College Football Rankings 2014: Power Ranking All 128 Teams for Week 3
Another week, another round of major movement among the top teams in college football.
Thanks to some marquee matchups between highly rated teams, as well as a few major upsets, Bleacher Report's power rankings went through a significant shake-up. Teams that were ranked in the 20s a week ago are no longer among the top 50, while others that were sitting in the 30s or 40s are now in the top 25.
And spoiler alert: The top of the power rankings has even more turnover.
Our power rankings are comprised of an average of five ratings: The Associated Press media and Amway coaches polls, Bleacher Report's Top 25, ratings guru Jeff Sagarin's computer ledger and my personal ranking.
Take a look at how we ranked all 128 FBS teams heading into Week 3 and then let us know your thoughts in the comments section.
Nos. 128-91
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Several of the teams in the bottom rung of FBS earned wins in Week 2. Southern Mississippi matched its victory total from 2013 with a 26-20 win over Alcorn State, and Florida International rebounded from a home loss to FCS Bethune-Cookman by knocking off fellow lower-division school Wagner 34-3.
On the other end of the spectrum, Miami (Ohio) lost 17-10 at home to FCS Eastern Kentucky to extend its losing streak to 18 games, and Vanderbilt suffered its second straight blowout loss at home by falling 41-3 to Ole Miss in its SEC opener.
- 128. Massachusetts (0-2)
- 127. Georgia State (1-1)
- 126. New Mexico (0-2)
- 125. Eastern Michigan (1-1)
- 124. Miami, Ohio (0-2)
- 123. Southern Mississippi (1-1)
- 122. New Mexico State (2-0). The Aggies won 34-31 at Georgia State on an 11-yard touchdown pass from Tyler Rogers to Teldrick Morgan with 15 seconds left to win their Sun Belt opener and open 2-0 for the first time in 15 years.
- 121. UTEP (1-1)
- 120. Purdue (1-1)
- 119. Appalachian State (1-1)
- 118. Troy (0-2)
- 117. Kent State (0-2)
- 116. Hawaii (0-2)
- 115. Air Force (1-1)
- 113. (tie) Tulsa (1-1)
- 113. (tie) Florida Atlantic (0-2)
- 112. Old Dominion (1-1)
- 111. Western Michigan (0-1)
- 110. Florida International (1-1)
- 109. Idaho (0-1)
- 108. Tulane (0-2)
- 107. SMU (0-2). The Mustangs are the first FBS team that needs to replace its coach after June Jones announced Monday he was resigning after six-plus seasons, per an AP report. SMU has been outscored 88-6 this year and next plays Sept. 20 at home against Texas A&M.
- 106. Georgia Southern (1-1)
- 105. Vanderbilt (0-2)
- 104. UAB (1-1)
- 103. Buffalo (1-1)
- 102. Connecticut (1-1)
- 100. (tie) San Jose State (1-1)
- 100. (tie) Central Michigan (2-0). Thomas Rawls rushed for 155 yards and two touchdowns to pace the Chippewas to a 38-17 win at Purdue for their first 2-0 start since 2002. It was CMU's third win over a Big Ten team since 2009 and first since winning at Iowa two years ago.
- 99. UNLV (1-1)
- 98. Wake Forest (1-1)
- 96. (tie) Wyoming (2-0)
- 96. (tie) Ohio (1-1)
- 95. Louisiana-Monroe (2-0)
- 92. (tie) North Texas (1-1)
- 92. (tie) Middle Tennessee (1-1)
- 92. (tie) Colorado (1-1)
- 91. Army (1-0). The Black Knights ran for 341 yards, with Larry Dixon gaining 174 of that along with two touchdowns in a 47-39 win over Buffalo in coach Jeff Monken's debut.
Nos. 90-61
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While the Big Ten had a rough week overall, Illinois managed to move to 2-0 for the second year in a row with a 42-34 win over Western Kentucky. The Fighting Illini trailed 27-21 entering the fourth quarter but 456 passing yards and three touchdowns from Wes Lunt and a 77-yard interception return TD by Taylor Barton set up a showdown of unbeatens Saturday with 2-0 Washington.
- 90. Iowa State (0-2). The Cyclones were 90 seconds away from an upset of Kansas State, but instead their 32-28 loss was their ninth in the last 10 home games. ISU is 0-2 for the second straight year and third time since 2007.
- 87. (tie) Washington State (0-2)
- 87. (tie) South Florida (1-1)
- 87. (tie) Akron (1-1)
- 86. Texas State (1-0)
- 85. Ball State (1-1)
- 84. Temple (1-1)
- 83. Nevada (2-0)
- 82. Louisiana-Lafayette (1-1)
- 81. Western Kentucky (1-1)
- 80. Fresno State (0-2)
- 79. Louisiana Tech (1-1)
- 77. (tie) Virginia (1-1)
- 77. (tie) Boston College (1-1)
- 76. Northwestern (0-2). The Wildcats have dropped their first two games for the first time since 2004 after losing 23-15 at home to Northern Illinois. Northwestern hasn't started 0-3 since 1992 but is off until hosting FCS Western Illinois on Sept. 20.
- 75. Toledo (1-1)
- 74. Colorado State (1-1)
- 73. Houston (1-1)
- 72. Arkansas State (1-1)
- 71. UTSA (1-1)
- 69. (tie) South Alabama (1-0)
- 69. (tie) North Carolina State (2-0)
- 68. Kansas (1-0)
- 67. Rice (0-1)
- 66. East Carolina (1-1)
- 65. Utah State (1-1)
- 64. Rutgers (2-0)
- 63. Illinois (2-0)
- 62. Bowling Green (1-1)
- 61. Kentucky (2-0). The Wildcats matched their win total from each of the previous two seasons with a 20-3 win over Ohio, holding the Bobcats to 223 yards. Next up is the SEC opener at Florida, where Kentucky hasn't won since 1986.
Nos. 60-51
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Four of the 10 teams that find themselves just outside the top 50 suffered their first loss on Saturday, but those setbacks were in two completely different forms.
For Memphis (42-35 loss at UCLA) and San Diego State (31-27 loss at North Carolina), the defeats could be characterized as positive results because of how well the teams performed despite being on the road and playing across the country from their homes.
And then there was Michigan and Texas, who suffered among the worst losses for each program in recent memory. Michigan was blanked 31-0 at Notre Dame, ending its NCAA-record 365-game streak (dating to 1984) without being shut out, while Texas' 41-7 home loss to BYU was the Longhorns' worst home defeat in 17 years.
- 59. (tie) Navy (1-1)
- 59. (tie) Arkansas (1-1)
- 58. Memphis (1-1)
- 57. California (2-0)
- 56. Minnesota (2-0)
- 55. Indiana (1-0)
- 54. Georgia Tech (2-0). The Yellow Jackets rushed for 344 yards in a 38-21 win at Tulane, scoring the game's final 24 points to spoil the first game played in Tulane's on-campus Yulman Stadium.
- 53. San Diego State (1-1)
- 52. Texas (1-1)
- 51. Michigan (1-1)
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50. Boise State Broncos
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Average rating: 47.5
Week 2 result: Won 37-24 vs. Colorado State
Week 3 matchup: Sept. 13 at Connecticut
Boise State (1-1) took early control of the Mountain West's Mountain Division behind 219 rushing yards and two touchdowns from Jay Ajayi.
The Broncos amassed 676 yards, with Grant Hedrick throwing for 352 and two TDs and rushing for 80 yards and a score. Matt Miller had 151 receiving yards and a TD on eight catches, with his 44-yard TD catch giving the Broncos a 37-10 lead in the third quarter.
49. West Virginia Mountaineers
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Average rating: 46.75
Week 2 result: Won 54-0 vs. Towson
Week 3 matchup: Sept. 13 at Maryland
West Virginia (1-1) gained 606 yards and held Towson to only 122 in posting its first shutout since 2010.
Clint Trickett threw for 348 yards with two touchdowns and also ran for a TD, while Rushel Shell and Andrew Blue combined for 141 rushing yards and two scores.
48. Northern Illinois Huskies
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Average rating: 46.17
Week 2 result: Won 23-15 at Northwestern
Week 3 matchup: Sept. 13 at Northern Illinois
Northern Illinois (2-0) got three total touchdowns from quarterback Drew Hare, including a pair of TD passes to Da'Ron Brown for its fifth win against a Big Ten team in the past five years and its 16th straight victory in a true road game.
The Huskies rushed for 221 yards in winning their first game in seven tries against Northwestern to notch their third win against the Big Ten in the past two seasons.
47. Texas Tech Red Raiders
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Average rating: 44.88
Week 2 result: Won 30-26 at UTEP
Week 3 matchup: Sept. 13 vs. Arkansas
Texas Tech (2-0) needed three touchdown passes from Davis Webb to Bradley Marquez to hold off a pesky UTEP team on the road, the last coming with 2:32 left.
The Red Raiders also got 135 rushing yards and a TD from Justin Stockton but struggled to stop UTEP running back Aaron Jones (147 yards and two TDs).
46. Maryland Terrapins
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Average rating: 44.0
Week 2 result: Won 24-17 at South Florida
Week 3 matchup: Sept. 13 vs. West Virginia
Maryland (2-0) scored 10 points in the fourth quarter to get past South Florida, with Avery Thompson recovering a blocked punt in the end zone for the go-ahead score.
The Terrapins offense managed only 317 yards, with C.J. Brown throwing for 201 yards and two touchdowns, both to Marcus Leak in the first quarter.
44. (tie) Syracuse Orange
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Average rating: 43.5
Week 2 result: Bye
Week 3 matchup: Sept. 13 at Central Michigan
Syracuse (1-0) had a week off after its narrow win over Villanova, a game that went to overtime and ended with the Orange stopping a two-point conversion for the victory.
The Orange will be without quarterback Terrel Hunt for the first half of its next game after he was ejected against Villanova for throwing a punch. Sophomore Austin Wilson, who relieved Hunt, will start in his place.
44. (tie) Miami Hurricanes
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Average rating: 43.5
Week 2 result: Won 41-7 vs. Florida A&M
Week 3 matchup: Sept. 13 vs. Arkansas State
Miami (1-1) rebounded from its opening loss at Louisville with a defense-fueled win over FCS Florida A&M, holding the Rattlers to 114 yards including just 25 on the ground.
Phillip Dorsett caught two touchdown passes from Brad Kaaya as the Hurricanes built a 28-0 lead, while Duke Johnson rushed for 97 yards and a TD on just nine carries.
43. Utah Utes
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Average rating: 42.88
Week 2 result: Won 59-27 vs. Fresno State
Week 3 matchup: Bye
Utah (2-0) threw six touchdown passes in a runaway victory, with Travis Wilson tossing five scores on just 20 passing attempts.
Wilson hit both Dres Anderson and Kenneth Scott for a pair of TDs, while backup quarterback Kendal Thompson added a passing TD and a rushing score. Thompson, the Oklahoma transfer, had 158 yards of total offense.
42. Marshall Thundering Herd
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Average rating: 41.4
Week 2 result: Won 48-7 vs. New Hampshire
Week 3 matchup: Sept. 13 vs. Ohio
Marshall (2-0) churned out 724 yards of total offense in a walkover win over FCS New Hampshire, gaining 432 yards on the ground in the victory.
Rakeem Cato threw for 267 yards and two touchdowns while adding 143 rushing yards and a score. Running back Devon Johnson ran for 137 yards and a TD.
41. Oregon State Beavers
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Average rating: 40.83
Week 2 result: Won 38-30 at Hawaii
Week 3 matchup: Bye
Oregon State (2-0) got 300 passing yards and three touchdowns from quarterback Sean Mannion, while Terron Ward rushed for 124 yards and two scores to build a 38-7 lead before hanging on late.
The Beavers led by 31 points entering the fourth quarter before allowing Hawaii to score 23 points in the final period.
40. Iowa Hawkeyes
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Average rating: 39.75
Week 2 result: Won 17-13 vs. Ball State
Week 3 matchup: Sept. 13 vs. Iowa State
Iowa (2-0) scored a pair of touchdowns in the final two minutes, 52 seconds of play to rally past Ball State and avoid a crushing early loss. The TDs were both on passes from Jake Rudock, who was 33-of-52 for 322 yards.
Rudock was the Hawkeyes' leading rusher, too, but with only 36 yards. Iowa didn't play bad defensively, allowing only 219 yards and no offensive touchdowns, as Ball State's TD came on a fumble return in the first quarter.
39. Pittsburgh Panthers
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Average rating: 37.5
Week 2 result: Beat Boston College 30-20
Week 3 matchup: Sept. 13 at Florida International
A dominant run game and just enough passing to keep a defense honest was the recipe Pittsburgh used to move to 2-0 for the first time in three years.
James Conner was a monster on the ground, rushing for 214 yards and a touchdown on 36 carries, a week after he scored four rushing TDs in a shutout win over FCS Delaware. But it was a pair of TD passes from Chad Voytik to Tyler Boyd that staked the Panthers to a 20-7 halftime lead.
Pitt's defense also stepped up again, holding Boston College to just 276 yards and intercepting a pair of passes from Tyler Murphy.
38. UCF Knights
16 of 53
Average rating: 35.5
Week 2 result: Bye
Week 3 matchup: Sept. 13 at Missouri
UCF (0-1) will have a new starting quarterback for its second game, with Justin Holman getting tabbed as the starter by coach George O'Leary after his great relief performance in the opening loss to Penn State.
Holman threw for 204 yards and a touchdown on 9-of-14 passing and added a pair of rushing touchdowns, leading the Knights back from a pair of 10-point deficits to lead 24-23 late before Penn State scored a field goal as time expired.
37. Cincinnati Bearcats
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Average rating: 35.13
Week 2 result: Bye
Week 3 matchup: Sept. 12 vs. Toledo
Cincinnati is the only FBS team yet to have played a game this season, as the Bearcats' schedule strangely opened with two straight bye weeks.
The extra preparation time should enable Notre Dame transfer Gunner Kiel to have even more preparation time for his debut as Cincinnati's quarterback.
36. Washington Huskies
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Average rating: 35.1
Week 2 result: Won 59-52 vs. Eastern Washington
Week 3 matchup: Sept. 13 vs. Illinois
Washington (2-0) found its offensive after a sluggish opening performance at Hawaii, but it also struggled to stop FCS Eastern Washington in a high-scoring shootout that went down to the last minutes.
The Huskies led 21-0 after seven minutes, with the third touchdown coming on a 58-yard rushing touchdown by linebacker Shaq Thompson. But they trailed 38-37 in the third quarter because they couldn't get to Eastern Washington quarterback Vernon Adams, who threw for 475 yards and seven TDs.
Washington scored seven rushing touchdowns, with three by quarterback Cyler Miles, who also threw for 180 yards and a TD after sitting out the win at Hawaii due to a one-game suspension.
35. Tennessee Volunteers
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Average rating: 34.63
Week 2 result: Won 34-19 vs. Arkansas State
Week 3 matchup: Sept. 13 at Oklahoma
Tennessee opened 2-0 for the fourth straight season as Justin Worley threw for 247 yards and two touchdowns.
The Volunteers trailed 6-0 early but then controlled the rest of the game, with Worley throwing both TD passes to Marquez North. North had four catches for 68 yards, while newcomer Von Pearson had four receptions for 71 yards.
Jalen Hurd ran for 83 yards and a touchdown.
34. Duke Blue Devils
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Average rating: 33.5
Week 2 result: Won 34-17 at Troy
Week 3 matchup: Sept. 13 vs. Kansas
Duke (2-0) won its eighth straight nonconference game, getting 315 yards of total offense and three total touchdowns from quarterback Anthony Boone in the road victory.
The Blue Devils trailed 14-3 before scoring 21 points in seven minutes in the second quarter. That run was fueled by Boone, who rushed for a 30-yard TD and threw a 49-yard pass to Issac Blakeney.
33. Oklahoma State Cowboys
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Average rating: 32.8
Week 2 result: Won 40-23 vs. Missouri State
Week 3 matchup: Sept. 13 vs. UTSA
Oklahoma State (1-1) got into the win column with a strong offensive effort at home against an FCS team, but now the Cowboys must move forward with a different quarterback than it began the season after J.W. Walsh suffered a foot injury in the win.
Walsh had thrown for 30 yards and rushed for 42 before getting hurt, with Arizona transfer Daxx Garman coming in and completing 16 of 26 passes for 244 yards and two touchdowns. Garman threw an 87-yard TD pass to Brandon Shepard and connected with Jhajuan Seales on a 21-yard scoring strike.
32. TCU Horned Frogs
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Average rating: 32.75
Week 2 result: Bye
Week 3 matchup: Sept. 13 vs. Minnesota
TCU (1-0) had an early bye after crushing FCS Samford in the opening week, a game in which the Horned Frogs saw quarterback Trevone Boykin throw for 320 yards and two touchdowns.
The Horned Frogs allowed only 143 yards in that game while gaining 555.
31. Arizona Wildcats
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Average rating: 32.4
Week 2 result: Beat UTSA 26-23
Week 3 matchup: Sept. 13 vs. Nevada
Arizona (2-0) earned a big road win behind early offense and late defense with plenty of great kicking in between.
The Wildcats got an 85-yard touchdown pass from Anu Solomon to Cayleb Jones on the game's first offensive play, while true freshman running back Nick Wilson rushed for 174 yards and a TD on 30 carries. Arizona's defense buckled down in the second half, stopping the Roadrunners on their last seven third-down attempts. A key interception by Scooby Wright on a shovel pass with less than two minutes sealed the win.
Arizona also got four field goals from Casey Skowron, who has made seven in the Wildcats' first two games on eight tries. Last season Arizona made just 12 of 19 field-goal tries.
30. Mississippi State Bulldogs
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Average rating: 30.6
Week 2 result: Won 47-34 vs. UAB
Week 3 matchup: Sept. 13 at South Alabama
Mississippi State (2-0) found itself in an unexpected shootout early against UAB, trailing for most of the second quarter before pulling away behind 516 yards of total offense.
Dak Prescott threw for 211 yards and four touchdowns while adding 111 rushing yards and a score. He was one of two 100-yard rushers for the Bulldogs, with Josh Robinson gaining 124 yards with a TD on 20 carries.
Mississippi State was outgained 548-516 and trailed 17-13 and 20-19 at times during the game.
29. Penn State Nittany Lions
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Average rating: 30.0
Week 2 result: Won 21-3 vs. Akron
Week 3 matchup: Sept. 13 at Rutgers
Behind 319 yards and three touchdowns from quarterback Christian Hackenberg, Penn State (2-0) won its home opener in a low-scoring affair. A few days later, that win took on more significance when it meant the Nittany Lions were one-third of the way toward bowl eligibility.
On Monday the NCAA announced it was ending Penn State's postseason ban two years early, meaning the Lions would be able to play in a bowl game and the Big Ten championship this season. PSU will also have its scholarship limitations lifted, allowing it to have 85 scholarships in 2015 instead of 72, another sanction imposed as part of the Jerry Sandusky scandal.
Hackenberg has thrown for 773 yards in two games but has only four touchdowns and has been intercepted four times.
28. Nebraska Cornhuskers
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Average rating: 29.8
Week 2 result: Won 31-24 vs. McNeese State
Week 3 matchup: Sept. 13 at Fresno State
It took a highlight-reel, tackle-breaking 58-yard touchdown catch by Ameer Abdullah with 20 seconds left for Nebraska (2-0) to avoid losing to an FCS team for the first time.
Abdullah had three catches for 96 yards, making up for a subpar rushing performance in which he had just 54 yards and a score on 17 carries. Tommy Armstrong Jr. was the offensive leader, throwing for 242 yards and two TDs while rushing for 131 yards and a score on just 11 carries.
Nebraska is 11-0 all-time against FCS teams.
27. North Carolina Tar Heels
27 of 53
Average rating: 29.2
Week 2 result: Won 31-27 vs. San Diego State
Week 3 matchup: Bye
North Carolina (2-0) had to rally at home for the second week in a row, this time not taking the lead until Elijah Wood scored on an eight-yard run with 8:01 left for a 28-27 lead.
The Tar Heels trailed by 14 points midway through the third quarter before ending the game on a 24-6 run, but the win wasn't sealed until Tim Scott intercepted a pass in the end zone with 14 seconds left. It was one of three interceptions they had of San Diego State quarterback Quinn Kaehler, including one returned 100 yards for a score by Brian Walker for the game's first score.
Kaehler also threw for 341 yards as the Aztecs outgained UNC 509-394, while UNC quarterback Marquise Williams finished with 318 total yards and threw for two touchdowns.
26. Clemson Tigers
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Average rating: 25.4
Week 2 result: Won 73-7 vs. South Carolina State
Week 3 matchup: Bye
Clemson (1-1) evened its record on the year against teams with Bulldogs mascots, though the difference in quality between opening foe Georgia and FCS opponent South Carolina State was evident.
On Saturday the Tigers gained 735 yards and scored their most points since 1981, with quarterbacks Cole Stoudt and DeShaun Watson combining for 456 passing yards and four touchdowns. Artavis Scott caught a TD from each passer and finished with 164 yards on six receptions.
Clemson's defense was dominant against SC State, allowing just 44 yards including only seven on the ground.
25. Louisville Cardinals
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Average rating: 25.0
Week 2 result: Won 66-21 vs. Murray State
Week 3 matchup: Sept. 13 at Virginia
Louisville (2-0) racked up 603 yards against its FCS opponent. The 66 points were the most scored by a Cardinals team since putting up 72 at home against Florida International last September.
Will Gardner and Reggie Bonnafon combined to throw for three touchdowns and 245 yards, while the Cardinals gained 325 yards on the ground. Louisville had four rushing TDs, with two each by Bonnafon and Brandon Radcliff.
Louisville's defense has been strong so far, allowing only 55.5 rushing yards per game to rank No. 6 in FBS.
24. South Carolina Gamecocks
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Average rating: 24.7
Week 2 result: Won 33-23 vs. East Carolina
Week 3 matchup: Sept. 13 vs. Georgia
South Carolina (1-1) bounced back from its humbling home loss to Texas A&M, but there are still concerns worth noting after the 10-point win over East Carolina.
The Gamecocks secondary didn't get torn apart as badly by East Carolina's Shane Carden as by Texas A&M's Kenny Hill the week before, but the opposing quarterback still threw for 321 yards on 32-of-46 passing. The difference was the Gamecocks also intercepted Carden twice, which helped erase a pair of six-point deficits in the first half.
Mike Davis was the brightest spot from the most recent win, as he ran for 101 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries after hardly touching the ball against A&M because of a rib injury. His running enabled South Carolina to control the clock, resulting in more than 36 minutes of possession time that included a wonderful 18-play drive that ate up 10:33 in the fourth quarter.
23. Missouri Tigers
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Average rating: 24.0
Week 2 result: Won 49-24 at Toledo
Week 3 matchup: Sept. 13 vs. UCF
Missouri (2-0) posted an impressive road win against a dangerous Mid-American opponent, giving coach Gary Pinkel a win against his former program behind five passing touchdowns from quarterback Maty Mauk.
Mauk, who threw for five TDs in his only other road start (last year at Kentucky, in relief of the injured James Franklin), completed 21 of 32 passes for 325 yards. He was intercepted twice and scored a rushing TD.
Bud Sasser, Jimmie Hunt and Darius White are developing into a three-headed pass-catching monster, as the trio caught 16 balls for 241 yards and four TDs against Toledo. Marcus Murphy also scored on a reception after notching a kick-return TD the week before.
22. BYU Cougars
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Average rating: 22.4
Week 2 result: Won 41-7 at Texas
Week 3 matchup: Sept. 11 vs. Houston
BYU (2-0) somehow topped its dominant home performance last year against Texas with an even more overwhelming road win over the Longhorns. The Cougars forced four turnovers and led 34-0, hanging Texas with its worst home loss in 17 years.
As was the case in the opening win at Connecticut, BYU was paced by quarterback Taysom Hill's dual-threat skills. The junior rushed for a team-best 99 yards and three touchdowns while throwing for another 181 yards. Through two games Hill has 685 yards of total offense and has been responsible for eight touchdowns.
The Cougars have outscored their first two opponents 76-17.
21. Florida Gators
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Average rating: 22.0
Week 2 result: Won 65-0 vs. Eastern Michigan
Week 3 matchup: Sept. 13 vs. Kentucky
After having its opener washed and lightninged out, Florida (1-0) stormed out of the gates with its new offense and put up the most points the Gators have produced since whooping Citadel 70-19 in 2008.
The Gators gained 655 yards, scoring at least 13 points in every quarter and 17 points in a 1:56 span in the first quarter. Quarterback Jeff Driskel had a career game, throwing for 248 yards and a touchdown on 31-of-45 passing, while backup Treon Harris completed both of his passes for 148 yards and two scores.
Florida rushed for 259 yards, with Kelvin Taylor scoring twice and Matt Jones adding a rushing TD. Not to be outdone, the Gators forced five turnovers and allowed only 125 yards while posting their first shutout since November 2012.
20. Kansas State Wildcats
34 of 53
Average rating: 19.8
Week 2 result: Won 32-28 at Iowa State
Week 3 matchup: Bye
Kansas State (2-0) rallied late to win a game it looked like it would dominate early, riding the massive one-man effort of quarterback Jake Waters down the stretch to win its conference opener.
Waters threw for 239 yards and ran for another 138, scoring a pair of rushing touchdowns in the fourth quarter during a 19-0 run over the final 15:28 of play. He put the Wildcats up for good with 90 seconds left on an eight-yard run, erasing a 15-point hole that came about after ISU scored 28 straight in the middle of the game.
K-State has now won seven in a row over Iowa State—its best active win streak against any Big 12 opponent.
19. Ohio State Buckeyes
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Average rating: 19.3
Week 2 result: Lost 35-21 vs. Virginia Tech
Week 3 matchup: Sept. 13 vs. Kent State
Ohio State (1-1) has only lost one game, but the way it has played so far this season almost feels like the Buckeyes are winless. First, it was a comeback win over a stubborn Navy team, and then came Saturday's woeful offensive performance at home against Virginia Tech. These outings have essentially knocked OSU out of the playoff picture unless it can right the ship on both sides of the ball.
Coach Urban Meyer is still optimistic, telling the Associated Press (h/t Yahoo), "I still have confidence that we have enough skill on this football team to get by people."
Not much of that skill has borne out, though. Against Tech, quarterback J.T. Barrett completed just nine of 29 passes and was intercepted three times. It was a combination of bad throws and constant pressure, as his line failed to protect him and his receiving corps couldn't step up. The same goes for OSU's run game, with Barrett leading the team with 120 yards.
And the defensive line, which was supposed to be a major strength, allowed 370 rushing yards to Navy and then failed to rattle Hokies quarterback Michael Brewer.
18. Wisconsin Badgers
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Average rating: 18.2
Week 2 result: Won 37-3 vs. Western Illinois
Week 3 matchup: Bye
Wisconsin's offense came alive early and often in its home opener, but the Badgers (1-1) still have to worry about their best player's health after Melvin Gordon rushed for only 38 yards on 17 carries.
Instead, the attack was paced by quarterback Tanner McEvoy, who ended up with 283 passing yards, 338 yards of total offense and accounted for four touchdowns after passing for just 50 yards with a pair of interceptions against LSU.
The Badgers held Western Illinois to 162 yards and were ahead 2-0 after just one second of play after the Leathernecks had a special teams gaffe on the game's opening kickoff.
17. Arizona State Sun Devils
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Average rating: 17.8
Week 2 result: Won 58-23 at New Mexico
Week 3 matchup: Sept. 13 at Colorado
Arizona State (2-0) beat New Mexico at its own game on the road, rushing for 423 yards and holding the Lobos' triple-option run game to 207 while forcing three turnovers.
D.J. Foster is pacing toward a record year for the Sun Devils, with his 216-yard rushing performance Saturday giving him 363 yards and four touchdowns through two games. Last year Foster had 501 yards as a sophomore backing up Marion Grice.
ASU is tied for sixth nationally in rushing offense at 345 yards per game, and its total offense of 595.5 yards per game is seventh-best in FBS.
16. Stanford Cardinal
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Average rating: 17.2
Week 2 result: Lost 13-10 vs. USC
Week 3 matchup: Sept. 13 vs. Army
It's not easy to lose a game when every offensive possession reaches no worse than the opponent's 32-yard line, but that's what Stanford (1-1) managed to do in falling at home to USC. It managed only two scores despite getting to the 30 nine times and reaching the red zone on four occasions; it was a combination of tight defense and conservative play.
"The bottom line is we were bad in the red zone," Stanford coach David Shaw told reporters, per the San Francisco Chronicle). "It has nothing to do with being conservative or not. We've got to score."
Stanford outgained USC 413-291, holding the Trojans to only 59 offensive plays a week after they snapped it 104 times, but two lost fumbles (including one by quarterback Kevin Hogan in the final minute of play) and a rushing average of 3.4 yards per carry doomed the Cardinal.
15. Virginia Tech Hokies
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Average rating: 16.8
Week 2 result: Won 35-21 at Ohio State
Week 3 matchup: Sept. 13 vs. East Carolina
After a few seasons playing mostly outside the spotlight, Virginia Tech (2-0) is now back on the national radar after its surprising win at Ohio State. Even more notable was that the Hokies did it not just with their traditional defensive pressure but also with quarterback play they haven't had in a long time.
Tech's front seven pressured OSU quarterback J.T. Barrett all day, leading to seven sacks and three interceptions, but that alone wouldn't have gotten the job done. The X-factor was Texas Tech transfer Michael Brewer, who along with solid blocking up front managed to hold the Buckeyes' defensive line in check as he threw for 199 yards and two touchdowns.
"Not a lot of people can say they beat Ohio State at Ohio State," Brewer told Mike Barber of the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
Brewer won't have to do a lot to keep making an impact for the Hokies—not with a defense that has been as good as his team's has been so far.
14. Ole Miss Rebels
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Average rating: 15.2
Week 2 result: Won 41-3 at Vanderbilt
Week 3 matchup: Sept. 13 vs. Louisiana-Lafayette
Ole Miss (2-0) has outscored its opponents 69-9 over the past five quarters, dating back to its dominant fourth quarter in the opener against Boise State. This has occurred despite the Rebels allowing 19 tackles for loss, tied for third-worst in FBS, with Bo Wallace getting sacked five times.
Wallace has thrown for 707 yards and five touchdowns, completing nearly 71 percent of his passes. After three interceptions against Boise, he was perfect in that regard at Vanderbilt.
Now winners of six straight against the Commodores, Ole Miss had its most overwhelming SEC result since crushing rival Mississippi State 45-0 in 2008.
13. Michigan State Spartans
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Average rating: 12.2
Week 2 result: Lost 46-29 at Oregon
Week 3 matchup: Bye
Michigan State (1-1) faced a difficult task in heading to Eugene, where few teams (other than Stanford) have won in recent memory. And even though the Spartans lost going away at the end, they have to build on the fact they led by nine points in the second half as they move into the more important games of the schedule.
MSU isn't out of playoff contention despite the loss, or even because it fell apart in the final 25 minutes of play as it wore down defensively and lost all flow on offense. Winning out in the Big Ten can still get the Spartans into the playoffs, especially if they can build off the best parts of the Oregon loss.
"If MSU can clean some things up in the next few weeks, it will enter Big Ten play as the overwhelming favorite to win the league," wrote Joe Rexrode of the Detroit Free Press, describing MSU's performance as "half a great game and half a terrible game."
By the time the Spartans host Nebraska on Oct. 4, they should have all the kinks worked out as they move toward claiming the conference title.
12. UCLA Bruins
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Average rating: 11.8
Week 2 result: Won 42-35 vs. Memphis
Week 3 matchup: Sept. 13 vs. Texas (in Arlington, Texas)
UCLA (2-0) posted its second straight disappointing result, having to outlast Memphis in a shootout a week after needing defense to carry the flag at Virginia.
The Bruins trailed by a point twice in the first half but then took control in the third quarter to lead by two touchdowns...only to see Memphis score twice in less than a minute early in the final period to tie the game. Brett Hundley had an interception return for a touchdown to knot the game at 35 before he hit Thomas Duarte for a 33-yard scoring pass a few minutes later to win.
Hundley completed 33 of 44 passes for 396 yards and three TDs and was part of a 540-yard offensive performance. But UCLA allowed Memphis to gain 469 yards and only sacked quarterback Paxton Lynch once.
10. (tie) Notre Dame Fighting Irish
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Average rating: 10.6
Week 2 result: Won 31-0 vs. Michigan
Week 3 matchup: Sept. 13 vs. Purdue (in Indianapolis)
Notre Dame (2-0) found one of the most memorable ways to end its storied rivalry with Michigan, posting its first shutout in the series' 42-game history and ending the Wolverines' record 365-game streak without going scoreless.
Though not the most difficult game on their schedule, being able to beat Michigan so convincingly may be the most telling result for the Fighting Irish in 2014 because of how thoroughly they shut down what had been perceived as a solid offense. They forced Devin Gardner into four turnovers, three of them interceptions.
And through two games the Irish's offense has looked crisper than maybe at any other time since Brian Kelly took over the program, and Everett Golson is as responsible for that as anyone. Dan Wolken of USA Today wrote that "Golson looks like a completely different player now than he did two years ago when Notre Dame relied on its defense and gave him simple, conservative game plans, asking him for little more than to avoid mistakes."
In two games he's accounted for eight total touchdowns with no interceptions.
10. (tie) Baylor Bears
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Average rating: 10.6
Week 2 result: Won 70-6 vs. Northwestern State
Week 3 matchup: Sept. 12 at Buffalo
Baylor heads into its first road game, sporting the No. 1 rushing defense in the country and an offense that's so efficient even the backup quarterback can put up huge numbers.
The Bears have allowed 54 yards on 66 carries through two games, which comes to a scant 0.8 yards per rush. That's part of an overall defensive effort that's given up six points and 269 total yards while recording 11 sacks and forcing four turnovers.
Baylor didn't have quarterback Bryce Petty or a few receivers play against Northwestern State because of injury, but you would have hardly noticed. Seth Russell threw for 438 yards and five touchdowns in a relief role, with freshman K.D. Cannon stepping up for 223 receiving yards and three scores.
9. USC Trojans
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Average rating: 9.2
Week 2 result: Won 13-10 at Stanford
Week 3 matchup: Sept. 13 at Boston College
It wasn't pretty, but USC (2-0) still managed to post a major victory with its hard-fought defensive slugfest victory at Stanford. A week after gaining more than 700 yards and snapping it 104 times, the Trojans had less than 300 yards and only 59 offensive plays, instead relying on red-zone defense and special teams to get the job done.
USC allowed just a field goal and a touchdown to Stanford despite seeing its opponent get to the 30-yard line or better on nine different possessions. The Trojans locked down on defense at critical times, forcing the Cardinal to either punt or try for field goals. Stanford missed from 26 and 49 yards.
The Trojans' own kicker was good on both of his field-goal tries, including the game-winner from 53 yards out with 2:30 left to beat Stanford with his foot for the second straight season.
8. LSU Tigers
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Average rating: 9.0
Week 2 result: Won 56-0 vs. Sam Houston State
Week 3 matchup: Sept. 13 vs. Louisiana-Monroe
It's hard to believe, but LSU's shutout win was its first time blanking an opponent since winning 51-0 over Louisiana-Monroe in November 2010. Even more impressive was the Tigers (2-0) posted the shutout against a Sam Houston team that had scored 86 points in its first two games but this time out managed just 206 yards and committed three turnovers.
Beyond the defense, the win brought the first career rushing touchdown for prized recruit Leonard Fournette, who finished with 92 yards on 13 carries. And receiver Travin Dural, a sophomore who had seven receptions for 145 yards and two TDs in 2013, already has 291 yards and four TDs on just six receptions in two games.
Dural caught three passes against Sam Houston, all going for scores. That included a 94-yard TD less than 90 seconds into the game, and a second score came just three minutes later.
7. Texas A&M Aggies
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Average rating: 7.2
Week 2 result: Won 73-3 vs. Lamar
Week 3 matchup: Sept. 13 vs. Rice
Saturday's never-in-doubt win over Lamar was more of the same for Texas A&M (2-0). The defensive pressure continues to impress after last season's rough run by that unit.
Kenny Hill has thrown for 794 yards and seven touchdowns, while on the ground the Aggies have found a number of ball-carriers working together for important yards and several touchdowns. The Lamar win also provided the debuts of more freshmen, including quarterback Kyle Allen, who made his collegiate debut by throwing for 122 yards and two TDs on 12-of-16 passing.
A&M's defense has allowed 31 points through two games, compared to 59 at this point last year.
6. Auburn Tigers
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Average rating: 5.0
Week 2 result: Won 59-13 vs. San Jose State
Week 3 matchup: Bye
Auburn (2-0) continues to dominate on the ground, averaging 330 yards per game to rank ninth in FBS. The Tigers are gaining 6.7 yards per carry and have scored nine rushing touchdowns; those numbers line up with how last year's.
What hasn't yet manifested, as projected, has been Nick Marshall's passing prowess. The senior is just 14-of-25 for 151 yards and a touchdown through two games, the first of which he was suspended for the opening half.
Cameron Artis-Payne is making Auburn forget about Tre Mason, with 289 rushing yards and four TDs. Marshall has added 122 yards and two scores, as the Tigers remain one of the deadliest rushing teams in the nation.
5. Georgia Bulldogs
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Average rating: 4.6
Week 2 result: Bye
Week 3 matchup: Sept. 13 at South Carolina
Georgia (1-0) got an extra week to prepare for a big trip to South Carolina, which like the year before could go a long way toward determining the SEC East Division. It didn't matter for the Bulldogs in 2013 when all was said and done because of other losses, but after the effort shown down the stretch against Clemson, the hopes are once again high in Athens.
Todd Gurley has had extra rest to be ready for the Gamecocks after putting up a school-record 297 all-purpose yards in the opener. The added dimension of Gurley returning kickoffs only makes Georgia that much more difficult to stop, and with two weeks of game film to study, quarterback Hutson Mason has to be frothing at the chance to throw at South Carolina's secondary.
The Bulldogs locked down in the second half against Clemson defensively, but now they'll face a veteran quarterback in Dylan Thompson and a hard runner in Mike Davis, who last season ran for 149 yards and a touchdown for South Carolina.
4. Florida State Seminoles
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Average rating: 4.4
Week 2 result: Won 37-12 vs. Citadel
Week 3 matchup: Bye
Florida State (2-0) hasn't played like a defending champion or one that looks like it will win another title through the first two weeks of the season, which is why the Seminoles have dropped from first in the power rankings despite riding a 17-game win streak.
Saturday's win over FCS opponent Citadel wasn't so much unimpressive as it was unmemorable. The Seminoles ran the ball better than against West Virginia, but not by much, and Jameis Winston didn't play that long to rate his play effectively.
The most notable thing from the game was that FSU allowed 250 rushing yards, and combined with the big passing numbers put up against it the week before, the program ranks 85th in FBS in ESPN's defensive efficiency rankings after being No. 1 in that stat in 2013.
2. (tie) Oklahoma Sooners
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Average rating: 4.0
Week 2 result: Won 52-7 at Tulsa
Week 3 matchup: Sept. 13 vs. Tennessee
Oklahoma (2-0) came into this season without a lot of experience on offense, but so far that unit hasn't had any trouble scoring and moving the ball. Trevor Knight has not only made the most of veteran receiver Sterling Shepard but also other receivers, while in the backfield he's been able to hand off to either Keith Ford or Alex Ross for similar production.
Against Tulsa, Shepard had a career-high 177 receiving yards and a touchdown, while Ross and Ford combined for 177 rushing yards and three TDs including an 82-yard score.
The Sooners did lose cornerback Zack Sanchez early to a shoulder injury, but coach Bob Stoops said he is expected to practice this week and play in Saturday's game against Tennessee.
2. (tie) Alabama Crimson Tide
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Average rating: 4.0
Week 2 result: Won 41-0 vs. Florida Atlantic
Week 3 matchup: Sept. 13 vs. Southern Mississippi
Alabama (2-0) began one of the easiest stretches of its schedule with a typical dominant performance at home against an overmatched foe, a game that was so lopsided it didn't need to be resumed after lightning halted play midway through the fourth quarter.
Florida Atlantic provided an opportunity for the Crimson Tide's defense to get some confidence after giving up a lot of yards in the opening win over West Virginia. FAU only threw for 88 yards—less than 25 percent what the Mountaineers managed the week before.
The quarterback situation remains undecided, although Blake Sims is still in the lead. Both he and Jake Coker got plenty of reps against the Owls, as both threw for more than 200 yards. The combined 430 passing yards was Alabama's second-most in a game in school history.
1. Oregon Ducks
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Average rating: 2.0
Week 2 result: Won 46-27 vs. Michigan State
Week 3 matchup: Sept. 13 vs. Wyoming
Oregon (2-0) takes over the top spot in our power rankings on the heels of its huge win over Michigan State, which was as significant for the overall result as it was how the Ducks rallied from a nine-point hole to score the game's final 28 points. Oregon now has the most impressive nonconference win of any playoff contender, something that will go a long way toward its resume with the selection committee come December.
Marcus Mariota led the comeback, and his 318 passing yards with three touchdowns along with 42 rushing yards against Michigan State's top-tier defense put him in the lead early for the Heisman race, according to Chris Huston of HeismanPundit.com.
"This is was a signature win against an elite defense," Huston tweeted on Saturday night.
The Ducks aren't just one player, though. Mariota is the star, but their run game woke up in the second half behind freshman Royce Freeman, while receivers Devon Allen and Keanon Lowe also shined on the national stage. And Oregon's best defensive player, cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, made a spectacular diving interception as MSU was driving in the fourth quarter to seal the win.
Oregon now figures to be 5-0 when it visits UCLA on Oct. 11, but whether it can hold onto the No. 1 spot in the power rankings isn't as certain.
Follow Brian J. Pedersen on Twitter at @realBJP.
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