If you ask Colorado head coach Deion Sanders, Week 3 of the college football season was "personal." The Buffaloes survived an overtime thriller against Colorado State that saw two-way star Travis Hunter get banged up pretty badly, plus we learned Alabama has some serious quarterback problems and Tennessee and Kansas State may have been overrated.
Week 4 promises plenty of marquee matchups, from Ohio State-Notre Dame to Oregon-Colorado, which means this week's power rankings should look totally different after this Saturday. The Georgia Bulldogs survived a scare against Spencer Rattler and the South Carolina Gamecocks, and for now they remain the No. 1 team in our power rankings.
1. Georgia Bulldogs (3-0) (Last Week: 1)
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The Georgia Bulldogs got off to a slow start against South Carolina, but both the offense and defense came out in the second half and made a statement, outscoring the Gamecocks 21-0 in the second half to close out the game.
2. Texas Longhorns (3-0) (Last Week: 2)
The Longhorns found themselves in a bit of a hangover following their big win last week over Alabama. Texas was tied at 10 with Wyoming entering the fourth quarter, but took control scoring three touchdowns in the game's final quarter to avoid the upset.
3. Florida State Seminoles (3-0) (Last Week: 3)
Saturday was a scary one for the Seminoles as they narrowly escaped with a win over Boston College but also saw their starting quarterback and Heisman contender, Jordan Travis, injure his non-throwing arm at the end of the first half. Luckily, he was able to return at the start of the third quarter.
4. Michigan Wolverines (3-0) (Last Week: 4)
The Wolverines' non-conference schedule is over and they are heading into conference play with a stretch of five straight games until a bye week with three games taking place on the road.
5. USC Trojans (3-0) (Last Week: 5)
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USC is coming off a bye week as they prepare for two straight road games against the Arizona State Sun Devils and the Colorado Buffalos. The Trojans should avoid the trap game, but you can never be so sure.
6. Penn State Nittany Lions (3-0) (Last Week: 6)
The Nittany Lions had their first road test of 2023 as they picked up their first conference win against Illinois. The defense forced five turnovers while the offense played inconsistently against a stingy Illini defense.
7. Ohio State Buckeyes (3-0) (Last Week: 7)
For the first time this season, the Ohio State Buckeyes offense looked great, firing on all cylinders, but it was their defense keeping a pass-heavy Hilltopper team in check. But the Buckeyes' biggest game of the early part of the season takes place this Saturday against Notre Dame.
8. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (3-0) (Last Week: 9)
The Irish handled business as they improved to 4-0 on the season with a win over Central Michigan. This Saturday we see just how good Notre Dame is and how far they can go as they play host to Ohio State.
9. Washington Huskies (3-0) (Last Week: 10)
Michael Penix Jr. is keeping up with his Pac-12 counterparts at USC and Colorado as he had 375 passing yards and four touchdowns in just the first half. The Huskies rolled a troubled Michigan State Spartans team 41-7 and should be 5-0 as they get their first test against Oregon in mid-October.
10. Alabama Crimson Tide (2-1) (Last Week: 8)
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The Crimson Tide played an unusual road game against USF on Saturday, and aside from losing, had the worst game possible following last week's loss to Texas. Alabama has a huge quarterback problem as in they don't have one and we could be seeing an unexpected down year from The Tide.
11. Utah Utes (2-0) (Last Week: 11)
The Utes' Week 1 win looked more impressive this week after Florida beat Tennessee but there are still questions about this team. However, those questions will be answered in the next two weeks as they play host to UCLA and go on the road at Oregon State.
12. Oregon Ducks (3-0) (Last Week: 13)
The Ducks handled business with another huge offensive showing but look to put that offense to the test as they play the chip on the shoulder that is the Colorado Buffaloes in Week 4.
13. North Carolina Tar Heels (3-0) (Last Week: 14)
North Carolina improved to 3-0 on the season as they picked up their second win over a Power Five non-conference opponent. Drake Maye showed improvements from his slow start to the season, throwing for over 400 yards and two touchdowns but two interceptions.
14. Colorado Buffalos (3-0) (Last Week: 15)
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The lead-up to the Buffalos' game against Colorado State had all the makings of what became an instant classic and the best game of 2023 thus far. In a double overtime win, Colorado leaned on the poise of Shedeur Sanders for the comeback victory. However, the Buffalos' defense needs a reality check as they play Oregon and USC in consecutive weeks.
15. Ole Miss Rebels (2-0) (Last Week: 16)
Jaxson Dart accounted for 400 total yards and scored three touchdowns in the Rebels' win over Georgia Tech. This Saturday, Ole Miss looks to take advantage of an Alabama team that is struggling to find their offense and gain an early season advantage in the SEC West.
16. LSU Tigers (2-1) (Last Week: 19)
The Tigers were thought to be on upset watch in Week 3 but they put all of that to rest beating Mississippi State 41-14. The Tigers hope to use their next two games against Arkansas and LSU to get right back into playoff contention.
17. Oregon State Beavers (3-0) (Last Week: 17)
DJ Uiagalelei and Oregon State are out to prove that the Beavers should not be overshadowed by the other top teams in the Pac-12, and with Washington State this Saturday and Utah the following week, they will have the opportunity to do so.
18. Duke Blue Devils (3-0) (Last Week: 20)
The Blue Devils have looked great as they have been led by the stellar play of quarterback Riley Leonard. Duke could be playing for an ACC title that doesn't involve basketball. Duke should take care of UConn on Saturday, but their biggest test comes in Week 5 as they host Notre Dame.
19. Washington State (3-0) (Last Week NR)
The Pac-12 is just filled with really good teams and great quarterbacks. Washington State looks to play disruptor and knock a few of the preseason favorites out of not only playoff contention but conference title contention as well.
20. Missouri Tigers (3-0) (Last Week: NR)
The Missouri Tigers have gone five years since their last winning season, but after their win on Saturday over No. 15 Kansas State, the Tigers moved to 3-0 on the season and look to end their drought as quarterback Brady Cook has looked like one of the best in the conference through the Tigers' first three games.
