As The Teams Tumble: Five Things We Learned in Week Three

Every college football week seems more unpredictable than the one before. This time around, we saw two top 10 teams fall and other players have standout performances.

At this point, the top contenders might not start to separate themselves until conference play picks up very shortly.

But after three weeks, some of the best teams are flexing their muscles and making an early BCS case. So here's a look at five more things we learned about the FBS in Week Three:

1.) Ronald Johnson's injury has made the USC offense appear pedestrian

After USC's stunning loss to Washington, one trend is becoming very clear: the Trojans aren't intimidating anyone with the passing game.

One can point that to the inexperience at QB between Matt Barkley and Aaron Corp, but one other reason might be the absence of burner WR Ronald Johnson.

Johnson has something superstar WR Damian Williams doesn't have in superstar speed, which keeps safeties honest.

Often times, the Huskies stacked the box not fearful of a deep threat who can blow by the secondary as Johnson often has done. USC can run the football, but they need that deep threat that will keep defenses honest.

Ohio State often brought eight in the box and USC was able to exploit it with passes to Joe McKnight. Washington was not quite as successful at stopping the run, but USC could not get the ball to McKnight in the air, eliminating a speed threat.

When Johnson returns, expect USC to pick up the pace offensively. Until then, the Trojans defense will have to carry them for the next few weeks.

2.) Boise State and TCU are the most trendy mid-major BCS hopefuls left

Last Saturday, two BCS busters in BYU and Utah both suffered upsets to teams who lost in week one in Florida State and Oregon respectively.

If the trend of a mid-major team in the BCS is to continue, it will be left up to Boise State and TCU, both ranked in the top 15. History says that the Broncos have the easier road to the BCS, but many crazier things have happened in college football.

Houston still has an outside shot to crash the party and they have a quality win, beating Oklahoma State on the road.

It could be safe to say that if head coach Chris Petersen leads the Broncos to another BCS win that he will be fielding a lot of calls from big programs ala Urban Meyer.

3.) Miami looks more and more legit, and Jacory Harris is the reason why

The U has not been the same as it was in the early part of this decade when they had two of the greatest teams ever in 2001 and 2002.

But head coach Randy Shannon seems to have turned the program around, and they are riding the arm of sophomore star Jacory Harris to a comeback win over Florida State and a blowout over Georgia Tech.

They have an extremely difficult road ahead of them with games at Virginia Tech and against Oklahoma, both top 10 teams.

It's tough to imagine that they will win both considering the type of level the 'Canes would have to sustain for a few more weeks. A stretch like this was what spelled the end for Texas last season playing four ranked teams in a row.

If Miami can go 3-1 to start the season heading into their fifth game against Florida A&M, they will be in great shape to make a run at the ACC Championship.

4.) Tennessee's defense should keep them in more games than expected

Many out there expected Florida to run away from Tennessee on Saturday in the Swamp, but an unexpected strong showing defensively by the Volunteers should have raised some eyebrows.

Monte Kiffin's defense forced QB Tim Tebow into an INT and had multiple sacks on the superstar.

Tebow also was held without a passing TD for the first time in 30 games at Florida.

Lane Kiffin's bunch played well enough to win, though they made mistakes that did not help them get it done. When Kiffin does get more talent to Knoxville, they could easily become a force to be reckoned with in the SEC.

5.) If Cal wins the Pac-10, Jahvid Best will be the reason why

Cal looked to be having their hands full in Minneapolis against the Golden Gophers, except for when they gave the ball to No. 4 Jahvid Best, who has to be a Heisman candidate at this point.

Best had five rushing TDs against a Gopher defense that did not have an answer for him when he got to the second level.

The Bears are still in the top 10 heading into Pac-10 play, and suddenly they have the upper hand on the maligned Trojans.

Cal has shown a stingy defense, allowing less than 14 points per game, and Best already has eight rushing TDs to his credit.

Best is one of the most electrifying playmakers in the game, and if Cal is dreaming of the Rose Bowl, he will need to continue to be superhuman to get it done.