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College Football Power Rankings Before Week 3
Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

As the season goes on, many college football teams have flexed their muscles and made themselves look either good or bad. Sure, there is a top 25, but who cares sometime when it is so…. Unfair. It’s time to rank the top 25 in the land just before the kickoff of Week 3.

Week 3 Power Rankings in College Football

1. Ohio State

Beating Arch Manning, coming off a national nitle, and more? Nothing needs to really be said, the Ohio State Buckeyes are easily number one.

2. Oregon

After the first two weeks, it is apparent that the Oregon Ducks rank among the best teams in the country. After defeating the then respectable opponent, Oklahoma State, the Ducks remain to look really good.

3. Penn State

The first two weeks have seen the offense falter a little bit. However, the Penn State Nittany Lions remain to be a team full of stars and are No. 3.

4. LSU

After defeating the Clemson Tigers on the road, even with a disappointing showing in week 2 the LSU Tigers are still in the top 5 easily.

5. Miami

With an impressive beginning to the season, there isn’t much to dislike with the Miami Hurricanes. Well, other than the fact that they choke in most seasons, fans have something to be excited about down in South Florida (Although maybe more than just Miami).

6. Georgia

There are still many unanswered questions for the Georgia Bulldogs after a narrow 28-6 win over Austin Peay. Sure, that’s 22 points, but that’s also an FCS team. Georgia has much to prove and will get a chance to do that this week in Knoxville.

7. Texas

The Texas Longhorns didn’t really impress much against the San Jose State Spartans. By all means, it was a blowout, but for the former No. 1 team, 38-7 against a joke isn’t very good. For now, Texas remains in the top ten but not yet in the top 5.

8. Illinois

After an excellent W at the Duke Blue Devils, the Illinois Fightin’ Ilini definitely deserve a high ranking.

9. Notre Dame

An opening weekend loss shouldn’t discourage the Notre Dame Fighting Irish too much. However, on the road again could very well mean ugly things for the Fighting Irish. No. 9 may not be available too long.

10. Florida State

After two big victories to begin the season, there isn’t much to dislike so far in Tallahassee. For now, No. 10 is a very good ranking for the Florida State Seminoles.

11. Clemson

After two massively disappointing weeks, people should discount the Clemson Tigers. Even then, a very high ranking isn’t reasonable after a 1-1 start.

12. Iowa State

I don’t know if many expected Iowa State to become a national title contender this season. However, in terms of the Big 12, there doesn’t seem to be too much in their way after a great beginning to the season.

13. Oklahoma

Nobody actually thought Oklahoma would remain down for long, did they? Nope. The Oklahoma Sooners remain excellent-looking and remain in SEC contention.

14. Tennessee

The Tennessee Volunteers definitely have much to prove, even after a 2-0 start. A game against big rival Georgia will definitely put this ranking to the test.

15. South Carolina

In the SEC, nothing comes easy. For the South Carolina Gamecocks, this season is going to a hard one to survive. For now, though, the Gamecocks look like a dangerous team.

16. Ole Miss

The Ole Miss Rebels definitely should be terrified with the upcoming schedule. However, with a victory again, so far, so good for the Rebels as they remain just outside the Top 15.

17. Texas A&M

The Texas A&M Aggies first two games have both been blowouts with one intriguing thing though: a lot of points allowed. The Aggies definitely have work to do, especially with Notre Dame coming up. For now, the Aggies remain ranked with high hopes.

18. USF

USF absolutely shocked the CFB world again with their upset against the No. 13 Florida Gators. With their second-ranked win, USF still must take on the No. 5 Hurricanes, but should nonetheless remain ranked and definitely look like the best team in the group of 5.

19. Utah

The Utah Utes look pretty good to begin the season. After an uneventful intro to the Big 12, the Utes rank in the Top 20 and will look to become the Big 12 threat everyone knows they can be.

20. Alabama

The Alabama Crimson Tide definitely have work to do with an upcoming schedule that isn’t friendly. However, there remains to be a chance still for a good season for the Tide. Hopefully, it’s only up from here for the Tide.

21. Texas Tech

The Texas Tech Red Raiders have looked pretty good to begin the season. The Red Raiders themselves have a chance at glory in the Big 12 and hope themselves to climb the rankings.

22. Missouri

The Missouri Tigers were pretty disrespected by not receiving the attention that they deserved after a 10-3 season last year. The Tigers are sneaky good and deserve some recognition has an SEC dark horse.

23. Michigan

Even with Bryce Underwood, the Michigan Wolverines look ugly offensively to begin the season. Unfortunately for them, there is an uphill climb before they’re considered a true BIG Ten contender.

24. Auburn

The Auburn Tigers have begun the season looking pretty good. Of course, there is a long way to before their a true SEC contender. For now though, a spot in AP Top 25 seems fitting for them and they should be a dangerous team.

25. Nebraska

Perhaps the biggest dark horse of all, the Nebraska Cornhuskers began the year with an okay victory. However, Nebraska turned heads and are very dangerous after their 68-0 rout of Akron. Sure, this is a bold ranking after Michigan; there might be some serious BIG Ten contention out of the Huskers.

This article first appeared on LWOSports.com and was syndicated with permission.

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