College Football Rankings: Josh Pate shakes up Top 25 commissioner's poll ahead of Week 4

Following an upset-filled Week 3 of college football, Josh Pate is shaking up his Top 25 rankings. He unveiled his new commissioner’s poll Thursday night, and there were major changes.

A new No. 1 team sat atop the rankings as Miami jumped up to No. 1. That knocked Ohio State to No. 2, down a spot from a week ago, followed by LSU – which made a big jump up to No. 3 in the Top 25 rankings.

There was plenty more movement, as well. Here is the full Top 25 commissioner’s poll rankings, as revealed on Josh Pate’s College Football Show.

1. Miami (+2)

Moving up to No. 1 ahead of a rivalry matchup this week, Miami is now atop Josh Pate’s commissioner’s poll. The Hurricanes faced a suddenly intriguing in-state team last week in USF, but handled the Bulls with ease in the ranked showdown in Coral Gables.

Carson Beck had a strong day to lead the charge, completing 23 of 28 passes for 340 yards and three touchdowns, to two interceptions. Miami is rolling through the non-conference schedule and has another chance to take down an in-state team as Florida makes the trip to Hard Rock Stadium on Thursday.

2. Ohio State (-1)

After sitting atop the commissioner’s poll the first two weeks, Ohio State dropped to No. 2 ahead of Week 4, according to Josh Pate. The Buckeyes got a marquee win over Texas in Week 1 before rolling past Grambling and Ohio to close out the non-conference slate.

Ohio State’s fall to No. 2 was due to resume, Pate said, considering Miami has wins over both USF and Notre Dame to start the year. Still, the Buckeyes have been impressive so far as Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith lead a high-powered offense.

3. LSU (+5)

A big jump moved LSU into the top five of this week’s commissioner’s poll. Josh Pate brought the Tigers to No. 3 after they took down Florida last week to and continue a 3-0 start to the year.

LSU’s offense struggled a bit last time out, but the defense held strong as DJ Lagway threw five interceptions. It’s been a strong start for Blake Baker’s unit, and the Tigers will get another tune-up this week against Southeastern Louisiana before SEC play really heats up.

4. Georgia (+3)

Back into the top five this week, Georgia got a huge overtime win in the rivalry matchup against Tennessee. As a result, Josh Pate moved the Bulldogs to No. 4 the commissioner’s poll rankings.

It wasn’t easy for UGA last week, but the Bulldogs battled back and eventually got Josh McCray into the end zone for the game-winning touchdown in overtime. A bye week awaits in Week 4, but a big-time showdown against Alabama at Sanford Stadium awaits next week.

5. Oregon (-3)

Down three spots to No. 5, Oregon just barely stayed in the top five of the commissioner’s poll Top 25 college football rankings. Josh Pate said that’s not because of anything the Ducks did against Northwestern, necessarily, but rather the resume.

Oregon handled Northwestern with ease on the shores of Lake Michigan, one week after blowing out Oklahoma State at Autzen Stadium. The Civil War rivalry against Oregon State awaits in Week 4, but the schedule ramps up in a big way from there with a trip to Penn State looming in Week 5.

6. Florida State (-2)

Despite a week off, Florida State dropped two spots to No. 6 in the commissioner’s poll, according to Josh Pate. The Seminoles got a win over Alabama in Week 1 before flying past East Texas A&M prior to the bye week.

FSU looked the part against the Crimson Tide, using a strong rushing attack under new coordinator Gus Malzahn. Kent State is on tap in Week 4 before ACC play gets underway with Virginia next week.

7. Penn State (-1)

Much of the conversation around Penn State has been about slow starts. That trend continued against Villanova before the Nittany Lions turned on the jets en route to the 52-0 victory, and they sit at No. 7 in Josh Pate’s commissioner’s poll.

Penn State has an off week this week before Big Ten play begins. The Nittany Lions will start off with a tough matchup with Oregon making the cross-country trip to Beaver Stadium in Week 5.

8. Texas A&M (+10)

After last year’s loss at Kyle Field, Texas A&M got a signature win under Mike Elko last week. The Aggies avenged that season-opening loss from last season, taking down Notre Dame on the road in a bona fide shootout.

Marcel Reed and Le’Veon Moss led the charge on offense, and Texas A&M now finds itself in the Top 10 of the commissioner’s poll. Josh Pate has the Aggies at No. 8, making a 10-spot jump from No. 18 last week.

9. Georgia Tech (+11)

Another big riser, Georgia Tech flew into the Top 10 of the commissioner’s poll after getting Week 3’s biggest upset. The Yellow Jackets took down Clemson on a walk-off field goal at home and now come in at No. 9 according to Josh Pate.

Haynes King did it all in the effort, leading Georgia Tech to another big-time victory under Brent Key. He completed 20 of 28 passes for 211 yards in the air while leading the Yellow Jackets with 25 carries, 101 yards and a touchdown on the ground.

10. Vanderbilt (+13)

The biggest riser in this week’s commissioner’s poll, Vanderbilt is now a Top-10 team, according to Josh Pate. The Commodores made a 13-spot jump up to No. 10 after last week’s win against South Carolina.

Diego Pavia threw for two touchdowns as he completed 18 of 25 passes for 177 yards, and Sedrick Alexander took 13 carries for 41 yards and a touchdown. Vanderbilt is now 3-0 entering Week 4 and will welcome Georgia State to Nashville.

Rest of Josh Pate’s commissioner’s poll

11. Oklahoma (-1)
12. Illinois (-)
13. Iowa State (-2)
14. Utah (-5)
15. Ole Miss (+1)
16. Texas (-2)
17. Missouri (+2)
18. Texas Tech (+6)
19. Tennessee (-6)
20. Auburn (+2)
21. USF (-16)
22. Alabama (NR)
23. Mississippi State (+2)
24. USC (-3)
25. Nebraska (NR)

With conference play on the horizon, move movement is on the way in Josh Pate’s commissioner’s poll Top 25 college football rankings. September has seen plenty of shifting, and things don’t seem to be slowing down.