College Power Rankings Week 3

Some big time movement this week in the college rankings. Some big upsets, some so-so games and the typical blow outs. Now let’s talk about this week. The biggest game of the week? (1) Alabama versus (9) Arkansas. Rest of the week is mainly garbage games, expect for two other games between ranked teams.

1. Alabama (3–0) Up Next – (9) Arkansas (3–0)

As expected, Alabama destroyed Duke. There was a huge surprise though, Mark Ingram had nine carries for 151 yards and two touchdowns. Backup Trent Richardson was great too with seven carries for 61 yards and a TD. Quarterback Greg McElroy had possibly his best game of the year too. I didn’t even mention the defense. Expect the Crimson Tide to steam roll the Razorbacks.

2. Ohio State (3–0) Up Next – Eastern Michigan (0–3)

The Buckeyes have only played one good team and that was (19) Miami (Fl.). This week? Eastern Michigan. Ohio State does have a very talented team, but this might be the easiest schedule so far out of any team in the nation. This game will probably be over in the first quarter.

3. Boise State (2–0) Up Next – (23) Oregon State (1–1)

Two weeks ago Wyoming lost to Texas 34-7 and then they had Boise State the next week. They thought that was a stomping? How about a 51-6 blowout by the Broncos? Boise State did that after a week off. This week they have Oregon State. Their last really good team left on their schedule. If they want to be in consideration for the national title, they will need to have a great game against the Beavers.

4. TCU (3–0) Up Next – SMU (2–0)

I thought Robert Griffin III and the Baylor Bears would give the TCU Horned Frogs a little bit more of a challenge but they surprised me again. It was 21-3 in the first quarter and wasn’t even close rest of the way. With a final score of 45-10, the Horned Frogs will continue to roll right through the rest of their easy schedule. They won’t be getting a challenge until (17) Utah on November 6.

5. Oregon (3–0) Up Next – Arizona State (2–1)

The Ducks might have the most dominant offense in the nation. Their first three games they have scored 72, 48 and 69. That’s an average of 63 points per game or more than a point a minute! And to top that? They have only allowed 13 points the entire season, and all of those were in their second game to Tennessee. Sure their schedule has been slightly on the powder puff level, but they are dominating games. They score the most in the nation and allow the fewest points. That is extremely hard to do. The schedule gets tougher now, but I can’t see them losing in the near future.

6. Nebraska (3–0) Up Next – South Dakota State (0–2)

When you make Jake Locker look like a chump, you’re pretty good. The Cornhuskers defense held the possible no. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NFL draft, Locker, to 4 for 20 passes and only 71 yards for a TD and two interceptions. That is pretty good. They did give up 21 points though. On the flip side, the Cornhuskers had three players rush for over 100 yards each. That is what you call, a dominating rushing attack.

7. Texas (3–0) Up Next – UCLA (1–2)

QB Garrett Gilbert had another disappointing game. He had a completion percentage of only 58 percent. Then on top of that, he had three picks. He is only a sophomore, but he will need to grow up quickly if the Longhorns want to be in the talk for a BCS game.

8. Oklahoma (3–0) Up Next – Cincinnati (1–2)

For the first time in a long time, head coach Bob Stoops has been able to keep his team in it when they play a team like Air Force. It seems like every year that the Sooners lose to a team like the Falcons, dashing their national championship aspirations. They barely held on to the win, 27-24. The problem is the Bearcats this weekend. They may not be a great team, but they might catch the Sooners looking ahead to the Red River Rivalry game. Not going to lie, I’ll be rooting for Cincinnati.

9. Arkansas (3–0) Up Next – (1) Alabama (3–0)

QB Ryan Mallett might be in the Heisman conversation now. The Razorback QB has a huge arm, a giant stature (he is 6’7”) and a great leader. Mallett already has over 1,000 yards in the air. I thought he would have roughly 300 yards this past week against the Georgia Bulldogs, he ended up with 380. Hopefully Arkansas’ no. 5 overall defense will be able to handle the Crimson Tide rushing attack. This is by far, the game of the week.

10. Florida (3–0) Up Next – Kentucky (3–0)

College football rankings are like a beauty pageant. Whoever plays the “prettiest” goes up in the rankings. Florida…. Well they haven’t done that. QB John Brantley has played poorly as Tim Tebow’s replacement, yes it’s only three games but the pageant thing, and he needs to pick up his game. They lost a lot of talent in the draft this past year but they should have some special recruits. The biggest story on the football program? The 24 arrests in five years under head coach Urban Meyer. I’d expect some big NCAA investigations into the program soon.

11. Wisconsin (3–0) Up Next – Austin Peay(2–1)

The Badgers squeaked out a win in Tempe, 20-19. Wisconsin blocked the Sun Devils field goal for their point after touchdown to essentially end the game with 4:02 left. RB John Clay had 22 carries for 123 yards and a touchdown, while QB Scott Tolzien had arguably his best game with 19 completions out of 25 attempts for 246 yards and TD.

12. LSU (3–0) Up Next – (21) West Virginia (3–0)

The Tigers beat lowly Mississippi State 29-7. Not the toughest of games, yet the Tigers had to kick five FG’s. Other than that, nothing much to say about that game. This weekend, the Mountaineers will lose to the Tigers. An SEC team versus a Big East team equals a big blow out for LSU.

13. Stanford (3–0) Up Next – Notre Dame (1–2)

A time honored rivalry… that will be a huge one sided victory for Stanford. Notre Dame has lost two straight games, but I still don’t think they are very good. The Cardinal on the other hand, Andrew Luck threw for four TD’s against Wake Forest. Expect a big game from the Stanford QB.

14. Arizona (3–0) Up Next – California (2–1)

A surprising upset, for the Arizona Wildcats over the Iowa Hawkeyes. The result? A big jump in the standings for Arizona. Nick Foles is the real deal. He threw for over 300 yards against a very good Hawkeyes defense. This week, Arizona faces Cal. Hopefully there won’t be a hangover effect from the big victory.

15. Iowa (2–1) Up Next – Ball State(1–2)

They got upset and fell for it. The biggest question for the Hawkeyes is, do they take out their frustration out on Ball State or do they sulk and lose again?

16. Auburn (3–0) Up Next – Southern Carolina (3–0)

I'm not a fan of either team in this game. I don’t believe Gene Chizik is a very good coach, and will be the reason the Auburn Tigers eventually lose. Cameron Newton seems like a special dual threat talent, but is he enough to keep the Tigers from faltering?

17. Utah (3–0) Up Next – San Jose State (1–2)

They won’t jump in the rankings unless there are some big upsets in the next few weeks. They have a very weak schedule and it continues this week against San Jose State.

18. South Carolina(3–0) Up Next – (16) Auburn (3–0)

The only reason why they are rated this high is because they are in the SEC and their coach is Steve Spurrier. Besides that? They have a good defense. They haven’t beaten anyone very impressive. Sorry but the Ole’ Ball Coach will find a way to screw up the season again.

19. Miami (Fl.) (1–1) Up Next – Pittsburgh (1–1)

The Miami (Fl.) Hurricanes were off last week. Maybe with some time to reflect on their loss to the Buckeyes two weeks ago, they can blowout the disappointing Pitt Panthers. Then again, Pitt is a good team too and could be ranked next week if they beat Miami (Fl.).

20. USC (3–0) Up Next – Washington State(1–2)

USC QB Matt Barkley continues to disappoint me. The Trojans are 3-0 but they haven’t beaten anyone in impressive fashion. Like I said before, the rankings are a beauty pageant, and they definitely look like the ugly duckling right now.

21. West Virginia (3–0) Up Next – (12) LSU (3–0)

RB Noel Devine and QB Geno Smith put on a show. Devine didn’t have any touchdowns but he almost had 150 yards on the ground, while Smith had four passing TD’s. If the Mountaineers have any hope of beating LSU, Devine and Smith will have to have the game of their lives.

22. Penn State (2–1) Up Next – Temple (3–0)

The Nittany Lions bounced back from a big lose to Alabama with a 24-0 victory over Kent State. They might have jumped up the rankings, but they should have beaten Kent State by at least 30. Sorry Joe Pa, you didn’t win very “pretty.”

23. Oregon State (1–1) Up Next – Boise State (2–0)

The Beavers beat the Louisville Cardinals to bounce back to .500. This week they face the third best team in the nation. A buddy of mine says that this will be a stiff test for the Broncos. Not likely.


24. Virginia Tech (1–2)Up Next – Boston College (2–0)

It might just be that I'm stubborn, but I still believe the Hokies are one of the best teams in the nation. They bounced back after their hangover loss to James Madison to defeat East Carolina. RB Ryan Williams continues to be a disappointment this season; thankfully Darren Evans and David Williams have picked up the slack.

25. Michigan (3–0) Up Next – Bowling Green (1–2)

I mentioned in my blog how overrated I believe this team is. And they proved me right against Massachusetts. The Minutemen scored 20 in the fourth quarter. Denard Robinson had another big game (241 passing yards and two TD’s; 104 rushing yards and a TD), but was it really a big game? It was against a pathetic team. The media will hype this team to no end. When they finally face a good team and get blown out, they will all be wondering what happened. I will tell you the problem now. They aren’t very good, period. They have faced below average competition. Notre Dame has the 76th worst defense in the nation, UCONN is 55th, UMass isn’t even ranked due to their low poor division status, and this week’s game Bowling Green is 94th. Are you finally getting the point?