College Football Rankings Week 4: Top 25 Rankings (2026)
Table of Contents
The College Football Week 4 rankings have a very different look after one of the most consequential weekends of the young 2026 season.
Ole Miss delivered the biggest statement, beating LSU 32-24 in Oxford to remain undefeated. Oregon rebounded from its Oklahoma State loss with an 84-0 rout of Portland State. Louisville took down SMU, while Texas A&M suffered its first loss of the season.
Texas remains No. 1 in our Week 4 college football rankings, but Georgia and Ole Miss are closing in behind the Longhorns. Notre Dame, Indiana, Miami, Alabama and Ohio State round out a loaded top eight.
For a look at how the board played out from a betting perspective, revisit our College Football Week 3 Picks. You can also compare this week's movement against our College Football Week 3 Top 25.
College Football Week 4 Rankings: Top 25
25. Houston Cougars (2-1)
Houston drops to No. 25 after suffering its first loss of the season against Texas Tech. The Cougars showed some early life in Lubbock, jumping out to a 10-0 advantage, but couldn't maintain it against one of the Big 12's better teams.
The loss doesn't erase Houston's promising start, but Week 3 represented a significant increase in competition and exposed the gap that still exists between the Cougars and the top of the conference.
24. Mississippi State Bulldogs (3-0)
Mississippi State earns a spot in our College Football Week 4 Top 25 after rallying from a 16-0 deficit to beat South Carolina 41-34.
Quarterback Kamario Taylor was at the center of the comeback, throwing for 251 yards and four touchdowns. Mississippi State's defense also responded after halftime, producing a string of stops that helped flip the game.
At 3-0, the Bulldogs are becoming one of the SEC's more interesting early-season stories.
23. Texas A&M Aggies (2-1)
Texas A&M takes one of the biggest falls in our rankings after a disappointing home loss to Kentucky.
The Aggies fell behind 28-7, and quarterback Marcel Reed struggled to generate the consistency necessary for a comeback. His 26-of-49 performance included two interceptions.
One loss doesn't eliminate Texas A&M from contention, but the Aggies now have substantially more to prove.
22. SMU Mustangs (2-1)
SMU's 41-31 loss to Louisville drops the Mustangs to No. 22, but this remains a dangerous team in the ACC.
Kevin Jennings and the Mustangs were competitive throughout much of the game before a costly fourth-quarter fumble helped Louisville create separation. SMU didn't get the result it wanted, but the performance wasn't enough for us to push the Mustangs completely out of the Top 25.
21. Florida Gators (3-0)
Florida remains undefeated after surviving Auburn 44-39 on the road.
Running back Jadan Baugh continues to drive the Gators' offense. He rushed for 162 yards and three touchdowns against Auburn and has now produced 458 rushing yards through three games.
The concern is Florida's defense, particularly a secondary that surrendered three passing touchdowns. That's an issue that becomes even more important with Ole Miss next on the schedule.
20. Oregon Ducks (2-1)
How much can we learn from an 84-0 win over Portland State?
Probably not enough to erase Oregon's Week 2 loss to Oklahoma State, but it was exactly the kind of response the Ducks needed.
Oregon clearly possesses one of the country's highest ceilings. The question is consistency. The Ducks have now shown both overwhelming dominance and the ability to let a winnable game slip away.
Week 4 should tell us considerably more.
19. Missouri Tigers (3-0)
Missouri stays undefeated after getting past Troy, but the Tigers weren't nearly as convincing as they were in their rivalry victory over Kansas.
Quarterback Austin Simmons finished with only 91 passing yards, leaving the running game to carry a larger share of the offense.
Missouri remains in our Week 4 college football rankings because 3-0 is 3-0, but its next major test should reveal considerably more about where the Tigers belong nationally.
18. Michigan Wolverines (3-0)
Michigan finally showed some of the offensive upside that had been missing early in the season.
After an uneven start against UTEP, the Wolverines eventually rolled behind 223 passing yards and two touchdowns from Bryce Underwood. Michigan scored on six consecutive possessions and finished with a decisive advantage in both yardage and first downs.
The Wolverines are undefeated entering Big Ten play, but Iowa should provide a much better measurement of their progress.
17. Iowa Hawkeyes (3-0)
Iowa at No. 17 might feel aggressive, but the Hawkeyes continue to produce exactly what we want from this portion of the rankings: convincing wins paired with a quality victory.
Iowa already owns a 16-13 win over Iowa State and has shut out its other two opponents. Against Northern Iowa, the offense added another wrinkle by surpassing 400 rushing yards.
Michigan-Iowa now becomes one of Week 4's more revealing Big Ten games.
16. Louisville Cardinals (2-1)
Louisville makes a significant move after its 41-31 victory over SMU.
Lincoln Kienholz provided another steady performance, while the Cardinals rushed for 265 yards and did enough defensively to contain Kevin Jennings when it mattered most.
The concern is discipline. Louisville piled up 110 penalty yards on 11 flags. Against elite competition, that can erase many of the advantages that make the Cardinals dangerous.
Still, Louisville looks capable of becoming one of Miami's primary challengers in the ACC.
15. Utah Utes (3-0)
Utah continues to quietly build an impressive résumé.
The Utes followed their convincing victory over Arkansas with another strong performance against Utah State. Braden Pegan has emerged as another weapon, catching eight passes for 122 yards and two touchdowns against his former team.
Utah hasn't given us much reason to doubt it yet.
14. Tennessee Volunteers (3-0)
Tennessee has handled the opening portion of its schedule and now gets the opportunity to prove how much that start means.
Freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon has six touchdowns without an interception through three games, while the Volunteers' running game has consistently produced.
The defense has also been solid under Jim Knowles. Now comes the real measuring stick: No. 1 Texas.
13. Penn State Nittany Lions (3-0)
Matt Campbell's first three games at Penn State have gone about as smoothly as possible.
The Nittany Lions handled Marshall, Temple and Buffalo without much drama, including a 55-13 victory in Week 3.
We still need to learn how Penn State responds against stronger Big Ten competition. But through three games, the Nittany Lions have done everything required to remain firmly inside our Top 15.
12. USC Trojans (4-0)
USC is the only 4-0 team in our College Football Week 4 rankings, although the Trojans' latest performance raised some legitimate concerns.
Rutgers generated 460 yards in USC's 42-35 win, forcing the Trojans to rely on two critical takeaways, including a 99-yard interception return for a touchdown.
USC remains undefeated and has plenty of offensive firepower. The defense, however, needs to prove its promising start wasn't a product of the early schedule.
11. Texas Tech Red Raiders (3-0)
Texas Tech survived an early scare against Houston to remain undefeated.
The Red Raiders fell behind 10-0 but settled into the game behind a productive rushing attack. Texas Tech finished with 168 rushing yards and continued to find ways to win even without playing its cleanest football.
At 3-0, the Red Raiders remain firmly in the Big 12 race.
College Football Week 4 Rankings: Top 10
10. LSU Tigers (2-1)
LSU takes a substantial hit following its 32-24 loss at Ole Miss, but we're not abandoning the Tigers after one road loss against an elite opponent.
LSU fell behind by 17 points and still had an opportunity to threaten late in the fourth quarter. That matters.
The loss exposed issues, but it didn't suddenly erase the talent on Lane Kiffin's roster. LSU remains a serious threat if it can become more consistent offensively.
9. BYU Cougars (3-0)
BYU continues climbing after a 41-23 victory over Colorado State.
The most encouraging development was the explosiveness of the offense. BYU averaged 13.4 yards per pass attempt and 8.1 yards per rush, giving the Cougars the kind of big-play element that could change their ceiling.
At 3-0, BYU has positioned itself among the leading teams in a wide-open Big 12 race.
8. Ohio State Buckeyes (2-1)
Ohio State responded to its loss against Texas exactly as expected, crushing Kent State 59-3.
Jeremiah Smith continues to rewrite the Buckeyes' receiving record book, and Ohio State still possesses as much high-end talent as almost anyone in the country.
The Texas loss keeps the Buckeyes below the undefeated teams at the top for now, but nothing about Ohio State's overall profile suggests it should be dismissed from the national conversation.
7. Alabama Crimson Tide (3-0)
Alabama keeps finding another gear after halftime.
Slow starts against Kentucky and Florida State are worth monitoring, but the Crimson Tide have shown an ability to adjust and take over games once their offense settles down.
Keelon Russell continues to flash significant upside as both a passer and runner. His combination of downfield ability and mobility gives Alabama another dimension offensively.
If the Crimson Tide start putting together complete four-quarter performances, their ceiling rises considerably.
6. Miami Hurricanes (3-0)
Miami survived its first significant road test with a 33-20 win over Wake Forest.
Darian Mensah opened the game by completing 24 consecutive passes, helping Miami build a commanding advantage. The game became less comfortable late, particularly with Miami dealing with injuries and Wake Forest attacking a depleted secondary.
Still, good teams have to survive games when momentum changes. Miami did that and remains undefeated.
5. Indiana Hoosiers (3-0)
Indiana's offense didn't explode immediately against Western Kentucky, but the Hoosiers eventually settled into another comfortable victory.
More impressive may be what Indiana is doing defensively. The Hoosiers posted consecutive home shutouts and held Western Kentucky to just 2.3 yards per rushing attempt.
Indiana has now shown it can overwhelm opponents offensively and control them defensively. That balance keeps the Hoosiers inside our top five.
4. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (3-0)
Notre Dame didn't need an exceptional quarterback performance to handle Michigan State 27-10.
That's part of what makes the Fighting Irish so difficult to play.
The defense held Michigan State to only 167 total yards while generating four sacks and two interceptions. Notre Dame has now held consecutive opponents below 200 yards of offense.
CJ Carr doesn't have to carry the team every Saturday when the defense is playing at this level.
3. Ole Miss Rebels (3-0)
No team improved its standing more in Week 3 than Ole Miss.
The Rebels beat LSU 32-24 in one of the biggest games of the season so far, and Trinidad Chambliss delivered a performance worthy of the national attention he's receiving.
Chambliss completed 33 of 48 passes for 363 yards and two touchdowns while adding the decisive 14-yard rushing touchdown.
Ole Miss is no longer simply an interesting SEC contender. The Rebels have a signature victory, an undefeated record and a quarterback playing at an elite level.
That's enough to move Ole Miss all the way to No. 3 in our College Football Week 4 rankings.
2. Georgia Bulldogs (3-0)
Georgia finally faced an SEC opponent and made the result look routine.
The Bulldogs beat Arkansas 45-17 after building a 38-3 advantage before easing off. Georgia rushed for 254 yards and four touchdowns while averaging six yards per carry.
Gunner Stockton also added another element with his legs, rushing for a career-high 97 yards.
The competition gets tougher from here, but Georgia has done little through three games to challenge its status as one of the country's elite teams.
1. Texas Longhorns (3-0)
Texas remains No. 1.
The Longhorns weren't flawless against UTSA, particularly on offense, but their defense was dominant, holding the Roadrunners to only 142 total yards.
Arch Manning completed 17 of 33 passes for 164 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for 50 yards. The passing game will need to be sharper as the schedule becomes more difficult.
But Texas has already beaten Ohio State and remains undefeated. Until somebody gives us a compelling reason to move the Longhorns, they remain at the top of our 2026 College Football Week 4 rankings.
Biggest Changes in the Week 4 College Football Rankings
The headline is Ole Miss. The Rebels move to No. 3 after beating LSU and now have one of the strongest early-season statements of any team in the country. Trinidad Chambliss' performance has also transformed the way we view the ceiling of this offense.
LSU moves down to No. 10 after the loss, although the Tigers remain inside our top 10 because of the quality of the opponent and their ability to fight back after falling behind.
Oregon remains much lower at No. 20 despite destroying Portland State. An 84-0 win is impossible to ignore, but it doesn't erase the previous loss to Oklahoma State.
Texas A&M falls to No. 23 after losing at home to Kentucky, while Louisville and Mississippi State are among the teams moving upward following impressive Week 3 victories.
Week 4 College Football Rankings Predictions
The next set of games could produce another significant shakeup.
Texas has retained the No. 1 spot, but its matchup with Tennessee gives the Longhorns another major test. Georgia remains right behind Texas, while Ole Miss now has an opportunity to prove that its LSU victory represents a genuine shift in the SEC hierarchy rather than one huge afternoon in Oxford.
USC and Oregon also offer an especially interesting comparison. USC enters undefeated but with questions defensively, while Oregon already has a loss but retains obvious high-end talent. Their upcoming matchup provides both teams with an opportunity to answer those questions directly.
The rankings will continue to become more résumé-driven as conference play expands. Early blowouts matter less once teams begin accumulating wins and losses against comparable competition.
For additional matchup and team data throughout the season, check out our sports betting research app.
College Football Week 4 Rankings FAQ
What are the College Football Week 4 rankings?
Our top five College Football Week 4 rankings for 2026 are Texas at No. 1, Georgia at No. 2, Ole Miss at No. 3, Notre Dame at No. 4 and Indiana at No. 5.
Who is ranked No. 1 in college football for Week 4?
Texas is No. 1 in our Week 4 power rankings. The Longhorns are 3-0 and have the strongest result among our leading contenders with their victory over Ohio State.
How high is Ole Miss ranked after beating LSU?
Ole Miss moves to No. 3 in our rankings following its 32-24 victory over LSU. The Rebels are 3-0 and have established themselves as one of the leading teams in the SEC.
Where is LSU ranked after losing to Ole Miss?
LSU falls to No. 10 after its first loss. The Tigers are 2-1, but the defeat came on the road against our No. 3 team, keeping LSU inside the top 10.
Where is Oregon ranked in Week 4?
Oregon is No. 20. The Ducks bounced back with an 84-0 win over Portland State, but their earlier loss to Oklahoma State continues to weigh on their ranking.
Are these the AP College Football Week 4 rankings?
No. These are HOF's College Football Week 4 power rankings, not the AP Top 25. The rankings weigh results, opponent quality, performance and our evaluation of each team's current standing.
2026 College Football Week 4 Top 25
- Texas (3-0)
- Georgia (3-0)
- Ole Miss (3-0)
- Notre Dame (3-0)
- Indiana (3-0)
- Miami (FL) (3-0)
- Alabama (3-0)
- Ohio State (2-1)
- BYU (3-0)
- LSU (2-1)
- Texas Tech (3-0)
- USC (4-0)
- Penn State (3-0)
- Tennessee (3-0)
- Utah (3-0)
- Louisville (2-1)
- Iowa (3-0)
- Michigan (3-0)
- Missouri (3-0)
- Oregon (2-1)
- Florida (3-0)
- SMU (2-1)
- Texas A&M (2-1)
- Mississippi State (3-0)
- Houston (2-1)
Final College Football Week 4 Rankings Takeaways
Week 3 gave us the first major shakeup near the top of our rankings.
Texas remains No. 1, but Georgia is right behind the Longhorns and Ole Miss has surged to No. 3 after its statement victory over LSU. Notre Dame and Indiana complete a top five in which every team remains undefeated.
Further down, Ohio State and LSU remain inside the top 10 despite one loss apiece, while Oregon sits at No. 20 as it works to rebuild its résumé after the Oklahoma State upset.
The next wave of conference games should make these rankings even more fluid. Texas-Tennessee, USC-Oregon and the next tests for Ole Miss and Georgia all have the potential to reshape the college football rankings after Week 4.