ESPN shakes up Top 25 Power Rankings after Week 3 of College Football

Week 3 of the 2025 college football season brought no shortage of excitement within it’s upset-filled Saturday slate. Two top-25 matchups went down to the wire, and five ranked teams from last week found themselves on the losing end of their matchups.

Two of the most thrilling games of the week were some of the most hyped. No. 6 Georgia extended its win streak over rival No. 15 Tennessee following a 44-41 overtime comeback, and N0. 16 Texas A&M dropped Notre Dame to 0-2 on the season after a 41-40 win. Meanwhile, both No. 11 South Carolina and No. 12 Clemson lost to unranked teams in their conference.

Following an exciting Week 3 slate, ESPN has updated its Top 25 power rankings as the new week approaches. Here’s how the list shakes up:

1. Ohio State Buckeyes

Ohio State’s offense has outscored its competition 121-16 during its three non-conference games this season. The Buckeyes are idle during Week 4, but are set to begin Big Ten play against Washington on the road beginning Sept. 27.

The Buckeyes has featured a balanced attack on offense led by new quarterback Julian Sayin. On defense, they’ve held both Grambling and Ohio to less than 200 total yards of offense. They’ve allowed two touchdowns and three total scores across 35 defensive possessions.

2. Oregon Ducks

Like Ohio State, Oregon has a new quarterback under center in 2025. So far, Dante Moore has looked just as advertised with 657 passing yards, seven touchdowns and one interception to his credit this year.

The Ducks have mowed over its competition so far this season. Namely, they defeated Oklahoma State 69-3 during Week 2 before defeating Northwestern 34-14 on Saturday after scoring the first 34 points of the game.

3. Miami Hurricanes

There was concern about Miami running into USF fresh off its upset win over Florida in The Swamp — but the game was never close. The ‘Canes bested the Bulls 49-12, continuing Miami’s fast start to the 2025 season.

Miami will get to test their own luck against the Gators this Saturday when Florida takes on Miami on Coral Gables during Week 4. Miami will travel for arguably the biggest game left on its schedule with a matchup against Florida State on the road.

4. LSU Tigers

LSU won its SEC opener 20-10 over Florida at home on Saturday, improving to 3-0 ahead of its final non-conference game of the season. The Tigers will take on SE Louisiana on Saturday.

QB Garrett Nussmeier has been as advertised, but hasn’t had the scoring volume many expected. The LSU offense scored 23 points against Louisiana Tech — it’s highest scoring total of the season. LSU’s defense has held teams in check, so it hasn’t been an issue to this point.

5. Georgia Bulldogs

Everything went right for Georgia during the final stretch of its 44-41 overtime victory over Tennessee on Saturday. Tennessee was conservative late, giving the Bulldogs a chance to tie the game. They did that, and won after the first overtime period.

Looking ahead, the Bulldogs are idle in Week 4 and will have two weeks to focus on Alabama on Sept. 27. The Crimson Tide have been on a roll since losing their season opener, but face their first real test in SEC play against the Bulldogs in Athens.

6. Texas A&M Aggies

Texas A&M dug down deep to defeat Notre Dame in South Bend during Week 3. In the final moments of regulation, Nate Boerkircher caught an 11-yard touchdown pass from Aggies QB Marcel Reed to tie the game at 40 a piece. Kicker Randy Bond split the upright on the ensuing PAT, which would prove to be the game-winner.

Life won’t get much easier for the Aggies as they begin SEC play during Week 4 at home against Auburn. However, Texas A&M’s 3-0 start has Mike Elko’s squad entering conference action with a ton of moment. Only time will tell if that momentum keeps building.

7. Penn State Nittany Lions

Penn State did not face another power conference opponent during its non-conference slate. Instead, the Nittany Lions have outscored Nevada, FIU and Villanova 132-17 during this stretch.

Their schedule picks up fast following their bye week on Saturday. They’re set to host No. 6 Oregon on Sept. 27. Penn State also has ranked matchups against Ohio State and Indiana down the stretch during the regular season.

8. Florida State Seminoles

Florida State has skyrocketed up ever power ranking and top 25 list in the country following its impressive first two weeks on the field this season. The Seminoles enjoyed a bye during Week 3, but are set to take on Kent State at home on Saturday.

The Seminoles have already matched their win total from one year ago, and are looking more like their undefeated ACC champion-selves from 2023. Transfer QB Tommy Castellanos has been the star of the show so far, as has backed up everything he said during the offseason.

9. Oklahoma Sooners

Oklahoma QB John Mateer is the odds-on favorite to win the Heisman Trophy after Week 3. The Washington State transfer has thrown for nearly 1,000 yards through three games and has proven his abilities as a dual-threat quarterback. However, turnovers have been an issue.

Behind Mateer, the Sooners are 3-0 and have a ton of momentum heading into SEC play. Oklahoma kicks off play at home against a ranked Auburn team before wrapping up non-conference action against Kent State on Oct. 4.

10. Texas Longhorns

Texas has not lived up to expectations having held the No. 1 preseason ranking entering 2025. However, the Longhorns are 2-1 and have another opportunity to improve their record ahead of their bye before SEC play.

They start conference action against Florida, who are 1-2 to begin the season. After taking on Texas the following week in the Red River Rivalry, they take on Kentucky and Mississippi State in consecutive games. All eyes will certainly be on Arch Manning in those matchups, as ranked opponents such as Vanderbilt, Georgia and Texas A&M loom during the second half of the season.

11. Illinois Fighting Illini
12. Ole Miss Rebels
13. Iowa State Cyclones
14. Utah Utes
15. Alabama Crimson Tide
16. Tennessee Volunteers
17. Texas Tech Red Raiders
18. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
19. Missouri Tigers
20. Indiana Hoosiers
21. Michigan Wolverines
22. Vanderbilt Commodores
23. Auburn Tigers
24. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
25. TCU Horned Frogs