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Week 3 of the college football season was viewed as one of the weaker slates of action in years, but as always, there was excitement and drama. Georgia survived in a narrow one-point win over Kentucky in Lexington, Arch Manning flashed in his first extended playing time at Texas, and Boston College came closer to knocking off Missouri in Columbia than many expected.
All in all, it was a solid week, and the season is getting ready to heat up. Week 4 is headlined by matchups between Tennessee and Oklahoma, USC and Michigan, and Utah and Oklahoma State. There is still a ton of football to be played, but for now, let's review the latest AP Poll rankings and pick them apart.
It's time for the next article of a year-long series: Overrated and Underrated College Football Teams after the weekly Associated Press Poll release. All rankings listed are based on the AP Poll.
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Week 4 College Football AP Poll
BREAKING: Week 4 College Football AP Poll🚨https://t.co/FcH9kn6iYB pic.twitter.com/QuenNgKkQe
— On3 (@On3sports) September 15, 2024
Overrated College Football Teams For Week 4
Ohio State Buckeyes: No. 3
Week 3 Result: Bye
Ohio State very well might prove to be one of the top three teams in the nation. Its passing game looks much improved under quarterback Will Howard, and running backs Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson are both averaging north of seven yards per carry. However, the Buckeyes have only played against Akron and Western Michigan, and the next three games are against Marshall, Michigan State, and Iowa.
Ryan Day's squad likely won't be tested until October 12 at Oregon. OSU can only play the teams on its schedule, so that's not the issue. However, No. 4 Alabama, No. 5 Ole Miss, and No. 6 Tennessee all have 30-plus point victories over Power 4 opponents on the road or in a neutral site setting.
That's not to say the Crimson Tide, Rebels, and Volunteers should all jump Ohio State in the polls, but could you really argue against it? So far, those three SEC squads have proven far more than Ohio State. Again, Ohio State's ceiling is being the first winner of the 12-team College Football Playoff, but based on what we've seen thus far, a No. 3 placement is a bit too rich.
Michigan Wolverines: No. 18
Week 3 Result: Def. Arkansas State (28-18)
Another week of Michigan football -- another unimpressive win over an inferior opponent. Michigan's 19-point spanking at the hands of No. 1 Texas can somewhat be excused, but its two wins over Fresno State and Arkansas State were lackluster performances.
The Wolverines have beaten those small-conference schools by a combined 30 points, and quarterback Davis Warren has thrown for just 148 yards per game, two touchdowns, and six interceptions. Running back Donovan Edwards continues to struggle.
pic.twitter.com/yrQqrafbm1 𝗜𝗡𝗧 x 3⃣
— Arkansas State Football (@AStateFB) September 14, 2024
A down year for Michigan was expected given the loss of head coach Jim Harbaugh and over a dozen players to the 2024 NFL Draft. However, this team doesn't even look like a legitimate top-20 squad.
Michigan is currently listed as a six-point underdog against USC on Saturday, so don't be surprised if we're looking at an unranked Michigan team this time next week.
Texas A&M Aggies: No. 25
Week 3 Result: Def. Florida (33-20)
The Aggies were defeated by Notre Dame in College Station in Week 2 due to a horrendous offensive showing. Mike Elko has led his team back to a 2-1 record, but the wins over McNeese and one of the worst Florida teams in years doesn't prove much.
Texas A&M was ranked to begin the season, so the voters will give them opportunities to climb back into the polls, but I'd like to see some impressive showings before putting a number back next to its name, especially with squads like Memphis and Syracuse having impressive starts to the season.
All that said, any SEC team is going to be battle-tested throughout the 2024 campaign, so A&M has the chance to make this take look foolish heading into matchups with Arkansas and Missouri following a tune-up game against Bowling Green in Week 4.
Underrated College Football Teams For Week 4
Iowa State Cyclones: No. 20
Week 3 Result: Bye
Iowa State's resume isn't fantastic, but early in the season, it's more impressive than the resumes of No. 17 Notre Dame and No. 18 Michigan. The Cyclones defeated a top FCS program (North Dakota) in Week 1 before a road victory over in-state rival Iowa (ranked No. 21 at the time) in Week 2.
Matt Campbell is quietly one of the best coaches in the nation, and Iowa State has a favorable schedule over the next few weeks, meaning this program could reach top-15 territory soon. Although Iowa State remains in the Big 12, Campbell's teams play more like a physical Big Ten squad, giving them a style mismatch in some of their matchups.
Memphis Tigers: Not Ranked
Week 3 Result: Def. Florida State (20-12)
Yes, defeating Florida State doesn't look impressive now that the Seminoles are 0-3. However, Memphis is a legitimate threat to represent the group of five conferences in the 12-team College Football Playoff, and we can't just dismiss a road win over an ACC program loaded with talent.
Georgia Tech and Boston College both entered the top 25 following wins over Florida State, but now that Memphis is in the same position, they weren't rewarded by at least being ranked ahead of Texas A&M.
All of the action from our win over Florida State 🎥#ALLIN | #GoTigersGo pic.twitter.com/AXOMUbkg83
— Memphis Football (@MemphisFB) September 15, 2024
The Tigers could be favored in the rest of its games and are the favorites to win the American Athletic Conference. Let's waste no more time getting them into the top 25.
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