College Football Top 25: Week 3

Hi, sorry for being super late on the post. You know me, the freshman in college. I hope you guys have checked out my writing with The Daily Campus. I will be balancing between here and there. Anyways, here is my top 25 for Week 3:

  1. Georgia (2-0) (PREV: 3)

Georgia takes over as the #1 for a few reasons. They look like the most dominant team so far. Alabama nearly lost to Texas, who had Hudson Card replacing Quinn Ewers due to an injury. Even Card was limping during the game, giving the Longhorns everything he could offer. Ohio State may be 2-0, but Notre Dame looks horrible and the Buckeyes nearly lost to them. The Bulldogs did their job by shutting out Samford at Sanford. They will face a better opponent in Spencer Rattler’s Gamecocks in Columbia on Saturday.

  1. Alabama (2-0) (PREV: 1)

Alabama looked vulnerable for the first time in a long time. They looked undisciplined on Saturday, committing the most penalties out of any game in the Saban era. Will Anderson Jr. committed a few penalties, which was surprising considering he’s one of the best defensive players in college football. They nearly lost to Texas but were saved by a terrific game-winning drive by Bryce Young and the game-winning field goal by Will Reichard. They should have an easy game against UL Monroe.

  1. Ohio State (2-0) (PREV: 2)

The Buckeyes look slightly worse thanks to an 0-2 start by Notre Dame, losing to Marshall on Saturday. They blew out Arkansas State, 45-12. Wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. was responsible for three of C.J. Stroud’s four passing touchdowns. Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Julian Fleming were both unavailable for Week 2’s game due to injuries. However, they are expected to play in Week 3’s night game against Toledo. TreVeyon Henderson ran into the end zone two times, as Ohio State looked like the offense many were hyping up before the season. The reason they fell in the rankings was the poor performance of Notre Dame, but Ohio State isn’t in much trouble as they have an undefeated record. 

  1. Michigan (2-0) (PREV: 4)

Michigan did what they were supposed to: destroy Hawaii, one of the worst teams in FBS. J.J. McCarthy is now Michigan’s starter after a long battle with Cade McNamara. McCarthy passed for 229 yards and three touchdowns. However, the Wolverines’ offense mainly came from the ground as Michigan had five rushing touchdowns. Michigan takes on my school, UConn, on Saturday. I am scared for my Huskies. 

  1. Clemson (2-0) (PREV: 6)

Clemson moves into the top 5 after Texas A&M lost to Appalachian State. Will Shipley had a fine game, finding the end zone twice when handed the ball. Again, the offense hasn’t impressed as Furman’s Tyler Huff had more passing yards than D.J. Uiagalelei. The defense did its job, recovering two fumbles, forcing four QB hurry-ups, one interception, and nine tackles for loss. The Tigers continue to have an easy start to the season with Lousiana Tech coming up on Saturday.

  1. USC (2-0) (PREV: 8)

USC continues to impress. Caleb Williams shined in the road win against Stanford, passing for 341 yards and four touchdowns. Defending Biletnikoff Trophy winner Jordan Addison looked like the best wide receiver in America, recording seven receptions for 172 yards and two touchdowns. Oregon transfer running back Travis Dye had 105 yards on 14 carries, finding the end zone once. The Trojans’ defense went to work, recovering two fumbles, sacking Tanner McKee five times, and recording twelve tackles for loss. On top of that, they had four pass deflections and two interceptions in the rout over their in-state rival. They host Fresno State late Saturday night, who some say could upset USC.

  1. Oklahoma (2-0) (PREV: 9)

Oklahoma becomes the highest-ranked Big 12 team due to Baylor losing in overtime against BYU. Wide receiver Marvin Mims had himself a day: seven receptions, 163 yards, and two touchdowns. He was Dillon Gabriel’s top target, as expected. Gabriel finished with a stat line of 21/28, 296 yards, and three touchdown passes. The Sooners’ defense impressed, with three players recording over ten total tackles. The defense also had three sacks, 14 tackles for loss, one fumble recovery, and one interception. Oklahoma will travel to Lincoln to take on rival Nebraska, who will play their first game in the post-Scott Frost era.

  1. Arkansas (2-0) (PREV: 11)

KJ Jefferson is one of the best quarterbacks in the SEC, but it was running back Raheim Sanders’s day against South Carolina. Sanders exploded for 156 yards and crossed the goal line twice in the 44-30 win over the Gamecocks. The Razorbacks’ running game was so dominant, that they finished with 295 yards and five touchdowns combined. The defense had two fumble recoveries, six sacks, nine tackles for loss, three pass deflections, six QB hurry-ups, and one interception. Arkansas is deservedly in the top 10, and that should stay that way as they host Missouri State on Saturday.

  1. Oklahoma (1-0) (PREV: 9)

Oklahoma began the season with a blowout win against UTEP. It was Brent Venables’s head coaching debut, and it did not disappoint Oklahoma fans. UCF transfer and starting quarterback Dillon Gabriel was responsible for three total touchdowns (two passing, one rushing). Brayden Willis caught both of Gabriel’s touchdown passes. Reggie Grimes led the Sooners’ defense, recording 2.5 sacks against the Miners. Up next is Kent State for Oklahoma, which should be another easy win in Norman.

  1. Kentucky (2-0) (PREV: 24)

Kentucky earned a huge win last Saturday in Gainesville, defeating Florida, 26-16. The win was thanks to the Wildcats’ defense, who made Anthony Richardson play so bad he finished with a QBR of 3.8. Will Levis wasn’t spectacular at quarterback for Kentucky, but he got the job done, finding the end zone in the air and on the ground. Dane Key was the best offensive weapon, recording three receptions for 83 yards and a touchdown. Kentucky hosts Youngstown State on Saturday, which should be easy for them.

  1. Tennessee (2-0) (PREV: 17)

Tennessee survived a thriller in overtime, defeating Pittsburgh on the road. Hendon Hooker led the Vols with 325 passing yards and two touchdowns. Wide receiver Cedric Tillman had himself an afternoon: nine receptions for 162 yards and a touchdown. Tennessee needs to learn how to not fumble the ball because they lost two fumbles in Saturday’s game. The Volunteers’ defense was on point, recovering one fumble, adding to four sacks, nine tackles for loss, four pass deflections, and one interception. Tennessee returns to Knoxville, where they have an easy matchup against Akron on Saturday.

  1. BYU (2-0) (PREV: 22)

BYU survived in double overtime against then-9th ranked Baylor, 26-20. The Cougars should give credit to Chase Roberts, who had eight receptions for 122 yards and two total touchdowns. The defense was strong, not letting Baylor’s offense get going. The home-field advantage certainly helped. BYU jumps into the top 15 after the thrilling victory, but they’re not done yet. They visit Autzen Stadium, where Oregon awaits them tomorrow.

  1. Michigan State (2-0) (PREV: 12)

Speaking of Akron, guess who played the Zips during Week 2? Michigan State stays at #12 in my top 25. The reason why they didn’t move up in my rankings is that I was not impressed with quarterback Payton Thorne’s performance. 212 passing yards and two interceptions were not ideal for the Spartans’ offense, which was dominant with their running game in the 52-0 rout. Michigan State had 260 rushing yards and six touchdowns total. The Spartans recovered four fumbles, which caps off a strong defensive performance in East Lansing. Michigan State heads on the road for the first time this season, facing undefeated Washington on Saturday night. 

  1. Oklahoma State (2-0) (PREV: 19)

Spencer Sanders had three total touchdowns in the Pokes’ win over Arizona State. He passed for 268 yards, with Bryson Green his top target. Running back Dominic Richardson had a strong performance on Saturday night, rushing for 131 yards and a touchdown on 27 carries. The defense looked much better in Week 2, after giving up 44 points to Central Michigan during Week 1. They held the Sun Devils to 17 points while scoring 34 points. Arkansas-Pine Bluff is next for the Cowboys, which should be a very easy matchup.

  1. Wake Forest (2-0) (PREV: 20)

Wake Forest did their job by taking down Vanderbilt in Nashville. Sam Hartman is back and that is a good thing for the Demon Deacons, who face Liberty tomorrow. Hartman passed for 300 yards and four touchdowns in the win, connecting with top receiver A.T. Perry for 142 yards and a touchdown. Coby Davis had a pick-six as the cherry on top. The Deacs round out my top 15 this week.

  1. Baylor (1-1) (PREV: 7)

Baylor could not get it going offensively, especially through their passing game. The Bears’ offense was highlighted by two rushing trips to the end zone by Qualan Jones. It took two overtimes for Baylor to fall to BYU in Provo, but that doesn’t mean they have to fall far in my top 25. They head back to Waco to host Texas State at noon tomorrow.

  1. Miami (FL) (2-0) (PREV: 16)

Miami had a scare in the first half after it was 7-3 in favor of Southern Miss before a goal line touchdown run by Henry Parrish Jr. gave the Hurricanes the lead for good. Miami came out swinging in the second half, not letting the Golden Eagles score once after halftime. They stay at 16 this week because of the slow start in the first half. The Hurricanes will travel to Bryan-College Station, Texas, where the Texas A&M Aggies wait for a huge non-conference matchup.

  1. Utah (1-1) (PREV: 15)

Utah drops down two spots because of their Week 1 loss to Florida. After the loss, they decided to make Southern Utah miserable with a final score of 73-7 in a dominant performance. Quarterback Cameron Rising passed for 254 yards and three touchdowns, while the Utes’ running game combined for 246 yards and five touchdowns. Dalton Kincaid reeled in seven catches for 107 yards and two touchdowns. R.J. Hubert had a 39-yard pick-six. San Diego State should be more difficult than Southern Utah.

  1. NC State (2-0) (PREV: 21)

NC State should have lost Week 1. However, they didn’t and they capitalized on a 55-3 win over Charleston Southern the following week. Quarterback and preseason ACC Player of the Year Devin Leary passed for 238 yards and six total touchdowns. The Wolfpack defense hurried up the Buccaneers’ quarterbacks a total of ten times and picked them off twice. They will host undefeated Texas Tech tomorrow night in Raleigh.

  1. Florida (1-1) (PREV: 14)

Anthony Richardson did not repeat the performance we saw against Utah during Week 1, as he threw two picks and was not responsible for any touchdowns. Despite the brutal performance from the Gators, they managed to only lose by ten. They’ll host South Florida on Saturday in an attempt to bounce back from the loss to Kentucky.

  1. Texas (1-1) (PREV: 18)

Texas became ranked in the AP and Coaches Poll after a loss. That is unheard of, but they deserved to be in the top 25 no matter what. They barely lost to top-ranked Alabama, but their biggest loss is losing Quinn Ewers for a while. Bert Auburn’s missed short field goal at the end of the first half was the difference between the Longhorns winning and losing. They will host UTSA on Saturday, looking for their second win.

  1. Penn State (2-0) (PREV: 25)

Penn State continues its strong start to the season, routing Ohio, 46-10. It was running back Nicholas Singleton’s day, rushing ten times for 179 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Sean Clifford got most of Penn State’s reps on offense, passing for 213 yards and a touchdown. Backup Drew Allar passed for two touchdowns in the win. The Nittany Lions will complete a home-and-home as they visit Auburn tomorrow afternoon.

  1. Pittsburgh (1-1) (PREV: 13)

Pitt had a chance to find themselves in the top 10 had they defeated the Tennessee Volunteers at home. However, they fell to the Vols in overtime, and a home loss hurts them. The quarterbacks Kedon Slovis and Nick Patti did not help, as both ended up hurt and did not perform to the standards. Pitt may be paper thin at the quarterback position when they play at Western Michigan.

  1. Ole Miss (2-0) (PREV: N/A)

Welcome to the top 25, Ole Miss! With poor starts to Notre Dame, Wisconsin, and Houston’s seasons, it has opened up for the Rebels to make their first appearance in my top 25. They have routed both Troy and Central Arkansas to start the season. Quarterback Jaxson Dart passed for two touchdowns. Michael Trigg didn’t finish the day with lots of yardage but reeled in three passes in the end zone. The defense was strong, with two picks and two fumble recoveries. They go on the road to face Georgia Tech tomorrow.

  1. Texas A&M (1-1) (PREV: 5)

Texas A&M goes from the top 5 to the last team in my top 25. They will be starting LSU transfer Max Johnson instead of Haynes King on Saturday night, which will be against Miami (FL). They fell to Appalachian State in College Station, 17-14. The Aggies missed a late field goal that pushed the Mountaineers to upset Texas A&M. King only had 97 passing yards in the loss, with zero total touchdowns. The offense fumbled four times, losing the ball twice. The only bright spot was Devon Achane, who scored both touchdowns for Texas A&M (one rushing, one 95-yard kick return).

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