ESPN college football analyst Dan Mullen released his top 10 rankings following Week 3. Mullen, who previously served as the Florida Gators and Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach, ranks the Ohio State Buckeyes as his No. 1 team.
The former Florida coach ranks Ohio State over the No. 2 Texas Longhorns. Mullen ranks the Alabama Crimson Tide No. 3 ahead of his new No. 4, the Tennessee Volunteers. Both Alabama and his No. 5 team, the Georgia Bulldogs, have a bye in Week 4 before Georgia plays at Alabama in Week 5.
Mullen also ranks the Penn State Nittany Lions and Kansas State Wildcats in his top 10 a week after having them outside his top 10. Five of Mullen’s top six teams are from the SEC. We look at who each of his top teams are scheduled to play in Week 4.
Dan Mullen’s top 10 college football rankings after Week 3
1. Ohio State Buckeyes (vs. Marshall)
Ohio State plays its first Power Four team on Sept. 28. The Buckeyes had a bye week in Week 3. Ohio State has a wealth of talent, which is enough for Mullen to put them No. 1.
2. Texas Longhorns (vs. Louisiana Monroe)
Texas earned a comfortable, 56-7, home win over UTSA even though quarterback Quinn Ewers suffered an injury. The Longhorns looked like national championship contenders in their Week 2 win over Michigan.
3. Alabama Crimson Tide (bye week)
Alabama and quarterback Jalen Milroe played well on the road to pick up a 42-10 win at Wisconsin in Week 3. The Crimson Tide have a bye in Week 4 before hosting Georgia in a top-five battle.
4. Tennessee Volunteers (at Oklahoma)
The Tennessee Volunteers incinerated Kent State, 71-0, to set up a big game at Oklahoma in one of the top games of Week 4. The Volunteers already have an impressive 51-10 win over NC State. Mullen jumped Tennessee from No. 8 to No. 4 after beating Kent State, which is a little inexplicable.
5. Georgia Bulldogs (bye week)
Georgia’s 13-12 win over Kentucky did not impress Mullen, and he dropped UGA to No. 5. The Bulldogs will have another chance to prove themselves in Week 5 at Alabama.
6. Ole Miss Rebels (vs. Georgia Southern)
Ole Miss Rebels quarterback Jaxson Dart continued to cruise in Week 3 against a decent opponent, Wake Forest. Ole Miss stayed in control throughout its 40-6 win at Wake Forest.
7. Oregon Ducks (bye week)
Oregon had its best performance of the season in Week 3 as the Ducks pummeled in-state rival Oregon State, 49-14. Quarterback Dillon Gabriel and the Ducks are 3-0. Gabriel produced more than 350 total yards and three total touchdowns in Oregon’s big win.
8. Miami Hurricanes (at USF)
Miami dominated in a 62-0 win at home against Ball State in Week 3. The Hurricanes’ next Power Four game is Sept. 27 against Virginia Tech.
9. Penn State Nittany Lions (vs. Kent State)
Penn State had a bye in Week 3. The Nittany Lions host Kent State before playing Illinois on Sept. 28.
10. Kansas State Wildcats (at BYU)
Kansas State picked up a big 31-7 road win against Arizona in a nonconference game between two Big 12 teams. The Wildcats play at BYU on Sept. 21 in another fun Big 12 game.