AP FBS Top 25: Ole Miss Surges, SEC Places Record 10 Teams; Texas A&M Freefalls to No. 23

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The AP released its updated Top 25 college football poll for Week 4, and Saturday’s wild slate of upsets and signature wins has triggered significant movement across the national landscape.

The Texas Longhorns (3-0) retained a firm hold on the No. 1 ranking following a 30–6 victory over UTSA, securing 58 of 69 first-place votes. Georgia and Notre Dame held steady at No. 2 and No. 3, but the headlines belong to the surging Ole Miss Rebels and a historic showing by the Southeastern Conference.

The Big Movers: Rebels Rise, Aggies Fall

Trinidad Chambliss delivered in the most anticipated game of the season to date. The Ole Miss QB is the AP national player of the week. https://t.co/WkKPCCyFSC

— AP Top 25 (@AP_Top25) September 21, 2026

Ole Miss Surges into Top 5 (No. 4)

Fresh off a dramatic 32–24 victory over LSU behind quarterback Trinidad Chambliss’s late-game heroics, Ole Miss makes teh climb after a performance for the ages from Chambliss. His ability to make the plays under pressure and then the signature drive has put him in the Heisman conversation.

Texas A&M Takes Steepest Fall (No. 23): The Aggies suffered the biggest plummet in the poll, tumbling 14 spots from No. 9 to No. 23 after being stunned 31–21 at home by an unranked Kentucky squad. It was their first loss to an unranked opponent in the last 19 games.

Louisville Surges (No. 16): The Cardinals made the week’s biggest leap, jumping seven spots following a statement 41–31 ACC victory over SMU. Louisville has now scored 38 points or more in three straight games to start the season.

SEC Sets the Pace: The SEC made poll history by featuring 10 ranked teams in a single AP Top 25 release. Florida (No. 21) and Mississippi State (No. 24) both entered the rankings after key wins, while Oklahoma dropped out entirely following an uninspiring offensive effort against New Mexico.

Looking Ahead: Record-Setting Week 4 Slate

The new rankings set up a historic Week 4 schedule, featuring a record number of ranked-versus-ranked matchups in a single Saturday:

No. 1 Texas at No. 14 Tennessee: A high-stakes SEC marquee showdown inside Neyland Stadium.

No. 4 Ole Miss at No. 21 Florida: The Rebels put their top-five ranking on the line in The Swamp.

No. 23 Texas A&M at No. 10 LSU: A massive rebound opportunity for two teams coming off brutal setbacks.

No. 20 Oregon at No. 12 USC: A top-20 Big Ten clash with major playoff positioning on the line.

No. 17 Iowa at No. 18 Michigan: A classic Big Ten physical battle in Ann Arbor.

AP Top 25 Poll (Week 4)

Rank	Team	Record	Prev.
1	Texas (58)	3–0	1
2	Georgia (3)	3–0	2
3	Notre Dame	3–0	3
4	Ole Miss (3)	3–0	8
5	Indiana (4)	3–0	6
6	Miami (FL) (1)	3–0	7
7	Ohio State	2–1	6
8	Alabama	3–0	10
9	BYU	3–0	11
10	LSU	2–1	7
11	Texas Tech	3–0	13
12	USC	4–0	12
13	Penn State	3–0	14
14	Tennessee	3–0	15
15	Utah	3–0	17
16	Louisville	2–1	23
17	Iowa	3–0	18
18	Michigan	3–0	19
19	Missouri	3–0	20
20	Oregon	2–1	21
21	Florida	3–0	NR
22	SMU	2–1	16
23	Texas A&M	2–1	9
24	Mississippi State	3–0	NR
25	Houston	2–1	22

Others receiving votes: Washington 107, Kentucky 98, West Virginia 93, Oklahoma 91, Oklahoma State 50, Boise State 48, Virginia Tech 46, Western Michigan 27, Duke 20, Tulsa 18, Arizona 12, Pittsburgh 10, UCLA 10.