Iowa, Louisville Rise; Kentucky, Nebraska Earn Votes
Iowa, Louisville Rise; Kentucky, Nebraska Earn Votes
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Key Points
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Kentucky’s upset was especially significant because the Wildcats built a three-score lead in the third quarter and are scheduled to face South Alabama next; a victory would give them a 3-1 record and a potential path into the Top 25.
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Iowa’s three 100-yard rushers—Xavier Williams, Nathan McNeil and Braeden Jackson—combined for six touchdowns, marking the program’s first game with three 100-yard rushers since Nov. 19, 1983. The Hawkeyes next begin Big Ten play at No. 18 Michigan.
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Louisville’s win over SMU improved the Cardinals to 2-1 overall and 1-0 in ACC play, against an SMU team picked to finish second in the conference behind Miami. Louisville will host Wake Forest in Week 4.
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Nebraska produced 493 total yards against North Dakota, including 277 rushing and 216 passing, while limiting the Fighting Hawks to 205 yards and a 1-for-12 conversion rate on third down.
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Nebraska’s victory extended its unbeaten nonconference run to a third consecutive season and improved the Huskers to 17-0 all time against FCS opponents; the team next faces Michigan State in Big Ten play.
Iowa surged into the Top 20 and Kentucky earned serious tournament attention after dominant Week 3 victories in college football. US LBM Coaches Poll ranked Iowa at No. 17 after a 55-0 blowout of Northern Iowa, while Kentucky received 54 votes—just outside the Top 25 at an estimated No. 30—following a stunning 31-21 upset of Texas A&M. Louisville also broke into the Top 20 at No. 19 after defeating No. 25 SMU 41-31, becoming the second-highest ACC team behind No. 5 Miami. Texas and Georgia remained the nation's top two teams with no movement.
The reshuffled rankings reflect Week 3's chaos across major conferences. Nebraska stayed unranked despite going 3-0 with an impressive 34-7 win over North Dakota, while Houston and Virginia dropped out of the Top 25 entirely. The SEC dominated the poll with 10 ranked teams, reinforcing the conference's strength heading into conference play.
Iowa Runs Past Northern Iowa With Three 100-Yard Rushers
US LBM Coaches Poll ranked Iowa at No. 17, up three spots after dismantling Northern Iowa 55-0. Three Hawkeye running backs each rushed for over 100 yards—Xavier Williams, Nathan McNeil, and Braeden Jackson—combining for six touchdowns in a historic display of ground dominance. This marked Iowa's first game with three 100-yard rushers since November 1983, a 40-year gap. Quarterback Hank Brown completed every pass he threw, adding another dimension to the Hawkeyes' explosive offense.
Iowa next enters Big Ten play against No. 18 Michigan in Week 4, a matchup that will test the Hawkeyes against elite conference competition. The dominant performance against Northern Iowa showed Iowa can attack defenses multiple ways—through the air and on the ground—setting up an intriguing clash with the Wolverines.
Kentucky's Stunning Upset of Texas A&M Brings Tournament Hopes
Kentucky jolted the college football world with a 31-21 upset over Texas A&M, US LBM Coaches Poll giving the Wildcats 54 votes and an estimated ranking of No. 30. The Wildcats dominated the third quarter, building a three-score lead that the Aggies could not overcome despite a late rally. This victory proved Kentucky can compete with Power Five programs and validated the team's preseason potential.
Kentucky faces South Alabama next, a game where a victory would lift the Wildcats to 3-1 and likely crack the official Top 25 rankings. With momentum and a manageable schedule ahead, Kentucky could surprise observers in the SEC this season.
Louisville Breaks Into Top 20 With Upset Victory Over SMU
Louisville climbed into the US LBM Coaches Poll Top 20 at No. 19 after defeating No. 25 SMU 41-31 in a stunning Week 3 showdown. The Cardinals improved to 2-1 overall and 1-0 in ACC play, already establishing themselves as contenders in the conference. US LBM Coaches Poll ranked Louisville No. 16 in its writers' poll version, reflecting strong support from voters across the board.
SMU entered the game as the conference's second-choice pick after Miami, making Louisville's victory a statement win. The Cardinals host Wake Forest in Week 4 and have the inside track to become a legitimate ACC power alongside No. 5 Miami.
Nebraska Dominates Nonconference Schedule Despite Remaining Unranked
Nebraska extended its unbeaten nonconference streak to three straight seasons with a dominant 34-7 victory over North Dakota. The Cornhuskers totaled 493 yards—277 rushing and 216 passing—while holding North Dakota to just 205 yards and a 1-for-12 third-down conversion rate. Despite the 3-0 start, Nebraska received only 11 votes and remained unranked in US LBM Coaches Poll, suggesting voters wanted to see the Huskers face tougher competition first.
Nebraska improved to 17-0 all-time against FCS opponents and now transitions into Big Ten play against Michigan State. A strong showing against the Spartans could vault the Huskers into poll consideration and prove their dominant nonconference run was backed by genuine strength.
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