This college football season could be as wide-open as any we’ve seen in years.
The introduction of NIL and limitless transfers has accelerated participant motion at an unprecedented charge and lowered the ceiling on the high of the game. The days of Alabama and Georgia hoarding all the highest gamers for a dynasty look like carried out. Talent is extra unfold out. Every crew has flaws.
Three weeks into the season, it’s honest to say each single FBS convention and the College Football Playoff subject feels utterly vast open, and that’s a complete lot of enjoyable.
It doesn’t make for straightforward rankings, nevertheless. Welcome to the No. 1 spot in The Athletic’s 136 rankings this week, Ohio State, although I don’t really feel nice about it.
The Buckeyes beat Ohio 37-9, an underwhelming efficiency that was a 13-9 rating early within the second half. But it was sufficient to slip up due to what occurred elsewhere. LSU beat Florida 20-10, and Brian Kelly might be not joyful to see the Tigers slip to No. 3 right here, however it’s extra for the truth that the opening win at Clemson doesn’t look almost pretty much as good after the (Clemson) Tigers misplaced to Georgia Tech. Ohio State’s win in opposition to Texas continues to be nice, however the Longhorns have regarded disappointing, too, after a 27-10 win in opposition to UTEP.
Another weekly reminder: These rankings are risky early as they wait for everybody to play a crew of word. Big wins are rewarded however are re-evaluated (like Clemson). Close losses assist, too. You would possibly win and drop or lose and rise, however it’s influenced by what occurred round you, similar to if a crew ranked beneath you received a giant recreation. Teams that haven’t performed a notable opponent principally simply float round and don’t actually matter but. The rankings lean closely into outcomes and resume greater than my preseason emotions.
We actually don’t know how this season will play out. The early-season outcomes already take a distinct look than they did just a few weeks in the past. The remainder of this yr goes to be enjoyable.
I used to be extraordinarily near placing Miami at No. 1. The resume argument is there. The motive I didn’t was as a result of the Notre Dame win misplaced some shine with the Irish loss to Texas A&M, and Florida’s efficiency in opposition to LSU dings USF.
Georgia strikes as much as No. 5 with the time beyond regulation win at Tennessee. Any of the teams within the high 5 right here have a case for No. 1, to be sincere, however to this point, FSU’s dominant win in opposition to Alabama has held up. Georgia was additionally one play away from shedding to Tennessee 3 times. Overall, an excellent efficiency from Georgia that has me reevaluating them as a real nationwide title contender.
Texas A&M jumps as much as No. 6 as a result of it received on the highway at Notre Dame, whereas the Longhorns have that shut loss to Ohio State, however haven’t impressed in wins. Oregon and Penn State stay on the backside of this group, floating round with out taking part in any actual notable opponents. Thankfully, they play one another in two weeks.
Vanderbilt bumps up a pair spots to No. 14. The 31-7 win at South Carolina was mighty spectacular, however the earlier win at Virginia Tech loses that luster. Georgia Tech climbs to No. 15 after the last-second win at Clemson, and the Yellow Jackets could be a favourite to succeed in Charlotte.
Notre Dame slides to No. 21 because the hardest crew to rank. They’re winless, however have misplaced two video games by a mixed 4 factors within the ultimate minute in opposition to undefeated teams. I nonetheless assume they’re fairly good, however teams lose any favors after they drop a second recreation.
USF drops after its blowout loss at Miami, however wins in opposition to Boise State and Florida are sufficient to remain at No. 22 for now. Tennessee really strikes as much as No. 20 after the time beyond regulation loss to Georgia, due to how shut the Vols have been in a giant recreation, and their play this season has been higher than my preseason prediction. Tulane strikes into No. 25 after beating Duke. Good information for the American Conference’s CFP hopes: USF and Tulane don’t play one another within the common season.
Indiana and Utah are nonetheless hanging round on this group, ready to play somebody of word. The Utes have fallen again from their unique leap now that the UCLA win isn’t useful anymore.
South Carolina drops right down to No. 28 after the loss to Vandy, let’s hope LaNorris’ Sellers’ injury isn’t serious. Clemson falls all the way in which to No. 32. With two (shut) losses and an underwhelming win in opposition to Troy, Clemson has lost all benefit of the doubt.
Cal jumps as much as No. 34 after its win in opposition to Minnesota, and Houston’s win in opposition to Colorado sees the Cougars transfer as much as No. 45. Meanwhile, West Virginia rebounds with an time beyond regulation win in opposition to Pitt to climb as much as No. 46.
Teams like Texas Tech, BYU, Washington and USC are nonetheless simply floating round till they play somebody of word, so don’t look an excessive amount of into their place. The Red Raiders journey to Utah this week.
Not a lot actual motion on this group. No. 52 Arkansas and No. 53 Minnesota fall again into this group after losses, although the Razorbacks misplaced by simply six at Ole Miss. No. 58 Duke slips just a few spots after a loss to Tulane, whereas Colorado falls again to No. 59 for the loss at Houston. Wisconsin drops to No. 66 after a 38-14 loss at Alabama.
Keep a watch on North Texas, which is 3-0 and as much as No. 72 after a 59-10 win in opposition to Washington State. If the (*136*) Green have fastened their defensive points, they’ll have one thing to say concerning the American Conference race.
Hawaii strikes as much as No. 77 after a win in opposition to Portland State, however extra so as a result of the win in opposition to Stanford now appears higher after the Cardinal beat Boston College, which drops to No. 80. Kansas State’s tumble continues, right down to No. 82 after a loss to Arizona.
New Mexico’s 35-10 win at UCLA sees the Lobos jump up to No. 83, simply forward of No. 84 Old Dominion, which blew out Virginia Tech. The 0-3 Hokies fall to No. 92, simply forward of UCLA for the worst Power 4 program to this point this season. Both UCLA and Virginia Tech fired their coaches on Sunday.
Southern Miss strikes as much as No. 95 after beating Appalachian State, whereas Bowling Green and Georgia Southern climb into the highest 100 after wins in opposition to Liberty and Jacksonville State.
Liberty continues to fall, now right down to No. 108 after the loss to Bowling Green. Utah State strikes as much as No. 101 after beating Air Force. Louisiana Tech continues to look improved, now as much as No. 104 after a lopsided win in opposition to New Mexico State.
FIU received the Shula Bowl over FAU to maneuver as much as No. 117, whereas Coastal Carolina fell to No. 119 after a 38-0 loss to East Carolina.
Middle Tennessee strikes as much as No. 132 after beating Nevada for its first win of the season. Akron’s loss to UAB drops the Zips to No. 135, however UMass stays on the backside after a loss to Iowa.
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