This is the week where things start to become more clear. Was that close week one win just rust or is the team not nearly as good as I thought? Also, some teams are better than expected so does that early season close win against a team look a bit more impressive or vice versa? You may see teams drop in the rankings despite winning. Unlike the AP or Coaches Polls, I like to explain my reasoning.
- Georgia (3-0)–#1–W 48-7 South Carolina–They dominated a division rival, who I initially had on my watch list. The Bulldogs are scary good.
- Alabama (3-0)–#2–W 63-7 ULM–Alabama spread the offense around, looks like everyone on the team had at least 50 yards rushing.
- Ohio State (3-0)–#3–W 77-21 Toledo–Putting 70+ up on any team is tough. Might be a little concerned about giving up 21 to Toledo. I did not watch it, but it looks like two of the touchdowns were big pass plays. Something to watch…
- Michigan (3-0)–#4–W 59-0 UConn–The Wolverines used six different QBs. Talk about getting guys some work. I think this is the first time Michigan has scored 50+ in their first three games.
- Clemson (3-0)–#5–W 48-20 Louisiana Tech–Clemson plays Wake Forest next and it will be nice to see them against a good team.
- USC (3-0)–#6–W 45-17 Fresno State–I liked this win against Fresno State, who usually has a tough team. I feel like this was the kind of game the Trojans would have lost in the past few years.
- Oklahoma (3-0)–#7–W 49-14 Nebraska–The Sooners reminded people that with or without Scott Frost, the Cornhuskers suck.
- Tennessee (3-0)–#10–W 63-6 Akron–I bumped the Vols up a tiny bit because they just look impressive right now.
- Oklahoma State (3-0)–#9–W 63-7 Arkansas-Pine Bluff
- Kentucky (3-0)–#12–W 31-0 Youngstown State
- NC State (3-0)–#15–W 27-14 Texas Tech–I bumped them over a few other teams because they are proving that preseason rank (and maybe I was a little hasty knocking them so much for almost losing to East Carolina)
- Wake Forest (3-0)–#13–W 37-36 Liberty–The Demon Deacons were able to hang on against Liberty…a failed 2pt conversion at the end was the difference.
- Arkansas (3-0)–#14–W 38-27 Missouri State–The Razorbacks had trouble with their FCS opponent this week, but they may have been looking ahead to Texas A&M.
- Penn State (3-0)–#16–W 41-12 Auburn–The Nittany Lions went to Auburn and gave the Tigers a beatdown. The running game seems to have found their stride, especially against that SEC speed (I was sick of hearing about SEC speed and hostile environment all week–like, come on Penn State plays in some hostile environments and Auburn is not Alabama or Georgia, I would say Michigan and Ohio State defenses have more speed than Auburn right now).
- Ole Miss (3-0)–#20–W 42-0 Georgia Tech–The Rebels absolutely destroyed GT. The running game is legit and it looks like they will settle on Dart as the QB, who can also run. He is not perfect, but just needs to keep the costly mistakes to a minimum and the wins will continue to add up.
- Baylor (2-1)–#18–W 42-7 Texas State
- Oregon (2-1)–#23–W 41-20 #11 BYU–Yes, Georgia is just that good. Oregon looked like a top ten team against BYU. I need to see one more week before I jump them any higher.
- Texas A&M (2-1)–#22–W 17-9 #17 Miami–The defense looked good against a weak Miami offense.
- Utah (2-1)–#19–W 35-7 San Diego State–Not the same SDSU team as last year, but a win is a win.
- Pitt (2-1)–#21–W 34-13 Western Michigan–I think the Panthers were down to their 20th string QB and they still managed a victory.
- BYU (2-1)–#11–L 41-20 #23 Oregon–I guess the Cougars were not ready to be a top ten team.
- Washington (3-0)–NR–W 39-28 #8 Michigan State–The Huskies are back! I feel like so many other rankings will jump them higher, but I need another week.
- Texas (2-1)–#25–W 41-20 UTSA–Bijan Robinson with 200+ yards of total offense. The Longhorns handled the Roadrunners easily without their starting QB.
- Miami (2-1)–#17–L 17-9 #22 Texas A&M–The Hurricanes need some receivers. Like any guy who can get open.
- Michigan State (2-1)–#8–L 39-28 Washington–Is this the beginning of a Spartan collapse? They have Minnesota next week and that could be another loss.
Honorable Mention
UNC (3-0)–#24–BYE–I do not know how to feel about this team.
Florida State (3-0)–W 35-31 Louisville
Florida (2-1)–W 31-28 South Florida
Cincinnati (2-1)–W 38-17 Miami OH
Coastal Carolina (3-0)–W 38-26 Buffalo
Watch List
Washington State (3-0)–W 38-7 Colorado State–The Cougars had a big win against Wisconsin and are sitting here at 3-0. They have a big test coming with Oregon at home.
Appalachian State (2-1)–W 32-28 Troy–The Mountaineers are just fun to watch.
Maryland (3-0)–W 34-27 SMU–The Terrapins head to Michigan for their first big test. If they manage to not be blown out, I would call that a positive.
Oregon State (3-0)–W 68-28 Montana State
Syracuse (3-0)–W 32-29 Purdue–I thought the Boilermakers were a good team, but Syracuse beat them in a close one. They also beat up Louisville in week one and destroyed UConn last week. Are they for real this year? They have Virginia this week.
Not many huge games next week. The two biggest are #5 Clemson traveling to #12 Wake Forest and #13 Arkansas heading to #18 Texas A&M. The other games you should pay attention to are the test games. Teams who play a tough team or they could see an upset. Florida at #8 Tennesse; Minnesota at #25 Michigan State; #17 Oregon at Washington State; Wisconsin at #3 Ohio State; Kansas State at #7 Oklahoma; #6 USC at Oregon State…all of those games are interesting. My two games that I want to watch for curiosity reasons: Notre Dame at UNC–the Irish picked up their first win and if UNC is legit, they need a win here; and finally there is James Madison heading to Appalachian State–this is JMU’s first big test in the FBS and if they can pull out a win against App State, that would give them some serious credibility.
Penn State is at home against Central Michigan. I do not think the Chippewas will be much of a problem for the Nittany Lions, but they need to beware the letdown after a huge win at Auburn.
