Just two spots flip in this week’s college football power rankings after a relatively light week.
1. Georgia Bulldogs (3-0) | Last week: 1
For what was deemed a down schedule on paper, Georgia was totally put on the ropes by Kentucky. Eventually, the Dawgs came through to win 13-12 after a 9-6 deficit through three quarters. Kirby Smart basically said postgame that winning SEC games on the road versus teams like Kentucky is no easy task, and he was proud of the leadership his team showed.
2. Texas Longhorns (3-0) | Last week: 2
A strained abdomen forced quarterback Quinn Ewers out of the game against UTSA, but Arch Manning entered the game and was completely dominant with 223 passing yards and four touchdowns on 12 attempts—along with an eye-opening 67-yard touchdown run. The Longhorns look like a machine and have an obvious case for No. 1.
3. Ohio State Buckeyes (2-0) | Last week: 3
Ohio State was off, so they had an extra week to prepare to host Marshall and get rolling ahead of the Big Ten slate beginning.
4. Alabama Crimson Tide (3-0) | Last week: 4
Going on the road to face Wisconsin is not an easy early-season task, but Alabama took off in the second quarter and passed with flying colors. The Tide won by 32 points, outgained the Badgers 407-209, and got off the field on third down (allowed 3/14 conversions—though Wisconsin did go 3/4 on fourth down). Jalen Milroe had another all-around performance with three passing touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns.
5. Ole Miss Rebels (3-0) | Last week: 5
In a tougher test facing a Power Four school, Lane Kiffin’s Rebels didn’t have much trouble didn’t have much trouble putting up a lopsided score (40-6). The first quarter included a 25-yard touchdown run by Henry Parrish Jr., a 75-yard touchdown from Jaxson Dart to Jordan Watkins, and another 22-yard touchdown run by Parrish Jr.—getting Ole Miss to a quick 20-3 lead.
6. Tennessee Volunteers (3-0) | Last week: 6
Dylan Sampson (13 carries, 101 yards, four touchdowns), DeSean Bishop (seven carries, 120 yards, two touchdowns), and Peyton Lewis (ten carries, 99 yards) were the headliners for the Vols in their 71-0 drubbing of Kent State which included 65 points in the first half. The only thing missing from the afternoon was a sack or turnover from the defense.
7. Oregon Ducks (3-0) | Last week: 8 (+1)
It felt incredibly odd to have Oregon-Oregon State play in early September instead of late November, but that’s college football after realignment. The Ducks looked a lot like the team everyone expected this preseason, winning by five touchdowns on the road behind a balanced attack that really got going in the second half (27-0 margin).
8. Missouri Tigers (3-0) | Last week: 7 (-1)
The Tigers were in a battle against Boston College in a ranked matchup considered to be the best on the schedule last week. A key for Missouri was limiting the Eagles’ rushing attack, which they were able to do while also picking off Thomas Castellanos twice. They’ll remain home to host Vandy this Saturday.
9. Miami Hurricanes (3-0) | Last week: 10 (+1)
Miami has not slowed down at all since their opening season win at The Swamp, with home margins of victory of 56-9 and 62-0 over the past two weeks ahead of a road matchup at South Florida—a team that gave Alabama some trouble until late in the game a couple of weeks ago.
10. Penn State Nittany Lions (2-0) | Last week: 9 (-1)
Penn State had a bye week to regroup to some extent after Bowling Green played them closer than expected. The Nittany Lions continue a four-game home stretch with Kent State, Illinois, and UCLA over the next four weeks.