AP Top 25 Poll – Texas No. 1 is the clearest early-season signal that the Longhorns have shifted from contender to the team voters now view as the top squad in the country.
The change follows a classic in Columbus where Ohio State erased expectations only to see Texas rally, and the week’s full poll breakdown is detailed by CFB-HQ On SI, which lists Texas with 56 first-place votes for Week 3.
Key Takeaways
- Texas is the new No. 1 in the AP Top 25 and collected 56 first-place votes from pollsters.
- Ohio State surrendered a 20-point lead and lost by one point in a game that reshaped voters’ perceptions.
- Oregon dropped from No. 6 to No. 21 while Oklahoma slipped from No. 11 to No. 24 in the Week 3 poll.
- Michigan returned to the AP Top 25 at No. 19 after a signature win over a ranked opponent.
AP Top 25 Poll – Texas No 1 rally
The narrative shift that moved Texas to No. 1 began with a dramatic comeback in Columbus, where Ohio State led by 20 points before the Longhorns erased the margin and prevailed by a single point.
That reversal forced AP voters to reassess both teams: Ohio State took a modest hit but remained high enough in ballots to avoid a crash, while Texas vaulted to the top with a win over the previous No. 1.
Pollsters awarded Texas 56 first-place votes, a reflection of how one signature road victory against the top-ranked team in the country can recalibrate national perceptions in the early season.
Arch Manning Heisman and playoff case
Arch Manning was the decisive figure in Texas’ comeback and the coverage frames him as a rising Heisman Trophy candidate based on this performance.
The game also amplified Texas’ College Football Playoff credentials by demonstrating the Longhorns can close out high-stakes road tests against elite opponents.
For voters weighing résumé, style points and trajectory, a road win of this magnitude moves Texas from preseason hype to active title contention in Week 3 thinking.
AP vote shifts and recent ranking moves
| Team | Week 3 Rank | Last Week Rank | Notable context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 1 | 4 | Collected 56 first-place votes after rallying past the previous No. 1 |
| Oregon | 21 | 6 | Dropped in the Week 3 poll, reflecting a significant slide in voter confidence |
| Oklahoma | 24 | 11 | Slide in Week 3 rankings following struggles that left voters unconvinced |
| Michigan | 19 | Unranked | Reentered the poll at No. 19 after a win over a ranked opponent |
What the national shifts mean for contenders
The week’s movement shows voters rewarding signature wins while penalizing teams that fail to close out winnable games on the road.
Texas’ ascent puts them squarely in early discussions for conference supremacy and the College Football Playoff, while the slide for teams like Oregon and Oklahoma opens the door for other programs to stake claim in the top tier.
SEC and College Football Playoff implications for Texas
With Texas installed at No. 1, the Longhorns now occupy the prime lane for SEC title debate and the early CFP picture, carrying the burden of expectation that comes with the ranking.
Maintaining that position will require Texas to defend home turf and run a slate that convinces voters it can sustain quality wins, as early poll placement raises the stakes for the remainder of the season.
