Ahead of a huge showdown between Georgia and Alabama on Saturday night, the college football power rankings have no movement among the top ten.
1. Georgia Bulldogs (3-0) | Last week: 1
The Bulldogs and Crimson Tide each had a bye week before perhaps the biggest game of the regular season, and it’s a rematch of last year’s SEC Championship matchup that snapped Georgia’s 29-game win streak and kept them out of the College Football Playoff. Trevor Etienne and the three-headed backfield will be key in coming out of Tuscaloosa with a victory.
2. Texas Longhorns (4-0) | Last week: 2
Arch Manning wasn’t perfect in his first career start (15-of-29 for 258 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception), but Texas was able to coast to a 51-3 win as running back Jaydon Blue scored four times. Now, SEC play begins with the Longhorns taking on Mississippi State, then a bye week to prepare for rival Oklahoma and a powerhouse Georgia team.
3. Ohio State Buckeyes (3-0) | Last week: 3
Ohio State had some problems early on with Marshall on Saturday, but Quinshon Judkins (14 carries for 173 yards and two score) led the way in an eventual 49-14 victory, including an 86-yard touchdown behind the dominant left side of the offensive line. Everyone has their eyes on the October 12 game against Oregon, but the Buckeyes won’t overlook Michigan State or Iowa.
4. Alabama Crimson Tide (3-0) | Last week: 4
Jalen Milroe was playing with extreme confidence heading into the bye, and he knows he can beat Georgia after doing so in his lone opportunity when the Tide won the SEC Championship in December. It’ll be fun to see how 17-year-old freshman phenom Ryan Williams (averaging 28.5 yards per reception) handles the huge conference clash.
5. Ole Miss Rebels (4-0) | Last week: 5
Jaxson Dart has put up monster passing numbers with yardage totals of 418, 377, 377, and 382 through four games, and the Rebels haven’t yet been challenged with a 49.5-point average margin of victory. That should change this week versus a tough Kentucky team, but Ole Miss appears to be a force heading into SEC play.
6. Tennessee Volunteers (4-0) | Last week: 6
Tennessee is another team that appears to be legitimate, and their reputation as an explosive, high-flying offense has caused their improved defense to go overlooked. If star pass rusher James Pearce Jr. can start wrecking games, the Volunteers will be a major threat versus Alabama and Georgia later this fall.
7. Oregon Ducks (3-0) | Last week: 7
We still haven’t really seen the entire Oregon offense get going simultaneously, but quarterback Dillon Gabriel has top playmakers at every skill-position, and the 49-14 win over Oregon State before the bye should have them ready to roll against UCLA on Saturday for an 11 PM ET kickoff.
8. Missouri Tigers (4-0) | Last week: 8
Missouri was pushed to the limit with a double-overtime victory against a better-than-expected Vanderbilt team, and they had issues stopping the quarterback run with Diego Pavia carrying 17 times for 84 yards. The Tigers will regroup with a bye week before a tough trip to College Station.
9. Miami Hurricanes (4-0) | Last week: 9
South Florida initially gave the Hurricanes a fight like they did Alabama earlier this month, but Miami was able to outscore them 28-0 in the second half to improve to 4-0. We wouldn’t anticipate a slip up on Friday night for the ACC favorite with Cam Ward distributing the ball as well as any quarterback in the nation.
10. Penn State Nittany Lions (3-0) | Last week: 10
It came against an 0-4 Kent State team, but Penn State was completely dominant over the weekend—limiting them to 67 total yards while compiling 409 passing yards and 309 rushing yards themselves. Their 718 total yards set a new school record. An undefeated Illinois team fresh off a win over Nebraska will be a great measuring stick on Saturday night.