Texas Holds No. 1 Spot as LSU and Texas A&M Fall in Upsets
The Longhorns maintain the top ranking after defeating UTSA, while two other top-10 teams suffered shocking losses in Week 3.
Key points
- Texas Longhorns remain No. 1 in the AP Top 25 after defeating UTSA Roadrunners 30-6 in Week 3.
- LSU Tigers lost to Ole Miss and Texas A&M Aggies lost to unranked Kentucky, both dropping from the top 10.
- The AP poll is a key factor in the College Football Playoff selection, unlike the Coaches Poll.
The gridiron settles into its rhythm as the AP Top 25 poll for the 2026 season drops, locking the Texas Longhorns firmly in the lead. Their dominance was not a quiet affair; they dismantled the UTSA Roadrunners 30-6, a performance that silenced any lingering doubts from their earlier upset of Ohio State. The stadium lights hummed with the energy of a team that has found its stride, turning a challenging schedule into a statement of intent.
Yet the landscape is fractured by chaos. Two of the nation’s elite programs crumbled under pressure this weekend, sending shockwaves through the conference standings. The stability of the top of the table now rests on the shoulders of Austin, while the rest of the field scrambles to recover from unexpected defeats that have rewritten the narrative for the second half of the season.
Longhorns cement their national standing
Texas arrives at Week 4 with the momentum of a machine in full gear. After toppling the previously ranked Ohio State squad, the Longhorns did not let their foot off the gas pedal against UTSA. The final score of 30-6 reflected a total control of the field, a physical assertion of power that has secured their position as the consensus number one team in the country. The transition from upset victors to dominant favorites has been seamless and decisive.
This consistency is what the selection committee watches closely. With the AP poll serving as a critical component of the College Football Playoff formula, Texas has built a resume that withstands scrutiny. They have navigated the early gauntlet with precision, turning potential pitfalls into stepping stones toward a championship bid that feels increasingly tangible with every passing yard gained.
Upsets shake the top ten
The weekend was not kind to the established order. The LSU Tigers fell to Ole Miss in a high-stakes clash that saw Lane Kiffin return to Oxford as a visitor. The loss was a bitter pill, stripping the Tigers of their top-10 status and exposing vulnerabilities in their defensive structure. The atmosphere in Oxford was electric, a testament to the rivalry that defines the SEC landscape.
Even more startling was the collapse of the Texas A&M Aggies. The unranked Kentucky Wildcats pulled off a stunning 31-21 victory, a result that defied the pre-game expectations. It was a gritty, defensive battle that caught the Aggies off guard, leaving them to regroup and reassess their season goals. These two losses have created a vacuum in the rankings, opening the door for other contenders to surge forward.
AP poll dictates playoff fate
According to Yahoo Sports, the Associated Press rankings carry more weight than the Coaches Poll or the FWAA Poll. This distinction is crucial, as the AP vote is part of the deciding factor for which teams reach the College Football Playoff. The Coaches Poll, while influential, is not part of the selection committee’s formula for determining the four teams that will compete for the national championship.
The AP poll has been a fixture in college football since 1936, making it the longest-running poll that awards national titles. With the preseason poll added in 1950, the rankings have become a historical benchmark for excellence. As the season moves into Week 4, the pressure on these teams intensifies, knowing that every game is now a potential playoff game.
