EZ's College Football Top 25, Week 3

Week 3 brought us the eagerly anticipated USC vs OSU battle and a top 25 heart stopper between Kansas and USF. Oh, how the pages do turn.



1. USC Trojans – No Change
The mega-battle turned into a statement game for the nation’s number 1 team. Sanchez did not put up gaudy numbers but the Trojans, most notably their D, led by Ray Maualuga, completely outclassing the very overmatched OSU Buckeyes.






2. Georgia Bulldogs – No Change
The Dawgs have to be concerned about their performance against South Carolina. Sure it was an SEC match-up and the SEC is all good, but you expect to see more form the nations consensus number two. Unlike the AP and coaches though, it was not bad enough to drop them from my number 2.




3. Oklahoma – +3
After last weeks blowout, you have to be wondering just how good the Sooners are. U Doub became U Droubbed, as Bradford and his mates slapped the Huskies around to the tune of 55 points. If this whoopin’ had come against a team that is not 0-3 the Sooner may have jumped all the way up to two.





4. Florida Gators – No Change
The Gator were on a bye in week 3 and therefore, they hold steady at number 4. With 2 of their next 3 against Tennessee and Arkansas start into the heart of their schedule. Soon, we will know a lot more about these UF Gators.





5. LSU Tigers – No Change
The Tigers blew up North Texas as expected this week. Like too many other of the nations top teams however, we really don’t know what LSU is made of as they haven’t played anyone of consequence. Auburn looms on the horizon, with the Gators not far behind, so as the Tiger hit their SEC schedule, they will be given every opportunity to prove their worth.





6. Missouri Tigers – +1
Chase Daniels is now the all time leading passer in Mizzou history, eclipsing the previous record with 400+ yard outing against a very outmatched Nevada team. Daniels right now looks to be the primary challenger to Tim Tebow and his Heisman, and if the Tigers keep on playing like this, this race could go down to the wire.





7. Texas Longhorns – +2
Hurricane Ike put a damper on the Longhorns plans to play Arkansas, but with the movement in the top 10, the Horns are recipients of a two spot bump. The Razorbacks have been rescheduled for two weeks, and with Rice and Colorado games also within the next three, the Longhorns should be sitting pretty a few weeks from now at 5-0.






8. Wisconsin Badgers – +3
Wisconsin continued to impress this week, with a win against top 25 opponent Fresno St. It was a close game, but winning teams, win the close ones. Combine this big victory for Wiskey, with the OSU loss, and we have a new big dawg in the Big 10.






9. Texas Tech – +1
Harrell put up his third straight killer performance, throwing for 418 yards, as the Red Raiders rolled again. Sure, it was their third trip to cupcake city, but you have to beat who they put in front of you, and Texas Tech continues to do so in convincing fashion. UMass and Northwestern are the next two on the docket, and this won’t help the Raiders strength of schedule, but if they keep winning, who knows?





10. Alabama Crimson Tide – +4
John Parker Wilson had a memorable week as he re-wrote some of the Tide record book during their route of Western Kentucky. Wilson is now the all time leader in total offense in Crimson Tide history. More importantly his leadership helped push the Tide up our list 4 spots.






11. Auburn Tigers – -3
I am really starting to wonder about Auburn. For the second straight week, the Tigers edged a team in a game they should have won handily. In one of the most ugly excuses for a football game, the 3-2 win over MSU left me thinking the Tigers are going to wind up as feed for the rest of the SEC over the next few weeks.







12. South Florida Bulls – +7
If you missed the Bulls battle with the Jayhawks, you missed an instant classic. Like Wisconsin, the Bulls showed their championship spirit at home against a top ranked opponent with Reesing and the Hawks. The Big Daddies of the bog East likely won’t be challenged much by FIU next week but then again, that is why they play the games.





13. Ohio State Buckeyes – -10
No Beanie Wells meant no offense against the top ranked Trojans, and the rest, as they say, was history. The Bucs could not mount any offense and thus they fall in our poll 10 spots. Troy and Minnesota separate OSU from their impending battle with Wisconsin. That should be very exciting.





14. BYU Cougars – +2
Boy did the Cougars break out the whoopin’ stick against UCLA this weekend. The Bruins surprised the nation during week 1 by beating Tennessee, but they sure got their comeuppance against BYU this week. 59-0 leaves the Bruins with their worst lose in 75 years, and The Cougars earn the 2 spot bump in our poll.







15. East Carolina Pirates – No Change
ECU won their third in a row this week although this time in a close fight with an un-ranked Tulane squad. The Pirates seem like a team that has played to the level of their competition thus far, and have done enough to keep winning. They did however lose their top linebacker for the rest of the season, and this could hurt them in the long run.






16. Penn State Nittany Lions – +4
For the third week in a row, the Penn State Lions rolled an opponent. This domination has resulted in their 4 spot rise in our poll. Are the Lions good enough to factor into the Wisconsin/Ohio State battle for the Big 10 though? This is the question the Penn Staters must answer before this season is finished.






17. Clemson Tigers – No Change
The Tigers continue to hold steady with their win over NC State. With Maryland and Wake Forest in the wings, Clemson will get a chance to prove week 1 was an aberration, and that they belong in the discussion about the ACC crown.





18. Oregon Ducks – No Change
It took the Ducks two overtimes to dispense with Purdue. Like many others in the top 25, the Ducks won a close game against a team who the game should not have been that close. And just like those others, the Ducks do not gain any ground on the leaders.






19. Kansas Jayhawks – -6
Early in their match-up in Tampa, it looked like the Hawks were all they were cracked up to be and more. But championship teams don’t allow opponents to climb out of a 17 point holes. Todd Reesing looked pretty good for the game, but they Jayhawks couldn’t burry the Bulls, and the Hawks now fall as a result.






20. Wake Forest Demon Deacons – +1
Wake found themselves off this week, and despite the movement all around them, the Demon Deacons earn a 1 spot bump. FSU and Clemson are on tap, and we will lean a lot more about Wake in the next few weeks.





21. Utah Utes – +1
Matt Asiata ran for three touchdowns, and Brian Johnson led the Utes to two more as the team romped Utah State in their in-state rivalry. If the Utes are really a contender they will beat the Air Force Falcons next week.





22. West Virginia – New to Poll
After falling off the chart last week, the Mountaineers return without even having to play a game. How did that happen? Fresno State and Cal both lost and this helped out WVU very much. Next week Colorado is on deck, and then Marshall. Then comes the conference schedule with a game vs Auburn mixed in. If the Mountaineers want the respect of the nation, rattling off a few wins will be the only way.






23. Illinios Fighting Illini – +1
Illinois almost found themselves on the wrong end of their match-up against UL Lafayette. The Big 10 is a crowded place this year, and if the Illini want to get in the mix, they are going to need to pick up their play.





24. Florida State Seminoles – New to Poll
The Noles return to the top 25 as a result of their big win against Chattanooga. Bobby Bowden and company will have a great opportunity to reestablish themselves as a national power with upcoming games against Wake and Miami. If they are worthy, they will push those teams to the limit.






25. Fresno State Bulldogs - -2
Pat Hill ball club slips a bit this week as they were beat by a very good Wisconsin. Despite the loss however, we leaned that the Bulldogs are still a very good team. The more Hill schedules his Bulldogs against top BCS competition, the more this team will find itself moving up the polls.