We may not have been treated to a massive top-10 upset, but week three of the college football season was packed with quality games.
The Associated Press’s top-25 rankings came out on Sunday, and there has been some shifting.
Alabama remains at number one in the AP poll, receiving 59 first-place votes. Georgia also stays in the No. 2 slot after beating South Carolina at home, while Oregon moved up a spot after handily beating Stony Brook and Oklahoma struggling with Nebraska more than many expected.
The biggest move within the top-10 was by Penn State.
After an impressive week one victory over Wisconsin, the Penn State faithful showed out for the top-25 matchup against Auburn in a “Whiteout” game.
The Nittany Lions defense held twice late in the fourth quarter, and quarterback Sean Clifford was 28-32 for 280 yards and two touchdowns as Penn State held on late to win 28-20.
Auburn quarterback Bo Nix had a chance to get Auburn into the endzone with three seconds left, but his pass was batted down by Jaquan Brisker at the Penn State five, sending Beaver Stadium into a frenzy.
The final defensive stop came after the Penn State defense held on fourth and goal late in the fourth quarter.
With 3:12 left in the fourth and Auburn down eight, head coach Bryan Harsin drew up a highly questionable fade on fourth-and-goal that never had a chance.
“I think we have a really good mentality on defense,” Franklin said. “I think our leadership is really good. I think we’re a mentally tough football team. I think we’re a physically tough football team.”
The next three weeks will tell us a lot about the Nittany Lions. After a visit from FCS school Villanova, Penn State gets Indiana at home and then goes on the road to face No. 5 Iowa.
In their loss to Alabama, Florida showed they belong. It was a hard-fought game, with the Gators having a chance to tie the game at the end of the fourth quarter after a 17-yard touchdown, but the two-point conversion failed, and the Crimson Tide escaped Gainesville with a 31-29 victory.
The Gators remain at No. 11 in the AP.
No. 22 Fresno State makes their first appearance in the top-25 since 2018 after beating UCLA 40-37 on the road. The Bulldogs held their own against Oregon in a week one loss 31-24. Kansas State and Michigan State also move into the rankings.
Clemson dropped to No. 9 after sitting at No. 6 in last week’s poll. The Tigers were only able to put up 14 points in a six-point win over Georgia Tech. Clemson’s offense has struggled with D.J. Uiagalelei under center.
Week four will have two top-25 matchups. No. 12 Notre Dame and No. 18 Wisconsin will play at Soldier Field in Chicago on Saturday, and No. 7 Texas A&M and No. 16 Arkansas will play at AT&T stadium.
The complete Associated Press Top-25 can be seen below.
- Alabama (59)
- Georgia (3)
- Oregon
- Oklahoma
- Iowa
- Penn State
- Texas A&M
- Cincinnati
- Clemson
- Ohio State
- Florida
- Notre Dame
- Ole Miss
- Iowa State
- BYU
- Arkansas
- Coastal Carolina
- Wisconsin
- Michigan
- Michigan State
- North Carolina
- Fresno State
- Auburn
- UCLA
- Kansas State
Joe Morgan is the Sports Reporter for The Daily Wire. Most recently, Morgan covered the Clippers, Lakers, and the NBA for Sporting News. Send your sports questions to [email protected].