Joel Klatt ranks top ten teams in college football after Week 3

Just three weeks into the season, and the 2025 college football campaign looks far different than FOX Sports’ Joel Klatt envisioned it. On Sunday, Klatt adjusted to Week 3’s outcomes with his updated top 10 rankings.

Klatt’s preseason pick to win the national championship, Clemson, suffered its second loss of the season. Four other ranked teams fell this past weekend, as well. Most notably, South Carolina suffered a shocking 31-7 loss against Vanderbilt.

Klatt took each of these shocking outcomes into consideration while creating his latest top 10 college football rankings. With so much to cover, let’s dive into Klatt’s list.

1. Ohio State Buckeyes

Ohio State retained its top spot in Joel Klatt’s eyes this week after dominating Ohio, 37-9. In the win, star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith reeled in nine catches for a team-high 153 yards and a touchdown. Carnell Tate didn’t trail far behind, racking up five catches for 101 yards and a score.

Once again, Ohio State’s defense shined. The Bobcats only recorded 181 total yards of offense against the Buckeyes. Moreover, they were 3-15 on their third-down conversion attempts. Ohio State is yet to show any signs of weakness this season.

2. LSU Tigers

On Saturday, LSU defeated Florida, 20-10. It was far from a dazzling performance for the Tigers’ offense, which recorded just 10 first downs in the game and punted seven times. Alas, LSU’s defense was its saving grace.

The unit forced Florida quarterback DJ Lagway to throw a career-high five interceptions, one of which Dashawn Spears returned 58 yards for a touchdown. Unfortunately for the Tigers, they will be without star linebacker Whit Weeks in the first half of their next game. Weeks was ejected for targeting in the opening minutes against Florida.

3. Oregon Ducks

Oregon continued its dominant 2025 campaign with a 34-14 victory over Northwestern on Saturday. In the win, the Ducks were disciplined, committing zero penalties, while squeezing two turnovers out of the Wildcats.

Oregon hasn’t played a ranked opponent yet this season. Nonetheless, the team has steamrolled any team willing to stand in its way. On Sept. 27, fans will get a better feel for just how good the Ducks really are when they face off against Penn State.

4. Penn State Nittany Lions

While Klatt sees Penn State as only the third-best team in the Big Ten, he still has them as the fourth-best team in the country. After all, the Nittany Lions have been nothing short of dominant through their first three games, boasting an average margin of victory of 38.3 points per game.

Penn State’s lack of a higher ranking is simply due to its résumé. The Nittany Lions are yet to face a Power Four opponent. When Penn State squares off against Oregon in Week 5, fans can expect to find out what the Nittany Lions are made of.

5. Georgia Bulldogs

Georgia secured its ninth consecutive win over Tennessee on Saturday. It was a back-and-forth affair, but the Bulldogs ultimately emerged with a 44-41 triumph in overtime. It was a statement performance from UGA quarterback Gunner Stockton.

In the win, Stockton completed 23-of-his-31 pass attempts for 304 yards and two TDs, without throwing an interception. Additionally, Stockton notched 38 yards and a score in the ground game.

6. Miami Hurricanes (+1)

With Clemson losing again this weekend, Miami is the clear favorite to win the ACC. The Hurricanes only reinforced their excellence on Saturday with a dominant 49-12 win over No. 18 USF. For reference, USF was coming off a win over Florida in Week 2.

Miami gave USF’s Cinderella story a nightmarish ending, logging 576 total yards of offense against the Bulls. USF had no answers for Miami running back Mark Fletcher Jr., who amassed 120 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries.

7. Oklahoma Sooners (+3)

Oklahoma didn’t allow itself to get too high on its own fumes after defeating Michigan 24-13 in Week 2. Instead, the Sooners kept their noses to the grindstone, dominating Temple 42-3. In the win, quarterback John Mateer was spectacular, as usual.

Mateer threw for 282 yards and a touchdown against the Owls. He also rushed for 63 yards and another score. Oklahoma’s defense limited Temple to a minuscule 105 yards of total offense. Temple finished the game with just seven first downs.

8. Texas Longhorns (-2)

Texas fell two spots in Klatt’s rankings this week after quarterback Arch Manning put on another subpar showing. The redshirt sophomore completed just 5-of-16 passes (31%) in the first half for 69 yards and was booed after throwing an interception in the red zone.

He finished the outing with only 114 passing yards and a touchdown. However, he was stellar in the ground game, logging 51 rushing yards and two scores. Manning will have to be more consistent in the pocket, if the Longhorns want to return to the College Football Playoff for the third season in a row.

9. Florida State Seminoles (-1)

Florida State’s fall in Klatt’s rankings this week was no fault of its own. The Seminoles enjoyed a bye week after two statement wins to start the season. First, FSU stunned Alabama in a 31-17 victory.

The Seminoles followed up the performance with a merciless 77-3 win over East Texas A&M. In the beatdown, Florida State’s suffocating defense made nine tackles for loss and forced two turnovers. Florida State will look to continue to make waves in the college football world when it resumes play this week.

10. Utah Utes (NR)

Utah broke into Klatt’s rankings this week after defeating Wyoming in convincing 31-6 fashion. With its counterparts like Arizona State and Kansas State suffering sluggish starts this season, Utah is the favorite to win the Big 12.

In the blowout victory on Saturday, Utah quarterback Devon Dampier continued to look like a Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year candidate. Dampier recorded 230 yards and two touchdowns through the air, while logging 13 carries for a team-high 86 yards in the ground game.

Klatt’s Honorable Mentions: Tennessee, Texas A&M, Illinois, Alabama