X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

NCAA College Football Power Rankings - 2024 Week 3

Quinn Ewers - Fantasy Football Rankings, College FB, NFL Rookies, Draft Sleepers

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.

Featured Promo: Get any College Football Premium Pass for 30% off and win more using code WIN. Exclusive access to our industry-leading DFS Lineup Optimizer, DFS Cheat Sheets and Premium Discord Chat rooms. Go Premium, Win More!

 

(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...

 

(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.

 

(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...

 

(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.

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.

 

(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.

 

Others Receiving Votes

  • Oregon
  • Utah
  • Indiana
  • Louisville
  • Duke
  • BYU


Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!

More College Football Analysis

More DFS Lineup Picks

POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Tyler Soderstrom

Returns to A's Lineup
Tyler Warren

Sidelined on Wednesday with Toe Injury
Jaylen Waddle

Questionable for Week 3 Against Buffalo
Joe Burrow

Bengals Not Closing the Door on Joe Burrow Returning This Year
CFB

LaNorris Sellers to Play Against Missouri?
Kyle Tucker

Progress has "Plateaued"
Isaac Paredes

has "Outside Chance" to Return This Weekend
CFB

Kaidon Salter Expected To Start for Colorado on Saturday
Willson Contreras

Goes on 10-Day Injured List, Done for Season
Justin Fields

Ruled Out for Week 3 Due to Concussion
Jayden Reed

Out Indefinitely After Foot and Shoulder Surgery
Washington Commanders

Preston Smith Signs With Commanders
Trey Jemison III

Joins Knicks on Two-Way Contract
Kevin McCullar Jr.

Signs New Two-Way Deal With Knicks
Matt Ryan

Returns to Knicks on Exhibit 10 Contract
New York Knicks

Alex Len Signs Exhibit 9 Deal With Knicks
Nickeil Alexander-Walker

Expected to Take on Larger Offensive Role With Hawks
Thomas Sorber

Undergoes Surgery
Dominic Canzone

Has Five-Hit, Three-Homer Game Tuesday
Cal Raleigh

Sets Single-Season Home Run Record for a Switch-Hitter
Jayden Reed

Undergoes Clavicle and Foot Surgeries, Out for Foreseeable Future
Bo Bichette

to Miss Rest of Regular Season
Zach Neto

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Hand Injury
Yordan Alvarez

Out on Tuesday, Dealing With "Significant" Ankle Sprain
Aaron Jones Sr.

Vikings Place Aaron Jones Sr. on Injured Reserve With Hamstring Injury
CFB

Diego Pavia Refutes Report of Seeking Seventh Collegiate Season
Christian Kirk

Expected to Return in Week 3
CFB

Diego Pavia Seeking Another Year of Eligibility
Tarik Skubal

on Track to Start Thursday
CFB

Kevorian Barnes Questionable Against SMU
Bo Bichette

has Short-Term Knee Injury, Could Return for Postseason
Tosan Evbuomwan

Joins Knicks
NBA

Kai Jones Links Up With EuroLeague Team
Bismack Biyombo

Returns to Spurs
Bones Hyland

Rejoins Timberwolves
Kobe Bufkin

Moves to Brooklyn
Trey Yesavage

Sets Franchise Strikeout Record On Monday
Yordan Alvarez

To Receive MRI For Sprained Left Ankle On Tuesday
Willson Contreras

Exits Early Monday With Right-Biceps Tightness
Yordan Alvarez

Exits With Ankle Sprain
Brock Bowers

Officially Active on Monday Night
Jauan Jennings

Day-to-Day With Ankle Injury
Logan O'Hoppe

Activated Off Seven-Day Injured List
CBJ

Denton Mateychuk Dealing With Groin Issue
Bo Horvat

Fine for Training Camp
Kirby Dach

on Track to Be Ready for Opening Night
Jose Altuve

Returns Against Rangers
J.J. McCarthy

Expected to Miss 2-4 Weeks With High-Ankle Sprain
J.J. McCarthy

Likely Out for Week 3 With High-Ankle Sprain
Jean Silva

Gets Finished For The First Time In His Career
Aaron Jones Sr.

Unlikely to Play in Week 3 Due to Hamstring Injury
Diego Lopes

Returns To The Win Column
Jayden Daniels

' Week 3 Status in Doubt
Rob Font

Outclassed In The Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
David Martinez

Wins His Second UFC Fight
Jared Gordon

Suffers Brutal TKO Loss At Noche UFC 3
Rafa Garcia

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Brian Thomas Jr.

Dealing with Wrist Injury
Dustin Stoltzfus

Drops A Decision At Noche UFC 3
Kelvin Gastelum

Gets Back In The Win Column
Diego Ferreira

Suffers Second-Round TKO
Alexander Hernandez

Extends His Win Streak With A Brutal TKO
Quang Le

Suffers First-Round Knockout
Santiago Luna

Shines In His UFC Debut
Christopher Bell

Earns his First Bristol Cup Series Victory
Alex Bowman

Falls Short of Advancing Through Cup Series Playoffs
Chase Briscoe

Collects his Third Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Ryan Blaney

Strong Top-Five Bristol Performance Advances him to the Playoffs
Corey Heim

Earns his First Career Cup Series Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Leads Greece to Bronze Medal
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Drops 28 Points in EuroBasket Finals
CFB

Indiana's Lee Beebe Jr. Out for Season with Knee Injury
Dennis Schröder

Dennis Schroder Named EuroBasket MVP
Bryce Eldridge

Giants to Promote Bryce Eldridge
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Progressing in Recovery
Jonathan Kuminga

Receives New Offer From Warriors
Kenneth Walker III

Bounces Back with Big Week 2 Performance
Bijan Robinson

Rushes for 143 Yards in Week 2
Justin Fields

Currently in Concussion Protocol
Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals Calling Around to Available Free-Agent Quarterbacks
Joe Burrow

to Undergo Surgery, Out at Least Three Months
Emil Heineman

Aiming to Take the "Next Step" This Season
Braeden Cootes

Good to Go for Camp
Ivan Fedotov

Blue Jackets Acquire Ivan Fedotov From Flyers
Garrett Crochet

Punches Out 12 in Win
Cole Ragans

to Return on Wednesday
George Kirby

Strikes Out 14 in Win
Quentin Grimes

Still Not Close to a New Contract Agreement
Joel Embiid

"Looking Slender, Spry and in Positive Spirits"
Ty Gibbs

Has Arguably his Best Career Drive, but Only Finishes 10th
Chase Elliott

Despite Crashing Out at Bristol, Chase Elliott Advances to Round of 12
Austin Dillon

Misses Round of 12 After Extremely Mediocre Bristol Run
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Fails to Advance to Round of 12
Josh Berry

Finishes Last in All Three Round of 16 Races to Fail to Advance
CFB

Ryan Williams Explodes In Return To Field
CFB

Drew Allar Plays Mediocre Game In Blowout Win
CFB

LaNorris Sellers Exits Game In Blowout Loss
CFB

DJ Lagway Tosses Five Interceptions In Loss
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Plays Game Manager in Saturday's Win
CFB

CJ Carr Remains Poised In Narrow Loss
CFB

John Mateer Leads Oklahoma In Rout
CFB

Arch Manning Struggles Against UTEP
CFB

Jeremiah Smith Impresses In Win
CFB

Sam Leavitt Shines As Arizona State Rebounds From Week 2 Loss
Ivan Demidov

Turning Heads in Rookie Camp
NHL

Calvin de Haan Signs With Swedish Team
Samuel Girard

Skates With Non-Contact Jersey
Mackenzie Blackwood

Dealing With Injury Ahead of Training Camp
Spencer Knight

Signs Three-Year Extension With Blackhawks
Chris Buescher

May have Another Solid Run at Bristol
Corey Perry

Out 6-8 Weeks Following Surgery
Kyle Busch

Should DFS Managers Roster Kyle Busch at Bristol?
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

Is Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Too Risky to Consider Rostering at Bristol?
Michael McDowell

Could be A Solid Value Option For Bristol DFS Lineups
Chase Elliott

Probably Won't Factor in for Bristol Win
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Not as Strong at Bristol as Other Short Tracks
Alex Bowman

Needs to Win to Make Round of 12
Ross Chastain

has Never Led at Bristol but Has Been Pretty Consistent
Austin Dillon

Richmond Speed Unlikely to Carry Over to Bristol
Josh Berry

Might Run Well at Bristol, but Almost Certainly Won't Win to Advance
Justin Haley

Bristol One of Justin Haley's Few Recent Bright Spots
CFB

Austin Simmons Listed As Game-Time Decision Against Arkansas
CFB

Nico Iamaleava Struggles In Fourth Straight Loss
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Dealing With a "Tweak"
BUF

Alexandar Georgiev Joins Sabres on One-Year Deal
Corey Perry

Injured During Pre-Camp Skate
CFB

Antonio Williams Out Against Georgia Tech
CFB

CJ Bailey Flashes Again in Win Over Wake Forest
CFB

Jaxson Moi a Game-Time Decision for Tennessee on Saturday
Jean Silva

A Favorite At Noche UFC 3
Diego Lopes

Set For Noche UFC 3 Main Event
Rob Font

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
David Martinez

Set For Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
Rafa Garcia

An Underdog At Noche UFC 3
Jared Gordon

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Dustin Stoltzfus

Looks To Return To The Win Column
Kelvin Gastelum

In Dire Need Of Victory
Diego Ferreira

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Malcolm Brogdon

Heading to Knicks on One-Year Deal
Landry Shamet

Staying with the Knicks

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP