If you wanted marquee matchups, Week 2 disappointed. That doesn’t mean there wasn’t good football. Highly touted teams struggled against lesser foes, and we saw some of our top 25 fall.
Week 3, however, promises contests that make the picture a little bit clearer.
Receiving Consideration: Baylor, Arkansas, UCLA, Utah, UNC, TCU, Western Michigan, Auburn, Boise State, and Central Michigan
25. Miami 2-0 (Defeated Florida Atlantic, Last Week NA)—A potent ground game propelled a victory over Florida Atlantic. Brad Kaaya will need to do better if this team hopes to challenge in the ACC.
24. Arizona State 2-0 (Defeated Texas Tech, Last Week NA)—The Sun Devils as a team will not be discussed as much as Kalen Ballage the player who tied the NCAA record with 8 TDs against Texas Tech.
23. Oregon 2-0 (Defeated Virginia, Last Week #24)—These Ducks are not as loaded as in years past, but the PAC 12 is wide open. They face familiar Mike Riley leading unfamiliar Nebraska this week.
22. San Diego State 2-0 (Defeated Cal, Last Week #23)—Donnell Pomphrey is an incredible back, and he propelled an Aztec victory over Power 5 Cal.
21. Florida 2-0 (Defeated Kentucky, Last Week #25)—Conference games are not supposed to be as lopsided as what we saw against Kentucky. If this offense really has found its groove, the Gators should not only beat North Texas this week but also challenge the Vols the following week.
20. Iowa 2-0 (Defeated Iowa State, Last Week #21)—Iowa is officially the Hawkeye State after a win over the Cyclones. North Dakota State is tough but should be beaten.
19. Notre Dame 1-1 (Defeated Nevada, Last Week #19)—The loss against Texas wounded Notre Dame, but they can heal that wound by beating a tough Spartan team this week.
18. LSU 1-1 (Defeated Jacksonville State, Last Week #18)—The Bayou Bengals may have found their quarterback which could open things up for this offense. We will learn a lot about this team’s progress this week against Mississippi State.
17. Ole Miss 1-1 (Defeated Wofford, Last Week #16)—Yes, the Rebels took care of business against Wofford, but I doubt they repeat last year’s magic against the Tide.
16. Washington 2-0 (Defeated Idaho, Last Week #17)—The Huskies did what they were supposed to against Idaho, and I expect they will do so again against Portland State.
15. Michigan State 2-0 (Bye, Last Week #15)—Right now, we know very little about this team. That changes this week against Notre Dame.
14. Georgia 2-0 (Defeated Nicholls State, Last Week #8)—The Dawgs really struggled, and they shouldn’t have. Still, this team could be really good by season’s end if Eason develops.
13. Tennessee 2-0 (Defeated Virginia Tech, Last Week #22)—I will admit. I was wrong about these Vols. That was a dominant performance against a Hokie team I thought was poised for a surprise. Ohio could be tricky, but I do not expect UT to break its win streak here.
12. Wisconsin 2-0 (Defeated Akron, Last Week #14)—The Badgers cruised past the Zips and should do the same against Georgia State.
11. Texas A&M 2-0 (Defeated Prarie View, Last Week #13)—The Aggies have looked strong behind Trevor Knight early this season. A tough test comes this week at the start of SEC play at Auburn.
10. Oklahoma 1-1 (Defeated ULM, Last Week #12)—As expected the Sooners dominated LA Monroe. A nightmare early schedule, however, could give the Sooners an early losing record this week.
9. Texas 2-0 (Defeated UTEP, Last Week #9)—Without D’onta Freeman, the Longhorns cruised against UTEP. This D faces a tough challenge as Davis Webb looms, but this should be another W.
8. Louisville 2-0 (Defeated Syracuse, Last Week #20)—This team could very well be exposed this week against FSU, but Lamar Jackson is the real deal.
7. Stanford 1-0 (Bye, Last Week #7)—We will learn a lot about this team very quickly. A difficult three-game stretch of USC, at UCLA, and at Washington could set the Cardinal on a path toward a PAC 12 title.
6. Michigan (Defeated UCF, Last Week #6)—A number of regular season games fall into the “must watch” category, but none may fit that description more so than Ohio State-Michigan. The Wolverines are clicking.
5. Clemson 2-0 (Defeated Troy, Last Week #3)—I am trying to forgive Clemson for two straight lackluster performances. However, this looks like a bunch that has lost its edge.
4. Ohio State 2-0 (Defeated Tulsa, Last Week #5)—The Buckeyes will have a chance to be measured against Houston this week in a matchup against Oklahoma. This offense has a LOT of speed.
3. Houston 2-0 (Defeated Lamar, Last Week #5)—Even without its two best players, QB Greg Ward and RB Duke Catalan, Houston managed a 42-0 win. Both should be back against Cincinnati.
2. Florida State 2-0 (Defeated Charleston Southern, Last Week: #2)—I do not know if there is a team with the weapons to beat Alabama, but FSU ranks as a candidate. The Seminoles face off against the nation’s most dynamic player, Lamar Jackson, this week.
1. Alabama 2-0 (Defeated Western Kentucky, Last Week: #1)—It is telling to see how frustrated Nick Saban was by a 38-10 route. This is not a team that was built to allow anyone to get close, and they begin SEC play this week determined to dominate.
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