SEC Football Rankings Shake Up with Mississippi in Top Five

By the Editorial Team · Monday, September 21, 2026

Mississippi climbed to No. 4 in the latest AP college football rankings after defeating LSU 32-24, marking their first top-five spot since last season. This victory not only elevated the Rebels but also caused LSU to drop to No. 10, highlighting the competitive reshuffling within the SEC and the broader top 25.

Mississippi rose to No. 4 in the latest Associated Press college football rankings following a 32-24 victory over LSU, marking the team’s first top-five placement since finishing the previous season at No. 3. The win on Saturday night allowed the Rebels to surpass LSU and three other teams, propelling them into the top five for the current season. LSU, meanwhile, dropped three spots to No. 10.

Texas maintained its position at No. 1 for the second consecutive week, followed by Georgia at No. 2 and Notre Dame at No. 3. Indiana entered the top five alongside Mississippi. The top 10 also features Miami at No. 6, Ohio State at No. 7, Alabama at No. 8, BYU at No. 9, and LSU rounding out the group at No. 10.

The Southeastern Conference (SEC) continues to dominate the rankings with 10 teams featured in the AP Top 25. Florida re-entered the rankings at No. 21 after a narrow 44-39 road win against Auburn, marking the Gators’ season debut in the rankings. Additionally, Mississippi State secured the No. 24 spot following its comeback victory over South Carolina, 41-34, erasing a 16-point deficit. This represents Mississippi State’s first time in the Top 25 since 2022.

Conversely, Oklahoma experienced a drop from the rankings after a 14-6 win against New Mexico, marking their second consecutive game with offensive struggles. The Sooners fell out of the Top 25 following their poor offensive showing. Virginia also exited the rankings after falling to West Virginia, 38-27, ending their two-week stretch at No. 25.

The current AP rankings reflect ongoing shifts as teams respond to recent performances early in the college football season.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.