PFN’s 2026 College Football Power Rankings: Ole Miss Rises, Texas A&M Sinks After Jam-Packed Week 3
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
The college football landscape shifted again in Week 3, with several ranked teams making major statements while others saw their positions change after another weekend of high-profile matchups.
PFN’s CFB Power Rankings are based on data and PFN’s Impact metrics rather than preseason expectations. With conference play beginning to take shape, here’s a look at the top-25 teams in our latest rankings.
25) SMU Mustangs
SMU remains inside the PFN Top 25 despite a difficult Week 3 against Louisville.
The Mustangs are now 2-1 after falling 41-31 to the Cardinals. Their overall profile remains strong enough to keep them at No. 25, with a PFN Offense Impact Score of No. 21 nationally and a PFN Defense Impact Score of No. 34.
SMU still has plenty of opportunities to strengthen its résumé as ACC play continues, but the loss to Louisville creates an important early test for the Mustangs while putting the Cardinals more firmly in the driver’s seat in the conference.
22T) Florida Gators
Florida moves into a three-way tie at No. 22 alongside Pittsburgh and Penn State.
The Gators are 3-0 and own one of the better offensive profiles in the country, ranking ninth nationally in PFN’s Offense Impact Score. Their defense ranks 27th.
PREDICT THE CFB SEASON:PFN’s Free CFB Playoff Predictor
Much of that offensive success has been fueled by star running back Jadan Baugh, who is tied for the national lead with eight rushing touchdowns and currently owns a top-five PFN RB Impact Score.
That combination gives Florida a strong foundation, although the Gators will have to navigate a much tougher stretch as SEC play continues.
22T) Penn State Nittany Lions
Penn State is also tied for No. 22 after improving to 3-0.
The Nittany Lions rolled past Buffalo 55-13 in Week 3, adding another dominant performance as they continue building their résumé. Their first true test comes this week against the pesky Wisconsin Badgers.
Penn State ranks 34th nationally in PFN‘s Offense Impact Score and 25th in PFN’s Defense Impact Score. The numbers point to a balanced team capable of competing on both sides of the ball as the Big Ten schedule becomes more demanding.
22T) Pittsburgh Panthers
Pittsburgh rounds out the three-way tie at No. 22.
The Panthers are 3-0 and have developed one of the stronger defensive profiles among the teams in this tier of the rankings. PFN’s metrics rank Pitt’s defense 24th nationally, while its offense sits 45th.
The Panthers face tougher tests ahead, but their undefeated start has positioned them as a legitimate ACC contender.
21) Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma sits at No. 21 following a 14-6 victory over New Mexico.
The Sooners’ biggest strength remains their defense. PFN ranks Oklahoma ninth nationally in Defense Impact Score, while the offense sits at No. 95.
That imbalance remains the biggest question surrounding Brent Venables’ team. John Mateer has yet to find his footing, muddying the waters for the Sooners’ outlook.
Oklahoma’s defense can keep the Sooners in games against strong competition, but the offense will need to become more consistent as SEC play begins.
19) Louisville Cardinals
Louisville makes a significant move after defeating SMU 41-31.
The Cardinals are now 2-1, and their offense ranks 17th nationally in PFN Offense Impact Score. That unit has given Louisville the ability to score against quality competition.
The defense, ranked 69th, remains the obvious area for improvement. Still, the Week 3 victory gives Louisville an important boost as the Cardinals look to remain in the ACC race.
19) Iowa Hawkeyes
Iowa is tied with Louisville at No. 19 after another convincing defensive performance.
The Hawkeyes improved to 3-0 by shutting out Northern Iowa 55-0. PFN ranks Iowa’s defense 11th nationally, one of the best marks in the country.
DIVE IN:PFN’s Free CFB HQ — Team and Player Stats, Info, and More
The offense ranks 90th, so Iowa’s formula remains familiar: control the game, limit mistakes, and rely on the defense. The Hawkeyes will eventually need to show that formula can work against the Big Ten’s strongest opponents.
18) Washington Huskies
Washington moves to No. 18 and remains undefeated at 3-0.
The Huskies’ defense continues to be their defining characteristic, ranking 15th nationally in PFN Defense Impact Score.
The offensive numbers remain concerning, however. Washington ranks 106th nationally in Offense Impact Score.
Demond Williams will have to show off that electric play if the Huskies want to become a contender in the top-heavy Big Ten. That makes the next phase of the schedule especially important, as the Huskies will need more production offensively to compete consistently in the Big Ten.
16T) Tennessee Volunteers
Tennessee is tied for No. 16 with Texas A&M after improving to 3-0.
The Volunteers defeated Kennesaw State 42-9 in Week 3 and continue to show a strong offensive profile.
Tennessee’s offense ranks 19th nationally and their defense ranks 30th. That balance has allowed the Volunteers to remain among the SEC’s notable contenders. The next challenge will be proving that the same production can translate against the conference’s best teams.
16T) Texas A&M Aggies
Texas A&M drops into a tie at No. 16 following a surprising 31-21 loss to Kentucky.
The Aggies remain one of the most impressive defensive teams in the country, with PFN ranking Texas A&M sixth nationally in Defense Impact Score. The offense, however, ranks 47th.
Marcel Reed struggled and put his defense in difficult positions throughout the afternoon. That imbalance became more apparent in the loss to Kentucky, and the Aggies now have to regroup quickly, with the SEC schedule only becoming more difficult.
15) Texas Tech Red Raiders
Texas Tech holds the No. 15 position after improving to 3-0. The Red Raiders defeated Houston 28-26 in Week 3 in a Big 12 matchup that provided another close test on Friday night.
Texas Tech’s defense ranks 37th in our metrics, while the offense ranks 58th. The Red Raiders aren’t dominating statistically, but they continue to find ways to win.
They are legitimate concerns on offense, especially at QB. That is one of the main reasons other Big 12 teams are ranked ahead of the Red Raiders.
Texas Tech’s position will become increasingly important as the Big 12 race develops.
14) Utah Utes
Utah remains No. 14 after another dominant defensive performance.
The Utes defeated Utah State 33-0 and improved to 3-0. Their offense ranks fifth nationally in PFN Offense Impact Score, while the defense ranks 33rd.
That combination gives Utah one of the most complete profiles in the Big 12. The Utes now have an opportunity to continue climbing as conference play becomes more competitive, with their main challenger for the time being coming from the same state.
13) BYU Cougars
BYU stays at No. 13 after improving to 3-0.
The Cougars defeated Colorado State 41-23 in Week 3, continuing their undefeated start. PFN’s metric rank BYU’s offense 15th nationally and its defense 42nd.
The Cougars have enough offensive firepower to challenge the best teams in the Big 12, but their upcoming schedule will provide a much clearer indication of how high this team can climb.
Bear Bachmeier and company will look to keep their heads down and gain momentum as the season continues.
12) Missouri Tigers
Missouri remains at No. 12 after defeating Troy 27-17.
The Tigers are now 3-0 and continue to own a strong all-around profile. Missouri’s offense ranks 26th and their defense ranks 17th.
That balance has kept the Tigers firmly inside the top 15. With SEC competition ahead, Missouri will have plenty of chances to prove whether it can remain in the national conversation.
9T) USC Trojans
USC is now tied for No. 9. The Trojans improved to 4-0 after defeating Rutgers 42-35 in a high-scoring Big Ten matchup.
USC’s offense remains one of the most productive units in the country, ranking second nationally in PFN Offense Impact Score. The defense ranks 65th, making that side of the ball the primary concern.
START PREPARING:PFN’s Free College Fantasy Simulator
If USC can become more consistent defensively, the Trojans have the offensive ceiling to compete with virtually anyone. They have a crucial test awaiting this week in the West Coast battle against the Oregon Ducks that should answer multiple questions about both teams.
9T) Alabama Crimson Tide
Alabama moves into a tie for No. 9 after defeating Florida State 50-36.
The Crimson Tide are now 3-0, and their defense remains one of their biggest strengths. PFN ranks Alabama eighth nationally in Defense Impact Score.
The offense ranks 46th, but the Tide demonstrated in Week 3 that it can still generate enough production to win a high-scoring game.
Alabama now has another opportunity to strengthen its résumé as the SEC schedule intensifies.
9T) LSU Tigers
LSU falls into a tie for No. 9 following a 32-24 loss to Ole Miss.
The Tigers have the No. 1 defense in PFN Defense Impact Score, and that remains their biggest strength. LSU’s Defense Impact Score is 95.7, while the offense ranks 29th nationally.
The loss doesn’t erase LSU’s overall profile, but it does create an early setback in a crowded SEC race.
The much-anticipated matchup against Ole Miss is now in the rearview mirror, and the Tigers can focus on winning games. The Tigers will need to rebound quickly, with Texas A&M next on the schedule.
8) Oregon Ducks
Oregon is now No. 8 despite entering the week with a 2-1 record.
The Ducks dominated Portland State 84-0 in Week 3, but their overall PFN profile remains somewhat unusual. Oregon’s defense ranks 64th nationally, while its offense ranks 100th.
Those numbers leave plenty of room for improvement despite the Ducks’ enormous offensive output against Portland State.
The talent is obvious. The next step is showing that same level of production against Big Ten competition, which they’ll need to do in this week’s Game of the Week against USC.
5T) Ohio State Buckeyes
Ohio State remains tied for No. 5 after responding to its loss to Texas with a dominant performance. The Buckeyes defeated Kent State 59-3 to improve to 2-1.
Ohio State ranks 36th nationally in both Offense Impact Score and Defense Impact Score, giving the Buckeyes one of the most balanced profiles in the country.
The loss to Texas remains a major part of the team’s résumé, but Ohio State showed in Week 3 that it can quickly bounce back from a setback.
5T) Texas Longhorns
Texas remains tied for No. 5 and improved to 3-0 after defeating UTSA 30-6.
The Longhorns have already faced one of the most difficult early schedules in the country, and PFN continues to view them as one of the nation’s elite teams.
Texas ranks 43rd offensively and 56th defensively. Those numbers aren’t overwhelming, but the Longhorns’ ability to win against quality competition has kept them firmly inside the top five.
The inconsistencies continue to show on offense, but their résumé warrants a spot among the nation’s elite.
5T) Ole Miss Rebels
Ole Miss made one of the biggest statements of Week 3.
The Rebels defeated LSU 32-24 in a game that saw Ole Miss build a large lead before LSU fought back to tie the contest.
Trinidad Chambliss eventually led a decisive touchdown drive late in the fourth quarter to give the Rebels the victory. Ole Miss is now 3-0 and tied for No. 5 in PFN’s rankings.
The Rebels’ offense ranks 40th nationally, while their defense ranks 67th, so there are still areas for improvement.
Chambliss is their engine and is firmly in the Heisman conversation after this big-time win over Kiffin’s LSU Tigers. Beating LSU provides Ole Miss with an important résumé victory as the SEC race begins to take shape.
4) Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Notre Dame remains at No. 4 after improving to 3-0 with a 27-10 victory over Michigan State.
The Irish continue to own one of the strongest overall profiles in the country. PFN’s metrics rank Notre Dame’s defense 21st nationally and its offense 32nd.
The undefeated start also keeps Notre Dame in excellent position in PFN’s College Football Playoff Meter, with the Irish carrying an 88% chance of making the College Football Playoff.
3) Georgia Bulldogs
Georgia stays at No. 3 after another dominant performance. The Bulldogs defeated Arkansas 45-17 and improved to 3-0.
Georgia’s offense ranks third nationally in PFN Offense Impact Score, while the defense ranks 12th. That balance is a major reason the Bulldogs remain among the country’s highest-ranked teams.
With SEC play continuing, Georgia will have the chance to prove it is the same dominant team it has been in recent years. Kirby Smart will have his team disciplined and ready to play against anyone.
1T) Miami Hurricanes
Miami is tied with Indiana for the No. 1 spot after defeating Wake Forest 33-20.
The Hurricanes are now 3-0 and continue to possess the No. 1 offense in PFN’s Offense Impact Score. Miami’s defense ranks 18th nationally.
That combination gives Mario Cristobal’s team one of the strongest statistical profiles in the country.
Miami also has an 85% chance of reaching the College Football Playoff, according to PFN’s CFP Playoff Meter, which projects the Hurricanes to finish 11-1.
1T) Indiana Hoosiers
Indiana is tied for No. 1 in PFN’s College Football Power Rankings.
The Hoosiers improved to 3-0 after shutting out Western Kentucky 38-0 in Week 3, continuing what has been an impressive start to the season. Indiana owns a PFN Rating of 29.25, tied with Miami for the highest mark in the country.
The Hoosiers rank eighth nationally in PFN Offense Impact Score and 20th defensively. Curt Cignetti is on rinse-and-repeat mode, as his team continues to play the same style of football as last year’s national championship squad.
The defending national champions have yet to show enough of a weakness to knock them from the top spot in PFN’s data-driven rankings.
Indiana is currently projected to finish 10-2 and has a 72% chance of reaching the College Football Playoff, according to PFN’s CFB Playoff Meter.
The road to another national championship is still a long one, but after three weeks, Indiana remains a tied for the top spot in our rankings.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos