Each week, the Sports editorial team selects its Top 25 FBS college football teams.
This week saw a lot of shuffling in the top 25, with Trinidad Chambliss and Ole Miss taking down former head coach Lane Kiffin and LSU. Here is a breakdown of the top five, which includes those Rebels and the top candidates to represent the Group of Six in this year's CFP.
Top 5
1. Georgia (3-0)
Playing in the Southeastern Conference is a gauntlet, no matter who you are or what building you’re playing in on a given Saturday, but not for the Bulldogs in week three. Georgia showed up to play Arkansas and dominated the Razorbacks for four quarters. Georgia scored four times on the ground before quarterback Gunner Stockton even threw his lone touchdown pass in Saturday’s 45-17 win in Fayetteville.
The road ahead won't be easier for the Bulldogs as they head back to Athens to take on the stumbling but talented Oklahoma Sooners. Georgia has dominated in the trenches early in 2026 and will need to keep it up against a tough SEC opponent in week four.
2. Indiana (3-0)
The Indiana Hoosiers have been quietly dominating as they work through their title defense this season. Quarterback Josh Hoover has thrown 10 touchdown passes already, while the Hoosier defense has only allowed 16 points, including back-to-back shutouts.
That stout play on both sides has the Hoosiers undefeated heading into Big 10 play, where they kick it off on Friday night against a fiery Northwestern team that blew out Colorado in week three. Indiana will look to put out that fire behind its defense, while Curt Cignetti and the offense keep the pedal to the floor.
3. Texas (3-0)
Steve Sarkisian and Arch Manning needed a simpler week after the down-to-the-wire finish against Ohio State in week two, and accomplished that with a 30-6 win against UTSA.
Manning threw a pair of touchdowns against the Roadrunners, while the Longhorns defense only allowed one third down conversion, having a sack and an interception. Texas hits the road this week, headed to Knoxville to play the undefeated Tennessee Volunteers. The Longhorns won their first ranked matchup of the year and look poised to do so again Saturday afternoon.
4. Miami (FL) (3-0)
Another clean night at Hard Rock Stadium was led by Hurricanes quarterback Darian Mensah, going 30/34 with another three touchdowns. Mensah and wide receiver Malachi Toney have been the engine behind an incredible offense at Miami this year and will look to stay hot against Central Michigan.
5. Ole Miss (3-0)
Lane Kiffin left Ole Miss during its 2025 CFP run that ended in the semifinals, but his successor Pete Golding led the Rebels in Oxford Saturday night to a huge win over Kiffin’s LSU Tigers. Ole Miss dominated and closed out with a monumental win for the program and the fans as they hope Golding and quarterback Trinidad Chambliss take them back to the CFP.
Added: 20 Mississippi State, 21 Louisville and 25 Virginia Tech
Mississippi State has been the surprise of the college football season so far, proving that even in the competitive SEC, anyone can win on any given Saturday. The undefeated Bulldogs beat a duo of talented teams in Minnesota and South Carolina. Mississippi State quarterback Kamario Taylor has over 800 passing yards and 11 passing touchdowns to lead them to three wins and the number 20 spot this week.
Louisville started this season losing a thrilling contest against Ole Miss, but has rebounded with two huge wins to get back in the rankings. James Franklin was fired at Penn State last season. That opened the door for his hiring with the Hokies, and they are off to a fast start, winning their first three games.
The Rest of the Top 25
6. Notre Dame (3-0)
7. Ohio State (2-1)
8. Alabama (3-0)
9. BYU (3-0)
10. Texas Tech (3-0)
11. USC (4-0)
12. Utah (3-0)
13. Florida (3-0)
14. Oregon (2-1)
15. LSU (2-1)
16. Penn State (3-0)
17. Missouri (3-0)
18. UCLA (3-0)
19. Pittsburgh (3-0)
20. Mississippi State (3-0)
21. Louisville (2-1)
22. Michigan (3-0)
23. Tennessee (3-0)
24. Oklahoma (2-1)
25. Virginia Tech (3-0)
Dropped: SMU, Texas A&M and Virginia
SMU played a pair of very competitive games in 2026. First, it outlasted Florida State in the opener, but then lost Saturday at Louisville, proving that the Atlantic Coast Conference may be more competitive than meets the eye. The Mustangs' quarterback has to keep up if they hope to make it back to the CFP as they did in 2024.
Texas A&M and Virginia took stunning losses in week three. The Aggies fell at home to the Kentucky Wildcats and trailed all afternoon. Quarterback Marcel Reed struggled, throwing two interceptions. Virginia was dominated at home by West Virginia, and after two strong wins, will need to regroup heading into ACC play.
Best of the Group of Six: 35 Boise State, 37 South Florida, 46 James Madison, 48 New Mexico and 51 Western Michigan.
Boise State, South Florida and James Madison just keep winning. The Broncos seem like the class of the Group of Six, but a marquee matchup with Western Michigan will be telling for both programs as non-conference play concludes next week.
New Mexico and Western Michigan both have strong power, with four losses, a one-point loss for the Broncos and an eight-point loss for the Lobos. Those two programs still have aspirations for big things in 2026 but need to clean up the small things if they hope to contend for the final CFP spot come December.
@OLippy17
