Week 3 brought a fresh shakeup to the US LBM Coaches Poll, and the Big 12 found itself with three teams inside the Top 25 and several more lingering just outside it.
BYU now sits atop the league at No. 9 after passing Texas Tech, which dropped in behind the Cougars at No. 10.
Utah also climbed, moving up two spots to No. 15.
Colorado, meanwhile, did not receive any votes after its ugly loss to Northwestern and remains out of the poll despite sitting at 2-1.
At the very top, nothing changed. Texas, Georgia, Notre Dame, Indiana and Miami kept the first five spots exactly where they were.
Ole Miss made the biggest jump near the top, rising from No. 9 to No. 6 after beating LSU in a tight one. LSU slid four places to No. 11, and Texas A&M’s loss to Kentucky sent the Aggies down to No.
The Big 12’s next wave of teams is still knocking on the door. Houston is the first team out with 116 votes, followed by West Virginia with 55, Oklahoma State with 36, Kansas State with 18 and Arizona with one. Houston and Virginia dropped out of the poll entirely this week after losses.
Here’s how the full Top 25 looks heading into Week 4:
- Texas Longhorns, 3-0
- Georgia Bulldogs, 3-0
- Notre Dame Fighting Irish, 3-0
- Indiana Hoosiers, 3-0
- Miami Hurricanes, 3-0
- Ole Miss Rebels, 3-0
- Ohio State Buckeyes, 2-1
- Alabama Crimson Tide, 3-0
- BYU Cougars, 3-0
- Texas Tech Red Raiders, 3-0
- LSU Tigers, 2-1
- USC Trojans, 4-0
- Tennessee Volunteers, 3-0
- Penn State Nittany Lions, 3-0
- Utah Utes, 3-0
- Oregon Ducks, 2-1
- Iowa Hawkeyes, 3-0
- Michigan Wolverines, 3-0
- Louisville Cardinals, 2-1
- Texas A&M Aggies, 2-1
- Missouri Tigers, 3-0
- Florida Gators, 3-0
- Washington Huskies, 3-0
- Oklahoma Sooners, 2-1
- SMU Mustangs, 2-1
In Other News...
Deion Sanders Just Entered A Brutal Stretch Colorado Cant Afford
Colorados lopsided loss to Northwestern was more than a bad afternoon, it was a reminder that the margin for error has all but disappeared. At 2-1, the Buffaloes are still early in the season, but the defeat made the road to bowl eligibility noticeably tougher and put an immediate spotlight on a schedule that was already going to test them in a hurry.
Deion Sanders enters his fourth season facing a stretch Colorado cant really afford to botch, with several upcoming games looking like uphill fights and the Big 12 opener against Baylor looming as a pivotal one. The larger concern is not just one loss, but whether the program has closed enough ground to keep pace with a conference that appears stronger around it. [Read more 🡒]
Colorado's Next Game Could Reshape Several Buffaloes Roles
Three games into the season, Colorado has already started to sort out which players are pushing their way into bigger roles and which ones are sliding the other direction. Smith, Fontentte and Martinez have all moved up in standing thanks to timely, impactful plays, while Lewis, Lester and Welch have seen their stock dip after quieter or less effective outings. It is the kind of early-season movement that can happen fast when a team is still searching for the right mix, and it has given the Buffaloes a clearer sense of who is earning more trust.
The next game could sharpen those decisions even more, especially with so many roles still in flux. Lewis has already taken responsibility for his interceptions in the latest game, and how he responds will matter not just for him, but for the way Colorado weighs its options around the offense. For a team still trying to stabilize its pecking order, the coming week offers a chance to turn a few emerging trends into something more permanent. [Read more 🡒]
Colorado Fans Need To See How Fast The Big 12 Race Is Taking Shape
The Big 12 picture is already starting to sharpen after a busy Week 3, and Colorado fans have plenty of reason to keep one eye on the rest of the league. Texas Tech survived a close call against Houston, West Virginia pulled off an upset over Virginia, and the updated standings are beginning to separate the early contenders from the pack.
For a Colorado team trying to find its own place in the conference race, the pace matters as much as any single result. The scores from around the league showed just how quickly one weekend can alter the conversation, and with the standings already updated, the Buffaloes are getting an early look at how crowded and competitive this chase may become. [Read more 🡒]