Michigan football moves past Clemson for No. 4 spot in USA TODAY Coaches Poll, MSU No. 21
Though we’re barely a quarter of the way into the college football season, Georgia has assuredly looked the part of the defending national champion. A majority of the voters in the USA TODAY Sports AFCA coaches poll agrees, as the Bulldogs have assumed the No. 1 ranking.
Following yet another dominant performance in Week 3, this time on the road at South Carolina, Georgia received 40 of 65 first-place votes to overtake Alabama by 14 poll points. Alabama retains 24 first-place votes but relinquishes, at least for the time being, the top spot it has held since the preseason.
Ohio State remains at No. 3, claiming a single first-place vote. Michigan passes Clemson for the No. 4 position after drilling Connecticut, 59-0, behind five touchdowns from running back Blake Corum and more impressive play from new starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
More:How Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy has replaced Cade McNamara in more ways than one
More:10 unknowns about Michigan football ahead of Big Ten play
The rest of the top 10 also experienced minor shuffling. Oklahoma stays put at No. 6 after a win at struggling Nebraska. Southern California won a late-night shootout with Fresno State and overtakes Oklahoma State for the No. 7 position. Kentucky and Arkansas each move up a spot to round out the top 10.
Washington is the lone newcomer to the poll this week, making its season debut at No. 24 after upending then-No. 9 Michigan State, 39-28. The Spartans fall 12 places to No. 21. It wasn’t all bad news for the Big Ten, however, as Penn State makes the week’s biggest jump to No. 15, up eight slots following a dominant win at Auburn.
More:Mel Tucker waited too long to lean into Michigan State's strength in Washington loss
Miami matches Michigan State for the week’s biggest drop of 12 positions, but the Hurricanes hold on at No. 25.
Pittsburgh, despite beating Western Michigan comfortably and receiving 53 more points than last week, is nosed out of the Top 25.
TOP 25: Complete USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll after Week 3
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Michigan football moves past Clemson in USA TODAY Coaches Poll
