Power Rankings: Week 3

The first two weeks of college football are in the books with little shakeup on the national scene. Top-ranked Clemson and LSU scored victories over fellow ranked teams, solidifying their standing and positioning for early-season playoff consideration. Outside of Michigan surviving an overtime scare against Army, everyone else in the Top 10 was on cruise control – and most will be this week, too.

Closer to home, we’ve learned some interesting things over the first two weeks.

First, Oregon was unable to snag the marquee non-conference against Auburn in Week 1. Still, it was a strong showing for three quarters and the Ducks bounced back with dominating performance in Week 2. At the same time, fellow North Division contenders Washington and Stanford were knocked off in conference action.

The Huskies’ weather-delayed loss to California was surprising mostly from the standpoint the Golden Bears upset Washington last season in Berkeley. However, Chris Peterson’s team lost an off-the-radar conference game for the third straight season.

Down South, USC debuted a true freshman quarterback and withstood an early surge from Stanford. The revamped Trojan offensive attack was too much for Stanford, which started a backup quarterback ass well, to match blow for blow in the second half.

Outside the conference landscape, Colorado reeled in a very impressive win against a ranked Nebraska squad. The Buffaloes offense was stagnant much of the game, but came to life on a flea-flicker touchdown pass while backed up against their own goal line. It sparked a furious rally and eventual overtime victory, one that is also good for the conference resume.

This week, the Pac-12 has six games of national interest to continue building that resume:

Washington State at Houston (Friday)
USC at BYU
 Arizona State at Michigan State
Texas Tech at Arizona
Oklahoma at UCLA
Stanford at Central Florida

It’s difficult to see UCLA having any chance against Oklahoma, but otherwise the other five games could be winnable, especially if Stanford gets K.J. Costello back at quarterback. At the same time, a doomsday 0-6 is not out of the question. At a minimum, the Pac-12 needs to win three of these contests, if not four, to consider it a success against these other programs of note.

Let’s get to the Week 3 Power Rankings, starting with the Pac-12 (view last week’s rankings here).

Dry Heat Sports Pac-12 Power Rankings

South Division

1. Utah (2-0)
Last Game: Won vs. Northern Illinois, 35-17
Next Game: Saturday vs. Idaho State (1-0)

I vaulted the Utes to No. 1 when J.T. Daniels went down at USC, but the Trojans look like they can still contend with true freshman quarterback Kedon Slovis impressing in his debut. We’ll find out next Friday when these teams face off at the Coliseum. Until then, Utah continues to cruise.

2. USC (2-0, 1-0 Pac-12)
Last Game: Won vs. Stanford, 45-20
Next Game: Saturday at BYU (1-1)

The Trojans withstood an early Stanford surge to dominate the final three quarters in a North vs. South showdown at the Coliseum. Graham Harrell’s offense did not miss a beat with Slovis stepping in, but as more game tape gets out there, how do defenses adjust? A challenging slate continues this week (at BYU), then again on short rest next week (Friday vs. Utah) then again the next week (at Washington) and again after a bye week (at Notre Dame).

3. Colorado (2-0)
Last Game: Won vs. Nebraska, 34-31 (OT)
Next Game: Saturday vs. Air Force (1-0)

The Buffaloes’ second half comeback handed first-year coach Mel Tucker an impressive breakout win. It also was a good victory for the Pac-12, which was feeling a bit desperate after Oregon’s opening loss to Auburn. Now the challenge for Colorado is backing up its performance. Tucker, and the conference, don’t need a setback against the Mountain West here.

4. Arizona State (2-0)
Last Game: Won vs. Sacramento State, 19-7
Next Game: Saturday at Michigan State (2-0)

A win is a win, but a few more questions arose for Herm Edwards & Co. in a lackluster performance last Friday night. Perhaps the Sun Devils were looking ahead to a trip to East Lansing where we’ll learn a lot about both teams. One thing is for sure: ASU has to get better play out of its offensive line.

5. Arizona (1-1)
Last Game: Won vs. NAU, 65-41
Next Game: Saturday vs. Texas Tech

Khalil Tate and the offense clicked on all cylinders, but an otherwise dominating performance was overshadowed by the ease of which the Lumberjacks scored in the second half. Now it’s a true measuring stick game for the Wildcats. Struggle this week, and a long season gets much longer. Play well and win, then suddenly optimism returns in the desert.

6. UCLA (0-2)
Last Game: Lost vs. San Diego State, 23-14
Next Game: Saturday vs. Oklahoma

It was an ugly performance Saturday at the Rose Bowl, and hardly anyone was there to see it. There should be a much better crowd this week, but it will be a sea of red. It’s hard to see any reason UCLA can challenge the Sooners, but you never know (OK, we probably do know).

Pac-12 North

1. Oregon (1-1)
Last Game: Won vs. Nevada, 77-6
Next Game: Saturday vs. Montana

Oregon righted the ship and got the offense humming at Autzen. The stumbles by Washington and Stanford – both opened conference play with losses last week – give the Ducks an immediate boost in the division.

2. Washington State (2-0)
Last Game: Won vs. Northern Colorado, 59-17
Next Game: Friday at Houston

The offense is clicking with quarterback Anthony Gordon, but now we get to see what this Wazzu squad has. A Friday night trip to Houston should present fireworks, and Mike Leach’s team needs to show it hasn’t taken a step back from last season’s surge.

3. California (2-0, 1-0)
Last Week: Won at Washington, 20-19
Next Game: Saturday vs. North Texas

Once again, Justin Wilcox’s team had Washington’s number. A weather-delayed Pac-12-After-Dark contest delivered the first true upset of the conference season. It’s worth questioning whether Cal can hold this position, but a road win in Seattle earns them a head up at the stage of the conference race.

4. Washington (1-1, 0-1)
Last Week: Lost vs. California, 20-19
Next Game: Saturday vs. Hawai’i

For whatever reason, it seems the Huskies can’t avoid a puzzling letdown game (2017 at ASU, 2018 at Cal, and 2019 vs. Cal).  They better get back on track because Hawai’i will come to Seattle slingin’ it. There’s no chance the Rainbow Warriors win a third straight game vs. a Pac-12 foe, right?

5. Stanford (1-1, 0-1)
Last Week: Lost at USC, 45-20
Next Game: Saturday at UCF

After an impressive start with backup quarterback Davis Mills, the Cardinal could not stop an explosive USC offense and the Trojans dominated the final three quarters. Stanford expects K.J. Costello to play this week, and the conference could use an “upset” here against a potent Central Florida squad.

6. Oregon State (0-2)
Last Week: Lost at Hawai’i, 31-28
Next Game: Saturday vs. Cal Poly

The Beavs had a great chance to win at Hawai’i, but could not finish the job. They should get on the winning side of the ledger this week, but the missed opportunity will continue to linger.

Dry Heat Sports National Top 10

1. Clemson (2-0)
Last Game: Won vs. Texas A&M, 24-10
Next Game: Saturday at Syracuse (1-1)

Questions about the defense are answered for now. Syracuse is smarting from a loss at Maryland, but the Orange have played Clemson as well as anyone the last two seasons. Not many obvious challenges left on Clemson’s schedule.

2. Georgia (2-0)
Last Game: Won vs. Murray State, 63-17
Next Game: Saturday vs. Arkansas State (1-1)

Certainly not calling for an upset, but with Notre Dame next on the slate, could this be a classic trap game? Arkansas State can score points so perhaps they can keep it a little closer than one might think at first glance.

3. Alabama (2-0)
Last Game: Won vs. New Mexico State, 62-10
Next Game: Saturday at South Carolina (1-1)

Nick Saban had a fiery press conference when questioned about the Alabama non-conference schedule. That probably doesn’t bode well for Will Muschamp and the Gamecocks, who “welcome” the Crimson Tide to Columbia for the SEC opener for both schools.

4. Oklahoma (2-0)
Last Game: Won vs. South Dakota, 70-14
Next Game: Saturday at UCLA (0-2)

Jalen Hurts and the Sooners are rolling. Chip Kelly’s Bruins are stumbling. Not much more needs to be said.

5. Ohio State (2-0)
Last Game: Won vs. Cincinnati, 42-0
Next Game: Saturday at Indiana (2-0)

The Ryan Day era is off to a strong start, but the Buckeyes have yet to be truly tested. One wouldn’t expect a challenge this week unless Ohio State sleepwalks through the Big 10 opener in Bloomington.

6. LSU (2-0)
Last Game: Won at Texas, 45-38
Next Game: Saturday vs. Northwestern State (0-2)

It’s odd but exciting to see LSU with a potent passing attack. While the win in Austin will be a feather in the cap for the Tigers, Ed Orgeron can’t be happy with giving up 530 yards of offense.

7. Utah (2-0)
Last Game: Won vs. Northern Illinois, 35-17
Next Game: Saturday vs. Idaho State (1-0)

The only Pac-12 remaining in my Top 10, it’s one more tuneup for the Utes before they head to the Coliseum to face USC on Friday, Sept. 20.

8. Florida (2-0)
Last Game: Won vs. Tennessee Martin, 45-0
Next Game: Saturday at Kentucky

The Gators defense didn’t need any help heading into an intriguing SEC road game, but with Kentucky quarterback Terry Wilson sustaining a season-ending injury, it’s tough to see Mark Stoops’ squad scoring enough points for an upset.

9. Auburn (2-0)
Last Game: Won vs. Tulane, 24-6
Next Game: Saturday vs. Kent State

The Tigers followed up their thrilling win comeback win over Oregon with a steady victory against a pesky Tulane squad. One more non-conference game before SEC play begins at Texas A&M next week.

10. Wisconsin (2-0)
Last Game: Won vs. Central Michigan, 61-0
Next Game: Sept. 21 vs. Michigan

All-American running back Johnathan Taylor, now being utilized in the passing game, has eight touchdowns already this season – two more than any other FBS player. After two cakewalks, the Badgers have a week off before hosting Michigan next week.

Dropped Out: (7) Washington, (10) Michigan

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