Ole Miss Makes Biggest Jump Among Top 10 Teams
The Rebels' 32-24 victory over LSU in Lane Kiffin's emotional return to Oxford propelled them from No. 9 to No. 4 in the Week 4 AP Top 25 poll released Sunday. It's the highest ranking for Ole Miss since the 2021 season when they finished 10-3 and reached the Sugar Bowl.
Quarterback Sam Leavitt, who was cleared from injury earlier in the week, completed 24 of 36 passes for 287 yards and two touchdowns while adding 43 rushing yards. His performance silenced doubts about his availability and validated coach Pete Golding's decision to start him.
Texas Tech Enters Top 10 for First Time in 18 Years
The Red Raiders' 28-26 thriller over Houston on Friday night pushed them into the top 10 for the first time since 2008. Quarterback Behren Morton's 287 yards and two touchdowns, combined with linebacker David Bailey's 11 tackles and 2.5 sacks, showcased why Texas Tech has emerged as a Big 12 contender.
"This is what we've been building toward," coach Joey McGuire said. "But we're not satisfied. We have Utah next week, and that's a different challenge entirely."
LSU and Texas A&M Suffer Significant Drops
LSU fell from No. 7 to No. 11 after their loss at Ole Miss, while Texas A&M dropped from No. 8 to No. 22 following their home upset to Kentucky. The Aggies' third-quarter collapse, allowing 21 points to the Wildcats, raised questions about their consistency under third-year coach Mike Elko.
For LSU, the challenge now shifts to responding after Kiffin's return to Oxford was spoiled. The Tigers host Auburn next week in a game that could define their SEC West standing.
Other Notable Moves
Kentucky received votes after their upset victory but remains unranked. West Virginia, which beat No. 25 Virginia 38-27, also received votes. Oregon holds steady at No. 21 despite their 84-0 shutout of Portland State, with voters apparently unconvinced by the level of competition.
The top 5 remains unchanged at the very top: Texas (1), Georgia (2), Notre Dame (3), Ole Miss (4), and Indiana (5) round out the elite group heading into Week 4.
