---
title: College Football Playoff Top 12 Projection After Week 3
description: "Via ESPN General: One of the biggest questions heading into this season was if the SEC could snap the Big Ten's streak of three national titles, and with the..."
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### College Football Playoff Top 12 Projection After Week 3

ESPN General • September 20, 2026 at 3:56 PM ET

[×](/sports?tab=espn-general)

One of the biggest questions heading into this season was if the SEC could snap the Big Ten's streak of three national titles, and with the SEC earning three of the top four spots this week, it appears there's no shortage of options to try. And Ole Miss is now one of them. With Saturday's statement win against LSU, the Rebels' College Football Playoff hopes have skyrocketed, but how far has LSU dropped? (Hint: not as far as Texas A&M after its loss to Kentucky).

Based on historical knowledge and an understanding of the criteria and protocol, here's a look at what the selection committee might do if the rankings were today. Texas Longhorns (3-0) remain No. 1 because committee members could still view the Longhorns' Week 2 win against Ohio State as the best win in the country. Texas ranks among the best in the country in ESPN's Strength of Record metric and total efficiency. Ole Miss Rebels (3-0) jump to No. 2 with one of the best résumés in the country and perhaps the best quarterback. The Rebels have two wins against ranked opponents — Louisville and LSU — something no other team can claim. Ohio State Buckeyes (2-1) sit at No. 3 as the committee's highest-ranked one-loss team, not penalized heavily for one bad quarter on the road against the No. 1 team.

Miami and Notre Dame remain in a tight race, and BYU and Texas Tech are still carrying the Big 12 banner, but they're all still looking up at the SEC. The projection reflects historical precedent and current metrics like ESPN's FPI and Strength of Record.

[Read original article](https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/49979910/projecting-2026-college-football-playoff-top-12-week-3)

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And Ole Miss is now one of them. With Saturday's statement win against LSU, the Rebels' College Football Playoff hopes have skyrocketed, but how far has LSU dropped? (Hint: not as far as Texas A\u0026M after its loss to Kentucky).\n\nBased on historical knowledge and an understanding of the criteria and protocol, here's a look at what the selection committee might do if the rankings were today. Texas Longhorns (3-0) remain No. 1 because committee members could still view the Longhorns' Week 2 win against Ohio State as the best win in the country. Texas ranks among the best in the country in ESPN's Strength of Record metric and total efficiency. Ole Miss Rebels (3-0) jump to No. 2 with one of the best résumés in the country and perhaps the best quarterback. The Rebels have two wins against ranked opponents — Louisville and LSU — something no other team can claim. 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