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Most of the Week 3 fireworks happened on Friday night. There was a redemption of sorts for Kentucky and SEC teams establishing dominance outside of the conference. That will affect the rankings some and will cause mine to get closer to the AP Poll that everyone seems to love.
These rankings will vary greatly from the AP ones early in the season because I don't go off speculation. I go by what happened on the field only. They will stabilize as the season goes on, but it might take a bit to get there.
I understand that teams can only beat who is scheduled. These are going to look a little strange through September, but I hope it serves to highlight wins that others may not have noticed.
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(25) Ohio State (2-0) ⇓6
Last week: Bye
Ohio State's bye week was somehow more exciting than flexing on the bottom tier of the MAC.
(24) Indiana (3-0) (NR)
Last week: W 42-13 at UCLA
Meanwhile, Indiana’s Curt Cignetti leaves the Rose Bowl like a conquering hero. pic.twitter.com/vUnt2JTJPW
— Ben Bolch (@latbbolch) September 15, 2024
Stomping UCLA at the Rose Bowl is a good look for the Hoosiers, especially considering the parallels of these teams. They have new coaches and a roster without many holdovers from last year. The difference was their use of the portal. Indiana needs to make a commercial for the portal. "What can the transfer portal do for you?"
Tom Allen: aw shucks man we just gotta go out there and love each other a little bit more. Just have some fun!
Curt Cignetti: if we give up one more touchdown the entire team will walk home barefoot from LA
— WBR (@W_B_Rick) September 15, 2024
(23) California (3-0) ⇔
Last week: W 31-10 vs. San Diego State
Scoring 31 points on the Aztec defense is a solid achievement for any team. For a Cal team that has struggled on offense many times in the last decade, it's quite a feat. Add in the fact that it didn't have Jaydn Ott for this game and it's all the more impressive.
(22) Nebraska (2-0) ⇓6
Last week: W 34-3 vs. Northern Iowa
At this point, every college football fan has seen Dylan Raiola and his Patrick Mahomes comparison.
The question is whether is cringe or just a kid having fun? I think it’s a little too much, but I also see it as a teenager copying his favorite player. pic.twitter.com/xGcUvTv35W
— Equipment Geek (@EquipmentGeek) September 16, 2024
He's not hurting anyone and he does train with Patrick Mahomes. The dude is 18 years old. He'll have his own identity soon enough. I have a 13-year-old nephew who has mimicked Stephen Curry for five years already. It happens. Find some other reason to pick on Nebraska.
(21) North Carolina (3-0) ⇓10
Last week: W 45-10 vs. North Carolina Central
The Minnesota win isn't enough to hang their ranking on, but it is on the road.
(20) Oklahoma (3-0) ⇑1
Last week: W 34-19 vs. Tulane
At this point, Oklahoma is just building up Tennessee's strength of schedule.
(19) Mississippi (3-0) ⇑3
Last week: W 40-6 at Wake Forest
The scary part is that the Mississippi defense is almost as good as the offense. Demolishing a power team on the road will move you up even if it's your only power win.
(18) Penn State (2-0) ⇓9
Last week: Bye
This is a bad time for bye weeks in my ranking system.
(17) Syracuse (2-0) ⇓11
Last week: Bye
Teams picking up other Power Four wins allowed the Orange to sink this week.
(16) Washington State (3-0) (NR)
Last week: W 24-19 at Washington
Make no mistake about it ... this was a road game. Playing in Lumen Field doesn't matter. It's in the same city. The only thing different was the ticket prices (and no sailgating).
(15) Oregon (3-0) (NR)
Last week: W 49-14 at Oregon State
Okay. You demolished your rival on their field. I suppose I can let you in...
(14) Illinois (3-0) ⇓1
Last week: W 30-9 vs. Central Michigan
Illinois holds serve a week before a Friday night showdown in Lincoln.
(13) Miami (FL) (3-0) ⇓3
Last week: W 62-0 vs. Ball State
The lengthy weather delay only supercharged the Hurricanes. Fitting, right?
(12) Tennessee (3-0) ⇓4
Last week: W 71-0 vs. Kent State
Tennessee let off the gas early in this game, but I'm not going to support this kind of behavior by rewarding it. Destroying a team that lost to St. Francis of Pennsylvania last week is just mean.
(11) Oklahoma State (3-0) ⇓4
Last week: W 45-10 at Tulsa
Again, the Pokes didn't need to run Ollie Gordon II much. Don't worry guys. He'll be fine. The biggest true road win in four years keeps the Pokes near the top 10.
(10) Pittsburgh (3-0) ⇑14
Last week: W 38-34 vs. West Virginia
A road win against Cincinnati when they were down big, then a rivalry game win when they were down big. I respect that. Pitt moves up into the top 10. It can thank Eli Holstein for that.
Pitt QB Kenny Pickett through three games in 2021 (a season in which he finished as a Heisman finalist):
• 939 passing yards, 10 TDs, 1 INT
• 115 rushing yardsPitt QB Eli Holstein through three games so far this season:
• 939 passing yards, 9 TDs, 2 INT
• 96 rushing yards pic.twitter.com/2ieuL81SgS— CFB Kings (@CFBKings) September 15, 2024
(9) UNLV (3-0) ⇑11
Last week: W 23-20 at Kansas
That's two road wins in the Big 12 (14). Tell me that UNLV couldn't compete in this conference or the newfangled Pac-12.
(8) Kansas State (3-0) (NR)
Last week: W 31.7 vs. Arizona
Thumping an Arizona team that I was high on coming into the season is impressive. Do you want to know how bad Colorado's offensive line was last year? Just look at what Dylan Edwards (who transferred from Colorado) is doing this year for the Wildcats. It explains everything.
Sophomore Dylan Edwards is the first K-State player in eight years to rush for a touchdown, catch a touchdown, and return a punt for a touchdown in the same season.
Dylan Edwards has played three games. pic.twitter.com/LSkchPIR0M
— D. Scott Fritchen (@DScottFritchen) September 15, 2024
(7) Missouri (3-0) (NR)
Last week: W 27-21 vs. (15) Boston College
Missouri was down big early in this game, but I think that's a good thing. It showed that the Tigers wouldn't panic. That will come in handy with some big games coming up for the Tigers.
(6) Iowa State (2-0) ⇓1
Last week: Bye
The win at Iowa keeps them in front of Missouri. Their top 25 win was at home.
(5) USC (2-0) ⇓1
Last week: Bye
LSU winning helps USC keep this spot. If it beats Michigan, it'll take NIU's spot next week.
(4) Alabama (3-0) ⇑14
Last week: W 42-10 at Wisconsin
There weren't a whole lot of marquee games in Week 3. Going into Madison and hammering the Badgers will move you up the list. That and I think the South Florida win will wind up being another strong one.
JALEN MILROE WENT TO CAMP RANDALL AND BALLED OUT!
Milroe is now tied for the most TDs by any SEC player in his team's first 3 games over the last 20 seasons ?@AlabamaFTBL pic.twitter.com/qB1LeXcSDO
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) September 14, 2024
(3) Georgia (3-0) ⇔
Last week: W 13-12 at Kentucky
Yes, it's a Power Four win on the road, but the Notre Dame win by NIU is still far more impressive. And honestly, Georgia probably should have lost this game.
(2) Northern Illinois (2-0) ⇔
Last week: Bye
Do you want this spot? Come take it! The Huskies hang onto it this week, but with conference season beginning for many, this may be the last week.
(1) Texas (3-0) ⇔
Last week: 56-7 vs. UTSA
Texas holds serve, but this isn't your normal UTSA team. In other news, Arch Manning might be better than the incumbent ... who is the projected first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. That's what it's like at Texas now.
ARCH MANNING TAKES IT 67 YARDS TO THE HOUSE WITH HIS LEGS ?
It's the longest rush by a Texas QB since Vince Young in 2005. pic.twitter.com/AjU9uSli2c
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 15, 2024
Where in the world did this come from? Did Cooper Manning marry a sprinter (Cooper's wife Ellen was a volleyball star and did run track)? Mannings are supposed to be slow!
Others Receiving Votes
- Toledo
- Utah
- Memphis
- Louisville
- Duke
- Michigan State
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