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Rant Sports Week 4 Official College Football Top 25 Rankings
Rant Sports College Football Top 25
College football in entering the fourth week of the season and there has been no shortage of great performances and Heisman contenders putting on strong performances to lead their teams to victory -- or even losses. In week three, we saw a showdown between two of the top teams in the nation while the Alabama Crimson Tide traveled to College Station to take on the Texas A&M Aggies. It was known as "the game of the year" even this early in the season.
The game was a rematch from the contest between the two teams a season ago in which the Aggies marched into Alabama and stole a win from the Crimson Tide on their home field. This year, the results were different as Alabama stole one from the Aggies at home -- while there was no defense to be seen.
This just means that the No. 1 team on the Rant Sports' top 25 rankings surely won't surprise you one bit. However, you would think a team that loses at home would drop in the rankings quite a bit, but the Aggies are not as low in the rankings as you would expect.
Some players emerged in the Heisman race and took their teams to the next level such as Marcus Mariota of the Oregon Ducks. The quarterback threw for over 400 yards as the Ducks stomped on the Tennessee Volunteers at home, 59-14.
Some teams suffered heartbreaking losses and, therefore, have dropped out of the rankings completely. The TCU Horned Frogs lost on the road to a tough Texas Tech team and Nebraska got clobbered at home by a resurgent UCLA squad following the devastating loss of a teammate to a car accident.
College football was busy in week three, but who are the top-25 teams as ranked by our experts? Check it out here.
Connor Muldowney is a columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Connormuldowney, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google. You can also reach him at [email protected].
25. Arkansas Razorbacks (3-0)
The Razorbacks snuck into the top-25 this week after a 24-3 win over Southern Miss. They have proven to have one of the best rushing attacks in the nation with Alex Collins and Jonathan Williams combining for over 800 yards on the ground through three weeks.
Last week: NR
24. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (2-1)
Notre Dame had a tough time with Purdue in week three, but came out on top when it matters most -- the end of the game. Tommy Rees needs improvement heading into the week three matchup against Michigan State.
Last week: 22
23. Wisconsin Badgers (2-1)
Wisconsin traveled to Arizona State and lost a heartbreaker in the final minutes to the Sun Devils. They dropped just a tad in the rankings because they are still a strong team -- just an unfortunate ending against Arizona State.
Last week: 19
22. Arizona State Sun Devils (2-0)
Arizona State took down a tough Wisconsin team at home in week three. The Badgers hadn't allowed a single point to any team and the Sun Devils scored 32.
Last week: NR
21. Ole Miss Rebels (3-0)
Ole Miss hit the road in week three to take on the Texas Longhorns. Texas, a once-promising squad, allowed 44 points to the Rebels and Ole Miss won, 44-23. Solid road win for the young team.
Last week: 23
20. Baylor Bears (2-0)
Baylor is coming off an bye week in week three and rank top-five in the nation in nearly every offensive category. Lache Seastrunk is a Heisman-contender at running back for this team. Averaging 69.5 points per game is an unreal number while only allowing eight.
Last week: 24
19. Florida Gators (1-1)
The last time the Gators hit the field, they were losing on the road to in-state foe Miami. However, they still have a solid defense and an improved offensive attack from last season.
Last week: 20
18. Washington Huskies (2-0)
The Washington Huskies took to the road to take on a resurgent Illinois squad on Saturday evening. Quarterback Keith Price has seemingly asserted himself in the Heisman race as he has 666 yards and four scores through two games while running back Bishop Sankey averages nearly 200 yards per game.
Last week: 18
17. Northwestern Wildcats (3-0)
One of the best teams in the nation that no one talks about -- like I always say. The Northwestern Wildcats improved their record to 3-0 following a 21-point win against Western Michigan. They will need to improve their defense, however, if they want to keep rising up the ranks.
Last week: 17
16. Miami Hurricanes (2-0)
The Miami Hurricanes began the season with a bit of doubt as to whether they could be serious contenders in the ACC. They have answered the call, taking down SEC foe Florida in week two.
Last week: 15
15. Michigan Wolverines (3-0)
Michigan nearly saw its season ruined by a team that had just one win in three seasons coming into 2013. The Akron Zips nearly pulled off an Appalachian State-caliber upset at the Big House, but fell short after an incompletion in the endzone as time expired.
Last week: 12
14. Oklahoma Sooners (3-0)
Oklahoma has one of the top defenses in the nation, allowing just under 10 points per game through three weeks. However, the quarterback play has been mediocre at best with Trevor Knight out because of injury in week two. Blake Bell filled in and quite possible stole the starting job, passing for over 400 yards and four touchdowns.
Last week: 14
13. UCLA Bruins (2-0)
UCLA did the unthinkable in week three -- they went on the road to Nebraska and blew the Cornhuskers out of the water, 41-21. They won the game for teammate Nick Pasquale who was tragically killed in a car accident last week. Feel good story of the year so far as the Bruins did it for Pasquale.
Last week: 16
12. South Carolina Gamecocks (2-1)
South Carolina basically dominated every category in their recent win over Vanderbilt, but the Commodores made it close, falling to the Gamecocks by a score of 35-25.
Last week: 11
11. Oklahoma State Cowboys (3-0)
In the midst of a possible, yet refuted, major scandal, the Cowboys keep winning. It's the third straight week in which Oklahoma State has come out victorious as it defeated Lamar, 59-3.
Last week: 13
10. Texas A&M Aggies (2-1)
Hosting the best team in the nation, the Aggies lost a close one to Alabama at home in week three. It was known as the "game of the year" and it's a shame it won't be rematched later on -- unless they both make a national title appearance.
Last week: 6
9. Florida State Seminoles (2-0)
Florida State has a guy that goes by the name, Jameis Winston. That enough is reason to put the Seminoles in the top-10, but they also put a beat-down on Nevada in week three as Winston went off for 214 yards and two touchdowns on just three incompletions.
Last week: 10
8. Georgia Bulldogs (1-1)
Georgia got a much-needed week off in week three after a tough first two weeks against South Carolina and Clemson in which they went 1-1. Aaron Murray is a serious Heisman contender, but will need a win against LSU in two weeks to further those talks and his teams chances at a national title.
Last week: 7
7. Louisville Cardinals (3-0)
The Louisville Cardinals struggled in week two against a lesser opponent in Kentucky. Teddy Bridgewater had a pedestrian performance, under his standards, with just 250 yards and a score in a 27-13 victory.
Last week: 8
6. LSU Tigers (3-0)
LSU's offense has improved drastically from a season ago as Zach Mettenberger has finally proved to be the quarterback to lead this team. They face a tough Auburn squad this week, though, that could tell them a lot about how good their offense really is.
Last week: 9
5. Stanford Cardinal (2-0)
The Stanford Cardinal would be higher in the ranks if their offense was a bit better. However, quarterback Kevin Hogan has had two average weeks to begin the season and will need to step his game up when Pac-12 play rolls around.
Last week: 5
4. Clemson Tigers (2-0)
Clemson got a bye in week three and it was much-needed. This team beat Georgia in week one and solidified themselves amidst the national title contenders. Tajh Boyd is also a serious Heisman contender as well.
Last week: 3
3. Ohio State Buckeyes (3-0)
Ohio State finished its second straight game without Braxton Miller. The Heisman-hopeful quarterback has been out for the better part of two games and the Buckeyes haven't missed him all that much. Kenny Guiton has filled in wonderfully and this team is still a top-three squad.
Last week: 4
2. Oregon Ducks (3-0)
Oregon is sneaking up on the Alabama Crimson Tide and if I had my vote, I would easily choose these two teams to face off in a national title game at the end of the year. However, it's still early, but the Ducks are blowing out every team in sight.
Last week: 2
1. Alabama Crimson Tide (2-0)
Alabama took down one of the best offenses in the nation on the road in week three. Beating Texas A&M on the road is quite an accomplishment, but the defense needs to improve moving forward.
Last week: 1
Be sure to check out the Rant Sports 100 in 100 Series, a preview of the top 100 College Football Teams for the 2013 Season!
