Week 3 NCAAF Rankings Breakdown: Key Takeaways and Upcoming Matchups

Explore the latest AP Top 25 NCAAF rankings after Week 3, featuring key insights, standout performances, and what’s next for each team.

The latest AP Top 25 rankings are in, and Week 3 of the NCAAF season delivered thrilling matchups and surprising upsets. Here’s a breakdown of the key takeaways and what’s next for each team:

1. Ohio State Buckeyes

  • Record: 3-0
  • Week 3 Result: Defeated Ohio 37-9
  • Stat to Know: Ohio State has allowed just 16 points this season, its fewest through three games since 1975.
  • What’s Next: Sept. 27 at Washington

2. Penn State Nittany Lions

  • Record: 3-0
  • Week 3 Result: Defeated Villanova 52-6
  • Stat to Know: Penn State prevented consecutive shutout wins for the first time since 1996.
  • What’s Next: Sept. 27 at Oregon, 7:30 p.m., NBC

3. LSU Tigers

  • Record: 3-0
  • Week 3 Result: Defeated Florida 20-10
  • Stat to Know: LSU has held each of its first three opponents to 10 or fewer points for the first time since 2007.
  • What’s Next: Saturday vs. SE Louisiana, 7:45 p.m., SEC Network

4. Miami Hurricanes

  • Record: 3-0
  • Week 3 Result: Defeated USF 49-12
  • Stat to Know: Miami’s 37-point win is its largest against an AP-ranked opponent since 2001.
  • What’s Next: Saturday vs. Florida, 7:30 p.m., ABC

5. Georgia Bulldogs

  • Record: 3-0
  • Week 3 Result: Defeated Tennessee 44-41 (OT)
  • Stat to Know: Georgia has won the past nine meetings in this series.
  • What’s Next: Sept. 27 vs. Alabama, 7:30 p.m., ABC

6. Oregon Ducks

  • Record: 3-0
  • Week 3 Result: Defeated Northwestern 34-14
  • Stat to Know: Oregon has outscored its opponents by 132 points this season.
  • What’s Next: Saturday vs. Oregon State, 3 p.m.

7. Florida State Seminoles

  • Record: 2-0
  • Week 3 Result: Idle
  • What’s Next: Saturday vs. Kent State, 3:30 p.m., ACC Network

8. Texas Longhorns

  • Record: 2-1
  • Week 3 Result: Defeated UTEP 27-10
  • Stat to Know: Arch Manning had the longest streak of incompletions by a Texas player in at least 20 years.
  • What’s Next: Saturday vs. Sam Houston, 8 p.m., ESPN+

9. Illinois Fighting Illini

  • Record: 3-0
  • Week 3 Result: Defeated Western Michigan 38-0
  • Stat to Know: Illinois’ first shutout win against an FBS opponent since 2000.
  • What’s Next: Saturday at Indiana, 7:30 p.m., NBC

10. Texas A&M Aggies

  • Record: 3-0
  • Week 3 Result: Defeated Notre Dame 41-40
  • Stat to Know: A&M’s first nonconference road win against an AP top-10 team since 1979.
  • What’s Next: Sept. 27 vs. Auburn

11. Oklahoma Sooners

  • Record: 3-0
  • Week 3 Result: Defeated Temple 42-3
  • Stat to Know: Oklahoma has allowed 19 points this season, the second fewest through its first three games since 1990.
  • What’s Next: Saturday vs. Auburn, 3:30 p.m., ABC

12. Iowa State Cyclones

  • Record: 4-0
  • Week 3 Result: Defeated Arkansas State 24-16
  • Stat to Know: Rocco Becht has the most games with a passing and rushing score among Big 12 quarterbacks over the past three seasons.
  • What’s Next: Sept. 27 vs. Arizona

13. Ole Miss Rebels

  • Record: 3-0
  • Week 3 Result: Defeated Arkansas 41-35
  • Stat to Know: Ole Miss has won three straight games against Arkansas for the first time since 1990-93.
  • What’s Next: Saturday vs. Tulane, 3:30 p.m., ESPN

14. Alabama Crimson Tide

  • Record: 2-1
  • Week 3 Result: Defeated Wisconsin 38-14
  • Stat to Know: Kalen DeBoer is 9-0 at home as Alabama coach, the longest win streak by a Tide coach to begin their tenure since Xen Scott from 1919 to 1921.
  • What’s Next: Sept. 27 at Georgia, 7:30 p.m., ABC

15. Tennessee Volunteers

  • Record: 2-1
  • Week 3 Result: Lost to Georgia 44-41 (OT)
  • Stat to Know: Joey Aguilar is the first SEC player with at least four passing scores and a rushing TD in his conference debut in the past 20 seasons.
  • What’s Next: Saturday vs. UAB, 12:45 p.m., SEC Network

16. Utah Utes

  • Record: 3-0
  • Week 3 Result: Defeated Wyoming 31-6
  • Stat to Know: Utah has started its season 3-0 in three consecutive years.
  • What’s Next: Saturday vs. Texas Tech, noon, Fox

17. Texas Tech Red Raiders

  • Record: 3-0
  • Week 3 Result: Defeated Oregon State 45-14
  • Stat to Know: First time the team has scored at least 45 points in each of its first three games since 2016.
  • What’s Next: Saturday at Utah, noon, Fox

18. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

  • Record: 3-0
  • Week 3 Result: Defeated Clemson 24-21
  • Stat to Know: Aidan Birr’s 55-yard, winning field goal is the longest winning field goal in program history.
  • What’s Next: Saturday vs. Temple, 4:30 p.m., The CW

19. Indiana Hoosiers

  • Record: 3-0
  • Week 3 Result: Defeated Indiana State 73-0
  • Stat to Know: Indiana’s 73-0 win was the third-largest victory and second-largest shutout in program history.
  • What’s Next: Saturday vs. Illinois, 7:30 p.m., NBC

20. Vanderbilt Commodores

  • Record: 3-0
  • Week 3 Result: Defeated South Carolina 31-7
  • Stat to Know: Vanderbilt’s first 3-0 start to the season since 2017.
  • What’s Next: Saturday vs. Georgia State, 7:30 p.m., ESPNU

21. Michigan Wolverines

  • Record: 2-1
  • Week 3 Result: Defeated Central Michigan 63-3
  • Stat to Know: The 60-point victory over CMU is the largest by the program against an in-state opponent since 1922.
  • What’s Next: Saturday at Nebraska, 3:30 p.m., CBS

22. Auburn Tigers

  • Record: 3-0
  • Week 3 Result: Defeated South Alabama 31-15
  • Stat to Know: Auburn is off to its second 3-0 start in three seasons under coach Hugh Freeze.
  • What’s Next: Saturday at Oklahoma, 3:30 p.m., ABC

23. Missouri Tigers

  • Record: 3-0
  • Week 3 Result: Defeated Louisiana 52-10
  • Stat to Know: Ahmad Hardy is the first FBS player with a 200-yard rushing game this season.
  • What’s Next: Saturday vs. South Carolina, 7:00 p.m., ESPN

24. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

  • Record: 0-2
  • Week 3 Result: Lost to Texas A&M 41-40
  • Stat to Know: Notre Dame is starting the season 0-2 for the third time in the past 15 years.
  • What’s Next: Saturday vs. Purdue, 3:30 p.m., NBC

25. USC Trojans

  • Record: 3-0
  • Week 3 Result: Defeated Purdue 33-17
  • Stat to Know: USC has won its last four games against Purdue.
  • What’s Next: Saturday vs. Michigan State, 11 p.m., Fox

What to Read Next

Top 39 Unbeaten NCAAF Teams in 2025: Who Will Remain Undefeated?
NCAAF

Top 39 Unbeaten NCAAF Teams in 2025: Who Will Remain Undefeated?

Explore the top 39 unbeaten NCAAF teams in the 2025 season and discover which teams are most likely to remain undefeated.

Week 3 NCAAF Highlights: Texas A&M's Rise, UCLA's Struggles, and Key Performances
NCAAF

Week 3 NCAAF Highlights: Texas A&M's Rise, UCLA's Struggles, and Key Performances

Explore the biggest stories from Week 3 of NCAAF, including Texas A&M's impressive start, UCLA's challenges, and standout player performances.

NCAAF Week 3 Power Rankings: Breakout Stars and Game-Changing Performances
NCAAF

NCAAF Week 3 Power Rankings: Breakout Stars and Game-Changing Performances

Discover the standout players and teams from NCAAF Week 3, as we delve into the power rankings and highlight the breakout stars shaping the 2025 season.

Virginia Tech Coaching Shakeup: Top Candidates, Key Transfers, and Recruits to Watch
NCAAF

Virginia Tech Coaching Shakeup: Top Candidates, Key Transfers, and Recruits to Watch

Virginia Tech fires Brent Pry after a disappointing start to the season. Explore the top coaching candidates, key transfers, and recruits to watch as the Hokies look to rebuild.

Top Candidates to Replace DeShaun Foster at UCLA: Who Will Lead the Bruins in the Big Ten Era?
NCAAF

Top Candidates to Replace DeShaun Foster at UCLA: Who Will Lead the Bruins in the Big Ten Era?

Explore the top candidates to replace DeShaun Foster as UCLA's head coach and the key players and recruits the Bruins must retain to thrive in the Big Ten.

Notre Dame's Road to Redemption: Can the Fighting Irish Bounce Back After a 0-2 Start?
NCAAF

Notre Dame's Road to Redemption: Can the Fighting Irish Bounce Back After a 0-2 Start?

Despite a rocky 0-2 start, Notre Dame's season is far from over. Explore the challenges and opportunities ahead for the Fighting Irish.

Week 3 NCAAF Highlights: Georgia's Dominance, Texas A&M's Thriller, and ACC's New Contender
NCAAF

Week 3 NCAAF Highlights: Georgia's Dominance, Texas A&M's Thriller, and ACC's New Contender

Week 3 of NCAAF delivered thrilling games, with Georgia's overtime win, Texas A&M's dramatic victory, and Georgia Tech's rise as an ACC contender.

College Football Playoff and Bowl Projections: Analyzing the Fallout from a Wild Weekend
NCAAF

College Football Playoff and Bowl Projections: Analyzing the Fallout from a Wild Weekend

Explore the latest College Football Playoff and bowl projections after a weekend of upsets and standout performances.

Georgia Tech Stuns Clemson with Last-Second Field Goal: Week 3 Highlights and Top Trolls
NCAAF

Georgia Tech Stuns Clemson with Last-Second Field Goal: Week 3 Highlights and Top Trolls

Georgia Tech secures a dramatic win over Clemson with a last-second field goal, while other teams deliver top trolls in Week 3 of NCAAF.

2025 NCAAF Week 3 Recap: Top College Football Playoff Contenders and Predictions
NCAAF

2025 NCAAF Week 3 Recap: Top College Football Playoff Contenders and Predictions

Get the latest insights and expert predictions on the College Football Playoff contenders after Week 3 of the 2025 NCAAF season.

Week 3 College Football Playoff Projections: Top 12 Teams and Key Insights
NCAAF

Week 3 College Football Playoff Projections: Top 12 Teams and Key Insights

Explore the latest College Football Playoff projections after Week 3, including top 12 teams, key matchups, and insights into the playoff race.

Top NCAAF Uniforms of Week 3: Oregon's Vibrant Style and Tennessee's Timeless Classics
NCAAF

Top NCAAF Uniforms of Week 3: Oregon's Vibrant Style and Tennessee's Timeless Classics

Explore the standout NCAAF uniforms of Week 3, featuring Oregon's bold colors and Tennessee's classic orange and white.

Top 10 Impactful Transfers in NCAAF 2025: Players Shaping the Season
NCAAF

Top 10 Impactful Transfers in NCAAF 2025: Players Shaping the Season

Discover the top 10 most impactful transfers in NCAAF 2025, shaping the season with their remarkable performances and game-changing plays.

Georgia vs. Tennessee: Betting Insights and Game Analysis for the SEC Showdown
NCAAF

Georgia vs. Tennessee: Betting Insights and Game Analysis for the SEC Showdown

Explore the betting odds and in-depth analysis for the thrilling SEC matchup between Georgia and Tennessee. Discover key strategies and predictions.

NCAAF Week 3: Panic Levels Rise as Key Matchups Loom
NCAAF

NCAAF Week 3: Panic Levels Rise as Key Matchups Loom

Explore the rising panic levels in NCAAF Week 3 as teams face critical matchups that could define their seasons. Dive into the crisis tiers and key games.

Load More

We use essential cookies to make our site work. With your consent, we may also use non-essential cookies to improve user experience and analyze website traffic. By clicking "Accept," you agree to our website's cookie use as described in our Cookie Policy.