Race for the CFP Week 3: Plenty of Changes in Latest Top 25 Rankings
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Week 2 of the College Football season provided plenty of results that shook up the latest Top 25 — including Oklahoma State’s shocking upset over then No. 6 Oregon. In the SEC vs Big Ten blockbuster games, Michigan pulled off the minor upset over Oklahoma, and Texas came back for a statement win over top-ranked Ohio State.
After a solid 2-0 start to the season, Missouri moved up three spots to No. 20 in this week’s AP Top 25.
Here’s our latest Race for the CFP entering Week 3 of the season:
SEC favorite: Texas
The Longhorns delivered a 24-23 statement win over Ohio State in Austin. Texas comes in as the current No. 1 team in the country and rightfully so with the best win so far in College Football. Arch Manning and the Horns host UTSA in their final non-conference game before opening SEC play with a road game at Tennessee.
Big Ten favorite: Indiana
With Ohio State’s loss to Texas, Indiana moves into the Big Ten favorite spot (for now) — as the Hoosiers come in at No. 4 in the latest AP Top 25 poll. IU hosts Ohio State on October 17th. Home edge and coaching advantage to the Hoosiers.
Big 12 favorite: BYU
The Cougars opened up Big 12 play with a 28-17 win over Arizona — and jumped four spots to No. 11 in the latest AP Top 25. BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier will be a force to be reckoned with in the conference as he’s coming off a Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week honor.
ACC favorite: Miami (FL)
Both Darian Mensah and Malachi Toney look like Heisman candidates. The Canes come in at No. 5 in the latest AP Top 25 and should stay undefeated until their November 7th matchup at No. 3 Notre Dame.
Automatic Bid: Notre Dame
The Irish come in at No. 3 in the latest AP Top 25 poll after a 52-0 win over Rice. Notre Dame hosts Michigan State as starting quarterback CJ Carr is playing at a high-level. At No. 11 BYU (October 17th), vs No. 5 Miami (FL) on November 7th, and vs No. 16 SMU (November 21st) are key games to highlight on the Irish’s upcoming schedule.
Group of Six Automatic Bid: Boise State
In a 38-20 win over Memphis last week, the Broncos proved to be the current favorites among the Group of Six led by quarterback Maddux Madsen. Their September 26th game at Western Michigan will be one to watch.
At-Large Bid Selections:
Georgia:
Kirby Smart’s team is firing on all cylinders to start the season led by quarterback Gunner Stockton. The Bulldogs come in as the No. 2 team in the country and open up SEC play at Arkansas on Saturday.
Ohio State:
While a road loss to Texas isn’t bad on the resume at all, the Buckeyes squandered an opportunity after leading 23-3. Ohio State still has the talent to reach the playoff, but the margin for error is now slim after an early season loss. Ryan Day’s team will have plenty of opportunities in Big Ten play to make it up.
Ole Miss:
Coming in at No. 8 in the latest AP Top 25, Trinidad Chambliss and the Rebels took care of Charlotte 41-9, but all eyes are on the Ole Miss-LSU showdown on Saturday night.
LSU:
Perhaps sleepwalking a little bit, LSU was only ahead 10-7 at half against Louisiana Tech — then Lane Kiffin’s squad went on to win 45-14. Turnovers are currently problem for Sam Leavitt with two touchdowns and four interceptions.
Texas A&M:
Marcell Reed and the Aggies came away with a quality 48-20 win last week over an Arizona State team predicted to finish in the upper half of the Big 12. Texas A&M comes in at No. 9 in the latest AP Top 25 poll and hosts Kentucky on Saturday for their SEC opener.
Alabama:
Alabama comes in at No. 10 in the latest AP Top 25 poll after a convincing 45-17 road win over Kentucky to open SEC play. Kalen DeBoer’s Crimson Tide will look for revenge against Florida State on Saturday after losing to the Seminoles last year.
Top Four Seeds:
1. Texas
2. Georgia
3. Indiana
4. Notre Dame
Projected Bracket:
12) Boise State at 5) Ohio State
11) BYU at 6) Ole Miss
10) Alabama at 7) Miami (FL)
9) Texas A&M at 8) LSU
Final Four Pick:
1) Texas vs 4) Notre Dame
2) Georgia vs 3) Indiana
National Championship:
Texas over Georgia
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