College Football Power Rankings: Ranking the Top 25 Heading into Week 3
College Football power rankings as we head into Week 3 of the 2023-2024 season. With Week 2 in the books, Matt McCuen gives us his Week 3 college football power rankings from across the country. Which teams moved up and which fell down? Find out here.
Matt McCuen - September 12, 2023, 11:22 AM EDT
7 minCollege Football Power Rankings: Ranking the Top 25 Heading into Week 3
Week 1 in college football is in the books and there have been some teams living up to the hype and others falling short. Texas went into Tuscaloosa and upset No. 3 Alabama; UNC and Appalachian State went into two overtimes, with UNC getting the win. Wisconsin got upset by Washington State losing 22-31.
So, where do the top 25 teams in the country fall? Before you make any college football picks for the week ahead, handicapper Matt McCuen is here to break down his college football power rankings as we head into Week 3.
College Football Power Rankings - Week 2
1. Georgia
Georgia remains the best team in college football despite not being tested yet. The Bulldogs blew out Ball State 45-3 in Week 2 and have allowed just one touchdown in eight quarters this season.
2. Florida State
I had the Seminoles No. 3 in my pre-season rankings, so this makes me feel good so far. Jordan Travis is a legitimate Heisman Candidate, while the defense for the Noles is filled with NFL-caliber athletes.
3. Texas
I had the Longhorns No. 8 in the pre-season, so similar to Florida State, this feels good after two weeks. Texas had one of their biggest wins in the last decade on Saturday night when they went into Tuscaloosa and dominated a great Alabama team.
4. Penn State
This is another team I was high on entering the season, and what I have seen from them thus far only makes me feel better. The Nittany Lions blew out Delaware over the weekend, and if they can stay healthy, they have a shot to win the Big Ten.
5. Michigan
Michigan remains a top-five team in the nation due to their offense, but I am concerned with what I have seen offensively. Michigan has played two bad teams, and they have not been able to score more than 35 points in either game. Nonetheless, this remains one of the top teams in college football.
Will the Wolverines win the Big Ten? Check out the latest odds
6. USC
Caleb Williams is the best player in college football, and USC has looked like one of the best offenses in college football in the young season. The Trojans have scored 56 points or more in all three games. The biggest question mark is how this defense will perform against legit offenses.
7. Notre Dame
The Irish have been extremely impressive, jumping out to a 3-0 start. Sam Hartman is the best quarterback the Irish have had in a decade, and this is a top-tier defense in college football. Notre Dame went into NC State and blew out a solid football team.
8. Ohio State
Ohio State has the potential to be a playoff team mainly due to the fact that they have some of the best athletes in college football, including wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. The Buckeyes are not nearly as good as they are typically at the quarterback position, which is why I do not have them as a top-five team.
9. Washington
Michael Penix Jr. will be in the Heisman conversation all season long. Washington has a top-three wide receiver core in college football and scores with the best of them. If the Husky's defense performs, watch out for this team.
10. Oregon State
I love the makeup of this Oregon State team, and while they have not necessarily been tested this year, I am impressed with the tape. The Beavers have one of the best offensive lines in college football and a top-tier defense.
11. Alabama
The Tide went down on Saturday night against Texas, and you have to imagine that if they lose one more game, their playoff hopes are gone. The quarterback position is much weaker this year for Bama than in years past, but this remains one of the most talented rosters in all of college football.
12. LSU
The Tigers lost their season opener against Florida State and bounced with a 72-10 win over Grambling. The schedule is tough for the Tigers, but there is a chance that they can go on a run led by quarterback Jayden Daniels.
13. Tennessee
The Vols are 2-0 to start the season, but they are yet to be tested against any real talent. Tennessee did not look great against a bad Austin Peavy squad in Week 2.
14. Oregon
The Ducks looked like they were going to lose against Texas Tech on Saturday night but stormed back late for a massive road victory. Bo Nix leads this Oregon team, and so far, so good for Nix and company.
15. Ole Miss
The Rebels went into Tulane and beat a good Green Wave team on Saturday. In typical Lane Kiffin fashion, this is one of the more talented offenses in college football, and it will all come down to getting stops this season for Ole Miss.
Can Ole Miss win the SEC, or will Georgia win it again? Find the odds here
16. Utah
The Utes survived an upset against Baylor on Saturday afternoon and started this season 2-0. Cam Rising has not been able to play yet, so Utah has to feel good about the start despite not having their quarterback.
17. Kansas State
This is a solid Wildcats team that has not been tested yet. Kansas State has wins against Missouri and Troy so far. They will have to go to Missouri in Week 3 and attempt to keep their perfect record.
18. Colorado
The Buffaloes continue to be America's team after a blowout win over Nebraska on Saturday. This is a fun team that is loaded with talent led by superstar Travis Hunter. The Buffs will take on Colorado State at home, where they are 22-point favorites this weekend.
19. Oklahoma
The Sooners are coming off of one of their worst seasons in school history, but so far, so good for them this year. The Sooners beat SMU 28-11 over the weekend and will travel to Tulsa on Saturday afternoon.
20. Miami
The Canes blew out Miami Ohio, in Week 1 and got a massive win over Texas A&M this weekend to start 2-0. The ACC appears to be open this year, and this is a team that will have a chance to win it. Miami will host Bethune this weekend.
Will Miami shock the ACC this season? Get the latest ACC odds by clicking here
21. North Carolina
After a big win over South Carolina, the Heels did not look impressive on Saturday as they needed double overtime to beat Appalachian State. The Heels will host Minnesota this weekend.
22. Duke
The ACC is well represented at the moment, and after their Week 1 win over Clemson, Duke proved they can be a legitimate contender in the conference. The Blue Devils will play host to Northwestern this weekend, where they are 19.5-point favorites.
23. UCLA
The Bruins have impressed me on defense this season, allowing just twenty-three points in eight quarters. This is an offense that will always be good with Chip Kelly at the helm, and they have impressed so far this season.
24. Iowa
Iowa beat Iowa State on Saturday in a game that was not always pretty. The Hawkeyes are off to a 2-0 start and will be in most games due to their outstanding defense.
25. Kansas
Led by the pre-season Big 12 player of the year Jalon Daniels, Kansas picked up an impressive win over Illinois on Friday night. I am high on this Jayhawks team this season and snuck them into my top 25.
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