Weekly college football top 25 rankings are a big part of every season, and Athlon Sports will update its top 25 following the games each weekend.
The third weekend of the 2024 season was headlined by Georgia's close call at Kentucky, LSU's comeback against South Carolina, rivalry victories by Pitt, Washington State, and Oregon, while Alabama (Wisconsin) and Kansas State (Arizona) picked up huge wins in non-conference play.
Texas takes the No. 1 spot in the post-Week 3 top 25 rankings, followed by Georgia, Ohio State and Ole Miss. Here are Athlon Sports' top 25 college football teams after Week 3:
College Football Top 25 Rankings (After Week 3)
1. Texas (3-0)
Week 3 Result: Defeated UTSA
A week after Texas delivered a statement win at Michigan, coach Steve Sarkisian's team avoided a letdown performance in a 56-7 victory against UTSA. Quarterback Quinn Ewers suffered an abdominal injury, but Arch Manning (223 passing yards and four scores and 53 rushing yards) was sharp in relief. Also, the defense held the Roadrunners to 3.8 yards a snap. After Georgia's sluggish win at Kentucky, Texas slides into the No. 1 spot after Week 3.
2. Georgia (3-0)
Week 3 Result: Defeated Kentucky
It wasn't pretty, but Georgia found a way to beat Kentucky 13-12 on Saturday night in Lexington. Coach Kirby Smart's defense played well (limited the Wildcats to 284 yards), but the offense never found its rhythm and was outplayed in the trenches. The Bulldogs also have to do a better job against the run (170 yards allowed to Kentucky). Although a strong case can be made for Georgia to still be the best team in the nation, the close call to the Wildcats drops Smart's squad to No. 2.
3. Ohio State (2-0)
Week 3 Result: Off Week
The Buckeyes did not play on Saturday due to an off week. Ohio State returns to action next Saturday against Marshall.
4. Ole Miss (3-0)
Week 3 Result: Defeated Wake Forest
Another week, another blowout by Ole Miss. After thumping Furman and Middle Tennessee in the first two contests, coach Lane Kiffin's squad stepped up in competition to play at Wake Forest on Saturday. The Rebels maintained their high-powered offense (650 yards) on the road, and the defense continued its standout start to the season by limiting the Demon Deacons to 311 yards in a 40-6 victory.
5. Alabama (3-0)
Week 3 Result: Defeated Wisconsin
The Crimson Tide rolled into Madison and left with an impressive 42-10 victory over Wisconsin. Quarterback Jalen Milroe was the catalyst, throwing for 196 yards and three scores and adding 75 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. Also, Alabama's defense limited the Badgers to only 290 yards.
6. Oregon (3-0)
Week 3 Result: Defeated Oregon State
After uneven showings against Idaho and Boise State, Oregon finally put together a complete performance in Saturday's 49-14 win over Oregon State. The offensive line struggles that plagued the Ducks were largely absent versus the Beavers, as the ground game churned out 240 yards and quarterback Dillon Gabriel wasn't sacked. Oregon's rush defense also limited Oregon State's standout ground game to just 131 yards over 32 carries.
7. Penn State (2-0)
Week 3 Result: Off Week
The Nittany Lions did not play on Saturday due to an off week. Coach James Franklin's team will resume its season at home against Kent State next Saturday.
8. Miami (3-0)
Week 3 Result: Defeated Ball State
For the second week in a row, Miami didn't have to sweat too much in order to get a win on the scoreboard. Behind 346 passing yards from quarterback Cam Ward and a dominant defense (2.2 yards per play allowed), the 'Canes crushed Ball State 62-0 and move to 3-0 for the second year in a row.
9. Tennessee (3-0)
Week 3 Result: Defeated Kent State
As expected, Tennessee dominated Kent State in a 71-0 shutout on Saturday night. The Volunteers scored on 11 of their 12 drives, while the Golden Flashes had only two drives that extended beyond 30 yards. A huge road trip to Oklahoma for the SEC opener is on tap for Tennessee next week.
10. Missouri (3-0)
Week 3 Result: Defeated Boston College
Boston College jumped out to a 14-3 lead, but coach Eli Drinkwitz's squad rallied for a 27-21 victory to move to 3-0 this season. The Tigers got huge performances from quarterback Brady Cook (264 passing yards), running back Nate Noel (121 yards), and receiver Luther Burden III (six catches for 117 yards). Also, the defense managed to contain dynamic quarterback Thomas Castellanos and the Eagles' ground game to just 46 yards on 26 carries.
11. USC (2-0)
Week 3 Result: Off Week
The Trojans had an off Saturday in Week 3. Coach Lincoln Riley's team returns to action next Saturday at Michigan for its Big Ten opener.
12. Utah (3-0)
Week 3 Result: Defeated Utah State
Despite the absence of quarterback Cam Rising due to injury, the Utes took care of business in a 38-21 victory at Utah State. Freshman Isaac Wilson threw for 239 yards and three scores, while Utah's defense allowed only seven points over the Aggies' final nine drives.
13. Kansas State (3-0)
Week 3 Result: Defeated Arizona
A matchup of top-25 teams quickly turned into a one-sided affair, as Kansas State pounded Arizona 31-7 in Manhattan. Quarterback Avery Johnson ran for 110 yards and threw for 156 yards and two scores on 14 completions in the victory, and the K-State defense limited a dangerous Arizona offense to 5.3 yards per snap.
14. Oklahoma State (3-0)
Week 3 Result: Defeated Tulsa
A week after a wild victory against Arkansas in overtime, Oklahoma State easily dispatched Tulsa 45-10. The offense recorded 560 total yards behind quarterback Alan Bowman's solid day (396 yards and five scores). Up next: A huge showdown in Big 12 play against Utah.
15. Notre Dame (2-1)
Week 3 Result: Defeated Purdue
A week after an awful showing in a 16-14 loss to Northern Illinois, Notre Dame rebounded in a big way, pounding Purdue 66-7. The ground game (362 rushing yards) and defense (162 yards allowed) led the way in the blowout over the Boilermakers. Quarterback Riley Leonard (11 of 16 for 112 passing yards and 100 rushing yards) also played well after a sluggish performance in Week 2.
16. LSU (2-1)
Week 3 Result: Defeated South Carolina
In a back-and-forth and entertaining battle in Columbia, LSU found a way to escape with a 36-33 win over South Carolina. Coach Brian Kelly's team fell behind 17-0 but used 16 points in the second quarter and 14 in the final 15 minutes to seal the victory. In addition to the win, the Tigers showed signs of life on the ground (132 rushing yards), and the defense made enough timely stops despite giving up too many big plays.
17. Michigan (2-1)
Week 3 Result: Defeated Arkansas State
The Wolverines rebounded from last week's blowout defeat to Texas with a 28-18 victory against Arkansas State. The ground game showed signs of life (301 yards), but coach Sherrone Moore still needs better play from his quarterbacks after Davis Warren tossed three interceptions.
18. Oklahoma (3-0)
Week 3 Result: Defeated Tulane
After a sluggish performance versus Houston, Oklahoma responded with a better all-around effort in Saturday's 34-19 win over Tulane. Coach Brent Venables' offense still bogged down for a chunk of the second half and struggled along the line, but quarterback Jackson Arnold (169 yards through the air and 97 on the ground) showed improvement after a shaky outing in Week 2. The defense also stepped up with the game on the line, not allowing the Green Wave to score on their final five possessions.
19. Clemson (1-1)
Week 3 Result: Off Week
Clemson did not play on Saturday due to an off week. Coach Dabo Swinney's team will return to action next Saturday for its ACC opener against NC State.
20. Iowa State (2-0)
Week 3 Result: Off Week
Iowa State had an off date on Saturday and is slated to return to action next week against Arkansas State.
21. Nebraska (3-0)
Week 3 Result: Defeated Northern Iowa
Quarterback Dylan Raiola (17 of 23 for 247 yards and two touchdowns) continued to impress in a 34-3 win over Northern Iowa. Through three games, the Cornhuskers' defense has allowed only 20 points.
22. Louisville (2-0)
Week 3 Result: Off Week
The Cardinals were off in Week 3 after opening the season with victories against Austin Peay and Jacksonville State. Coach Jeff Brohm's team returns to action next Saturday against Georgia Tech.
23. Memphis (3-0)
Week 3 Result: Defeated Florida State
It's still early in the 2024 season, but Memphis' road win at Florida State could be huge later in the year for positioning among Group of 5 teams for a spot in the CFB Playoff. Quarterback Seth Henigan (272 yards) was steady as always, but the real story from the Tigers' victory was its defense. This unit limited the 'Noles to 37 rushing yards, generated 12 tackles for a loss, and forced a couple of takeaways.
24. Texas A&M (2-1)
Week 3 Result: Defeated Florida
Redshirt freshman quarterback Marcel Reed (11 of 17 for 178 yards and 83 rushing yards) impressed in his first start for the Aggies and guided the team to a 33-20 victory at Florida. Texas A&M's offense pounded the Gators for 310 yards on the ground, which helped the team control time of possession (37:46 to 22:14) and keep its defense fresh in difficult conditions.
25. Northern Illinois (2-0)
Week 3 Result: Off Week
A week after its massive upset at Notre Dame, Northern Illinois had an off date for Week 3. Coach Thomas Hammock's squad returns to action against Buffalo next Saturday.
Related: Predicting the AP Top 25 College Football Poll After Week 3
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Related: College Football Bowl Projections for 2024-25
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