College Football Rankings: ESPN shakes up Top 25 power rankings in big way after Week 3
The latest college football power rankings from ESPN are here with a fresh set of top 25 teams after Week 3.
There is a new No. 1 team in the country, per ESPN at least. In fact, it’s similar to the AP Poll from the weekend.
Let’s dive into ESPN’s latest power rankings across college football.
1. Texas (+1)
The new No. 1 team in the country, per ESPN, is in Austin, Texas. The Longhorns saw QB Quinn Ewers go down with an injury and Arch Manning filled in.
He looked as good as advertised by accounting for five touchdowns in the win over UTSA. Texas is absurdly loaded and a bonafide national title contender, perhaps one of the top two or three favorites.
2. Georgia (-1)
The Bulldogs dropped a spot in ESPN’s rankings due to a close win over Kentucky. Georgia won 13-12 and perhaps lucky that the Wildcats elected to punt late in the game.
Anyway, a win is a win. Georgia is still the top team in the SEC and most people’s No. 1 team in the country. Just not this week for the four-letter-network.
3. Alabama (+4)
The Crimson Tide struggled a bit with USF but bounded back in a big way when they went to Madison. Alabama dominated Wisconsin 42-10.
ESPN bumped them up four spots after that dismantling on Saturday. Jalen Milroe accounted for five touchdowns and could not be stopped.
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4. Tennessee (+1)
Stop the fight! Tennessee moved up a spot in ESPN’s rankings after a 71-0 shutout of Kent State. Right now, it looks like rookie mode for the Volunteers.
Going to Oklahoma this weekend will be must-see TV. Is this team for real or will they fall to their new SEC foe in Norman?
5. Ohio State (-3)
The Buckeyes had a week off, hence the drop in ESPN’s rankings. It’s nothing against Ohio State, the team just couldn’t show off this weekend.
Next up is Marshall before Ohio State opens Big Ten play at Michigan State. This team could very well be higher next week though.
6. Miami
Miami didn’t move per ESPN, despite the 62-0 beatdown of Ball State. Sometimes, you just have to use the eye test and perhaps the rankings reflected that, at least after this weekend.
Miami is still extremely talented and have a Heisman candidate in Cam Ward under center. Now, do the Hurricanes get tested against USF or will it be another dominating display?
7. Ole Miss (-3)
Jaxson Dart threw his first pick of the year but still set the school record for most passes without an interception prior to the mistake. He had 377 yards and two touchdowns and Henry Parrish Jr. had 23 carries for 148 yards and two touchdowns.
ESPN still dropped the Rebels three spots. Despite a 40-6 lead, Ole Miss struggled to put them away at times. But, it was a blowout in the end and Ole miss was likely overshadowed by other performances.
8. USC
USC had an early bye week as well and did not move in ESPN’s rankings this week. GOing into Week 4, the Trojans head to Ann Arbor for a Big Ten showdown with Michigan.
That sounds weird doesn’t it? USC, Big Ten, Michigan, conference foes? Either Michigan rebounds and erases early season hype for USC or Lincoln Riley’s crew is set for an epic 2024.
9. Missouri (+1)
On Saturday, Missouri got a ranked win, per the AP Poll, by beating Boston College. ESPN liked the win too, pushing the Tigers up a spot this week.
Brady Cook and Luther Burden finally got it going in this one as he reeled in six catches for 117 yards. A few mistakes and penalties probably prevented this one from being a runaway for Mizzou in the end. But that can be cleaned up.
10. Penn State (-1)
Penn State took a week off and a dip in ESPN’s rankings. Okay, they moved down one spot so it’s not that big of a deal.
Still a top 10 team, the Nittany Lions get Kent State before going into Big Ten play. Based on the way the latter looked against Tennessee, this could be a get right game for Penn State.
ESPN Top 25 power rankings after Week 3
11. Oregon
12. Kansas State (+2)
13. Oklahoma State
14. Utah (-2)
15. Oklahoma (+1)
16. Michigan (-1)
17. Clemson (+2)
18. Nebraska (+4)
19. Louisville (-1)
20. Notre Dame (+1)
21. LSU (-1)
22. Memphis (+2)
23. Iowa State
24. Northern Illinois (NR)
25. Illinois
ESPN’s rankings were the latest to be updated ahead of Week 4. Week 3 made us raise our eyebrows but we’ll get some teams back in action this weekend and potentially big shake ups next Monday.