College football top 25 rankings 2026: AP Top 25 poll entering Week 3

College football top 25 rankings 2026: AP Top 25 poll entering Week 3

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College football top 25 rankings 2026: AP Top 25 poll entering Week 3

Another week of the 2026 college football season is in the books, and it ended on a high note. The Texas Longhorns secured an epic comeback to knock down the top-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes in primetime.

As a result, there was a major shake-up in the rankings when the latest AP Top 25 poll was released.

Like you would expect, the Longhorns took over the No. 1 spot, while the Buckeyes fell out of the top five and landed at No. 6.

MORE: Ryan Day’s decision to not let Texas score was final nail in Ohio State’s coffin

The Georgia Bulldogs, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Indiana Hoosiers, and Miami Hurricanes rounded out the top five.

NCAA Football: Western Kentucky at Georgia

Sep 12, 2026; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Landon Roldan (8) reacts with tight end Elyiss Williams (10) after scoring a touchdown against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Michigan was the biggest winner in this week’s poll, jumping back into the top 25 at No. 19 after upsetting Oklahoma, while the Oregon Ducks crashed 15 spots to No. 21 after falling to Oklahoma State.

Where does your favorite team stand in the updated AP poll? Below is a full look at the AP Top 25 poll following Week 2 of the 2026 season.

2026 AP Top 25 Poll Entering Week 3

NCAA Football: Vanderbilt at Texas

Nov 1, 2025; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns cheerleaders during the Bevo Parade before a game against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
  1. Texas (56)
  2. Georgia (3)
  3. Notre Dame (1)
  4. Indiana (3)
  5. Miami (4)
  6. Ohio State
  7. LSU
  8. Ole Miss
  9. Texas A&M
  10. Alabama
  11. BYU
  12. USC
  13. Texas Tech
  14. Penn State
  15. Tennessee
  16. SMU
  17. Utah
  18. Iowa
  19. Michigan
  20. Missouri
  21. Oregon
  22. Houston
  23. Louisville
  24. Oklahoma
  25. Virginia

Others Receiving Votes: Washington 172, Florida 83, Boise State 57, Oklahoma State 36, Western Michigan 35, Tulsa 18, Mississippi State 17, South Carolina 15, Virginia Tech 11, UCLA 9, James Madison 6, Arizona 5, North Dakota State 3, Pittsburgh 1, Kansas State 1

The Associated Press rankings carry more weight than polls like the Coaches Poll and FWAA Poll, as they are part of the deciding factor on which teams reach the College Football Playoff. The Coaches Poll, which is not part of the College Football Playoff selection committee’s formula to determine the four teams that will compete for the College Football Playoff National Championship, is voted on by 65 FBS head coaches.

The Associated Press began its college football poll on Oct. 19, 1936, and it is now the longest-running poll of those that award national titles at the end of the season. The preseason poll was started in 1950.

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