College Football Week 3 Power Rankings

Similar to Week 1, there was limited drama or ripples in Week 2. Another top ten clash provided some shifting as Georgia rebounded after their opening loss to Clemson to down South Carolina in a major contest in the SEC East. Another top 25 contest provided a team to drop a bit as Notre Dame fell to Michigan in their game in the Big House. Besides South Carolina and Notre Dame slipping a bit, Texas and USC take a tumble off the list after tough losses. Texas' defense looked at an all time worst level while USC's offense lacks a punch. The teams to benefit from those falls are Miami (FL), which had one of its biggest wins in the last few years beating Florida and dropping them in the polls, and Baylor, who continue to look like an offensive juggernaut.

With Week 3 quickly approaching, here are this week's power rankings:

1)(1) Alabama (at Texas A&M)- They had a week off to prep for Texas A&M and getting revenge for nearly costing them a national title last year.

2)(2) Oregon (vs Tennessee)- Their offense continues to amaze and likely will put up another 50 points again this week.

3)(3) Ohio State (at California)- They played much closer to their ability in their second game and will likely continue to find ways to improve before tougher games.

4)(4) Stanford (at Army)- They should repeat their opening game success and make a case for being one of the best teams.

5)(6) Clemson (BYE)- The Tigers get a week to rest up and see why they were not as sharp in Week 2.

6)(7) Texas A&M (vs Alabama)- Last year, the team and its quarterback arrived on the national stage and national title conversation. A repeat performance might put them on track to have an even better year.

7)(8) Louisville (at Kentucky)- Like the first two games, this week's game will be a QB Teddy Bridgewater showcase game.

8)(10) Georgia (BYE)- A much earned week off after probably having the hardest first two games of the year.

9)(9) Florida State (vs Nevada)- It should be interesting to see how QB Jameis Winston follows his debut.

10)(11) LSU (vs Kent State)- The Tigers' continue to expand their offense and this week should provide another opportunity to get ready for their conference schedule.

11)(17) Michigan (vs Akron)- They had a couple errors against Notre Dame but look capable of potentially winning the Big Ten.

12)(5) South Carolina (vs Vanderbilt)- They played hard throughout but just did not have enough to outlast Georgia and prepare for a rematch of last year's great opening night game with Vanderbilt.

13)(15) Oklahoma State (vs Lamar)- While there are some off the field controversies swirling, the team has opposing teams confused and should run up the score this week.

14)(14) Oklahoma (vs Tulsa)- They aren't blowing teams out but they are doing enough and there are only a couple teams in their conference they might need to prep for a shootout.

15)(18) Wisconsin (at Arizona State)- They are flying under the Big Ten radar with a squad on par with the last few years.

16)(19) Nebraska (vs UCLA)- They played much more like they are capable of in Week 2 and will need to be just as good in Week 3 to fend off a very talented UCLA team.

17)(20) UCLA (at Nebraska)- This week they have a big road test and a chance to show what type of team they have this year. A win could give them a lot of confidence going into their conference games.

18)(22) Northwestern (vs Western Michigan)- They are not flashy, but score a lot of points and are an increasing more balanced team.

19)(NR) Miami (FL) (BYE)- The Hurricanes get a bye and a chance to prepare for what could be a big year in their conference if they can follow their performance against Florida.

20)(13) Notre Dame (at Purdue)- They looked lost at times on defense but still kept fighting. Their approach from last year has carried over into this year and they should rebound.

21)(12) Florida (BYE)- They rose a bit unsurprisingly into the national title conversation last year but fell flat in the Sugar Bowl and have looked like they might not be as good as some thought.

22)(23) TCU (at Texas Tech)- They are still a top defensive team and will need to utilize that to continue to compete at a high level against better teams.

23)(24) Washington (at Illinois)- They return to the field and have a chance to show if they can play as well on the road.

24)(NR) Baylor (BYE)- Their offense is quite scary and almost on par with a team like Oregon. They were a potential Big 12 sleeper and might be more if they continue to grow.

25)(25) Michigan State (vs Youngstown State)- They have won close and won big and are still a tough team to figure out.

NEXT 5

1) Texas (vs Mississippi)- They started slow in their first game before exploding during the second half but could not duplicate that effort in Week 2 as they were run over in every way possible and their defense is likely not capable of a performance that bad again.

2) USC (vs Boston College)- They are struggling to figure out who is their best quarterback and do not seem to have the ability to put up points.

3) Mississippi (at Texas)- They have been a pleasant surprise so far with a couple of solid wins and could make even more noise by going to Austin and beating the wounded Longhorns.

4) Virginia Tech (at East Carolina)- They bounced back quite well after their tough loss to Alabama and seem on pace to continue their winning ways.

5) Arizona State (vs Wisconsin)- They were very good to start their year and could make a big statement of what type of team they are in Week 3.

This week continues to the trend of the first couple weeks: a top ten matchup and a top 25 matchup so some movement will be expected again next week especially if A&M can upend the Crimson Tide again. It truly isn't a week in college football without one top 25 getting impacted by a win or loss. Can some teams continue to dominate? Can other rebound? Each week begins to shape the top tier contenders.