DISCLAIMER: I work for a national media affiliate but do not have a vote in the Associated Press poll so my opinion means virtually nothing. These rankings have nothing to do with preseason polls or last season’s results; they’re based on games that have been played this year only. The rankings will be volatile, especially early in the season.
This past weekend gave the college football faithful a handful of close games among those expected to win through the regular season, while other teams faltered when put in a spot to ascend in the national conversation. The Big Ten and SEC continue to implement their stronghold on the coveted 1-12 spots while some of the other conferences’ “at large” contenders chomped at the bit to crash the party.
Winners of Week Three:
Texas Tech was dominant at Utah and could gave found an upgrade at QB following Morton’s injury in the second quarter at Utah. The Red Raiders steamrolled the Utes in the trenches in a nationally televised game for all to see. They appear to be the class of the Big 12 and possibly could be the best team in Texas. Expect this team to be around in January.
Indiana hosted a top ten Illinois and just took them out to the wood shed. Curt Cignetti has this unit playing with a chip on their shoulder, no thanks to the national media’s criticism of his team that won 11 games and made the playoffs last season. With Iowa and Oregon on the schedule, we might know exactly who this IU squad is in two weeks time. Fernando Mendoza has also looked like a top tier QB thus far and should be scouted as an NFL prospect.
https://twitter.com/Jordan_Reid/status/1970108745989669318/video/1
USC has seemingly re-written the narrative of their program in Lincoln Reilly’s tenure and has fielded quite a serviceable defense, perhaps one of the best in the Big Ten. At 4-0, the Trojans have the opportunity to perhaps break into the top five with upcoming games against Illinois, Michigan and Notre Dame. Had the Caleb Williams teams of yesteryear played with this much resolve, he likely could have played in a national championship game.
Loser of Week Three:
Oklahoma State fired their head coach following a beat down by G5 Tulsa at home as 10.5 point favorites. Mike Gundy’s 21 year tenure as head coach in Stillwater has come to a close in disastrous fashion and Cowboys enter the meaty part of their schedule very much behind the eight-ball.
https://twitter.com/barstoolsports/status/1970533631186870404/video/1
Utah fans talked a lot of trash to Texas Tech and Big 12 fans as a whole leading up to Saturday. The 28 point loss, littered with turnovers, horrible offensive play calling and miscues on special teams saw the Utes drop out of the rankings altogether. To add insult to injury, TTU moved up to #12 and BYU broke into the top 25. The Utes could go on to finish 11-1 and not make the playoffs and they still haven’t won a home game against a Big 12 opponent since joining the conference. I think it’s fair to speculate when the team moves on from Whittingham just like OSU with Gundy.
Cal had some momentum and started out hot, seemingly out of nowhere. Their QB was getting national praise, then they went to San Diego State and lost 34-0. Ouch.
My Top 25:
- Ohio State
- Miami
- LSU
- Penn State
- Oregon
- Georgia
- Florida State
- Texas Tech
- Texas A&M
- Indiana
- Oklahoma
- Ole Miss
- Michigan
- Iowa State
- USC
- Texas
- Tennessee
- Georgia Tech
- Alabama
- TCU
- BYU
- Vanderbilt
- Mississippi State
- Missouri
- Illinois
mitchlinsley.com 
Leave a comment