Ole Miss Joins Top Five, Texas A&M Tumbles in College Football Rankings After Week 3
Published · Updated
Cited: CBS Sports, The New York Times, Yahoo Sports
TL;DR
Week 3 chaos reshuffled the AP Top 25: Ole Miss jumps to No. 4, Texas A&M drops out, and Mississippi State enters. LSU and Texas A&M now face a pivotal Week 4 showdown with playoff implications.
Why now
With the College Football Playoff race heating up, every week brings new surprises. Week 3's results set the stage for a critical Week 4 that could eliminate contenders.
Agree / conflict
While Ole Miss's rise is deserved, some argue that Texas's narrow win should have opened the door for a new No. 1. The debate over the top spot will intensify as the season progresses.
Takeaway
Keep an eye on Ole Miss as a potential top-four seed, and don't count out LSU or Texas A&M yet — their Week 4 matchup will be a playoff eliminator.
Week 3 of college football brought the chaos fans love, with Ole Miss surging into the top five after a revenge win over LSU and Texas A&M tumbling out after a stunning loss to Kentucky. The projected AP Top 25 sees Ole Miss jump from No. 8 to No. 4, while the Aggies fall completely out of the rankings. LSU drops to No. 11 but remains in the mix, setting up a massive Week 4 showdown between the two SEC rivals. Meanwhile, Mississippi State, Florida, and West Virginia enter the rankings for the first time this season, adding depth to the playoff conversation. The top of the poll remains stable, with Texas holding onto No. 1 despite a sluggish performance, but the margin for error is shrinking for every contender. Week 4's slate, featuring Oregon at USC and LSU vs. Texas A&M, could reshape the playoff picture once again.
FAQ
Why did Ole Miss jump so high in the rankings?
Ole Miss defeated LSU in a thrilling 32-24 game, marking their second top-10 win of the season. The victory, combined with their earlier win over Louisville, convinced voters that the Rebels belong among the elite.
How far did Texas A&M fall after losing to Kentucky?
Texas A&M dropped out of the top 25 entirely after the 31-21 loss. The Aggies were ranked No. 9 last week but now face an uphill battle to return to the playoff picture.
What are the biggest playoff implications from Week 3?
LSU and Texas A&M both now have little margin for error. Their Week 4 matchup in Baton Rouge could effectively eliminate the loser from playoff contention. Oregon also needs a win over USC to stay in the race after an earlier loss.
Which teams entered the top 25 for the first time?
Florida (No. 19), West Virginia (No. 22), Mississippi State (No. 23), and Virginia Tech (No. 25) all entered the rankings after strong performances in Week 3.
How did the top of the rankings stay stable?
Texas, Georgia, Notre Dame, and Indiana all won by double digits, so voters had little reason to change the order at the very top. Ole Miss's leap was the only significant movement inside the top five.
Sources
Canonical URL: /trend/2026/ole-miss-joins-top-five-texas-a-m-tumbles-in-college-football-rankings-after-wee
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