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This week was headlined by the first meaningful playing time for Arch Manning, and he did not disappoint. Texas is officially on top of the college football world. There's not a lot of movement this week outside Georgia being dethroned, and more teams are solidifying themselves as real players in the hunt for spots in the new 12-team playoff.
By Ryan Galloway | September 16, 2024
Photo by Aaron E. Martinez/American-Statesman
Top 10
1. Texas Longhorns (3-0, Previous: 2nd)
Texas is back! The Horns defeated UTSA 56-7 in dominant fashion. The biggest story from the day is Arch Manning lighting the world on fire with 5 touchdowns in relief of injured QB Quinn Ewers. It looks like Ewers will be out for a week or two so we'll get a chance to see Manning's first start next week against ULM. Texas' dominance over UTSA coupled with Georgia's struggles earns them the one spot for the first time since 2008.
2. Georgia Bulldogs (3-0, Previous: 1st)
Georgia escaped Kentucky 13-12 in Lexington. The Bulldogs had a tough day on offense against one of the better defenses in the SEC, and you finally start to see Carson Beck missing Brock Bowers and Ladd McConkey. Despite the struggles, I still believe Georgia is a 1B to Texas. However, the Dawgs need to figure it out before they play Alabama or go down to Austin for a date with the top team in the nation.
3. Ohio State Buckeyes (2-0, Previous: 3rd)
Ohio State was idle this week.
4. Ole Miss Rebels (3-0, Previous: 4th)
Ole Miss killed Wake Forest on the road this week and solidified themselves as a top 5 team. Dart looked good and Henry Parrish Jr. had himself a day on the ground, with 133 yards and a pair of touchdowns to go along. I continue to be impressed by the Rebels' run game, and it'll be interesting to see how it holds against an SEC defensive line.
5. Alabama Crimson Tide (3-0, Previous: 5th)
Jalen Milroe, welcome back! The Tide went on the road to Wisconsin and took care of business. Despite the Badgers losing starting QB Tyler Van Dyke, they were completely overwhelmed. Milroe, a preseason Heisman candidate, threw for 3 touchdowns and added 2 more on the ground. If Milroe and the Tide can replicate this showing, they won't be seeing a noticeable dropoff between the Saban and Deboer eras.
Photo by Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
6. Missouri Tigers (3-0, Previous: 6th)
Missouri defeated Boston College in a close one at home. I'm going to predict that BC is a really solid team and Missouri is just that good. The Tigers could arguably be ranked higher than this, but they look like the real deal on both sides of the ball.
7. Penn State Nittany Lions (2-0, Previous: 7th)
Penn State was idle this week.
8. Oregon Ducks (3-0, Previous: 9th)
Oregon looked dominant against Oregon State as they faced off in the Civil War. Dillon Gabriel did a little bit of everything in this one and was impressive through the air and on the ground. Coupling this with the defense's performance against a new look Beaver offense, it was a good day to be a Duck.
9. Miami Hurricanes (3-0, Previous: 10th)
Miami killed Ball State and Cam Ward might be pulling away in the Heisman race early on. He tossed 5 TDs in the 62-0 victory. We might be getting close to calling Miami back.
10. Tennessee Volunteers (3-0, Previous: 12th)
My God. Tennesse led Kent State 37-0 after the first quarter. They went on to win 71-0.
Photo by Kyndall Williams/Tennessee Athletics
Remaining 11-25
11. USC Trojans (2-0, Previous: 11th)
12. Utah Utes (3-0, Previous: 8th)
13. Oklahoma State Cowboys (3-0, Previous: 13th)
14. Kansas State Wildcats (3-0, Previous: 14th)
15. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (2-1, Previous: 15th)
16. Oklahoma Sooners (3-0, Previous: 16th)
17. LSU Tigers (2-1, Previous: 17th)
18. Michigan Wolverines (2-1, Previous: 18th)
19. Louisville Cardinals (2-0, Previous: 21st)
20. Clemson Tigers (1-1, Previous: 17th)
21. Louisville Cardinals (2-0, Previous: 23rd)
22. Iowa State Cyclones (2-0, Previous: NR)
23. Nebraska Cornhuskers (3-0, Previous: 24)
24. Boston College Eagles (2-1, Previous: 23)
25. Syracuse Orange (2-0, Previous: 25)