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Mike's NCAA college football power rankings for the top 25 NCAA college football teams before Week 3 of the 2024 season. Which teams are the best contenders for the expanded playoff?
Whereas the first week of the 2024 season was mostly devoid of upsets, we had a couple of big ones in Week 2. Sure, they're less important with the expanded playoff, but it's still fun to root for the little guys (especially if you bet them outright).
These rankings will vary greatly from the AP ones early in the season because I don't go off speculation. I go by what happened on the field only. They will stabilize as the season goes on, but it might take a bit to get there.
I understand that teams can only beat who is scheduled. These are going to look a little strange through September, but I hope it serves to highlight wins that others may not have noticed.
(25) Michigan State (2-0) (NR)
Last week: W 27-24 at Maryland
A conference road win looks good for Sparty. The only one they had last year was in Bloomington.
(24) Pittsburgh (2-0) (NR)
Last week: W 28-27 at Cincinnati
Pitt followed up a win against the worst team in the MAC with a win at Cincinnati after being down big. Now you have my attention. Well ... Desmond Reid has my attention.
(23) California (2-0) (NR)
Last week: W 21-14 at Auburn
Cal's MVP in this game? It wasn't Jaydn Ott. It wasn't even a guy on the team...
Just a reminder if any Auburn fan wants to give Payton Thorne another chance…
(Hope this ruined your Monday like it did mine ) ? pic.twitter.com/eHU5EKC552
— Ace ? (@AceWDE) September 9, 2024
(22) Mississippi (2-0) ⇓2
Last week: W 52-3 vs. Middle Tennessee State
This offense is very impressive when it sees no resistance.
(21) Oklahoma (2-0) (NR)
Last week: W 16-12 vs. Houston
Yes, this is two wins over FBS schools, but the Sooners looked awful in this game. I can say with a high degree of confidence that Oklahoma will not see my ranking after Week 4. Not with the way it is playing right now.
(20) UNLV (2-0) ⇓10
Last week: W 72-14 vs. Utah Tech
The Rebels still have a win over a Power Four team on the road. That means a lot at this stage.
(19) Ohio State (2-0) ⇔
Last week: W 56-0 vs. Western Michigan
Ohio State is going to be the MAC champion by the time its regular season starts...
(18) Alabama (2-0) ⇓3
Last week: W 42-16 vs. South Florida
We are to the point of the week where just having won against two FBS schools will get you ranked. No preseason in college football, sure...
That said, the final score doesn't do South Florida justice. It played a hell of a game on both sides of the ball for the first 53 minutes of this game.
(17) South Carolina (2-0) (NR)
Last week: W 31-6 at Kentucky
A win on the road in the SEC will cause me to be a little more forgiving of the uninspired performance against Old Dominion. LaNorris Sellers looked good in this one and that SC defense is a force.
(16) Nebraska (2-0) ⇑8
Last week: W 28-10 vs. (17) Colorado
The Cornhuskers exacted revenge for Colorado stomping them in Boulder last year. This game wasn't as close as the score indicated. The Nebraska defense was dominant in this one.
Nebraska-Colorado summed up in 1 play
pic.twitter.com/8Ozk2WL6wn— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) September 8, 2024
(15) Boston College (2-0) ⇓6
Last week: W 56-0 vs. Duquesne
Beating Florida State in Tallahassee may not be much of an accomplishment this year. We don't know. However, I'll continue to give BC the benefit of the historical significance of that win.
(14) Vanderbilt (2-0) ⇓8
Last week: W 55-0 vs. Alcorn State
First, the Commodores beat a physical Virginia Tech team and then they shut someone out? What year is this?
(13) Illinois (2-0) (NR)
Last week: W 23-17 vs. Kansas
I had Kansas highly ranked in the preseason, so this is a big win. I've yet to see a defense fluster Jalon Daniels the way that Illinois did.
(12) Arizona State (1-0) ⇑10
Last week: W 30-23 vs. Mississippi State
Hey, this may not mean as much to you, but this was Arizona State's first win over an SEC team. I'll give it some props for that. Also, I'm pretty sure that Cam Skattebo was cloned in a lab and bred with a tank...
Cam Skattebo went NUCLEAR to help Arizona State beat an SEC opponent for the first time ?
Here is a quick breakdown of his angriest runs…
And make sure to watch him tonight vs Texas State ? pic.twitter.com/SclWbChQ6J
— Cole Topham (@crtopham_) September 12, 2024
(11) North Carolina (2-0) ⇓3
Last week: W 38-20 vs. Charlotte
It was a win over another FBS team. Teams that have beaten two FBS teams are hard to come by at this point in the season. Conner Harrell looked solid in his first start, and the Tar Heels will use a two-back system again.
(10) Miami (FL) (2-0) ⇓6
Last week: W 56-9 vs. Florida A&M
The win over Florida in the Swamp keeps the Hurricanes afloat.
(9) Penn State (2-0) ⇓4
Last week: W 34-27 vs. Bowling Green
Penn State is one of the few teams that has beaten two FBS teams, including a Power Four team on the road. That's the only reason it is here, as the defense got gouged by Bowling Green.
I think the Falcons will be a player in the MAC (and the MAC is overall better than most people think), but they still shouldn't be pushing a team that everyone thinks will make the playoff on their field.
(8) Tennessee (2-0) ⇑13
Last week: W 51-10 vs. North Carolina State at Charlotte
A week after punishing a ranked FCS team, the Vols do the same to the AP-ranked Pack. This offense is impressive and the defense looks better than last year.
(7) Oklahoma State (2-0) ⇑5
Last week: W 39-31 vs. Arkansas (2 OT)
The Pokes beat a team that hadn't lost in three years and beat an SEC team. That counts for something.
This is the Oklahoma state offense. They have a heisman contender at running back. By all accounts they should be able to move the ball on the ground at will. Their only flaw is that they refuse to give the ball to their running back. pic.twitter.com/RKX5Q8BqMM
— Brig Adams (@brig_a_tron) September 7, 2024
The unwillingness to use Ollie Gordon II is a bit puzzling, but Mike Gundy has been doing this for a while. He has had some good backs come through Stillwater and move on to the NFL. He's earned the benefit of the doubt.
(6) Syracuse (2-0) ⇑10
Last week: W 31-28 vs. (11) Georgia Tech
The Yellow Jackets were fortunate the game was this close. Fran Brown's tenure in Syracuse is off to a great start. The Orange (and their fans) are having fun again.
(5) Iowa State (2-0) (NR)
Last week: W 20-19 at (25) Iowa
A road win over a ranked rival will get you a long way in the early going. Their other win is against a ranked FCS team, so the Cyclones get a little more respect in my poll.
(4) USC (2-0) ⇓1
Last week: W 48-0 vs. Utah State
The Trojans backed up a big win on a neutral field against LSU with a shutout win over another FBS team. That was their first shutout in 13 years. Tell me they don't deserve to be here right now.
(3) Georgia (2-0) ⇓2
Last week: W 48-3 vs. Tennessee Tech
Hey, I thought Cupcake Week was usually in November. Georgia got the munchies early, I see...
(2) Northern Illinois (2-0) (NR)
Last week: W 16-14 at (2) Notre Dame
At this point in the season, if you beat No. 2, you are No. 2. We can debate the semantics of it all if you want, but if the Irish were that high in the AP Poll, they saw something, too. This is a big win. Let the Huskies have this slot for a week.
NIU's local radio call of the win over Notre Dame is electric. pic.twitter.com/qJGHzzWlsD
— Shooter McGavin (@ShooterMcGavin_) September 8, 2024
(1) Texas (2-0) ⇑17
Last week: 31-12 at (14) Michigan
You know what? You deserve the top spot if you waltz into the Big House and lay a whoopin' on the Wolverines like this. This game wasn't nearly as close as the score indicated. Texas dominated from the coin toss.
TEXAS FIGHT!!!!! Texas goes into the Big House and gives a Big Beatdown to Michigan 31-12! Ending Michigan’s 16 game win streak and 23 game home winning streak!!! HOOK’EM!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/hKnIKsIlz9
— Josh Pearson (@WhatStartsHere) September 7, 2024
Others Receiving Votes
- Oregon
- Utah
- Indiana
- Louisville
- Duke
- BYU
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