Ohio State is still on top of my Associated Press Top 25 ballot this week, but Georgia moved up to No. 2 after the Bulldogs’ come-from-behind victory at Tennessee.
Rounding out my Top 10 is No. 3 LSU, No. 4 Miami, No. 5 Oregon, No. 6 Florida State, No. 7 Texas A&M, No. 8 Penn State, No. 9 Oklahoma and No. 10 Texas.
New to my ballot this week are Vanderbilt, Georgia Tech, and Alabama. Falling out of my Top 25 were South Carolina, Clemson, and South Florida.
My Top 25 ballot after Week 3:
The Buckeyes pulled away late to dispose of The University of Ohio 37-9. Ohio State only led 13-3 at halftime but overpowered the Bobcats in the second half. QB Julian Sayin (347 yards passing, two TDs) had his second consecutive game with 300 yards passing. RB Bo Jackson (109 yards rushing) and WRs Jeremiah Smith (nine catches, 153 yards, 1 TD) and Carnell Tate (five receptions, 101 yards, one TD) all put up big numbers. Ohio State is off this week before opening Big Ten play Sept. 27 at Washington.
Georgia outlasted Tennessee 44-41 in overtime. QB Gunner Stockton threw for 304 yards and two TDs and also ran for a TD as the Bulldogs won their ninth consecutive game against the Vols. Georgia rallied from deficits three times, including a game-tying TD and 2-point conversion with 2:32 remaining in regulation. The Bulldogs are off this week before Alabama comes to Athens Sept. 27.
3. LSU (3-0)
The Tigers intercepted – literally – Florida’s upset hopes in a 20-10 win against the Gators. LSU’s defense intercepted DJ Lagway five times, including Dashawn Spear’s 42-yard interception return for a TD. The Tigers were actually outgained by Florida, but the defense was the difference. QB Garrett Nussmeier threw for 220 yards. LSU hosts Southeastern Louisiana on Saturday.
The Hurricanes blasted South Florida 49-12 behind big days from QB Carson Beck and RB Mark Fletcher. Beck threw for 340 yards and three TDs, while Fletcher rushed for 121 yards and three TDs. On Saturday, Miami closes out its four-game homestand by hosting Florida.
The Ducks opened Big Ten play with a 34-14 victory at Northwestern. Dante Moore completed 16 of 20 passes for 178 yards, one TD and one interception. The Ducks topped 30 points for a national-best 28th time in their last 31 games. Oregon is off this week before traveling to Penn State on Sept. 27 in a massive Big Ten showdown.
Florida State was off last week. The Seminoles are also off this week. OK, not really. FSU will host Kent State on Saturday with the Golden Flashes receiving a $1.2 million payday for their troubles.
The Aggies stunned Notre Dame 41-40 in South Bend on Marcel Reed’s 11-yard fourth down TD pass to TE Nate Boerkircher with 13 seconds remaining. Reed finished with 360 yards passing and 37 yards rushing. A&M is off this week and opens SEC play Sept. 27 vs. Auburn.
Penn State completed its version of Murderers’ Row (Cadaver’s Row?) by blasting Villanova 52-6 to finish with a perfect non-conference record. The Nittany Lions nearly had their second consecutive shutout, but Villanova scored with no time remaining. Kaytron Allen (86 yards) and Nick Singleton (84 yards) combined for 170 yards rushing and three TDs, while Drew Allar threw for 209 yards and a TD. Penn State is off this week and jumps into Big Ten play Sept. 27 against Oregon.
Behind QB John Mateer, the Sooners kept rolling with a 42-3 win at Temple. Mateer had 345 yards total offense (282 yards passing, 63 yards rushing) with two TDs. RB Tory Blaylock added 100 yards rushing and two TDs. Next up: Saturday, the Sooners host Auburn, led by former OU QB Jackson Arnold.
Texas was lackluster in a 27-10 win against UTEP. QB Arch Manning only completed 11 of 25 for 114 yards with a TD and an interception. He also had 51 yards rushing and two TDs. Since pushing Ohio State to the limit in their opener, the Longhorns have looked average the past two weeks. Texas hosts Sam Houston on Saturday to close out its non-conference schedule.
11. Utah (3-0)
Result: Win 31-6 at Wyoming
12. Illinois (3-0)
Result: Win 38-0 vs. Western Michigan
13. Ole Miss (3-0)
Result: Win 41-35 vs. Arkansas
14. Notre Dame (0-2)
Result: Lost 41-40 to Texas A&M
15. Tennessee (2-1)
Result: Lost to Georgia 44-41 in overtime
16. Vanderbilt (3-0)
Result: Win 31-7 at South Carolina
17. Georgia Tech (3-0)
Result: Win 24-21 vs. Clemson
18. Iowa State (4-0)
Result: Win 24-16 at Arkansas State
19. USC (3-0)
Result: Win 33-17 at Purdue
20. Michigan (2-1)
Result: Win 63-3 vs. Central Michigan
21. Texas Tech (3-0)
Result: Win 45-14 vs. Oregon State
22. Mississippi State (3-0)
Result: Win 63-0 vs. Alcorn State
23. Auburn (3-0)
Result: Win 31-15 vs. South Alabama
24. Missouri (3-0)
Result: Win 52-10 vs. Louisiana
25. Alabama (2-1)
Result: Win 38-14 vs. Wisconsin
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