AP Top 25: How the College Football Landscape Changed in Week 3

By Coach Jimbo Fisher
September 11, 2023
The Shake-up
Week 3 of the college football season brought about a significant shake-up in the AP Top 25. The biggest surprise came from Notre Dame, who dropped a whopping 17 spots to No. 18 after a tough loss to Marshall. Conversely, Texas made a big jump from No. 17 to No. 2, making them the highest-ranked Big 12 team in the poll.
SEC Dominance Continues
The SEC continues to assert its dominance in the Top 25. Georgia held onto the top spot, followed by Texas, Ohio State, Alabama, and Ole Miss. Six SEC teams made it into the Top 10, a testament to the strength of the conference this season.
New Kids on the Block
Nebraska and Louisville made their way into the Top 25 this week, replacing Michigan and Purdue. Nebraska's impressive win over Oklahoma in Week 2 propelled them to No. 22, while Louisville's upset of Florida State earned them a spot at No. 25.
Story of the Week
The most captivating storyline of Week 3 was undoubtedly the rise of Texas. The Longhorns have been on a roll since losing their season opener to Alabama. Their win over Arkansas this weekend was particularly impressive, as they came from behind in the fourth quarter to secure the victory.
My Thoughts
As a college football coach for over 20 years, I've seen many teams rise and fall throughout the season. This year's AP Top 25 has been particularly volatile, with several teams making big moves in just a few weeks.
I'm excited to see how the rest of the season unfolds. The SEC looks like the team to beat once again, but there are several other contenders who are capable of making a run. Texas, Ohio State, and Alabama are all in the mix, and I wouldn't be surprised if we saw a new champion emerge this year.
Stay tuned for more updates as the college football season continues to unfold!