Week 3 of the 2025 college football season is behind us. We’re beginning to gain more clarity on who is a legitimate national title contender this season. Teams that weren’t all that highly thought of have made strong impressions to start the season, and others that were looked at as contenders have fallen off in short order.
There’s still a lot of football to be played before we get to the 2025 College Football Playoff, and the conference schedules will determine a lot, especially in the incredibly deep SEC.
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Each week, Fox Sports college football analyst Joel Klatt releases his updated top 10, and here’s what it looks like after Week 3.
More: Social media reacts to the Oklahoma Sooners 42-3 win over the Temple Owls
Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sayin (10) celebrates a touchdown by wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) during the second half of the NCAA football game against the Ohio Bobcats at Ohio Stadium on Sept. 13, 2025. Ohio State won 37-9.
Ohio State had little trouble with visiting Ohio out of the MAC in their 37-6 win on Saturday. Quarterback Julian Sayin threw for 347 yards and three touchdowns and All-American Jeremiah Smith had a huge day with nine receptions for 153 yards and a touchdown.
Bauer Sharp 10, LSU Tigers take on the Florida Gators. Sept 13, 2025; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; at Tiger Stadium.
LSU picked up a big win over the reeling Florida Gators at home, 20-10. It wasn’t the game of the day, but it was a solid, workmanlike performance for the Tigers, who were in control throughout. A question mark heading into the season, LSU’s defense forced former five-star quarterback D.J. Lagway into five interceptions.
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3. Oregon Ducks
Sep 6, 2025; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore (5) looks down field for a receiver during the second half against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
The Oregon Ducks were up 31-0 heading into the fourth quarter and cruised to the 34-14 win over Northwestern. Running back Diare Hill carried the ball five times for 94 yards and a touchdown to lead the Ducks. Dante Moore has looked good in his first stint as a starter.
Sep 13, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions cornerback Jahmir Joseph (23) runs the ball into the end zone following an interception during the fourth quarter against the Villanova Wildcats at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
Penn State had no problem with Villanova on Saturday, winning 52-6. They get a bye week before a top five showdown with Oregon on Sept. 27.
Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) runs into the end zone for a touchdown during a college football game between Tennessee and Georgia at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Sept. 13, 2025.
The Georgia Bulldogs were down 21-7 in the first quarter and then led at halftime. They were down eight with five minutes left in the game, and quarterback Gunner Stockton led a fantastic game-tying drive with just over two minutes left in the game, including a fourth-and-6 conversion for the touchdown, and the game-tying two-point conversion to Zachariah Branch. The Dawgs needed a missed field goal in the final seconds of regulation to get to overtime, but once in OT, the back-to-back defending SEC champions took over.
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6. Miami Hurricanes
Carson Beck of the Miami Hurricanes warms up prior to facing the South Florida Bulls at Hard Rock Stadium on September 13, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Miami watched South Florida upset Florida in Week 2 and said, “Not today.” The game was never really close as the Hurricanes led 14-3 after the first quarter and 28-6 at halftime. Miami ran for 205 yards, and Carson Beck threw for 340 yards and three touchdowns. He also threw two interceptions. 2024 rearing its ugly head?
Sep 13, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman Gracen Halton (56) reacts against the Temple Owls in the first half at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
The Oklahoma Sooners’ defense has looked downright nasty through three weeks, and they didn’t take it easy on Temple, even when the OU coaching staff went to the bench. They were fast and physical at every level of the defense and held the lowly Owls to just 104 total yards on the day. Oh, and that John Mateer guy is pretty good.
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8. Texas Longhorns
Texas football player, Arch Manning, stands on the field during warm up before a game against UTEP at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas, on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025.
One bad week, one good week, and then another bad week for Steve Sarkisian’s offense with Arch Manning at the helm. Their game against UTEP was never really in doubt, but Manning had a lower QBR than fellow 2023 five-star quarterback Malachi Nelson, who is on the third college football team of his career.
Tommy Castellanos of the Florida State Seminoles scrambles for yardage as he tries to get around Yhonzae Pierre of the Alabama Crimson Tide during the second quarter of a football game at Doak Campbell Stadium on August 30, 2025 in Tallahassee, Florida.
If 2024 didn’t exist, there’s a significant argument that the Florida State Seminoles would be considered a top-five team in the nation after their 2-0 start. The week 1 win over Alabama is looking better and better with each passing week.
10. Utah Utes
Sep 6, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Utes quarterback Devon Dampier (4) looks to pass against the Cal Poly Mustangs during the first quarter at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
It’s amazing what happens when you have a good quarterback. Utah didn’t have that last year, but they do this year with Devon Dampier. Dampier threw for 230 yards and two touchdowns and led the Utes with 86 yards rushing in their Week 3 win over Wyoming.
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Missed the Cut
Tennessee Volunteers – Tennessee might be one of the best teams in the nation but Josh Heupel can’t beat Kirby Smart. It’s just one of those college football realities. Either way, Joey Aguilar has made Heupel look right for moving on from Nico Iamaleava.
Texas A&M Aggies – If Georgia’s win over the Vols wasn’t the most impressive, it was Texas A&M’s win on the road over Notre Dame. Marcel Reed is really good.
Illinois Fighting Illini – Well coached and tough. They’ll take on Indiana next week, so we’ll get a chance to see how good they really are.
Alabama Crimson Tide – That week one loss to Florida State may have served as the wake up call the program needed. They’ve been rolling (no pun intended) since. Ty Simpson threw for 382 yards and four touchdowns to beat Wisconsin by 24 points.
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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Joel Klatt’s updated top 10 after Week 3 action