College Football Rankings 2015: Power Ranking All 128 Teams for Week 4
Several major matchups during the third week of the 2015 college football season led to a considerable amount of movement all over the Bleacher Report power rankings thanks to losses by four of the top teams in the country as well as plenty of close finishes involving other notable programs.
Bleacher Report's power rankings are comprised of an average of five sources: B/R's weekly Top 25, the Associated Press Top 25, the Amway Coaches Poll, ratings guru Jeff Sagarin's computer rankings and the author's personal rankings for every FBS school. The top 50 teams are broken down individually, while the rest of the 128 FBS teams are summarized in a few easy-to-digest chunks.
Check out where everyone ranks after three weeks and then give us your thoughts in the comments section.
Nos. 128-91
1 of 53
Southern Mississippi has won only eight games since the beginning of the 2012 season, but it's off to its first 2-1 start since 2010 following a wild 56-50 win at Texas State.
Nick Mullens threw for 333 yards and four touchdowns, and Jalen Richard ran for 230 yards and four TDs for the Golden Eagles, who earned their first nonconference road win since defeating Houston in the 2011 Conference USA title game.
- 128. New Mexico State Aggies (0-3, 0-1 Sun Belt)
- 127. Wyoming Cowboys (0-3)
- 126. Charlotte 49ers (2-1, 0-1 Conference USA)
- 125. Georgia State Panthers (1-2, 1-0 Sun Belt)
- 124. Idaho Vandals (1-2)
- 123. Eastern Michigan Eagles (1-2, 0-1 Mid-American)
- 122. Miami (Ohio) RedHawks (1-2)
- 121. Army Black Knights (0-3)
- 120. UTSA Roadrunners (0-3)
- 119. North Texas Mean Green (0-2, 0-1 Conference USA)
- 118. Massachusetts Minutemen (0-2)
- 117. Tulane Green Wave (1-2)
- 116. Kent State Golden Flashes (1-2)
- 114. (Tie) UTEP Miners (1-2)
- 114. (Tie) Florida Atlantic Owls (0-3)
- 112. (Tie) UNLV Runnin' Rebels (0-3)
- 112. (Tie) New Mexico Lobos (1-2)
- 111. Old Dominion Monarchs (2-1)
- 110. Akron Zips (1-2)
- 109. South Alabama Jaguars (2-1)
- 107. (Tie) Texas State Bobcats (1-2)
- 107. (Tie) Kansas Jayhawks (0-2)
- 106. Ball State Cardinals (2-1, 1-0 Mid-American)
- 105. Troy Trojans (1-2)
- 104. Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks (1-1)
- 102. (Tie) UCF Knights (0-3)
- 102. (Tie) San Jose State Spartans (1-2, 0-1 Mountain West)
- 101. Fresno State Bulldogs (1-2)
- 100. Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles (2-1)
- 99. San Diego State Aztecs (1-2)
- 98. Florida International Golden Panthers (2-1)
- 97. Connecticut Huskies (2-1)
- 95. (Tie) South Florida Bulls (1-2)
- 95. (Tie) SMU Mustangs (1-2)
- 94. Central Michigan Chippewas (1-2)
- 91. (Tie) Western Michigan Broncos (1-2)
- 91. (Tie) Purdue Boilermakers (1-2)
- 91. (Tie) Hawaii Rainbow Warriors (2-1)
Nos. 90-61
2 of 53
Syracuse moved to 3-0 for the first time since 1991 but needed extra time to do so, beating Central Michigan 30-27 in overtime. The Orange, who have played all three games at home this season, won on a four-yard touchdown run by Jordan Fredericks.
In order for Syracuse to go 4-0 for the first time in 24 years, though, it will have to take down unbeaten LSU at home Saturday.
- 90. Appalachian State Mountaineers (1-1)
- 89. East Carolina Pirates (1-2, 0-1 American)
- 88. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (1-2, 0-1 Big Ten)
- 87. Buffalo Bulls (2-1)
- 86. Tulsa Golden Hurricane (2-1)
- 85. Nevada Wolf Pack (1-2)
- 83. (Tie) Vanderbilt Commodores (1-2, 0-1 SEC)
- 83. (Tie) Colorado State Rams (1-2)
- 82. Washington State Cougars (2-1)
- 80. (Tie) Wake Forest Demon Deacons (2-1, 0-1 ACC)
- 80. (Tie) Rice Owls (2-1, 1-0 Conference USA)
- 79. Arkansas State Red Wolves (1-2)
- 78. Ohio Bobcats (3-0)
- 77. Oregon State Beavers (2-1)
- 76. Iowa State Cyclones (1-2)
- 75. Colorado Buffaloes (2-1)
- 74. Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns (1-1)
- 72. (Tie) Indiana Hoosiers (3-0)
- 72. (Tie) Cincinnati Bearcats (2-1, 0-1 American)
- 71. Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (2-1, 1-0 Conference USA)
- 70. Georgia Southern Eagles (2-1)
- 68. (Tie) Utah State Aggies (1-2)
- 68. (Tie) Maryland Terrapins (2-1)
- 67. Marshall Thundering Herd (2-1)
- 66. Virginia Cavaliers (1-2)
- 65. Syracuse Orange (3-0, 1-0 ACC)
- 64. Air Force Falcons (2-1, 1-0 Mountain West)
- 62. (Tie) Louisville Cardinals (0-3, 0-1 ACC)
- 62. (Tie) Bowling Green Falcons (1-2)
- 61. South Carolina Gamecocks (1-2, 0-2 SEC)
Nos. 60-51
3 of 53
Navy christened its first season as a member of a college football conference with a 45-21 home win over East Carolina and in the process saw quarterback Keenan Reynolds move closer to a pair of FBS career records.
Reynolds ran for 142 yards and five touchdowns, giving him six rushing scores this season and 70 for his career. His 70 rushing touchdowns rank fifth in FBS history, seven behind former Wisconsin star Montee Ball for the top spot. Reynolds' 83 total touchdowns also rank fifth, with only 13 separating him and career leader Ball.
- 60. Illinois Fighting Illini (2-1)
- 59. Texas Longhorns (1-2)
- 58. Kentucky Wildcats (2-1, 1-1 SEC)
- 57. Northern Illinois Huskies (2-1)
- 56. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (1-2, 0-1 Conference USA)
- 55. Pittsburgh Panthers (2-1)
- 54. Boston College Eagles (2-1, 0-1 ACC)
- 53. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (2-1, 1-0 Conference USA)
- 52. Navy Midshipmen (2-0, 1-0 American)
- 51. Penn State Nittany Lions (2-1, 1-0 Big Ten)
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50. Arkansas Razorbacks
4 of 53
Average rating: 48.0
Week 3 result: Lost 35-24 vs. Texas Tech
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 26 vs. Texas A&M (in Arlington, Texas)
We can forget all about the overabundance of hype Arkansas (1-2) received during the long offseason, chalking it up to how unreliable projections based off the previous year's finish can be. The Razorbacks have looked nothing like a team that was considered a dark horse to contend in the SEC West and more like the one that spent much of the previous season wondering whether it could get to six wins.
With back-to-back losses in its home state, first to a Mid-American school (Toledo) and now to a Texas Tech team it steamrolled on the road last September, Arkansas is in danger of having the wheels come off.
49. Minnesota Golden Gophers
5 of 53
Average rating: 47.88
Week 3 result: Won 10-7 vs. Kent State
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 26 vs. Ohio
Minnesota (2-1) put up its lowest point total in a victory since 2006—with only 288 yards of total offense—riding its defense past a pesky Mid-American opponent in Week 3.
The Golden Gophers held Kent State to 142 yards and no offensive points, with the Golden Flashes snapping just three plays in Minnesota territory and scoring on a fumble return.
48. Boise State Broncos
6 of 53
Average rating: 44.63
Week 3 result: Won 52-0 vs. Idaho State
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 25 at Virginia
Boise State (2-1) racked up 598 yards of total offense, including 344 on the ground, to crush in-state FCS opponent Idaho State but in the process lost starting quarterback Ryan Finley to an ankle injury.
Finley completed five of six passes for 59 yards before getting hurt, and in his place, true freshman Brett Rypien (nephew of former NFL quarterback Mark Rypien) threw for 126 yards on 8-of-9 passing.
The Broncos got three rushing touchdowns from Jeremy McNichols and two more from Kelsey Young.
47. Michigan Wolverines
7 of 53
Average rating: 43.5
Week 3 result: Won 28-7 vs. UNLV
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 26 vs. BYU
Michigan (2-1) has shown to this point in head coach Jim Harbaugh's first season that defense is going to be where it hangs its hat, as the Wolverines are coming off another stellar performance on that side of the ball.
They held UNLV to 235 yards and forced two turnovers. For the season, they have held opponents to 236.7 yards and 12.7 points per game. Michigan is also becoming more adept at running the ball, gaining 254 yards with three touchdowns on 39 carries against the Runnin' Rebels.
45. (Tie) Nebraska Cornhuskers
8 of 53
Average rating: 41.5
Week 3 result: Lost 36-33 (in overtime) at Miami (Florida)
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 26 vs. Southern Mississippi
Nebraska (1-2) nearly pulled off an amazing comeback, rallying from 23 points down in the fourth quarter to force overtime, but in the end, the first regular-season trip to Florida since 1951 resulted in the Cornhuskers' worst start since 1981.
Combined with the end of a 29-year streak of wins in home openers, this hasn't been the greatest of seasons for first-year coach Mike Riley. Against Miami, his team gained only 200 yards of offense in the first three-plus quarters until waking up in the final nine minutes. Unfortunately, quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. later reversed course on a 309-yard, four-touchdown day with his third interception on the first play of overtime.
The Cornhuskers have allowed 1,354 yards through three games, giving up 511 yards in each loss.
45. (Tie) Duke Blue Devils
9 of 53
Average rating: 41.5
Week 3 result: Lost 19-10 vs. Northwestern
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 26 vs. Georgia Tech
Duke (2-1) lost its first nonconference game since 2012 by watching its previously solid offense come apart at the seams with little production or explosiveness against Northwestern.
The Blue Devils gained 327 yards, with 177 of them coming on the ground, but quarterback Thomas Sirk was forced to do a lot of running between the tackles when he had nowhere to throw to, as the team was unable to get anything going through the air against the Wildcats' strong pass defense. His 150 passing yards were the team's fewest since last October and came after Sirk and his backups had combined for 691 yards and six touchdowns in Duke's first two games.
44. North Carolina Tar Heels
10 of 53
Average rating: 40.0
Week 3 result: Won 48-14 vs. Illinois
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 26 vs. Delaware
North Carolina (2-1) got 308 of its 471 yards from quarterback Marquise Williams in a blowout home win over Illinois, its largest margin of victory against an FBS opponent since a 66-0 win over Idaho in 2012.
Williams threw for 203 yards and three touchdowns while adding 105 rushing yards, and Elijah Hood ran for 129 yards and a TD. The Tar Heels also got a touchdown on an 85-yard punt return from Ryan Switzer, the sixth of his career.
43. Washington Huskies
11 of 53
Average rating: 38.5
Week 3 result: Won 31-17 vs. Utah State
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 26 vs. California
Washington (2-1) got 368 passing yards and three touchdowns from true freshman quarterback Jake Browning in a home win over Utah State, its second consecutive victory after opening the season with a loss at Boise State.
Browning has thrown for 694 yards and five TDs over the past two weeks on 39-of-55 passing. In high school, he set national prep records for TD passes in a season (91) and in a career (229).
42. Toledo Rockets
12 of 53
Average rating: 38.2
Week 3 result: Won 30-23 (in double overtime) vs. Iowa State
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 26 vs. Arkansas State
Toledo (2-0) has earned wins over multiple power-conference teams in the same season for the first time in program history, following up last week's victory over Arkansas with a home squeaker against Iowa State.
Damion Jones-Moore scored a 10-yard touchdown in the second overtime to cap the historic day, though the Rockets gained only 309 yards on offense. That did include 129 rushing yards from Kareem Hunt, who has topped 100 yards in 12 straight games dating back to November 2013.
41. Texas Tech Red Raiders
13 of 53
Average rating: 38.0
Week 3 result: Won 35-24 at Arkansas
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 26 vs. TCU
Texas Tech (3-0) has turned the ball over only three times this season, a marked improvement from a year ago, when the Red Raiders gave the ball away six times in their first three contests and finished the season with a minus-13 turnover margin.
Patrick Mahomes was intercepted twice last week at Arkansas, but those accounted for two of his four incomplete passes on 30 attempts. The sophomore also threw for 243 yards and a touchdown, numbers that are far below the norm for Tech through the air but more than enough when it's moving the ball efficiently (and with balance, thanks to 171 rushing yards and three TDs on 27 carries) and not giving it away.
40. Florida Gators
14 of 53
Average rating: 37.8
Week 3 result: Won 14-9 at Kentucky
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 26 vs. Tennessee
If you're a fan of Florida (3-0, 1-0 SEC), you might need to get used to games like this past one in the SEC. But if they result in wins, at least there's that.
The Gators had 245 yards of total offense, with quarterback Will Grier providing 125 through the air and 61 on the ground. The redshirt freshman ran for a touchdown and threw an interception, and only three of his completions were for 10 or more yards.
Bleacher Report's Bryan Fischer wrote the following about Florida's season thus far:
"The issues with the Gators in the Will Muschamp era have been well-documented, so it should not be surprising to see some of them carry over to the start of Jim McElwain's tenure. Still, where are the offensive linemen? Where are the game-changing wideouts? Those are in short supply in Gainesville, and it may be a while before they're back.
"
On the other side, though, Florida's defense returned to form by holding Kentucky to 241 yards. It's allowing opponents to pick up only 258 yards per game this season.
39. Houston Cougars
15 of 53
Average rating: 37.7
Week 3 result: Bye
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 26 vs. Texas State
Houston (2-0) got an extra week to bask in its 34-31 win at Louisville on Sept. 12, the first of two games the Cougars will play this season against power-conference teams before a visit from Vanderbilt later in the fall.
First-year coach Tom Herman has carried over his offensive success from Ohio State, with the Cougars averaging 43 points and 541.5 yards per game thus far. Quarterback Greg Ward Jr. has gained 710 yards of total offense and accounted for six touchdowns.
37. (Tie) Virginia Tech Hokies
16 of 53
Average rating: 37
Week 3 result: Won 51-24 at Purdue
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 26 at East Carolina
Virginia Tech (2-1) had its highest-scoring game against an FBS opponent since October 2010 thanks to a balanced offensive attack and touchdowns from its defense and special teams to win on the road against a Big Ten team for the second year in a row.
The Hokies, who won at Ohio State in September 2014, got 220 passing yards and two touchdowns as well as a rushing score from quarterback Brenden Motley, while the team rushed for 238 yards. Tech held Purdue to nine first downs and 265 yards while scoring on a fumble return and a blocked punt.
37. (Tie) Miami (Florida) Hurricanes
17 of 53
Average rating: 37.0
Week 3 result: Won 36-33 (in overtime) vs. Nebraska
Week 4 matchup: Bye
Miami tried really hard not to notch its second 3-0 start in the past three seasons, making no effort to eat clock after building a 33-10 lead and watching that approach blow up in its face. If not for Corn Elder's interception in the end zone during overtime, the Hurricanes might have blown one of their biggest home leads ever.
They allowed three touchdowns in the final 8:36 of regulation, giving up 262 yards during that span after holding Nebraska to 200 yards in the first 51-plus minutes.
The Canes put up 511 yards, with Brad Kaaya throwing for 379 yards and two TDs and Joseph Yearby going for 125 yards and a TD on the ground. Through three games, they're averaging 41.7 points and 472 yards.
36. Memphis Tigers
18 of 53
Average rating: 36.7
Week 3 result: Won 44-41 at Bowling Green
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 24 vs. Cincinnati
Memphis (3-0) put itself in great position to vie for the "Group of Five" spot in a "New Year's Six" bowl game with its second straight notable road victory, with this one coming in a shootout against another mid-major team that's been hot in 2015.
The Tigers had 541 yards of total offense, including 386 passing yards and three touchdowns from Paxton Lynch, but they needed a 29-yard field goal from Jake Elliott midway through the fourth quarter to take the lead for good. Then their defense, which allowed 579 yards, prevented Bowling Green from gaining a first down on its final two possessions.
Memphis won 55-23 at Kansas the week before and is set to host Ole Miss in mid-October.
35. Iowa Hawkeyes
19 of 53
Average rating: 36.25
Week 3 result: Won 27-24 vs. Pittsburgh
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 26 vs. North Texas
Iowa (3-0) got a 57-yard field goal from Marshall Koehn as time expired to win an emotional game in which the Hawkeyes never trailed.
After giving up a game-tying touchdown to Pittsburgh with 52 seconds left, Iowa marched down the field on seven plays to set up Koehn's kick. The senior is perfect on four attempts this season and has made 14 of his last 15 tries.
34. North Carolina State Wolfpack
20 of 53
Average rating: 35.9
Week 3 result: Won 38-14 at Old Dominion
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 26 at South Alabama
North Carolina State (3-0) gained 256 yards on the ground and got rushing touchdowns from four different players, including quarterback Jacoby Brissett, to go along with 179 passing yards and a TD from the senior.
The Wolfpack held Old Dominion to 148 yards of total offense and a minus-three-yard output on the ground, limiting FBS rushing leader Ray Lawry to 15 yards on 11 carries.
33. Temple Owls
21 of 53
Average rating: 35.7
Week 3 result: Won 25-23 at Massachusetts
Week 4 matchup: Bye
Temple (3-0, 1-0 American) needed some craziness in the final minutes of its game at Massachusetts to claim its second straight road win and first 3-0 start since 2010, getting two points on a blocked extra-point attempt and then winning on a 32-yard Austin Jones field goal with 12 seconds left.
The Owls got 391 passing yards from P.J. Walker, but workhorse rusher Jahad Thomas was held to 66 yards on 25 carries with a touchdown. Temple allowed 393 passing yards, however, and has yielded 820 yards through the air in its last two games.
32. Arizona State Sun Devils
22 of 53
Average rating: 35.2
Week 3 result: Won 34-10 vs. New Mexico
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 26 vs. USC
Arizona State (2-1) got a terrific all-around performance from running back Demario Richard, making up for the lack of production from the rest of the offense in a Friday night win over New Mexico.
Richard had 255 all-purpose yards, rushing 15 times for 104 yards and catching four passes for 151 yards and two touchdowns, including a 93-yard score. Mike Bercovici threw for 317 yards and three TDs, completing 16 of 17 passes at one point but only six of 20 outside of that streak.
A week after allowing 284 rushing yards to FCS opponent Cal Poly, the Sun Devils handled New Mexico's triple-option run game, yielding only 184 yards on 47 carries.
31. Kansas State Wildcats
23 of 53
Average rating: 32.4
Week 3 result: Won 39-33 (in triple overtime) vs. Louisiana Tech
Week 4 matchup: Bye
Kansas State is 3-0 for the fourth time in six years, but it wasn't easy. The Wildcats were pushed to the limit by Louisiana Tech, needing two overtime touchdown passes from Joe Hubener to avoid a shocking home loss in a game in which their offense was pedestrian during regulation.
They gained 365 yards on 71 plays and were held to two field goals in the first 44:43, then suddenly got into a shootout that was mostly precipitated by Louisiana Tech quarterback Jeff Driskel's 314 passing yards.
30. Auburn Tigers
24 of 53
Average rating: 32.25
Week 3 result: Lost 45-21 at LSU
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 26 vs. Mississippi State
Auburn (2-1, 0-1 SEC) has now lost seven of its last 17 games since qualifying for the 2014 BCS National Championship Game, and many more losses could be coming if the Tigers don't get their act together soon.
The blowout loss at LSU saw so many things go wrong for Auburn that it's hard to figure out where to begin. The supposedly improved defense was shredded by Leonard Fournette, who averaged 12 yards per carry and made the Tigers defenders look like rag dolls. On offense, the continued poor play of quarterback Jeremy Johnson has now made the run game susceptible to being overplayed.
Johnson has six interceptions on 72 pass attempts. In comparison, 2014 starter Nick Marshall had seven on 293 attempts.
29. Mississippi State Bulldogs
25 of 53
Average rating: 31.6
Week 3 result: Won 62-13 vs. Northwestern State
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 26 at Auburn
Mississippi State (2-1, 0-1 SEC) put up big numbers against its FCS foe Saturday to rebound from a two-point loss to LSU the week before. Now, the Bulldogs hope to continue that production on the road against a vulnerable Auburn team that's ripe for the taking.
Dak Prescott threw for 227 yards and two touchdowns on 10-of-11 passing while adding 54 rushing yards, and two MSU backup QBs threw TDs as well. The run game averaged 7.4 yards per carry and scored five times, with Nick Fitzgerald finding paydirt twice.
28. Missouri Tigers
26 of 53
Average rating: 29.6
Week 3 result: Won 9-6 vs. Connecticut
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 26 at Kentucky
Missouri (3-0) has a knack for making walkover home games against lowly nonconference opponents seem like the most difficult tasks in the world. The Tigers didn't lose this time, like they did last year at home against Indiana, but they came awfully close.
If not for Connecticut's odd choice to fake a game-tying field-goal attempt in the final minute, Missouri likely would have needed overtime to avoid stubbing its toe in a game that provided plenty of stumble-worthy moments. The Tigers had only 270 yards and didn't score on offense until late in the third quarter, getting their other points on a blocked punt for a safety.
Maty Mauk ran for the go-ahead touchdown, but he had another iffy game with only 145 passing yards and an interception. Mauk has 474 yards with five TDs and four picks in three games.
27. Tennessee Volunteers
27 of 53
Average rating: 28.4
Week 3 result: Won 55-10 vs. Western Carolina
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 26 at Florida
Tennessee (2-1) rebounded from a disappointing home loss to Oklahoma with a walkover against an overmatched FCS opponent, hopefully providing enough confidence to head into a critical SEC opener that could make or break its season.
The Volunteers scored three touchdowns on passes, two on runs and two on special teams thanks to an 88-yard kickoff return by Evan Berry and a 50-yard punt return from Alvin Kamara. Kamara also ran for a score, as did Jalen Hurd, while freshman wideout Preston Williams caught his first two career TD passes.
Sadly, though, Williams is the Volunteers' receiving leader for the season with 98 yards, all of which came against Western Carolina.
26. California Golden Bears
28 of 53
Average rating: 28.0
Week 3 result: Won 45-44 at Texas
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 26 at Washington
California is 3-0 for the first time since 2011, and while it needed Texas to shank an extra point in the final minute Saturday, that doesn't take away from how well the Golden Bears have played this season.
The Bears scored 31 consecutive points during a run that began in the final minute of the first half and extended to late in the third quarter, then had to hang on as the Longhorns scored three times to pull within one before the missed PAT. It was reminiscent of many of Cal's losses last year during a 5-7 campaign, most notably when it allowed 36 fourth-quarter points (including a Hail Mary touchdown pass) at Arizona—but not entirely, because this one ended in a victory.
"It was a good win because it wasn't easy," Cal coach Sonny Dykes said, per Thayer Evans and Pete Thamel of Sports Illustrated. "We found a way to win against a football team playing with a lot of emotion and [in front of a] hostile crowd."
Jared Goff had 268 yards and three TDs while becoming Cal's career passing leader in just his 27th game, while Khalfani Muhammad ran for 164 yards and a TD. The Bears are averaging 51 points per game.
25. Oklahoma State Cowboys
29 of 53
Average rating: 24.0
Week 3 result: Won 69-14 vs. UTSA
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 26 at Texas
Oklahoma State (3-0) heads into Big 12 play unbeaten for the fourth time in the past six years thanks to an offense that keeps getting better and a defense that has remained strong each week.
The Cowboys are averaging 41.7 points and 508.7 yards per game while holding opponents to 11.7 points and 303.0 yards per game. Quarterback Mason Rudolph has 947 passing yards and five touchdowns, while running back Chris Carson is pacing a ground game that has averaged 178.0 yards per contest.
24. Stanford Cardinal
30 of 53
Average rating: 23.6
Week 3 result: Won 41-31 at USC
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 25 at Oregon State
There might not be another team in the country that has managed to change its initial 2015 impression as much as Stanford (2-1, 1-0 Pac-12) has thanks to its impressive road win against USC. Thrown on the scrap heap after managing six points in a season-opening loss at Northwestern—then going almost the entire first half the following week without a touchdown against lowly UCF—the Cardinal looked unstoppable Saturday.
Quarterback Kevin Hogan also drastically improved his image, not only throwing with great accuracy (18-of-23 passing) but also picking up 279 yards and two TDs through the air after having a 57.8 percent completion rate in his first two games and a per-attempt average of 4.4 yards in the first game.
Stanford isn't going to wow you on offense, but if Hogan can be efficient and Christian McCaffrey (115 yards) and Remound Wright (41 yards, three TDs) can continue to provide solid performances in the running game, the Cardinal will be all right.
23. BYU Cougars
31 of 53
Average rating: 23.5
Week 3 result: Lost 24-23 at UCLA
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 26 at Michigan
BYU (2-1) can't rely entirely on miraculous plays at the ends of games, as its loss Saturday proved. Being able to hold on to a lead gained prior to the final minute of play is also essential.
The Cougars led UCLA by 10 points early in the fourth quarter but couldn't hang on. After falling behind with 3:21 left, they weren't able to get a third straight game-winning score from freshman quarterback Tanner Mangum. Instead, he was intercepted by UCLA linebacker Myles Jack, ending a solid performance (30-of-47 passing for 244 yards and one touchdown), though it didn't include a completion of more than 19 yards.
BYU's run game looked the best it has this season, with Adam Hine going for 149 yards and a TD. It had only rushed for 204 yards in its first two contests, with injured quarterback Taysom Hill providing 72 of those before suffering a season-ending foot injury in the opener.
22. West Virginia Mountaineers
32 of 53
Average rating: 21.7
Week 3 result: Bye
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 26 vs. Maryland
West Virginia (2-0) is set to wrap up nonconference play with a border battle against Maryland, a team it beat on the road last season on a last-minute field goal.
The Mountaineers have been efficient on offense and locked opponents down on defense through two games in 2015, shutting out Georgia Southern in the process. They've held foes to 298 yards per game and forced five turnovers, while quarterback Skyler Howard has 622 yards and five touchdowns on 72.5 percent passing.
21. Wisconsin Badgers
33 of 53
Average rating: 21.7
Week 3 result: Won 28-3 vs. Troy
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 26 vs. Hawaii
Wisconsin (2-1) hasn't had top running back Corey Clement for the past two games, but it hasn't mattered much. The Badgers have allowed only three points and 412 yards in that span, while a committee of backups has produced strong results on the ground to go with quarterback Joel Stave's efficient passing.
Stave, a senior, has 666 passing yards and six touchdowns with a 67.4 percent completion rate, and Wisconsin has committed only two turnovers in three games.
20. Utah Utes
34 of 53
Average rating: 21.2
Week 3 result: Won 45-24 at Fresno State
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 26 at Oregon
Utah (3-0) turned to its most dependable player to make its first road game of the season one without much stress.
Devontae Booker ran for 156 yards and two touchdowns on 31 carries, giving him 345 yards and four scores on 84 attempts this season. He also had five catches for 56 yards against Fresno State and has 14 receptions for 126 yards in 2015.
The Utes started Kendal Thompson at quarterback, with Travis Wilson nursing a shoulder injury, and he managed the game with 190 yards of total offense and a TD pass. Utah also got a pair of special teams TDs and a defensive score.
19. Northwestern Wildcats
35 of 53
Average rating: 19.8
Week 3 result: Won 19-10 at Duke
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 26 vs. Ball State
Northwestern (3-0) has been in this position before—and recently—getting off to a hot start to the season and suddenly facing inflated expectations. What will make it possible for the 2015 start to be different than 2013, when the Wildcats opened 4-0 and then lost seven straight to begin a two-year tailspin?
The work of Northwestern's underrated defense will do the trick.
In three games, Northwestern has allowed 16 points and one touchdown, which came last week in the first quarter. After spotting Duke a 7-0 lead (thanks to an interception thrown by Clayton Thorson), the Wildcats forced punts on eight of the next 11 possessions, and the other three drives resulted in takeaways or turnovers on downs.
Northwestern's offense leaves a lot to be desired, particularly at quarterback, where Thorson has thrown for only 327 yards with one TD. But thanks to a defense that has held opponents to 235 yards per game, the team knows it won't be spending much time playing from behind.
18. Arizona Wildcats
36 of 53
Average rating: 18.4
Week 3 result: Won 77-13 vs. Northern Arizona
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 26 vs. UCLA
Arizona (3-0) heads into its biggest game of the season on the heels of the greatest offensive performance in school history, having set team records for points, total offense (792 yards) and rushing yards (499). That ground effort included seven touchdown runs with four different quarterbacks hitting paydirt on the ground.
The Wildcats have scored 11 rushing TDs and 10 passing TDs in 2015, with quarterback Anu Solomon starting the year by making 104 attempts without an interception.
Arizona's defense remains a concern, thinned by injuries, though the 346 yards it yielded to Northern Arizona featured 211 allowed on the first four drives and then 135 on the next 11.
17. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
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Average rating: 17.0
Week 3 result: Lost 30-22 at Notre Dame
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 26 at Duke
Georgia Tech (2-1) must be able to run the ball consistently in order to succeed, and any game where it produces more touchdowns through the air than on the ground isn't likely to end well. Such was the case at Notre Dame, where Justin Thomas tossed two TD passes in the final minute of the game to make the final score look a little more respectable, though in reality the outcome was far worse.
The Yellow Jackets' 216 rushing yards was their worst since the 2013 Music City Bowl, with six carries go for negative yardage and most going for only a few yards. Adding to the issues were two more turnovers, giving Tech seven in three games including four fumbles.
Thomas had to throw 24 times, completing only eight tosses, dropping Tech to 1-8 since 2012 in games in which it has attempted at least 20 passes.
16. USC Trojans
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Average rating: 15.4
Week 3 result: Lost 41-31 vs. Stanford
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 26 at Arizona State
USC (2-1, 0-1 Pac-12) faces the possibility of its second 0-2 start in conference play in the past three years after slipping at home to the Cardinal ahead of a tough trip to Arizona State. The last time that happened, in 2013—after a blowout loss at ASU—the Trojans didn't let coach Lane Kiffin back on the bus.
And with coach Steve Sarkisian already facing scrutiny for his alcohol-and-medication-induced antics at a preseason team event, the situation in Los Angeles has suddenly gotten a lot rockier.
"Given the preseason hype about USC, which was anointed the preseason Pac 12 favorite, losing at home to Stanford is bad enough anyway," USA Today's Dan Wolken wrote. "Combined with the conversation surrounding Sarkisian’s off-field behavior, it might set the tone for an ugly season."
Saturday's setback to Stanford wasn't so much about poor effort as much as poor execution in key situations. USC averaged more than five yards per carry and quarterback Cody Kessler completed 25 of 32 passes with three touchdowns, but save for a long TD pass to JuJu Smith-Schuster, there weren't the kind of big plays the Trojans have thrived off of.
And when a big play was needed most, such as on third down, they were almost nonexistent, and that's a trend that's existed all season. USC was 4-of-10 on third down, and for the year, the team ranks 116th nationally in third-down efficiency at 30.77 percent.
15. Oregon Ducks
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Average rating: 14.6
Week 3 result: Won 61-28 vs. Georgia State
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 26 vs. Utah
Oregon (2-1) will turn back to Vernon Adams Jr. at quarterback when the broken finger on his throwing hand is healed enough for him to play, but in the meantime, the Ducks have the luxury of a pretty good backup.
Jeff Lockie would have been the starter this season had Adams not transferred from Eastern Washington, and he was outstanding during spring ball. He got his first start on Saturday against Georgia State, and while not as explosive as Adams or Marcus Mariota, he also wasn't a liability or much of a drop-off.
Lockie threw for 228 yards and two touchdowns on 22-of-31 passing, deferring mostly to a run game that gained 311 yards with three scores. Oregon also benefited from its best defensive performance of the season, despite allowing 431 yards, as it forced four turnovers and got two defensive TDs.
14. Oklahoma Sooners
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Average rating: 14.2
Week 3 result: Won 52-38 vs. Tulsa
Week 4 matchup: Bye
Oklahoma (3-0) hasn't had a superstar quarterback in several years, not since Landry Jones finished up his prolific career in 2012. But Baker Mayfield is doing his best to end that lack of passing prowess, while also bringing along a mobility that gives the Sooners a balance from the position they haven't had since the Jamelle Holieway days of the mid-1980s.
Mayfield threw for 487 yards and two touchdowns and added another 85 rushing yards and two scores against Tulsa, the biggest single-game of total offense ever for an Oklahoma player. Combined with his late heroics the week before at Tennessee, when in the second half of the fourth quarter and in overtime he provided four TDs (three passing, one rushing), Mayfield is making the wait for him after his transfer from Texas Tech completely worth it.
That production is also helping to somewhat offset a defense that showed some major red flags against Tulsa, allowing 603 yards. The Golden Hurricane are coached by Philip Montgomery, who prior to this season was Baylor's offensive coordinator, which doesn't bode well for Oklahoma's defensive prospects when Big 12 play begins next month.
13. Texas A&M Aggies
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Average rating: 14.0
Week 3 result: Won 44-27 vs. Nevada
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 26 vs. Arkansas (in Arlington, Texas)
Texas A&M (3-0) hasn't looked particularly inspired or motivated during its past two home games, somehow managing to go through the motions at most times while scoring 100 points and gaining 1,038 yards in wins over Ball State and Nevada while yielding 50 points and 720 yards.
The Aggies lead the nation in tackles for loss, with 36, with the defensive line trio of Myles Garrett, Daeshon Hall and Daylon Mack combining for 15 of those, but they're also tied for 116th in FBS in sacks allowed at 10 and have turned the ball over six times.
A&M had much more drive and fire in its opener against Arizona State in Houston. Maybe another neutral-site game will be what helps rekindle that spark?
12. UCLA Bruins
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Average rating: 11.8
Week 3 result: Won 24-23 vs. BYU
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 26 at Arizona
UCLA (3-0) likely had already realized that freshman quarterback Josh Rosen wasn't going to be mistake-free, which made his performance against BYU easier to deal with moving forward. Rosen was intercepted three times and completed just 11 of 23 passes for 106 yards, continuing a downward trend from his masterful debut.
But the Bruins offense won't suffer as long as Paul Perkins remains a reliable presence in the backfield. While Rosen's production has trended downward, it's been the exact opposite for Perkins, who ran for a career-high 219 yards on 26 carries last week after going for 151 the week before and 59 in UCLA's opener.
Perkins' 26 carries were also a career high, and combined with Nate Starks' 81 rushing yards and game-winning touchdown run late in the fourth quarter, the Bruins are averaging 240.3 yards per game on the ground.
11. Clemson Tigers
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Average rating: 10.8
Week 3 result: Won 20-17 at Louisville
Week 4 matchup: Bye
Clemson (3-0, 1-0 ACC) can't look flawless on offense every game, even with such a great athlete as Deshaun Watson at quarterback. If how the Tigers performed with the ball at Louisville on Thursday is the worst it gets, though, this has the makings of a special season thanks to a defense that's already coming close to what last year's unit achieved.
Watson had his first two-interception game to go with 199 passing yards and two touchdowns as well as 54 rushing yards, but he was bolstered by Wayne Gallman's 139 yards on 24 carries as well as a lockdown defensive performance.
The Tigers sacked Louisville's Kyle Bolin six times, held the Cardinals to 19 yards on the ground and intercepted two passes. Clemson is allowing 260.7 yards per game, slightly ahead of the 260.8-per-game rate that last year's top-ranked defense yielded.
10. Florida State Seminoles
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Average rating: 9.6
Week 3 result: Won 14-0 at Boston College
Week 4 matchup: Bye
Florida State (3-0, 1-0 ACC) remains a work in progress on offense, one that needs to get just as much production from quarterback Everett Golson as from running back Dalvin Cook. Yet, as long as its defense continues to hold up its end of the bargain, there's no need to panic about the lack of explosiveness on the other side.
The Seminoles only managed 217 yards and one offensive touchdown in Friday's win at Boston College, and the TD came on their opening drive. Golson threw for 119 yards, the fewest by an FSU quarterback since EJ Manuel threw for 65 yards in a November 2011 win at Florida, though amazingly the 'Noles have won 14 of their last 16 games when they've failed to top 200 passing yards.
That's because of FSU's defense, which held Boston College to 195 yards (including 56 through the air on 5-of-15 passing) and for the season has allowed 10 points and 256.3 yards per game.
9. Alabama Crimson Tide
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Average rating: 9.4
Week 3 result: Lost 43-37 vs. Ole Miss
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 26 vs. Louisiana-Monroe
Alabama (2-1, 0-1 SEC) suffered its earliest loss in a season during Nick Saban's tenure, which means this is the earliest the "Is this the end?" questions start popping up for the Crimson Tide. The fact is that five turnovers, including two on fumbled kickoffs, and no semblance of a consistent passing game will lead to such early losses, even at home.
The Tide started Cooper Bateman but gave up on him quickly, and Jake Coker did no better. The pair combined for three interceptions, but Coker did throw three touchdown passes, helping Alabama fight back from deficits of 30-10 and 43-24 against Ole Miss to put itself in position to take the lead. That never happened, though, because the Rebels kept making the kind of big plays Alabama normally doesn't fall susceptible to.
Adding to the passing problems, receiver Robert Foster needs shoulder surgery and is out indefinitely, robbing the Tide of their most experienced pass-catcher.
8. LSU Tigers
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Average rating: 8.8
Week 3 result: Won 45-21 vs. Auburn
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 26 at Syracuse
LSU (2-0, 2-0 SEC) didn't get its second conference win until mid-October last season, but thanks to a Heisman-like start to this year by Leonard Fournette, the Tigers are the early front-runners in the West Division.
Fournette's 228-yard, three-touchdown performance against Auburn was the stuff that legends are born from. The bruising sophomore plowed through defenders who tried to tackle him (in vain) in a variety of different ways, including throwing themselves at his head. He just shook them off like dryer lint and kept on running.
With Fournette looking so good so far, it's prevented Brandon Harris from having to do too much. Though that means he's still a somewhat unknown quantity, yet to have faced adversity, it also means he can gain confidence through these low-stress results.
7. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
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Average rating: 6.8
Week 3 result: Won 30-22 vs. Georgia Tech
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 26 vs. Massachusetts
Notre Dame (3-0) was a home underdog against Georgia Tech this past weekend, the product of a rash of injuries to key starters—including quarterback Malik Zaire—that made it seem as if the Fighting Irish wouldn't have enough talent available to handle this tough opponent. So much for that theory.
The Irish led 30-8 after 59 minutes, giving up two late desperation touchdowns to make the final score look far closer than the game actually was, with freshman DeShone Kizer looking like a plenty-adequate replacement for Zaire. He didn't have to be the offense's driving force, just its manager, though completing 21 of 30 passes for 242 yards with a TD and an interception in his first career start wasn't too shabby.
"What I liked about him is he immediately takes ownership," Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly said, per JJ Stankevitz of CSN Chicago.
Kizer relied heavily on big-play receiver Will Fuller (6 REC, 131 YDs, TD) and hard-running converted wideout C.J. Prosise (22 CAR, 198 YDs, 3 TDs) to do most of the dirty work, and that looks to be a strong recipe for success.
There's also the work that Notre Dame's defense did in stifling one of the toughest run games in the country. Holding Georgia Tech to 216 yards on 47 carries is quite an achievement.
6. Michigan State Spartans
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Average rating: 6.4
Week 3 result: Won 35-21 vs. Air Force
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 26 vs. Central Michigan
Michigan State (3-0) had some moments of post-Oregon lethargy both on offense and defense this past week, but not enough to make the result ever in doubt. The Spartans so far have won their games by only a combined 30 points yet have been in control for nearly all 180 minutes of play this season.
The 324 yards gained against Air Force was MSU's lowest output of 2015 and continues a game-by-game drop each week this fall, but there was efficiency in that production, as Connor Cook threw for 247 yards and four touchdowns on just 23 pass attempts. Aaron Burbridge had three of those TDs, and for the season has 20 receptions for 374 yards and four scores.
The Spartans gave up 279 rushing yards to the Falcons' option attack, but that came on 51 carries.
5. Baylor Bears
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Average rating: 5.6
Week 3 result: Bye
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 26 vs. Rice
Baylor (2-0) had the first of its two byes this season amid a four-game, five-week stretch to open the season when it doesn't leave the state of Texas. The Bears have won at SMU and beat Lamar at home, each by a 35-point margin.
Averaging 61 points and 754 yards per game has helped offset some underachieving defensive numbers to this point, though most of that has come in the first half. The Bears have been tied at 21 in each game so far before outscoring their opponents 80-10 after that.
4. TCU Horned Frogs
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Average rating: 5.5
Week 3 result: Won 56-37 vs. SMU
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 26 at Texas Tech
TCU (3-0) has the capability of winning every game if it becomes a shootout, and with its defensive starters continuing to drop like flies, the Horned Frogs might just have to do that.
The loss of cornerback Ranthony Texada to a season-ending injury only enhanced a shoddy performance trying to stop SMU. Yet, the Mustangs are much-improved this season and have put up big numbers against Big 12 powers Baylor and TCU, but the Frogs normally wouldn't yield 518 yards to a team coming off a 1-11 season.
Heading into what will likely be another points-aplenty game in Lubbock, at least the offense is firing on all cylinders. Trevone Boykin now has 1,133 yards of total offense and 12 total TDs in three games after going for 504 with six total scores against SMU, while running back Aaron Green rushed for 164 yards and two TDs.
3. Georgia Bulldogs
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Average rating: 5.4
Week 3 result: Won 52-20 vs. South Carolina
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 26 vs. Southern
Georgia (3-0, 2-0 SEC) currently requires very little from its quarterback other than to keep the handoffs to Nick Chubb et al on the clean side and for the occasional quality pass when the situation calls for it. Greyson Lambert establishing an FBS record for accuracy is gravy.
Lambert's 96 percent completion rate, with one incompletion in 25 attempts, produced 330 yards and three touchdowns. That alone would have been enough to beat South Carolina, but the Bulldogs also ran for 246 yards and four TDs, with Chubb topping 100 yards for the 11th straight game.
Georgia's defense allowed only 258 yards and for the year is giving up 303 yards per game.
2. Ole Miss Rebels
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Average rating: 2.9
Week 3 result: Won 43-37 at Alabama
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 26 vs. Vanderbilt
Ole Miss (3-0, 1-0 SEC) has proved it belongs, at least for the time being, among the nation's elite after pulling off the rare victory Saturday at Alabama. It was the Rebels' first win in Tuscaloosa since 1988 and marked the program's first-ever back-to-back wins over the Crimson Tide, and though there were some touch-and-go moments in the fourth quarter, the game was almost completely controlled by the visitors in the sweet powder-blue helmets.
Yes, the Rebels had some luck—such as when Chad Kelly's wild heave into the air bounced around before landing in Quincy Adeboyejo's hands for a 66-yard touchdown, or thanks to a pair of fumbled kickoffs by Alabama—but all in all, they asserted their will unlike few teams have done against the Tide.
"Nobody has been more impressive thus far this season than the Rebels," Sports On Earth's Matt Brown wrote. "The key term is thus far, but for now Ole Miss deserves every accolade."
The Rebels are averaging 64 points and 567.3 yards per game, while their defense has forced 10 turnovers (with five coming against Alabama). And with a schedule that brings most of the best remaining SEC teams to Oxford, this could be a momentous year for Ole Miss.
1. Ohio State Buckeyes
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Average rating: 2.0
Week 3 result: Won 20-13 vs. Northern Illinois
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 26 vs. Western Michigan
Ohio State (3-0) is showing just how difficult it is to defend a national title and remain undefeated despite having more offensive weapons than all of its opponents combined. This latest uneven performance, at home to a Mid-American school, conjures up memories of another recent powerhouse trying to replicate the past but with less impressive results.
"Ohio State looks like Florida State last year," Fox Sports' Clay Travis wrote. "So what's going on in Columbus? Fortunately for Ohio State, Urban Meyer has until late November to get things worked out on this team, but if Michigan State rolled into town this weekend, I think the Spartans would beat the Buckeyes."
Other than a dominant second half in the opener at Virginia Tech, the Buckeyes have looked quite average and particularly so on offense. The quarterback situation hasn't been resolved, with Cardale Jones getting benched for J.T. Barrett, and the entire unit producing eight turnovers in three games.
OSU's defense has by far been its strength to this point, giving up 225 yards per game and only 20 points in the last 10 quarters.
All stats courtesy of cfbstats.com.
Follow Brian J. Pedersen on Twitter at @realBJP.
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