College football scores: AP Top 25 poll week 3 live updates

Who did you drop from your ballot and why?

AP sports editor Dave Zelio

SMU, Florida and Arizona State — all dropped games Saturday against unranked opponents.

In SMU’s case, Baylor was coming off a loss in the opener and appeared vulnerable. It would have been the most surprising score of the games, except for South Florida beating Florida in Gainesville.

Arizona State was somewhat living off its success from last year. That it lost at Mississippi State should not be a shocker to anyone.

The SEC is really good at football, top to bottom. All the teams I dropped go immediately into my considered group for next week.

Bob Asmussen is a college football writer and columnist for the Champaign News-Gazette and has been an AP Top 25 voter for 15 years. You can follow him on X: @BobAsmussen.

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Auburn fans cheer to start the fourth quarter in an NCAA college football game against Ball State, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Pressure was mounting for Alabama after losing 31-17 to Florida State in the season opener and falling 13 spots in the poll as a result.

The Crimson Tide bounced back in Week 2 with a 73-0 win over Louisiana-Monroe. Quarterback Ty Simpson completed all 17 of his passes for 226 yards and three touchdowns.

Austin Mack and Keelon Russell also saw time at signal-caller and threw two touchdowns apiece.

What teams are among your biggest surprises and disappointments in the early going this season?

AP sports editor Dave Zelio

South Florida is at the top of the nice list. Two wins against the Top 25 so far.

Missouri is better than I expected it to be, given the great players it lost.

On the disappointment side, I thought Alabama would play better against Florida State. Kansas State has two quick losses, albeit it to good teams.

Bob Asmussen is a college football writer and columnist for the Champaign News-Gazette and has been an AP Top 25 voter for 15 years. You can follow him on X: @BobAsmussen.

▶ Ask a voter and AP reporters a question about the Top 25 poll

No. 15 Michigan traveled to No. 18 Oklahoma for the sole matchup headlining two ranked teams this week.

John Mateer’s strong start continued for the Sooners, as the transfer quarterback delivered 21 of 34 passes for 270 yards, a touchdown and an interception while also leading the team with 74 rushing yards and two rushing scores.

Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer (10) takes a snap against Illinois State during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)

Growing pains were evident for Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood, who completed just nine of 24 passes for 124 yards. Running back Justice Haynes had another productive game, running the ball for 124 yards and a touchdown on nine carries.

Oklahoma opened the season at No. 18 and didn’t budge after a 35-3 Week 1 win over Illinois State. Michigan dropped from No. 14 to No. 15 in the first regular season poll after a 34-17 win over New Mexico.

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Mississippi State cornerback Kelley Jones (1) breaks up a pass to Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (0) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. Mississippi State won 24-20. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

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South Florida place kicker Nico Gramatica kicks a field goal against Florida during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

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Baylor quarterback Sawyer Robertson (13) eludes SMU defensive end Cameron Robertson (9) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

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Mississippi State cornerback Kelley Jones (1) breaks up a pass to Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (0) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. Mississippi State won 24-20. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

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Mississippi State cornerback Kelley Jones (1) breaks up a pass to Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (0) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. Mississippi State won 24-20. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

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South Florida place kicker Nico Gramatica kicks a field goal against Florida during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

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South Florida place kicker Nico Gramatica kicks a field goal against Florida during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

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Baylor quarterback Sawyer Robertson (13) eludes SMU defensive end Cameron Robertson (9) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

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Baylor quarterback Sawyer Robertson (13) eludes SMU defensive end Cameron Robertson (9) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

South Florida is now 2-0 against Top 25 teams.

A week after defeating Boise State 34-7, pushing the Broncos out of the Top 25, the Bulls outscored the Florida Gators 18-16 on the road. South Florida quarterback Byrum Brown excelled in both the passing and running games, completing 23 passes for 263 yards and a touchdown and adding 66 yards on 17 carries.

Florida entered the Week 2 outing at No. 13 after a 55-0 win over LIU in Week 1. The Bulls’ shocking road win wasn’t the sole upset of the week. Mississippi State beat No. 12 Arizona State 24-20, an effort spearheaded by quarterback Blake Sharpen. Senior receiver Brenen Thompson caught the game-winner, a 58-yard touchdown pass, with 30 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.

Over in Dallas, an unranked Baylor team overthrew No. 17 SMU with a 48-45 win in second overtime.

No organization has been ranking teams and naming a major college football national champion longer than The Associated Press, since 1936.

AP employees don’t vote themselves, but they do choose the voters. AP Top 25 voters comprise around 60 writers and broadcasters who cover college football for AP members and other select outlets. The goal is to have every state with a Football Bowl Subdivision school represented by at least one voter.

There is a 1-25 point system, with a team voted No. 1 receiving 25 points down to 1 point for a 25th-place vote. After that, it’s simple: The poll lists the teams with the most points from 1 to 25, and others receiving votes are also noted.

Voting is done online, and the tabulation is automated.

▶ Read more about the history of the AP Top 25 poll and how it works.

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