CBS Sports updates Top 25 Power Rankings ahead of Week 3 of college football

The Week 2 college football slate was filled with key matchups. It also included one of the biggest upsets of the young 2023 season when Texas knocked off Alabama in Tuscaloosa, leading to a big shakeup in CBS Sports’ Top 25 Power Rankings.

The Longhorns took a massive leap after that victory, moving up eight spots to No. 3 after defeating the Crimson Tide at Bryant Denny Stadium. Alabama, meanwhile, fell nine spots and is now outside the top 10, checking in at No. 15, according to Dennis Dodd.

The rest of the top four — No. 1 Georgia, No. 2 Michigan and No. 4 Florida State — stayed the same as Week 3 gets closer. Because Texas jumped up to No. 3, though, Penn State now finds itself outside the top five entirely in CBS Sports’ latest Top 25 Power Rankings.

1. Georgia

It’s no surprise the two-time defending champs are still atop CBS Sports’ Top 25 Power Rankings after back-to-back victories to start the season. Georgia cruised to a 45-3 victory over Ball State in Athens last week as Carson Beck continues to settle in as the Bulldogs’ starter.

Beck put up solid numbers in his second start, completing 23 of 30 passes for 283 yards and two touchdowns to help lead Georgia to the victory. He’ll get his first SEC test this week, though, when the Bulldogs welcome South Carolina to Sanford Stadium.

2. Michigan

Even though Jim Harbaugh hasn’t been on the sidelines for the first two games, Michigan still looks like it’s primed for another run at the Big Ten title. J.J. McCarthy continued to impress as the Wolverines knocked off UNLV 35-7 on Saturday.

McCarthy has been efficient to start the year, completing 48 of 55 passes for 558 yards and five touchdowns. He also hasn’t thrown an interception, a streak he’ll look to keep going this week when Michigan takes on Bowling Green in the final game of Harbaugh’s self-imposed three-game suspension.

3. Texas

Texas became the talk of college football this week after an incredible performance against Alabama. Quinn Ewers threw for 349 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Longhorns to the 34-24 victory and into the Top 4 of the AP Top 25.

It was by far the biggest victory of Steve Sarkisian’s tenure in Austin, and Texas will try to keep that momentum going into the non-conference finale against Wyoming this week. After that, the Longhorns will start Big 12 play and look to strengthen their resume with sights set on the College Football Playoff.

4. Florida State

Florida State followed up a huge season-opening win over LSU with another blowout victory, this time a 66-13 victory over Southern Miss in Week 2. Jordan Travis only played in the first half, but still looked strong as he threw for 175 yards and two touchdowns.

This year is a big one for Mike Norvell and the Seminoles after multiple high-profile transfers joined an already strong roster. Conference play kicks off this week against Boston College as FSU tries to make the ACC Championship in the first season without divisions.

5. Washington

Michael Penix Jr. is showing no signs of slowing down after a banner first year at Washington in 2022. He one again put up big numbers in the Huskies’ Week 2 win over Tulsa, totaling 409 passing yards and three touchdowns.

Kalen DeBoer’s group is trying to make some noise in the last year of the Pac-12 as we know it. So far, UW looks like a legitimate contender to make the conference title game heading into a Week 3 game against Michigan State.

6. Penn State

James Franklin didn’t publicly name Drew Allar the starter until the last minute, but the sophomore quarterback has looked comfortable through two games at Penn State. He helped lead a balanced attack for the Nittany Lions in their Week 2 victory over Delaware, throwing for 204 yards and a touchdown on 22 of 26 passing.

Allar split time with Sean Clifford last season and looks to be picking up right where Clifford left off. A Big Ten test awaits this week, though, with a tough Illinois defensive line looming in a road showdown.

7. Notre Dame

After five years at Wake Forest, it sure looks like Sam Hartman is settling in well at Notre Dame. He and the Fighting Irish faced their first big test of the year on Saturday when they defeated NC State in a rain-soaked Carter-Finley Stadium.

Hartman looked the part in that game, throwing for 284 yards and four touchdowns to help improve his Heisman Trophy odds. Along with Audric Estime, the balanced Notre Dame offense will now return home to South Bend to take on Central Michigan in Week 3.

8. Ohio State

The quarterback competition at Ohio State is now — officially — over. Ryan Day named Kyle McCord the starter heading into a Week 3 game against Western Kentucky.

McCord looked comfortable against Indiana and Youngstown State, which is why Day felt comfortable naming him the starter. The game against Western Kentucky will be a big tune-up, though, before a huge non-conference game against Notre Dame in Week 4.

9. Tennessee

Tennessee was one of the best stories in college football last season, and the Vols could be ready to make another run with Joe Milton running the high-powered offense. With two games under its belt against Virginia and Austin Peay, Tennessee is now preparing for a high-profile matchup against Florida in Gainesville this week.

All eyes are on Milton and how his rocket arm will look in Josh Heupel’s system again. Through two games, he looked comfortable, but his first real test will be Saturday against the Gators.

10. USC

Through three games, Caleb Williams still hasn’t played all four quarters for USC. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner still made multiple highlight-reel plays and put up big numbers, though, as the Trojans enter the bye week.

Williams and Zachariah Branch are two of the focal points of the offense, but MarShawn Lloyd is also proving to be effective in the running game. USC will take some time to regroup with the off week before returning to Pac-12 play against Arizona State in Week 4.

CBS Sports Power Rankings 11-25

11. Oregon
12. Colorado
13. Utah
14. LSU
15. Alabama
16. Kansas State
17. Oregon State
18. Ole Miss
19. Duke
20. North Carolina
21. Miami
22. Clemson
23. UCLA
24. Kansas
25. Oklahoma

Through three weeks of games, we’re starting to find out a lot about teams around the country. But conference play is starting and will continue to pick up next week as the sprint to the College Football Playoff is getting ready to begin. The picture is sure to become clearer over the next few weeks.