JD PicKell: Nothing But Ball Top 10 after Week 3 of College Football

Week 3 of the college football season is in the books, and its been a hectic and unpredictable start to the campaign. The first two weeks of the year featured many shocking twists and surprising upsets.

There weren’t many upsets in Week 3, but many top teams played in games much closer than people would have imaged leading into the game. On3’s J.D. PicKell said the theme of the week was “just find a way to get it done.”

The team’s in the top 10 of his Nothing But Ball Top 10 did that. Here is PicKell’s ranking of the top 10 teams after Week 3 of the 2023 college football season.

1. Georgia

Georgia was down at the half at home to South Carolina but the Bulldogs scored 21 consecutive points in the second half to lock down a Week 3 victory. It was a hard-fought win and good start to the conference slate for the national champs.

“Number one, you got Georgia, no surprise,” PicKell said. “Passed their first real test in South Carolina. I don’t think what we saw from them this week is what they will be when it comes to the bigger games in November.”

2. Michigan

The Wolverines lost the time of possession battle by 13 minutes but still managed to hold Bowling Green to only 205 yards of offense in a 31-6 victory. Blake Corum was fantastic with 102 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries.

“Michigan took care of business,” PicKell said. “Didn’t look great, but that was kind of the theme of the day: Just find a way to get it done. They won pretty handily over Bowling Green.”

3. Florida State

Florida State almost lost a lead late versus Boston College but pulled out the win. The Seminoles face a tough task this week with Clemson, a team they have not beat since 2014. That season was also the only time the program made the College Football Playoff.

“They played some tougher competition than a Michigan did but it was one of those games that was a clear look ahead spot,” PicKell said. “Jordan Travis and that team, they were up in the third quarter, could have probably made that a more sizable victory overall but nothing for me to drop them from three.”

4. USC

USC didn’t play this week. The Trojans return from their bye versus Arizona State in Tempe, Ariz., on Saturday night.

“They were on a bye but I have a hard time dropping them and didn’t see anybody else do anything that would make me put them ahead of them at four,” PicKell said. “So USC’s at four.”

5. Texas

The Longhorns were given a fight by Wyoming. The game was tied at the half at 10 and the the Cowboys had a 13-10 lead in the third quarter before Texas scored 21 straight to end Week 3 undefeated.

“Wasn’t pretty,” PicKell said. “Poured it on against Wyoming in the fourth quarter and second half to get it done. I think the big thing with them is we saw what (they) did in Tuscaloosa. That is the Texas I’m expecting going forward. The hiccup against Wyoming, clear letdown spot, but nothing that concerns me when it comes to the structural integrity, if you will of, of Texas.”

6. Ohio State

The Buckeye didn’t look good the first two weeks of the season but put on a typical Ohio State performance Saturday versus Western Kentucky. It was a mauling as the Buckeyes dropped 63 points on the Hilltoppers as Kyle McCord threw for 318 yards and three touchdown.

“They just handled business, which was nice to see them just finally look the part of a top 10 team,” PicKell said. “One of the reasons why I have them lower is because they hadn’t looked the part to this point. Good to see Kyle McCord now actually being the guy and seeing him light it up and look like he’s the guy and hadn’t seen him throw for as many yards as he did and be so efficient. They’re definitely gonna be higher on next week’s list should they get a win in South Bend.”

7. Penn State

The Nittany Lions are 3-0 after going on the road to defeat Illinois. It wasn’t their best game of the year but Penn State played a brand of winning football that can take them on a run this year.

“Was encouraged to see them look good against a Big Ten team,” PicKell said. “It was the first real road test for Drew Allar. He looked good. They looked good. Defense looked really good. So overall, a really complete team. Like them a lot. Going to find out more about them later in the year.”

8. Notre Dame

The Fighting Irish were likely looking ahead to their game versus Ohio State next week as they struggled to establish itself to start versus Central Michigan. But the team is 3-0 with College Gameday returning to South Bend, Ind., for one of the biggest home games for the team over the last few seasons.

“They’re gonna have a really good test against Ohio State next week,” PicKell said. “That’s going to decide a lot of what this top 10 looks like next week. But love how balanced they are. Love Sam Hartman playing quarterback for them. Look ahead spot with Ohio State next week, but they played Central Michigan and they did what they’re supposed to do.”

9. Oregon

The Ducks blew out Hawai’i on their home field to the tune of a 55-10 victory in Week 3. On a weekend where many top teams played close games versus Non-Power Five competition, Oregon’s victory can be taken as a sign of its strength.

“Oregon played Hawaii,” PicKell said. “Throttled them. They’re at No. 9.”

10. Washington

The Huskies made a statement in East Lansing, Mich., with a boatracing of Michigan State. Michael Penix Jr. had 473 yards and four touchdowns as he solidified himself as a Heisman contender.

“Michael Penix Jr. has been just so impressive,” PicKell said. “Has to be a Heisman candidate. If he played in another conference, he would get way more buzz, but he doesn’t. Regardless, they absolutely throttled Michigan State. So convincing. He’s looking like an absolute stud with the numbers he’s putting up.”

As PicKell alluded to with his reasons for his Week 3 rankings, there is reason to believe these rankings look a lot different come this time next week. Week 4 features not only the Ohio State-Notre Dame game but also Oregon hosting Colorado and Florida State at Clemson.