Week 3 CFBRanking’s Top 26

1. Clemson (Last week: 1)

Last Week: W over Texas A&M 24-10

The win was never in doubt for the Tigers, who lead 24-3 at one point vs the Aggies. Clemson continues to stay at #1 and heads to Syracuse this week.

2. Alabama (2)

Last Week: W over New Mexico St 62-10

The Tide continues to blow out lower opponents, and nothing will change when they play South Carolina this week.

3. Oklahoma (3)

Last Week: W over South Dakota 70-14

Oklahoma has not lost a step on offense and the defense looks to be better than last season. The Sooners will be on the road this week vs UCLA, but should win handily.

4. LSU (6)

Last Week: W over Texas 45-38

LSU has arguably been the most impressive team through 2 weeks. The Tigers offense looks like it never has before. This Week LSU gets FCS Northwestern St at home.

5. Georgia (4)

Last Week: W over Murray State 63-17

The Bulldogs blew out another inferior opponent. They get Arkansas St at home this week, before the showdown with Notre Dame.

6. Ohio State (5)

Last Week: W over Cincinnati 42-0

The Buckeyes torched Cincinnati by 42, which was surprising as many expected a closer game. Justin Fields has looked very good. The Buckeyes travel to Indiana this week.

7. Utah (9)

Last Week: W over Northern Illinois 35-17

The Utes have become the sole front runner for the playoff from the Pac 12 and took care of business vs NIU. Now comes FCS Idaho St, before a game against a surprising USC team.

8. Michigan (8)

Last Week: W over Army 24-21 2OT

The Wolverines hung on in double OT vs a stingy Army team. Michigan does not get the benefit of jumping a spot like the back of the Top 10 did. The Wolverines get a bye week to clean things up, before a road game at Wisconsin.

9. Florida (10)

Last Week: W over UT Martin 45-0

The Gators handled UT Martin easily, as expected. They go on the road to face Kentucky this week. However, the Cats just lost QB Terry Wilson for the season.

10. Notre Dame (11)

Last Week: BYE

The Irish had a bye week and moved up 1 spot. Notre Dame faces New Mexico this week, before traveling to Georgia for a huge game.

11. Penn State (14)

Last Week: W over Buffalo 45-13

The Nittany Lions struggled early, but eventually pulled away. Up next is a rivalry game against Pittsburgh that could pose a problem if they play like they did vs the Bulls early.

12. TCU (13)

Last Week: BYE

The Horned Frogs had a bye week to prepare for their next opponent: the Purdue Boilermakers with the always electric Rondale Moore and QB Elijah Sindelar.

13. Texas (12)

Last Week: L vs LSU 45-38

Texas loses are heartbreaker to LSU. But they showed that they can contend with top teams, as they also did last year. The Horns are rewarded by only dropping one spot, but now they have no room for error. Up next is Rice.

14. Iowa (17)

Last Week: W over Rutgers 30-0

The Iowa defense continues to look very good early this year. Nate Stanley has thrown 6 TDs and 0 INTs, but competition is about to ramp up real quick. Up next is the Cyclones of Ames with College Gameday on hand.

15. Washington St (18)

Last Week: W over Northern Colorado 59-17

Wazzu has blown out 2 low level teams to help break in new QB Anthony Gordon. Up next is Houston and their always dangerous offense. This is the year’s first test for the Cougs.

16. Auburn (19)

Last Week: W over Tulane 24-6

It wasn’t pretty, but the Tigers won at home. Auburn is 2-0, but only led for 9 seconds vs Oregon and only won by 18 vs Tulane. They find themselves at 16 with plenty of chances ahead on the schedule. Up next is Kent St at home.

17. Wisconsin (25T)

Last Week: W over Central Michigan 61-0

The Badgers have not allowed a single point so far this season. That’s rather impressive and why they get an 8 spot jump this week. A bye week comes before a big test at home vs Michigan.

18. Texas A&M (15)

Last Week: L vs Clemson 24-10

The Aggies fought hard, but weren’t really ever within striking distance in Death Valley. They only drop a couple spots and get FCS Lamar at home to regroup this week.

19. Oregon (20)

Last Week: W over Nevada 77-6

Oregon bounced back in a big way with a blowout win vs Nevada. The Ducks get a chance to boost their confidence again when FCS Montana comes to town.

20. Washington (7)

Last Week: L vs California 20-19

An unfortunate situation of a long weather delay leading to a restart at 10:30 PT and a good Cal D spelled trouble for one of my playoff teams. The Huskies fell at home in front of a ¼ capacity crowd. They get a surging Hawaii team at home this week, but the playoff seems to be fading quickly.

21. Boise State (21)

Last Week: W over Marshall 14-7

The offense wasn’t pretty, but the defense made stops when it had to and the Broncos came out on top at home. FCS Portland St comes to town this week, as the Broncos look to move to 3-0.

22. UCF (22)

Last Week: W over FAU 48-14

Business as usual for the Knights. They blow away FAU on the road, but the road gets tougher with Stanford coming to town this week, and then Pittsburgh the week after. 2 P5 opportunities for the Knights loom.

23. Iowa State (23)

Last Week: BYE

Iowa State took a week off to fix some issues that led to a near upset vs Northern Iowa. During the off week, they earned a visit from College Gameday. The Clones will “welcome” Iowa to Ames this week.

24. Virginia (24)

Last Week: W over William & Mary 52-17

Virginia took care of business vs the Tribe and look to keep it rolling this week vs FSU, who just about lost to UL Monroe this week.

25. Memphis (25T)

Last Week: W over Southern 55-24

Memphis did what they were supposed to do and that’s win handily. The Tigers will travel to South Alabama this week, as they look to move to 3-0 on the season.

26. Maryland (NR)

Last Week: W over Syracuse 63-20

How about the Terps? They have now scored 79 and 63 through 2 weeks. This is a team on the rise and they look to keep it going this week on the road vs Temple. Temple blew out the Terrapins last year, so Maryland is looking for revenge.

Next Teams Up

• Michigan State

Last Week: W over Western Mich 51-17

• North Carolina

Last Week: W over Miami Fl 28-25

• California

Last Week: W over Washington 20-19

• Miss State

Last Week: W over Southern Miss 38-15

• Kentucky

Last Week: W over Eastern Mich 38-17

• Oklahoma State

Last Week: W over McNeese St 56-14