AP Top 25 college football rankings: How did losses affect Florida, Michigan?
Just two weeks into the season and the Associated Press Top 25 saw more movement, mostly in the middle of the poll, after a handful of big upsets and much-needed wins.
Arguably the biggest surprise came when No. 13 Florida (1-1) lost to South Florida (2-0), 18-16, in the Swamp. The Gators dropped out and USF ranked No. 18 after receiving 444 votes. Both teams scored three field goals and one touchdown in a defensive slugfest, but USF recorded a safety that ended up being the game winner.
Having defeated then No. 25 Boise State to open the season, the Bulls are setting themselves up to be the Group of 5 team of the year. At the same time, Florida did not look like a Power Four program with multiple national championships on its resume.
In the only Top 25 matchup of the week, Oklahoma (2-0) jumped five spots to No. 13 after defeating Michigan (1-1), 24-13, at home. The Wolverines slid eight spots from No. 15 to No. 23. The Sooners’ defense stymied star freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood, holding him to 9 of 24 passing for 142 yards and no touchdowns. Meanwhile, John Mateer looked, at times, like a reincarnation of Baker Mayfield as he evaded pressure for tough completions. He finished 21 of 34 passing for 270 yards and one touchdown, while rushing for 74 yards and two scores.
Arizona State (1-1), previously ranked No. 12, dropped out of the poll and Mississippi State (2-0) received 52 votes. The Bulldogs pulled off the 24-20 upset. It was the first nonconference home win over a ranked opponent in 34 years. ASU was the first team out in the voting.
Florida State (2-0) and Alabama (1-1) both jumped in the polls after their statement wins. The Seminoles beat East Texas A and M, 77-3, after leading 49-0 at halftime. Their victory bounced them four spots to No. 10.
The Crimson Tide, one week after its loss to Florida State, responded with a 73-0 win over Louisiana-Monroe. Its victory boosted Alabama two spots to No. 19.
SMU (1-1) dropped out after losing to Baylor (1-1), 48-45, in double overtime; the teams trading points the entire game. The Bears made a 27-yard field goal in the second overtime period to win the game after the Mustangs’ previous drive came up empty.
With the shuffling in the middle, Illinois (2-0) moved up from No. 11 to No. 9 after its 45-19 win over Duke (1-1)
Iowa State (16), Texas A and M (19), Ole Miss (20), Tennessee (22), Indiana (23), Texas Tech (24) and Utah (25) all won.
There wasn’t much movement in the top 10 after they all picked up wins.
Oregon (2-0) jumped into the top 5 after its 69-3 home blowout over Oklahoma State (1-1). It was the only team in the top 10 to play another power program, though the expectations were low for the Cowboys.
No. 3 LSU (2-0) won 23-7 but struggled to put away Louisiana Tech (1-1), a team ranked No. 130 in the Pro Football Focus power index ahead of Week 2. Georgia (2-0) did not exactly impress in its 28-6 win over FCS Austin Peay (1-1), either, but it dropped to No. 6, swapping places with Oregon.
No. 5 Miami (2-0) beat Bethune-Cookman (0-2), 45-3, in an FBS-FCS matchup in Miami Gardens.
Texas (1-1) responded to its Week 1 loss by beating the Mountain West’s San Jose State (0-2), 38-7, and stays at No. 7. The Trojans ranked No. 107 in the PFF Power Index entering this week.
Clemson (1-1) defeated Troy, 27-16, but dropped out of the top 10, falling four spots to No. 12. The Tigers defeated the Trojans (1-1) thanks to big plays from Nolan Hauser and Bryant Wesco in the second half. Troy took a 16-0 first-half lead, scoring a pick six off Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik, but couldn’t respond after the break. Though the Tigers won and had some strong individual performances, the team itself didn’t have its best game and has more to prove.
Ohio State (2-0) dominated Grambling (1-1) in a 70-0 shutout, while Penn State beat Florida International (1-1), 34-0. As a result, they should stay near the top of the poll.
Notre Dame (0-1) had an early-season bye week and will return to play on Saturday against Texas A and M. Despite not playing, the Irish moved up one to No. 8.
BYU (2-0) finished just outside of the Week 1 Top 25 and remains that way after Week 2.
Auburn (2-0) and Missouri (2-0) jumped into the rankings after their wins at No. 24 and No. 25, respectively. Auburn beat Ball State, 42-3, and Missouri defeated Kansas, 42-31, to earn their spots.
Week 3 AP Top 25 rankings
| Rank | Team |
| 1 | Ohio State |
| 2 | Penn State |
| 3 | LSU |
| 4 | Oregon |
| 5 | Miami |
| 6 | Georgia |
| 7 | Texas |
| 8 | Notre Dame |
| 9 | Illinois |
| 10 | Florida State |
| 11 | South Carolina |
| 12 | Clemson |
| 13 | Oklahoma |
| 14 | Iowa State |
| 15 | Tennessee |
| 16 | Texas A&M |
| 17 | Ole Miss |
| 18 | South Florida |
| 19 | Alabama |
| 20 | Utah |
| 21 | Texas Tech |
| 22 | Indiana |
| 23 | Michigan |
| 24 | Auburn |
| 25 | Missouri |
This story was originally published September 7, 2025 at 1:39 PM.
