College FB Week 3 Recap: Buy Air Force, Sell Kentucky

On Wall Street, it's smart to Buy when stocks are about to rise and Sell when they're about to plummet. 

In college football, it's no different. 

I'm not promoting band-wagon-jumping, mind you (where were all those USC fans 10 years ago?)—I'm simply projecting which teams could slip and which teams could surprise.

BUY: Air Force (3-0)

With a surprise win over TCU last Thursday, Air Forces jumps into my top 25. 

With upcoming road games at BYU and Navy, the Falcons could continue to climb. 

TCU was arguably the toughest game on the Air Force schedule, with the possible exception of Notre Dame. As the Irish are currently sitting at 0-3, the Falcons could be the favorite when November rolls around. Mark your calendars.

BUY: Texas Tech (3-0)

The Red Raiders can put points on the scoreboard, there's no question about it. 

This week's Big 12 opener against Oklahoma State is looking like a Tech win after OSU lost at Troy on Friday.  Troy had success spreading the ball all over the field, something that Coach Mike Leach loves to do. 

Texas Tech's first real test will be their October 13th home game against Texas A&M.  Good news for the Raiders: Texas and Oklahoma are the last two games of the season.  Bad news: There isn't a bye week between the two.

SELL: Kentucky (3-0) 

After the Wildcats' win over instate rival Louisville this weekend, many 'Cats fans are flying high. 

Unfortunately, Kentucky has to go to Arkansas this weekend, then turn around and head to South Carolina two weeks after that.  I don't see the Wildcats surviving both of those tough SEC road games. 

If I'm wrong, Kentucky will be 6-0 heading into matchups with LSU and Florida.  The best news I can conjure up for 'Cats fans is that those two games are in Lexington. 

That said, I still have Kentucky at #15 in my poll.  They deserve it after their big victory.

SELL: Missouri (3-0)

The Tigers have beaten Illinois, Ole Miss, and Western Michigan.  They should improve to 4-0 after this week's matchup against Illinois State. 

After that, it will be all downhill. 

Missouri must play Nebraska, then travel to Norman to play the Sooners.  I just can't imagine this bunch pulling off a win in either of these two games.

Here are my top 25 squads three weeks into the season:

1) LSU  (3-0)                           W vs. MTSU, 44-0

-The Tigers won big without Flynn or Doucet against MTSU, who gave Louisville problems.  Defense wins championships, and LSU has a great one.  

2) USC  (2-0)                           W @ Nebraska, 49-31

-USC passed their first test. They played better than the score indicates, but not well enough to leapfrog LSU.

3) Florida  (3-0)                       W vs. Tennessee, 59-20

-Florida also passed their first test, blowing out rival Tennessee.  This offense can play with anyone in the country.

4) Oklahoma  (3-0)                  W vs. Utah State, 54-3

-Another big victory for the Sooners.  Sam Bradford continues to look good; I want to see OU play their Big 12 schedule.

5) West Virginia  (3-0)             W @ Maryland, 31-14

-The running game is there.  If the defense can catch up, and if the passing game can improve enough to keep defenses honest, look out Big East.

6) California  (3-0)                   W vs. La Tech, 42-12

-The Bears dominated the same Bulldog team that gave Hawaii fits. Cal is continuing to prove that speed kills.

7) Penn State  (3-0)                  W vs. Buffalo, 45-24

-Penn State started out slow against the Bulls, but I’m not worried.  JoePa's good defense needs QB Anthony Morelli to continue to limit mistakes and turnovers.

8) Rutgers  (3-0)                       W vs. Norfolk State, 59-0

-The Scarlet Knights beat a cupcake FCS team.  I’m still not sure how much this team can accomplish.  Their big games are around the corner.  Don't worry Heisman voters, Ray Rice will have his tests.

9) Ohio State  (3-0)                  W @ Washington, 33-14

-OSU beat a very solid UW team on the road.  I was quite impressed at their second half play, especially against adversity.

10) Boston College  (3-0)         W @ Georgia Tech, 24-10

-Matt Ryan for Heisman?  The Eagles made GT’s defense look silly in Atlanta.  This was the third biggest statement game this week behind USC and Florida.  I bumped BC in front of Texas and Wisconsin due to the 'Horns and Badgers seemingly "ho-hum" efforts the past few weeks. 

11) Texas  (3-0)                        W @ UCF, 35-32

12) Wisconsin  (3-0)                 W vs. Citadel, 45-31

13) South Carolina  (3-0)         W vs. Sc State, 38-3

14) Oregon  (3-0)                     W vs. Fresno State, 52-21

15) Kentucky  (3-0)                  W vs. Louisville, 40-34

16) Clemson  (3-0)                   W vs. Furman, 38-10

17) Alabama  (3-0)                   W vs. Arkansas, 41-38

18) Louisville  (2-1)                   L @ Kentucky, 34-40

19) Hawaii  (3-0)                      W @ UNLV, 49-14

20) Texas A&M  (3-0)              W vs. La-Monroe, 54-14

21) Arkansas  (1-1)                   L @ Alabama, 38-41

22) Nebraska  (2-1)                   L vs. USC, 31-49

23) Georgia  (2-1)                    W vs. Western Carolina, 45-16

24) Air Force  (3-0)                  W vs. TCU, 20-17(OT)

25) Georgia Tech  (2-1)           L vs. Boston College, 10-24

My next 10:  Texas Tech, Cincinnati, Michigan State, Kansas, Missouri, Tennessee, USF, Washington, UCLA, and Purdue.

Air Force photo: (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Kentucky photo: (AP Photo/Ed Reinke)