College Football Rankings: Who's In, Who's Out after Week 3

Thus far, the college football rankings have seen an influx of new teams, as well as old teams being left by the wayside.

Those with huge potential, like Notre Dame and Georgia, are off to 0-2 starts, and their chances of returning to the top 25 aren't bright—at least for a few more weeks.

On the other hand, teams like South Florida and Baylor have arrived and don't have any intentions of leaving.

Auburn left and came back.

One thing we've learned from the rankings over the years is that if you're not at the top, you never really know what's going to happen.

Think your team's hanging on the edge or could get bumped out with the swiftest winds? Stay tuned and check it out.

Texas Longhorns

Status: In, but moving out (ranked No. 24)

Texas has been a mess this season so far.

Former national championship darling Garrett Gilbert has looked atrocious and has since been benched for a two-quarterback system. Case McCoy and David Ash are the quarterbacks that we'll see featured this week against UCLA.

That leads me to UCLA. The Bruins haven't looked bad at all this season, narrowly losing to Case Keenum and Houston's high-octane offense.

I simply don't think Texas is mentally ready to head into Los Angeles and beat the Bruins. Even a close victory for the Longhorns might not be enough.

The last time the two teams met, Texas was undefeated and UCLA trounced the Longhorns 34-12.

Mississippi State Bulldogs

Status: In, but moving out (ranked No. 25)

This one was an easy addition to the list because Mississippi State has already lost and is pretty much guaranteed to not be a part of next week's top 25.

The Bulldogs lost to LSU last night 19-6 at home, tallying less than 100 yards of offense in the second half.

Mississippi State is now 1-2 on the season and will have a huge uphill climb to jump back into the SEC West picture.

Arizona State Sun Devils

Status: In, but moving out (ranked No. 22)

Arizona State's game against Illinois has the feeling of a let-down game and a look-ahead game. That's a very dangerous combination.

The Sun Devils are coming off a very emotional game against Missouri with an equally important Pac-12 South matchup at home against USC next week.

Look, this team is good, but I attended the game against Missouri, and the defense has some pretty big holes. Mizzou quarterback James Franklin totaled 410 yards of total offense against Arizona State.

Illinois quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase is a similar dual-threat quarterback that can exploit Arizona State.

I think with USC looming over the horizon, Illinois has what it takes to pull an upset in Champaign, Ill. this weekend.

West Virginia Mountaineers

Status: In, but moving out (ranked No. 18)

This is another game I feel has "look-ahead" written all over it.

Maryland this week is no walk-over. Maryland is a very good football team, having beat Miami in Week 1. They were off last weekend.

West Virginia is very good as well—its pass offense in particular. However, I think having to travel to Maryland a week before hosting LSU in a gargantuan matchup is going to be trouble for the Mountaineers.

I believe the Terrapins upset the Mountaineers in this game. In turn, the Mountaineers just barely get the short end of the stick in the rankings.

USC Trojans

Status: Currently out

The USC Trojans are one of the teams that was ranked in the preseason but then slipped out. A win against the Syracuse Orange at home would certainly put the Trojans back in, albeit only at No. 24 or No. 25.

Despite being 2-0 in a less-than-impressive Big East, Syracuse hasn't shown much spark in its two lackluster victories. It has won both matchups by a touchdown apiece.

Syracuse presents a nice passing offense with Ryan Nassib, though I don't think that'll be enough in Southern California.

USC is going to take this game and move back into the top 25 come the next polls.

Michigan Wolverines

Status: Currently out

Many people believe Michigan should already be ranked after its "victory for the ages" against Notre Dame. The pollsters didn't agree, leaving Michigan just on the outside looking in.

All it's going to take is a win against Eastern Michigan for the Wolverines to hop up into the top 25 and gain some respect.

Denard Robinson has the nation's attention yet again.

Houston Cougars

Status: Currently out

Case Keenum has yet again caught fire through the air. What is he, like, 30 years old now?

The Cougars are sitting at 2-0 and are looking like one of the hungriest mid-major teams in college football this season.

This week Keenum and Houston will travel to Louisiana Tech, where they hope the nation's top passing offense will shine under the lights.

This game should be easy for the Cougars, and they should have all the respect they need by hopping into the polls at 3-0.

This team is good and the nation should really start to notice and consider Keenum as a serious Heisman Trophy candidate.

Maryland Terrapins

Status: Currently out

Randy Edsall's Maryland Terrapins were off in Week 2, however, they brought out the fireworks in their opener against Miami.

This week, the Terps host No. 18 West Virginia and I believe they have what it takes to upset the Mountaineers.

Quarterback Danny O'Brien threw for 350 yards in the opener and he'll look to put up repeat numbers on Saturday.

A win against West Virginia would surely boost the Terrapins into the top 25, considering they are right on the cusp of the current rankings right now.