September 9th 2024
I decided to team up with Affan Ghaffari to compile a combined Top 12 college football ranking. We both agreed that the Texas Longhorns are the top team in the country currently. However, it is early and you really need 3 to 4 games to get a feel for how good teams really are. A key game coming up that will tell us a lot more will be when the Georgia Bulldogs travel to Austin, Texas Saturday, October 19th. Jumping way up in our poll was the Tennessee Volunteers who absolutely spanked NC State 51-10.
Tennessee and Ole Miss look to have the most high-powered offenses in college football this season. It is a shame that these two don’t play each other this year. At any rate, on to the rankings.
Here’s our Top 12 College Football Rankings after week 3:
- Texas (2) 2-0
- Georgia 2-0
- USC 2-0
- Tennessee 2-0
- Ole Miss 2-0
- Ohio State 2-0
- Alabama 2-0
- Miami 2-0
- Missouri 2-0
- Utah 2-0
- Washington 2-0
- Oklahoma State 2-0
The best Group of Five team: Northern Illinois 2-0 (Mid-American Conference)
The biggest surprise this past weekend was Northern Illinois upsetting Notre Dame on the Fighting Irish’s home turf. I still think Boise State is probably the best Group of Five team but you have to the NIU Huskies the benefit of the doubt for now after that mammoth upset.
The key game this weekend will be #24 Boston College at #6 Missouri. Missouri was #9 in our poll and I was a bit surprised that they jumped up to #6 in the AP Poll yesterday. However, Missouri’s defense is statistically the best in the country having pitched shutouts in their first two games. The question mark heading into this season for the Mizzou Tigers was their defense. They lost their defensive coordinator and several starters to the NFL draft. Mizzou’s offense has played well but only did what was expected of them.
Currently, the Missouri Tigers are a 16.5 point favorite at home to beat Boston College. I think that point spread is too rich. I think Missouri will win by 7 to 10 points as I see this as a lower scoring game than the 54.5 over/under total.
–Michael
Cox Sportsnet 