Joel Klatt shakes up Top 10 ahead of Week 3
As Week 3 of the college football season approaches, the rankings have already seen a major shakeup. That’s due, in large part, to Texas’ upset victory over Alabama last week — and it got the Longhorns into Joel Klatt’s Top 10.
Klatt revealed his new-look Top 10 on Wednesday’s episode of Breaking The Huddle with Joel Klatt. Texas is now firmly in the picture as what Klatt called a “bona fide Playoff contender,” and Alabama barely stayed in the rankings as a result of last week’s game.
The top of the rankings don’t feature many surprises, though. Here are Klatt’s full Top 10 rankings ahead of Week 3.
1. Georgia
Georgia continues to find itself atop the college football world after starting the year 2-0. The Bulldogs are out for a three-peat, and they opened up the year with back-to-back blowout victories as Carson Beck takes over as starting quarterback.
Beck has looked strong through two games, completing 44 of 61 passes for 577 yards and three touchdowns to start the year. A conference test awaits on Saturday, though, as Georgia takes on South Carolina.
2. Michigan
Michigan’s offense has looked strong through two games even without Jim Harbaugh, who’s in the midst of a self-imposed three-game suspension. Led by quarterback J.J. McCarthy, the Wolverines came in at No. 2 in Klatt’s rankings.
McCarthy has been efficient to start the year, completing 48 of 55 passes for 558 yards and five touchdowns. He also has yet to throw an interception — a streak he’ll try to continue this week against Bowling Green.
3. Texas
Texas’ win over Alabama this week put the Longhorns at the forefront of the college football conversation. The Longhorns dominated on both sides of the ball en route to the 34-24 victory in Tuscaloosa as Steve Sarkisian got the better of his mentor.
Quinn Ewers has generated plenty of NFL Draft buzz in light of his performance against the Crimson Tide, throwing for 349 yards and three touchdowns. Texas will try to keep things rolling this week against Wyoming in Week 3 before diving into Big 12 play next week.
4. Florida State
Florida State looks primed for a run to the College Football Playoff this year, and the Seminoles have gotten off to a hot start to the year. They followed up their season-opening victory over LSU with a blowout victory over Southern Miss, creating plenty of momentum heading into this week’s ACC opener against Boston College.
Jordan Travis has looked strong through two games, even despite playing in just one half against Southern Miss. Through two games, he has completed 38 of 60 passes for 517 yards and six touchdowns along with one interception heading into the Week 3 matchup with BC.
5. Ohio State
Ryan Day has officially named Kyle McCord the starter, giving Ohio State some clarity heading into a matchup with Western Kentucky on Saturday. McCord and Devin Brown have been splitting reps in practice, but the former now has the “distinction” of being the starter.
In two games against Indiana and Youngstown State, McCord has completed 34 of 53 passes for 497 yards and three touchdowns. WKU will present his final tune-up as the starter before the Buckeyes head to South Bend for a pivotal matchup with Notre Dame in Week 4.
6. Penn State
Penn State started out hot against West Virginia and kept things rolling in a blowout win over Delaware last week. Drew Allar has proven he can handle the spotlight of being the Nittany Lions’ starting quarterback now that he’s officially taken over for Sean Clifford, winning Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honors for Week 1.
The Nittany Lions have run a balanced offensive attack through two games with Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen anchoring the running game. They’ll look to keep things rolling this week against Illinois in Champaign.
7. USC
USC hasn’t missed a beat through three games to start the season. Caleb Williams still hasn’t played a full four quarters of football because the Trojans have blown out all three teams heading into their Week 3 bye.
Williams looks like he can make another run at the Heisman Trophy, throwing for 878 yards and 12 touchdowns so far. After the bye, USC will take on Arizona State in Week 4.
8. Washington
Another Pac-12 team with a high-powered offense, Washington could be ready for a run to the Pac-12 Championship in its final season in the league. Michael Penix Jr. continues to put up monster numbers, which should bode well for the Huskies early in the year.
Penix totaled more than 400 yards last week against Tulsa, meaning he hasn’t missed a beat after finishing in the top 10 of the Heisman voting last year. He’ll head back to familiar territory this week, though, as UW takes on Michigan State.
9. Alabama
Alabama did something it has rarely done in the Nick Saban era against Texas. The Crimson Tide lost by double digits on their home turf as the Longhorns left Tuscaloosa with a 34-24 victory.
Saban has some questions to answer with the offense, particularly at quarterback after Jalen Milroe’s up-and-down performance. Alabama has an opportunity to get back on track this week in a rare non-conference road matchup at South Florida.
10. Utah
Utah hasn’t had its starting quarterback, but that hasn’t stopped the Utes from jumping into Joel Klatt’s Top 10. They’re 2-0 on the season, including a victory over Florida, even without Cameron Rising as he comes back from injury.
Last week, Utah pulled off a 20-13 victory over Baylor in Waco for its second straight win. It’s clear Kyle Whittingham’s offense is cruising, and the momentum could continue this week against Weber State.
Joel Klatt’s Top 10 didn’t feature too many surprises, but it’s still early in the year. There’s plenty of time for some more shakeups, although it’ll be hard to top Texas going from unranked to No. 3 after just one game.