-0. CJ Carr tossed four touchdowns on 16-of-20 for 253 yards and the defense held Rice to 128 total yards, including 64 passing and 64 rushing yards on 34 carries (1.9). The Irish defense also forced four turnovers all coming off fumbles. Next on the schedule is Michigan State, marking Notre Dame's second Big Ten opponent so far — who were picked 12th and 16th out of 18 teams in the Big Ten preseason poll.
2026 Record: 2-0 (0-0)
Last Game: 45-14 win vs Louisiana Tech
Next Game: At Ole Miss — Saturday at 7:30 PM ET
There was no slip up for Lane Kiffin and LSU, but there were some hiccups. The Tigers beat Louisiana Tech 45-14 and had 528 yards of offense and forced three turnovers, but LSU did turn the ball over four times themselves. LSU goes to Ole Miss, whereKiffin spent 2020-2025. It's going to be one of the biggest games of the year and LSU won't survive if they lose the turnover battle.
2026 Record: 2-0 (0-0)
Last Game: 41-9 win vs Charlotte
Next Game: Vs LSU — Saturday at 7:30 PM ET
Back to back weeks Ole Miss scored 41 points and over 400 yards of offense. The Rebels only had four third down attempts up until their final drive, which is almost unheard of. Trinidad Chambliss went 23-of-26 for 225 yards and two touchdowns, while Kewan Lacy scored twice and ran for 87 yards. Next up, Ole Miss hosts Lane Kiffin and LSU for the game of the week! The winner will have an inside track to be on the three or four teams in the SEC to make the College Football Playoff.
2026 Record: 2-0 (0-0)
Last Game: 35-24 win at Oregon State
Next Game: Vs Houston — Friday at 8:00 PM ET
Was it just me or did it feel like Texas Tech was going to lose again Oregon State a few points in the game? The Beavers led 24-21 with a little over nine minutes remaining before the Red Raiders went on a 14-0 run over the final six drives of the game. The Red Raiders were outgained in yards, 472-352, allowed 417 passing yards, were sacked four times, and penalized seven times for 70 yards. I have to move Tech down a few spots after the rough outing and with Houston up next, the Red Raiders are on upset watch at home.
2026 Record: 2-0 (0-0)
Last Game: 48-20 win vs Arizona State
Next Game: Vs Kentucky — Saturday at 3:30 PM ET
Texas A&M routed Arizona State in the fourth quarter following a 17-10 lead at the half and 24-20 score entering the fourth. The Aggies offense struggled though with only 255 yards compared to 369 from Arizona State, but the A&M defense was opportunistic. The Aggies ran two interceptions back for touchdowns in the fourth quarter and A&M scored a total of 20 points off four turnovers. Texas A&M starts SEC play next week as Kentucky comes to town.
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2026 Record: 2-0 (1-0)
Last Game: 45-17 win at Kentucky
Next Game: Vs Florida State — Saturday at 3:30 PM ET
Kentucky led Alabama 17-13 at the half, but the Tide rallied off 32-straight points to blowout the Wildcats in Lexington. Alabama's defense held Kentucky to 62 yards in the second half with two fumbles and two turnovers on downs forced. Alabama has now won nine-straight versus Kentucky. The Tide host Florida State next before beginning SEC play with South Carolina.
2026 Record: 2-0 (1-0)
Last Game: 28-17 win vs Arizona
Next Game: At Colorado State — Saturday at 7:30 PM ET
Bear Bachmeier had his hand in all four touchdowns for BYU as the Cougars beat Arizona to earn their first Big 12 win of the season. Bachmeier threw three touchdowns and 217 yards, plus ran for 37 yards and a touchdown. LJ Martin added 98 rushing yards on 20 carries and the defense grabbed an interception, three sacks, and five tackles for a loss in the win. BYU goes to Colorado State next for their first road game of the season.
2026 Record: 2-0 (0-0)
Last Game: 43-10 win vs Arkansas
Next Game: Vs Utah State — Saturday at 3:30 PM ET
The Utes defense looks like a legitimate top 10 unit. The Utes were flying around and hitting against Arkansas, as they obliterated the Hogs, 43-10. Utah held Arkansas to 61 rushing yards on 28 attempts, had 13 passes deflected, seven tackles for a loss, four sacks, forced the Razorbacks into 17 third down attempts, and forced a turnover! The Utes offense had 24 first downs and 442 yards in the win. Not much is separating Texas Tech BYU, and Utah through three weeks.
2026 Record: 3-0 (0-0)
Last Game: 49-30 win vs Louisiana
Next Game: At Rutgers — Saturday at 3:30 PM ET
USC put up a season-high 49 points in Week 3 as Jayden Maiava came back down to Earth…a little. Maiava did throw his first interception of the season and go 19-of-29 passing (65.5%), which was by far the lowest mark of the season — he also threw five touchdowns and 261 yards. King Miller added 128 rushing yards and a touchdown as well, plus star freshman receiver Trent Mosley scored for a third-straight game. USC's big three was in full swing. Next, the Trojans travel across the country for an afternoon game at 0-2 Rutgers.
2026 Record: 1-1 (0-0)
Last Game: 39-31 loss at Oklahoma State
Next Game: Vs Portland State — Friday at 10:30 PM ET
It's crickets for the Oregon 2026 National Championship crowd. The Ducks dropped a road contest at Oklahoma State, 39-31, a week after sneaking by Boise State. It's even more wild that Tulsa beat Oklahoma State a week ago when the Golden Hurricanes were 4-8 the year prior. Oregon will destroy Portland State out of anger, but the road contest at USC on September 26 has become a monumental advantage for the Trojans and a possible CFP death sentence for the Ducks.
2026 Record: 2-0 (0-0)
Last Game: 17-10 win vs Oklahoma
Next Game: Vs UTEP — Saturday at 3:30 PM ET
This Michigan team wouldn't be anywhere without the defense. Despite the offense not being able to crack 100 yards in the second half behind Bryce Underwood, Michigan's defense held it down in the fourth quarter. After allowing a field goal to tie the game, Michigan grabbed an interception that led to the game-winning touchdown, a punt, forced a turnover on downs, then the clock ran out. The Wolverines held John Mateer to 189 passing yards on 17-of-33 and just 45 rushing yards.
2026 Record: 1-1 (0-0)
Last Game: 17-10 loss at Michigan
Next Game: Vs New Mexico — Saturday at 7:30 PM ET
A contender for wildest outcomes has to be Oklahoma losing at The Big house. The Sooners went from +1.5 underdogs to -6.5 favorites and at one point, but the Wolverines were able to pull the upset off its defense behind a late interception and a defensive stand. Oklahoma held Michigan to 65 total yards in the second half and posted 199 themselves, but it wasn't enough. Oklahoma will play Georgia in two weeks and Texas in four. If Oklahoma loses both, their college football chances will be slim.
2026 Record: 2-0 (0-0)
Last Game: 45-9 win vs Towson
Next Game: Vs Mississippi State — Saturday at 4:15 PM ET
Matt Fuller (125) and LaNorris Sellers (119) both ran wild for over 100 yards each and three combined touchdowns as South Carolina ran Towson into the ground with 405 rushing yards. Sellers did struggle through the air with a 10-of-23 mark for 96 yards and an interception. Sellers inaccuracies could play a big role in the downfall of this team, as could turnovers (lost the TO battle 2-0).
2026 Record: 1-0 (1-0)
Last Game: 56-10 win vs UC Davis
Next Game: At Louisville — Saturday at 3:30 PM ET
SMU's offense had a tuneup week against UC Davis. The Mustangs compiled 547 yards of offense, including 454 through the air! Kevin Jennings went 14-of-16 for 337 yards with five touchdowns. Jennings now has 767 passing yards and eight touchdowns through two games. SMU's defense held UC Davis to 2-for-13 on third downs and Florida State 2-of-15 for a ridiculous 5-of-28 (17.8%) mark.
2026 Record: 2-0 (0-0)
Last Game: 38-21 win at Kansas
Next Game: Vs Troy — Saturday at 7 PM ET
Missouri won the latest edition of the Border War beating Kansas, 38-21. It was tied 14-14 at the half, but Robert Woodyard Jr. produced two turnovers on back-to-back drives in the second half to put the Tigers up for good. The game marked Missouri's first trip to Kansas since 2005. It was certainly an impressive win and Austin Simmons has looked great with seven touchdown passes, 544 yards, and on sack taken through two games.
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2026 Record: 1-0 (0-0)
Last Game: 34-8 win vs NC State
Next Game: Vs Norfolk State — Friday at 7:00 PM ET
Through two games, Virginia has been one of the more impressive ACC teams and challenging SMU as the second-best team in the conference. After a dominant 34-8 win versus NC State, the Cavaliers compiled 466 yards of offense and forced three turnovers in a 59-3 win over Norfolk State. Penn State and Missouri transfer Beau Pribula has been fantastic. Pribula is 21-of-25 with 317 passing yards, 102 rushing yards on 17 carries, and five touchdowns to one interception.
2026 Record: 2-0 (0-0)
Last Game: 52-3 win vs Campbell
Next Game: At Auburn — Saturday at 7:00 PM ET
Vernell Brown III was the star of Gainesville. The Florida star caught a 14-yard touchdown, but not after he returned two punts in second quarter of 64 and 70 yards for 216 total yards on seven touches. Jaden Baugh also added two touchdowns and 136 rushing yards, while Aaron Philo tossed two scores and 242 yards on 16-of-21 passing. Florida's first real test of the season is next week at Auburn.
2026 Record: 1-1 (0-0)
Last Game: 39-31 win vs #6 Oregon
Next Game: Vs Murray State — Saturday at 7:00 PM ET
A week after losing 24-10 to Tulsa, Oklahoma State does the unthinkable as a +23.5 point home underdog and beats the #6 Oregon Ducks! Cowboys quarterback Drew Mestemaker said it was the greatest feeling of his life beating Oregon and it was certainly his biggest win. Mestemaker ran for 109 yards and a touchdown, plus tossed 317 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. Oklahoma State outgained Oregon, 554-281 in yards and ran for 5.9 yards per carry against the Ducks' 3.0! Oklahoma State faces Murray State next for an easy win. If you question why Oklahoma State isn't ranked ahead of Oregon, I don't think Oklahoma State would have won that games more than two times out of 10 if they play again. That was a truly any given Saturday game, but I could be wrong.
2026 Record: 2-0 (0-0)
Last Game: 16-14 win vs Utah State
Next Game: Vs Eastern Washington — Saturday at 7:15 PM ET
The Washington Huskies have to be downgraded a few spots after almost losing to Utah State as a -27.5 point favorite. Washington's defense forced three interceptions with two coming in the fourth quarter and Tyler Robles drilled three field goals. Demond Williams Jr. threw 41 passes and carried the rock 11 times for 305 total yards, but no touchdowns. Washington should have a cakewalk next week, and I'd expect an offensive explosion against Eastern Washington after only scoring 40 total points in two games.
2026 Record: 1-1 (0-0)
Last Game: 38-20 win vs Memphis
Next Game: Vs South Dakota — Saturday at 10 PM ET
Memphis led Boise State 20-17, but the Broncos exploded in the second half and shut out the Tigers 21-0. Both teams had over 500 yards of offense, but had different routes getting there. Boise State ran for 357 yards and 7.6 yards per carry, while Memphis threw for 384 yards and 14.8 yards per pass. The win keeps Boise State in the playoff hunt.
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Out of the Top 25
2026 Record: 2-0 (0-0)
Last Game: 12-7 win vs UCF
Next Game: Vs Syracuse — Thursday at 7:30 PM ET
Mason Heintschel threw 453 yards and seven touchdown passes against Miami (OH), but had a complete 180 of a performance versus UCF with 212 yards and zero touchdowns. Pitt outgained UCF 315-206 and held the Knights to 20 rushing yards on 22 carries. Pitt has a short week to prepare for Fran Brown and Syracuse as the Orange are coming to town following a tough 21-18 loss to California.
2026 Record: 2-0 (0-0)
Last Game: 27-9 win at Temple
Next Game: Vs Buffalo — Saturday at 12 PM ET
Penn State went into halftime up 10-3 at Temple and the Owls had a chance to tie it up on their first drive of the second half. The Nittany Lions survived its first road contest under Matt Campbell 27-9, and it wasn't pretty. On a positive note, Rocco Becht tossed three touchdowns and was efficient with 21-of-27 passing for 268 yards. Another "easy" win is up next with Buffalo visiting Happy Valley.
New to the Top 25
2026 Record: 2-0 (0-0)
Last Game: 17-10 win vs Oklahoma
Next Game: Vs UTEP — Saturday at 3:30 PM ET
2026 Record: 1-1 (0-0)
Last Game: 39-31 win vs #6 Oregon
Next Game: Vs Murray State — Saturday at 7:00 PM ET
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