The Big 10 and SEC are well represented in our updated college football power rankings ahead of Week 4.
1. Ohio State Buckeyes (3-0) | Last week: 1
The Buckeyes let Ohio hang around in the first half last week, but Jeremiah Smith ended up having another dominant showing since a quiet opener—going for a 9/153/1 line with a 17-yard rushing touchdown. The road game against Washington could be tricky in a couple of weeks after Ohio State has their bye.
2. Penn State Nittany Lions (3-0) | Last week: 2
Penn State also heads into a bye this week, so they’ll have extra time to prepare for a monster showdown against Oregon on September 27. Ideally, Drew Allar and the passing attack would have been sharper last week in the win over Villanova, but the Nittany Lions will get the Ducks at home.
3. Georgia Bulldogs (3-0) | Last week: 3
A missed field goal by Tennessee was needed for Georgia to get to overtime and escape with a victory—but going into Neyland Stadium was a major challenge that Kirby Smart’s team passed. Even in a loss, a case could have been made for the Volunteers jumping into the top 10, and the SEC looks loaded in the early part of 2025.
4. Oregon Ducks (3-0) | Last week: 4
The Ducks led 34-0 against Northwestern, but the showing didn’t feel close to as dominant as Oregon was to begin the season—which was partly the reason for them dropping from No. 4 to No. 6 in the AP Poll. Oregon is favored by five touchdowns this weekend against Oregon State, but you never know what can happen in a rivalry game (especially with the trip to Happy Valley looming).
5. Miami Hurricanes (3-0) | Last week: 7 (+2)
Miami destroying then-No. 18 South Florida—not missing a beat following a weather delay—gave them another top-25 win last week. If Carson Beck continues to play how he has at his new school (including a completion percentage of 79.3% through three games), the Hurricanes can compete with anyone.
6. Texas Longhorns (2-1) | Last week: 5 (-1)
Frustration is clearly setting in for the Longhorns with Arch Manning struggling, but it’s accurate to say the playmakers aren’t what they were in 2024 when Texas had the speed of Matthew Golden and Isaiah Bond at wide receiver. SEC play will begin in October for the Longhorns, and they’ll get one more tune-up game against Sam Houston on Saturday night.
7. LSU Tigers (3-0) | Last week: 6 (-1)
LSU has also not performed up to expectations on offense—but head coach Brian Kelly went on an angry rant when pressed about it by a reporter with the Tigers being 3-0. Kelly did end up apologizing for the outburst, but in all fairness, LSU does probably need to be better to match some of the top SEC opponents still on the schedule.
8. Texas A&M Aggies (3-0) | Last week: 9 (+1)
Texas A&M took a massive leap in the AP Poll after knocking off Notre Dame in a 41-40 thriller, but we’ve had them high due to the belief in quarterback Marcel Reed and his supporting cast. The Aggies should benefit from a bye to heal up before hosting Auburn to end the month.
9. Florida State Seminoles (2-0) | Last week: 10 (+1)
Florida State is coming off a bye, and they’ll be ready to go against a 1-2 Kent State team and an 0-3 Virginia team that just fired their head coach; then comes a battle versus Miami on October 4.
10. Illinois Fighting Illini (3-0) | Last week: NR
There are plenty of teams with a case to make the top 10, but Illinois gets the nod ahead of a huge matchup against No. 19 Indiana on Saturday night. Redshirt senior Luke Altmeyer has been on fire to begin the season (8:0 touchdown-interception ratio), and he’ll try to outduel Fernando Mendoza (9:0 touchdown-interception ratio) this weekend.