UConn‘s 63-point outburst wasn’t the most surprising result for a Huskies team in college football this weekend.
The Northern Illinois Huskies went into Notre Dame and left with their first-ever win over a top-10 opponent. After beating Texas A&M on the road last week, QB Riley Leonard and the Notre Dame offense managed only 286 total yards with two turnovers on Saturday before a 35-yard field goal in the final minute secured the stunning loss. The Week 1 A&M win keeps the Fighting Irish on my AP ballot for now, but not without a significant drop.
Other notable results include Texas beating Michigan in The Big House, 31-12, and bolstering its No. 2 ranking while the reigning champs dropped. Kansas, which I had ranked No. 22, lost at Illinois and Tennessee dominated an NC State team that I ranked No. 25 last week.
Syracuse beat a ranked Georgia Tech team and Thomas Castellanos starred again for Boston College after beating Florida State last week, which helped them both break onto the bottom of my ballot with Kansas and NC State dropping out.
Here is how I voted in the Week 3 AP poll:
- Georgia. The Bulldogs won big again, beating Tennessee Tech 48-3.
- Texas. Longhorns have continuity, experience, and a decisive win over the defending national champions at The Big House.
- Ohio State. Will Howard and freshman receiver Jeremiah Smith continue to impress, Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson had four rushing TDs in 56-0 win.
- Ole Miss. Four rushing TDs for Henry Parrish Jr., 24 consecutive completions for Jaxson Dart and another blowout for the Rebels.
- Alabama. It was a rough start for the Tide against UCF, but Jalen Milroe and Co. pulled away in the fourth quarter.
- Miami. ‘Canes benefit from historic Notre Dame loss, move up one spot in my poll after 56-9 win over Florida A&M and another solid game from Cam Ward.
- Missouri. Tigers put Buffalo away with 21 points in the second quarter and didn’t mess around defensively for their second straight shutout.
- Tennessee. Standout QB Nico Iamaleava threw two interceptions but the Vols still dominated NC State, 51-10, for a ranked win.
- Penn State. Down a few spots after a winning close call against Bowling Green at home, 34-27.
- Utah. Cam Rising got hurt again after jamming his finger in a collision with water coolers, but the Utes held on for a 23-12 win over Baylor.
- USC. Trojans shutout Utah State 48-0 with 253 yards, five touchdowns on the ground.
- Oregon. Last second field goal avoids an upset to Boise State, but the Ducks have struggled in two games that they shouldn’t have.
- Kansas State. It wasn’t a good first half for the K-State defense, but the Wildcats scored 24 in the second to escape Tulane.
- Oklahoma State. Slow start, but the Pokes rallied to beat Arkansas in double overtime despite Ollie Gordon II being held in check.
- Michigan. The reigning national champs didn’t look good in the home loss to Texas, drop six spots in my poll.
- Oklahoma. An impressive defensive effort against Houston, but the game was closer than it should’ve been.
- LSU. Tigers get a bump after six passing touchdowns for Garrett Nussmeier.
- Iowa State. A game-winning field goal from 54 yards completes a second half comeback for the Cyclones in a ranked rivalry game on the road against Iowa.
- Arizona. Wildcats overcome slow offensive start, come back in second half to beat Northern Arizona.
- Notre Dame. Fighting Irish defense was the team’s strength for the second week in a row, but Riley Leonard and the offense got nothing going in an embarrassing home loss to Northern Illinois.
- Louisville. Tyler Shough throws for 349 yards and two TDs in another impressive showing for the Cardinals’ offense to beat Jacksonville State 49-14.
- Clemson. The Tigers received a lot of flack for their blowout loss to Georgia in Week One, but QB Cade Klubnik accounted for seven TDs in the first half of a bounce-back effort against App. State.
- Iowa. After a close loss at home to a team I also had ranked in Iowa State, Iowa stays in my poll but drops four spots.
- Syracuse. Kyle McCord throws for 381 yards and four TDs as the Orange take down a ranked Georgia Tech team.
- Boston College. Last week’s win over Florida State wasn’t a fluke, and Bill O’Brien’s first BC team is worlds better than the Eagles squad that lost to UConn two years ago.
