AP Top 25: Who Rose, Fell and Dropped Out in Week Three

With three weeks of college football under everyone’s belt, there’s been plenty of parity across the nation. Big names have already fallen to the wayside. Murmurs of dark horse teams grow louder every day. For those lost in the confusion of upsets and beatdowns, the AP Top 25 poll provides a semblance of clarity.

Here’s a look at who went where in this week’s AP Top 25:

Risers and newcomers look to shake things up

There are plenty of teams on the rise in this week’s poll, including a new addition to the top three and two top-five newcomers. Florida State bumped itself up one spot from No. 4 after a big 66-13 win over Southern Miss. The ‘Noles looked dominant and are still riding momentum from their opening win against Louisiana State. FSU will travel to Chestnut Hill and take on perennial pesky foe Boston College in week four.

Texas and Southern California both leaped into the top five as well. The Longhorns had arguably the biggest win of the week against former No. 3 Alabama to jump seven spots this week. USC leapfrogged Ohio State into the No. 5 spot despite both teams taking home wins this weekend.

Notre Dame jumped up to No. 9 after earning its third win of the season against NC State. Near the bottom of the poll, Colorado and Ole Miss moved into the late-teens with impressive showings to begin the year. Look for head coach Deion Sanders and the Buffs to continue rising if their favorable fortunes persist. UCLA, Washington State and Miami are the new faces rounding out the bottom three spots.

With so many teams moving up in the polls this week, it’s only right that other teams have to fall and even drop out of the AP Top 25.

Downward Trends and Outcasts

Alabama took the biggest hit in the polls after falling to Texas at home. The ‘Tide fell seven spots from third to tenth and have some climbing to do for the rest of the season if they want to return to the top of college football.

Additionally, Clemson fell victim to teams on the rise, falling out of the AP Top 25 altogether two weeks since the Tigers’ upset loss to Duke. Other teams on the downturn poll-wise include Ohio State, Tennesee and North Carolina, who all fell out of the top five, top 10, and top 20 respectively. Finally, Oklahoma fell one spot to No. 19.

AP Top 25 rankings undergo significant change entering Week 3 as Texas rises after Alabama upset. 📈

RANKINGS- https://t.co/4J8ofkqkUw pic.twitter.com/n9BZBY8N3i

— 247Sports (@247Sports) September 11, 2023

The Week Ahead

This week, there seems to be less action on the horizon. Zero AP Top 25 teams will face off against each other. Be on the lookout for shakeups as Georgia and Tennessee take on conference rivals South Carolina and Florida. No. 8 Washington will also face a test against Michigan State.

Beyond any major upsets to be seen, this week’s edition of the AP Top 25 looks to be mostly secure headed into the weekend.