The University of Mississippi moved to No. 4 in the Associated Press Top 25 college football poll following a 32-24 victory over Louisiana State University. The poll, released on Sunday, September 20, 2026, saw Mississippi rise four spots in the rankings. LSU, which entered the game ranked No. 7, dropped three places to No. 10 after the loss.
The game took place on Saturday night, September 19, 2026, in Oxford, Mississippi. The matchup featured Lane Kiffin, the current head coach of LSU, returning to face his former program at Mississippi. The contest was one of several games influencing the national standings during the third week of the 2026 season.
In the updated rankings, Texas maintained the No. 1 position, followed by Georgia at No. 2. Other rankings include Alabama at No. 8 and Texas A&M at No. 23. The Southeastern Conference (SEC) has 10 teams represented in the Top 25 poll. In other action, No. 11 BYU defeated Colorado State with a score of 41-23.
The shifting rankings affect the postseason prospects of college football programs. For the 10 SEC schools currently ranked, including Mississippi, Georgia, and Alabama, the concentration of ranked teams within the conference affects the stakes of remaining intra-conference games.
The eight-point margin in the Mississippi-LSU game resulted in a change in national standing. For LSU, the drop to No. 10 comes as they prepare to host No. 23 Texas A&M on Saturday, September 26, 2026. The presence of 10 teams from one conference in the Top 25 reflects the competitive depth reported in the SEC.