CFP Bracketology: Week 3

CFP Bracketology: Week 3

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CFP Bracketology: Week 3
OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI – SEPTEMBER 19: Trinidad Chambliss #6 of the Mississippi Rebels scores a touchdown against Ty Benefield #2 of the Louisiana State Tigers during the second half at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on September 19, 2026 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Another chaotic week of college football has reshaped the playoff picture as we approach the end of September. The SEC in particular got a major shakeup with Ole Miss’ triumphant 32-24 win over LSU on Saturday night.

My projected field after Week 3:

  • P4 Champions: Texas, Ohio State, Miami, Utah
  • G6 Leader: North Dakota State
  • At-Larges: Georgia, Notre Dame, Indiana, Ole Miss, Alabama, BYU, LSU
  • Outside Looking In: Texas Tech, Penn State, USC, Tennessee, Louisville, Iowa

Some notes from Week 3:

  • I have no idea what happens with the G6. Boise State’s loss to Oregon was doing most of the heavy lifting, but it is still a loss at the end of the day. FBS newcomer North Dakota State remains undefeated, and although the Bison still have their toughest games in front of them, they may have the best chance of finishing in the Top 25. Boise State was tied with South Dakota deep in the fourth quarter. I will put the Bison ahead of the Broncos for now.
  • Texas Tech defeated Houston on Friday night, but the Red Raiders’ performance did not dissuade me from seeing this team as a step back from last year. The defense struggled to stop Houston all night long. Utah is still my projected Big 12 champion.
  • Louisville defeated SMU 41-31 in a key ACC game. The Cardinals do not have any remaining games against currently ranked teams. A potential 11-1 Louisville with its only loss coming to Ole Miss on a last-second field goal would certainly be in the conversation for an at-large bid.
  • Tennessee will have a chance to play their way into the projected field when they host Texas on Saturday.
  • Texas A&M has played their way out of the picture entirely with a rough 31-21 home loss to Kentucky that did not feel as close as the scoreboard showed. It will not get any easier for the Aggies, who have a road matchup against LSU on Saturday night.
  • One team to watch out for in the coming weeks is Mississippi State. The Bulldogs cracked the Top 25 with road wins over Minnesota and South Carolina, and they have home games against Missouri and Alabama in the next two weeks.

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