2024 college football rankings highlight Georgia and Texas at the forefront, showcasing their dominance in the current season. Georgia, despite showing some vulnerabilities against Kentucky—a team that South Carolina recently defeated—still retains its status as the top-ranked team. This raises questions about their consistency and resilience moving forward.
Conversely, Kentucky’s performance against the No. 1 Bulldogs underlines the competitive nature of the SEC. The Wildcats proved their strength by challenging Georgia, a feat that positions them as a formidable contender in the league. This perspective emphasizes the unpredictability and depth of talent within the conference.
The narrative shifts when considering South Carolina’s near victory over LSU, which occurred until standout quarterback LaNorris Sellers suffered an injury in the second half. This incident further illustrates the potential for upset in college football, reinforcing the notion that any team can rise to the occasion on game day.
Meanwhile, Alabama’s impressive scoring against Wisconsin at Camp Randall—marking the highest point total since 2008—solidifies their position as a powerhouse. This performance suggests that Alabama is not just a contender but a serious threat in the race for the championship.
In Texas, quarterback Arch Manning’s remarkable performance, where he became only the third player in two decades to rush and throw for a 65-yard touchdown in a single game, exemplifies the rising talent in college football. His contributions are critical as Texas maintains its unbeaten streak.
Following these thrilling developments, here are the updated top 25 rankings after an exhilarating Week 3:
1. Georgia (3-0)
Week 3 result: Defeated Kentucky, 13-12
Despite their victory, Georgia faced challenges, with head coach Kirby Smart acknowledging the need for improvement after nine penalties and a modest 262 total yards. This performance raises concerns about their readiness for upcoming challenges.
The Bulldogs will have a bye next week before heading to Tuscaloosa for a crucial SEC matchup against Alabama on September 28.
2. Texas (3-0)
Week 3 result: Defeated UTSA, 56-7
Texas faced an early setback when quarterback Quinn Ewers exited the game with a strained abdomen. In his absence, redshirt freshman Arch Manning stepped up, completing 9 of 12 passes for 223 yards and four touchdowns, while also scoring on the ground. His performance continues to affirm his status as a top recruit.
3. Ohio State (2-0)
Week 3 result: Idle
4. Tennessee (3-0)
Week 3 result: Defeated Kent State, 71-0
While Nico Iamaleava is gaining attention, Tennessee’s dominant ground game stole the spotlight, amassing 456 rushing yards and six touchdowns against Kent State. This performance showcases their offensive capabilities and sets the stage for their upcoming matchup against Oklahoma.
5. USC (2-0)
Week 3 result: Idle
6. Ole Miss (3-0)
Week 3 result: Defeated Wake Forest, 40-6
Jaxson Dart’s performance against Wake Forest solidified his reputation as a leading quarterback in college football. Completing 26 of 34 passes for 377 yards and two touchdowns, he also showcased his rushing ability with a 13-yard touchdown, pushing through multiple defenders.
7. Alabama (3-0)
Week 3 result: Defeated Wisconsin, 42-10
Alabama’s explosive offense marked a historic performance at Camp Randall, scoring the highest points against Wisconsin since 2008. Jalen Milroe’s impressive stats, with two passing and two rushing touchdowns, have placed him firmly in the Heisman conversation.
The Tide will take a break next week before facing Georgia, a matchup that will be pivotal for both teams.
8. Penn State (2-0)
Week 3 result: Idle
9. Oregon (3-0)
Week 3 result: Defeated Oregon State, 49-14
Oregon finally showcased the offensive and defensive skills expected of them this season, with quarterback Dillon Gabriel completing 20 of 24 passes for 291 yards. The Ducks’ balanced attack resulted in 546 total yards against their in-state rivals.
10. Miami (Fla.) (3-0)
Week 3 result: Defeated Ball State, 62-0
Cam Ward’s stellar performance, throwing for 346 yards and five touchdowns, highlights his status as a Heisman contender. Miami’s offensive display, racking up 750 total yards, capped off a successful non-conference schedule.
11. Missouri (3-0)
Week 3 result: Defeated Boston College, 27-21
Brady Cook’s performance for Missouri, completing 21 of 30 passes for 264 yards, was pivotal in their comeback win against Boston College. After trailing early, the Tigers demonstrated resilience by scoring 24 consecutive points.
12. Oklahoma State (3-0)
Week 3 result: Defeated Tulsa, 45-10
Alan Bowman’s impressive outing, throwing for 396 yards and five touchdowns, led Oklahoma State to a convincing victory over Tulsa. His performance solidifies his role as a key player for the Cowboys.
13. Utah (3-0)
Week 3 result: Defeated Utah State, 38-21
Utah’s victory against Utah State came without their star quarterback Cam Rising, yet they managed to secure a win. Isaac Wilson’s performance, completing 20 of 33 passes for 239 yards and three touchdowns, showcased the team’s depth.
14. Clemson (1-1)
Week 3 result: Idle
15. Michigan (2-1)
Week 3 result: Defeated Arkansas State, 28-18
Davis Warren completed all but three of his passes, but those three resulted in interceptions. Running back Kalel Mullings emerged as a standout, rushing for 153 yards on just 15 carries, showcasing his potential as a key offensive weapon.
16. LSU (2-1)
Week 3 result: Defeated South Carolina, 36-33
Despite their victory, LSU struggled against a South Carolina team that relied heavily on their ground game. The Tigers allowed 243 rushing yards, indicating defensive weaknesses that need to be addressed moving forward.
Garrett Nussmeier’s 285 yards with two touchdowns and an interception highlight his potential as a key player, averaging 298.3 passing yards per game this season.
17. Kansas State (3-0)
Week 3 result: Defeated Arizona, 31-7
18. Oklahoma (3-0)
Week 3 result: Defeated Tulane, 34-19
19. Louisville (2-0)
Week 3 result: Idle
20: Syracuse (2-0)
Week 3 result: Idle
21. Illinois (3-0)
Week 3 result: Defeated Central Michigan, 30-9
Illinois has entered the rankings with a strong 3-0 record, including a victory over a ranked opponent. They will face an undefeated Nebraska in their Big Ten opener on Saturday, highlighting their potential for continued success.
The Illini’s defense has been impressive, forcing nine turnovers in three games, showcasing their ability to capitalize on opponents’ mistakes.
22. Iowa State (2-0)
Week 3 result: Idle
23. Nebraska (3-0)
Week 3 result: Defeated Northern Iowa, 34-3
Dylan Raiola led Nebraska to a strong start, scoring on five of their first six possessions against Northern Iowa. With 247 yards and two touchdowns, he has been instrumental in the Cornhuskers’ best start since 2016.
24. Notre Dame (2-1)
Week 3 result: Defeated Purdue, 66-7
After a disappointing loss, Notre Dame rebounded impressively against Purdue, rushing for six touchdowns and totaling 362 yards. The Irish’s offensive resurgence showcased their potential to compete at a high level.
25. UNLV (3-0)
Week 3 result: Defeated Kansas, 23-20
Kylin James scored a crucial touchdown late in the game, securing a memorable victory for UNLV over Kansas. This win positions them as one of the two undefeated teams in the Mountain West Conference, alongside San Jose State.
