Too Recklss Top 25 After Week 3
After a chaotic Week 3 that featured multiple ranked teams losing and several unranked teams making statements, the teams just outside my Top 25 had plenty of arguments to make. A few programs picked up impressive wins, while others remained undefeated but didn't quite do enough to crack the rankings. Here are the five teams that came closest to making my Week 3 Top 25.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma narrowly misses my Top 25 after surviving New Mexico 14-6. The Sooners moved to 2-1, but the lack of offensive production in the close victory kept Oklahoma just outside the rankings. The Sooners still have plenty of opportunity to move into the Top 25 with SEC play ahead.
Virginia
Virginia falls just outside my rankings after suffering a 38-27 loss to West Virginia. The Cavaliers entered the week ranked No. 25 but couldn't hold off their in-state rival. Despite the loss, Virginia's 2-1 start keeps the Cavaliers in consideration for a return to the Top 25.
Houston
Houston narrowly misses the cut after losing a thrilling 28-26 game to Texas Tech. The Cougars led for stretches and had a chance to tie the game with a late two-point conversion, but Texas Tech stopped the attempt. Houston's competitive performance against an undefeated ranked opponent keeps the Cougars close to the Top 25.
Kentucky
Kentucky made one of the biggest statements of Week 3 by going into Kyle Field and defeating No. 9 Texas A&M 31-21. The Wildcats improved to 2-1 and handed the Aggies their first loss of the season. That SEC road victory puts Kentucky firmly in the conversation for a spot in my rankings moving forward.
Arizona State
Arizona State remains just outside my Top 25 after defeating Kansas 24-17 in London. The Sun Devils improved to 2-1 with the Big 12 victory and showed they can compete in a conference that has already produced several ranked teams. Arizona State will have a chance to move into the rankings with another strong performance in the coming weeks.
Top 25
No. 25 Florida — NR → No. 25
Florida enters my Top 25 at No. 25 after being unranked last week. The Gators make their debut after a strong Week 3 performance, giving them enough momentum to crack the bottom of the rankings. Florida now has a chance to build on that performance and climb higher in my rankings.
No. 24 Pittsburgh — No. 25 → No. 24 (+1)
Pittsburgh moves up one spot from No. 25 to No. 24. The Panthers continue to put together a strong start and remain in my rankings after another solid performance. The one-spot jump reflects Pitt's continued consistency while moving ahead of several teams around them.
No. 23 Mississippi State — NR → No. 23
Mississippi State enters my rankings at No. 23 after being unranked last week. The Bulldogs improved to 3-0 with a 41-34 win over South Carolina, giving them an important SEC victory. That undefeated start and conference win were enough to push Mississippi State into my Top 25.
No. 22 Oregon — No. 23 → No. 22 (+1)
Oregon moves up one spot from No. 23 to No. 22 after bouncing back in Week 3. The Ducks dominated Portland State 84-0, putting together one of the most lopsided wins of the week. The performance helped Oregon move up, although the earlier loss keeps the Ducks outside the Top 20.
No. 21 USC — No. 16 → No. 21 (-5)
USC falls five spots from No. 16 to No. 21 despite remaining undefeated. The Trojans escaped Rutgers with a 42-35 victory, but allowing 35 points against a struggling Rutgers team made it difficult to keep USC near the middle of my rankings. The offense continues to produce, but the defensive concerns led to a significant drop.
No. 20 Texas A&M — NR → No. 20
Texas A&M enters my Top 25 at No. 20 despite suffering a 31-21 loss to Kentucky. The Aggies were unable to hold onto a home lead and dropped their first game of the season. Texas A&M still has enough talent and résumé strength to make my rankings, but the loss keeps the Aggies toward the bottom of the Top 25.
No. 19 Missouri — No. 18 → No. 19 (-1)
Missouri drops one spot from No. 18 to No. 19 despite remaining undefeated. The Tigers defeated Troy 27-17 to move to 3-0, but the relatively close result against a Group of Five opponent prevented Missouri from moving higher. The Tigers remain in my rankings because of their perfect record.
No. 18 SMU — No. 12 → No. 18 (-6)
SMU takes one of the biggest drops in my rankings, falling six spots from No. 12 to No. 18. The Mustangs suffered their first loss of the season, falling 41-31 to Louisville. After starting 2-0, SMU now has to regroup following a conference loss that significantly impacted its position.
No. 17 Iowa — No. 19 → No. 17 (+2)
Iowa climbs two spots from No. 19 to No. 17 after completely dominating Northern Iowa 55-0. The Hawkeyes improved to 3-0 while continuing to play strong defense. The shutout gives Iowa some momentum and allows the Hawkeyes to move up two spots in my rankings.
No. 16 Michigan — No. 17 → No. 16 (+1)
Michigan moves up one spot from No. 17 to No. 16 following a 52-17 victory over UTEP. The Wolverines improved to 3-0 and put together another impressive offensive performance. Michigan's undefeated start allows the Wolverines to move slightly higher in my rankings.
No. 15 Louisville — No. 21 → No. 15 (+6)
Louisville is tied for the biggest jump in my rankings, moving six spots from No. 21 to No. 15. The Cardinals defeated SMU 41-31 in their ACC opener, picking up a significant win over a team that was ranked No. 12 entering the week. That victory gives Louisville a major boost and moves the Cardinals into the Top 15.
No. 14 Utah — No. 14 → No. 14
Utah stays at No. 14 after shutting out Utah State 33-0. The Utes improved to 3-0 and continued their strong defensive start to the season. While Utah did exactly what was expected in Week 3, the result wasn't enough to move the Utes up or down in my rankings.
No. 13 Penn State — No. 13 → No. 13
Penn State holds steady at No. 13 after dominating Buffalo 55-13. The Nittany Lions improved to 3-0 and have handled each opponent they've faced so far. With another convincing win, Penn State keeps the same spot in my rankings heading into Week 4.
No. 12 LSU — No. 8 → No. 12 (-4)
LSU drops four spots from No. 8 to No. 12 after suffering its first loss of the season. The Tigers fell 32-24 to Ole Miss after trailing 24-7 at halftime. LSU did make a strong second-half comeback, but the loss to a highly ranked SEC opponent still results in a four-spot drop in my rankings.
No. 11 Alabama — No. 9 → No. 11 (-2)
Alabama drops two spots from No. 9 to No. 11 despite remaining undefeated. The Crimson Tide defeated Florida State 50-36 in a high-scoring game, improving to 3-0. Alabama's offense continues to look dangerous, but allowing 36 points keeps the Tide outside my Top 10 this week.
No. 10 Tennessee — No. 10 → No. 10
Tennessee stays at No. 10 after defeating Kennesaw State 42-9. The Volunteers remain undefeated and took care of business in Week 3. With another convincing victory but no major résumé-changing result, Tennessee remains in the same spot in my rankings.
No. 9 Texas Tech — No. 15 → No. 9 (+6)
Texas Tech makes one of the biggest jumps in my rankings, moving from No. 15 to No. 9. The Red Raiders remained undefeated after surviving Houston 28-26 in a competitive Big 12 matchup. The conference win gives Texas Tech enough of a résumé boost to move all the way into my Top 10.
No. 8 BYU — No. 11 → No. 8 (+3)
BYU moves up three spots from No. 11 to No. 8 after defeating Colorado State 41-23. The Cougars remain undefeated and continue to produce offensively. With BYU taking care of business while other teams around them struggled, the Cougars move into the Top 10 in my rankings.
No. 7 Ohio State — No. 5 → No. 7 (-2)
Ohio State drops two spots from No. 5 to No. 7 despite bouncing back with a dominant 59-3 win over Kent State. The Buckeyes looked much better following their Week 2 loss to Texas, but that loss continues to affect their position. The strong Week 3 performance keeps Ohio State firmly inside my Top 10.
No. 6 Georgia — No. 2 → No. 6 (-4)
Georgia drops four spots from No. 2 to No. 6 despite remaining undefeated. The Bulldogs handled Arkansas 45-17 and improved to 3-0, but several teams below Georgia in last week's rankings had stronger Week 3 results. Georgia remains near the top of my rankings, but the Bulldogs slide four spots.
No. 5 Indiana — No. 6 → No. 5 (+1)
Indiana moves up one spot from No. 6 to No. 5 after shutting out Western Kentucky 38-0. The Hoosiers improved to 3-0 and have been one of the most consistent teams through the first three weeks. The dominant defensive performance helps Indiana move into my Top 5.
No. 4 Miami — No. 4 → No. 4
Miami stays at No. 4 after defeating Wake Forest 33-20. The Hurricanes remain undefeated and continue to put together a strong start to the season. With Miami taking care of business in Week 3, there was no reason for the Hurricanes to move in my rankings.
No. 3 Notre Dame — No. 3 → No. 3
Notre Dame remains at No. 3 after defeating Michigan State 27-10. The Fighting Irish improved to 3-0 and continued their strong defensive play. Notre Dame's consistency through the first three weeks allows the Irish to hold their position in my rankings.
No. 2 Ole Miss — No. 7 → No. 2 (+5)
Ole Miss makes the biggest jump among the teams already ranked, moving five spots from No. 7 to No. 2. The Rebels defeated LSU 32-24 in a major SEC matchup, jumping out to a 24-7 halftime lead before holding off LSU's comeback attempt. The win gives Ole Miss a major résumé boost and pushes the Rebels all the way into my No. 2 spot.
No. 1 Texas — No. 1 → No. 1
Texas remains No. 1 in my rankings after defeating UTSA 30-6. The Longhorns improved to 3-0 and followed up their huge Week 2 victory over Ohio State with another convincing win. Texas continues to hold the top spot after remaining undefeated through three weeks.
