ESPN reveals college football power rankings following Week 3
Week 3 of the college football calendar for 2023 wasn’t supposed to a huge deal. There wasn’t a single game between ranked teams. As usually happens though, that didn’t matter. Saturday proved another dandy: Upsets, late comebacks and drama filled the college football world.
So how do the rankings shake out following the action?
Later Sunday morning we’ll see what changes come to the US LBM Coaches Poll.
However, ESPN has already updated its power rankings following the Week 3 action. Here is how ESPN sees the top 25 as most teams are a quarter of the way through their regular seasons.
Kansas State
Our thoughts: Kansas State entered Saturday ranked 15th in the AP Poll and lost on a 61-yard field goal as time expired at Missouri. Yet Missouri, which beat Kansas State and is undefeated, isn’t ranked. Alrighty then.
Iowa
Our thoughts: Iowa overcame a slow start and a weather delay to rout Western Michigan, 41-7. That’s not an error; Iowa actually scored 40 points in a football game.
UCLA
Our thoughts: UCLA came out the gate flying as it scored 35 first-quarter points against North Carolina Central. Can the Bruins’ offense stay impressive as they get into a very deep Pac-12?
Washington State
Our thoughts: The Pac-12 is loaded this year, and Washington State again had its offense on display. It scored nine touchdowns and totaled more than 700 yards of offense in a blowout win over Northern Colorado.
Tennessee
Our thoughts: Tennessee got its butts kicked at Florida during the game Saturday night. They then got their butts kicked by Florida when the frustrated Volunteers let their emotions spill over into a postgame brawl.
Miami (FL)
Our thoughts: Miami routed Bethune-Cookman as expected on Friday night, and the Hurricanes now shift their focus to what might be a much more winnable ACC than previously thought.
Duke
Our thoughts: Duke moved to 3-0 with an easy victory over Northwestern. The Blue Devils ran wild, totaling 268 yards on the ground in their latest victory.
Colorado
Our thoughts: Colorado came back late to beat rival Colorado State in double overtime. The game was full of drama. But if you know anything about Colorado State (besides they’re legit dirty), you know that if Colorado was really the 18th best team in the nation this wouldn’t have been a game.
North Carolina (3-0)
Our thoughts: North Carolina is 3-0 after playing a rather difficult nonconference slate. Their 31-13 win over Minnesota wasn’t competitive. The Tar Heels, like Miami, may have something to say about the race to win the ACC in 2023.
Ole Miss (3-0)
Our thoughts: Quarterback Jaxson Dart led the way as Ole Miss had its rushing game working yet again against Georgia Tech. Is this the year Ole Miss can make a run to the SEC Championship game? From what the rest of the conference has shown, it seemingly has a realistic chance that has been rare for the program.
Oklahoma (3-0)
Our thoughts: Outstanding in Week 1, average in Week 2 and outstanding again in their Week 3 win over Tulsa. After Texas beat Alabama last week, it was almost assumed the Longhorns would roll through the Big 12. However, Oklahoma clearly is in a better place than a year ago.
Alabama (2-1)
Our thoughts: We tried to tell you Tyler Buchner wasn’t going to be the answer to Alabama‘s questions at quarterback. We didn’t realize the entire offense would be this bad, though. Alabama is 14th on this list based on name alone.
LSU (2-1)
Our thoughts: Just two weeks removed from an embarrassing Week 1 loss to Florida State, LSU started its SEC season in a big way, dominating Mississippi State on Saturday. So much for LSU being put on upset alert by many experts.
Oregon State (3-0)
Our thoughts: DJ Uiagalelei was more down than up at quarterback for Oregon State but the Beavers dominated the running game against San Diego State. A real test awaits next week as the Beavers open the Pac-12 season against unbeaten Washington State.
Oregon (3-0)
Our thoughts: It’s easy to look at Oregon and think offense, but it was the Ducks defense that set up a comeback last week at Texas Tech and the defense held Hawaii to 201 yards of offense Saturday.
Utah (3-0)
Our thoughts: Utah had to go another week without starting quarterback Cam Rising, but it didn’t matter much as the Utes handled Weber State with ease as expected.
Notre Dame (3-0)
Our thoughts: It wasn’t the prettiest of performances, but at the end of the day it was a 41-17 Notre Dame victory over Central Michigan. That sets the Irish up for a mega-showdown against unbeaten Ohio State next weekend.
Penn State (3-0)
Our thoughts: It’s only three games into the year, but Penn State has impressed me the most of any Big Ten team. It should go largely unchallenged until Ohio State and Michigan show up on the schedule in the late fall.
Washington (3-0)
Our thoughts: Washington’s offense isn’t as good as it was a year ago; it might be better. The Huskies were the first team to feast on Michigan State; the Spartans were a pushover host in the 41-7 drubbing.
Ohio State (3-0)
Our thoughts: The Buckeyes played their best game of the short season to date in drubbing Western Kentucky 63-10. Ohio State’s defense appears to be playing at a high level as they travel to Notre Dame for a marquee matchup Saturday night.
Texas (3-0)
Our thoughts: Texas scared many, ourselves included, by heading to the fourth quarter tied at 10 with Wyoming Saturday night. The Longhorns dominated late to avoid major embarrassment.
USC (3-0)
Our thoughts: USC’s offense looks as good as ever and their defense looks improved. We’ve discussed this with Matt Zemek of Trojans Wire who is still in wait-and-see mode with the defense. USC was off this week.
Florida State (3-0)
Our thoughts: The good news: Florida State’s win over LSU looks that much better after the Tigers’ dominating win we mentioned above.
The bad news: Florida State nearly coughed up a big lead at Boston College, which has already lost at home to Northern Illinois.
The only thing that really matters right now: Florida State heads to Clemson this Saturday.
Michigan (3-0)
Our thoughts: We’ve mentioned Michigan will not be tested until November, but they rolled Bowling Green on Saturday despite two first-half interceptions from quarterback JJ McCarthy.
Georgia (3-0)
Our thoughts: The first half wasn’t particularly good for Georgia, which trailed South Carolina, 14-3, through 30 minutes on Saturday. The Bulldogs tightened their play on both sides of the ball, rallying to a 24-14 victory.
