ESNY’s College Football Week 3 Top 25: Contenders hold firm

College football’s biggest contenders held firm for the most part in Week 2, but this Saturday features several crucial matchups.

This Week’s Voters: Geoff Magliocchetti

#1. Alabama (2-0)

Last Week: W 57-7 vs. Arkansas State
Top Performer: RB Najee Harris (13 carries, 135 yards, 1 TD)
This Week: Saturday @ Ole Miss (7:00 p.m. ET, ESPN)

If any team has come close to having the Crimson Tide’s number in recent seasons, it might be the Rebels, who have won two of the previous four meetings between the squads, though Alabama took home a 66-3 final in Tuscaloosa last season.

#2. Clemson (2-0)

Last Week: W 28-26 @ #24 Texas A&M
Top Performer: QB Kelly Bryant (12-17, 205 yards, 15 carries, 54 yards, 2 total TDs)
This Week: Saturday vs. Georgia Southern (12:00 p.m. ET, ESPNU)

Surviving a big test on the road, the Tigers’ quarterback situation remains in flux, as touted freshman Trevor Lawrence (5-for-9, 93 yards, 1 TD) continues to impress, but Bryant’s experience helped provide the difference in the close win.

#3. Oklahoma (2-0)

Last Week: W 49-21 vs. UCLA
Top Performer: QB Kyler Murray (19-33, 306 yards, 10 carries, 69 yards, 5 total TDs)
This Week: Saturday @ Iowa State (12:00 p.m. ET, ABC)

After some early struggles against the Bruins, the Sooners’ high-octane offense recovered to the tune of 485 yards, but suffered a brutal loss in the form of running back Rodney Anderson, who is done for the season with a knee injury.

#4. Georgia (2-0)

Last Week: W 41-17 @ South Carolina
Top Performer: WR Mecole Hardman (6 receptions, 103 yards, 1 TD)
This Week: Saturday vs. Middle Tennessee (12:00 p.m. ET, ESPNEWS)

The Bulldogs survived a big test in Columbia, a 21-0 third-quarter advantage dispelling any notions of an upset.

#5. Ohio State (2-0)

Last Week: W 52-3 vs. Rutgers
Top Performer: QB Dwayne Haskins (20-23, 233 yards, 4 TDs)
This Week: Saturday vs. #11 TCU (@Arlington, TX) (8:00 p.m. ET, ABC)

Two easy wins over subpar big conference competition are out of the way, but the final game of the Urban Meyer suspension will be a neutral-site showdown against a potent TCU offense.

#6. Auburn (2-0)

Last Week: W 63-9 vs. Alabama State
Top Performer: DB Daniel Thomas (2 INT’s, 1 TD)
This Week: Saturday vs. #12 LSU (3:30 p.m. ET, CBS)

The Tigers wanted Bama …State… but the potential to earn two wins against opponents ranked in the top dozen by the end of September allows them a little leeway.

#7. Stanford (2-0)

Last Week: W 17-3 vs. USC
Top Performer: S Malik Antoine (2 INT’s, 1 tackle)
This Week: Saturday vs. UC Davis (2:00 p.m. ET, PAC-12 Networks)

It came at the expense of a fellow Californian team, but the Cardinal picked up a big win for the conference in a defensive struggle, though the biggest development has to be the return to form for Bryce Love (22 carries, 136 yards, 1 TD).

#8. Wisconsin (2-0)

Last Week: W 45-14 vs. New Mexico
Top Performer: RB Jonathan Taylor (33 carries, 253 yards, 3 TDs)
This Week: Saturday vs. BYU (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC)

The Badgers fell behind 7-0 to UNM, but no opposing lead is truly safe with the Heisman- caliber talent of Taylor in the backfield.

#9. Notre Dame (2-0)

Last Week: W 24-16 vs. Ball State
Top Performer: WR S Jalen Elliott (7 tackles, 2 INTs)
This Week: Saturday vs. Vanderbilt (2:30 p.m. ET, NBC)

The Fighting Irish have jumped out to some early leads, but struggles once those leads have been established, they’ve struggled to build them further, and it could lead to changes at quarterback if Brandon Winbush (3 interceptions against the Cardinals) continues to lose the ball.

#10. Penn State (2-0)

Last Week: W 51-6 @ Pittsburgh
Top Performer: WR KJ Hamler (3 receptions, 40 yards, 1 carry, 32 yards, 3 punt returns, 73 yards, 2 total TDs)
This Week: Saturday vs. Kent State (12:00 p.m. ET, FS1)

The freshman Hamler spearheaded the pull away from the rival Panthers, outscoring them 44-0 after the first quarter.

#11. TCU (2-0)

Last Week: W 42-12 @ SMU
Top Performer: DT Corey Bethley (5 tackles, 3 TFL, 2 sacks)
This Week: Saturday vs. #5 Ohio State (@Arlington, TX) (8:00 p.m. ET, ABC)

The Horned Frogs’ offense is clicking headed into a crucial showdown with Ohio State, headlined by sophomore quarterback Shawn Robinson (221 total yards, 2 total TDs).

#12. LSU (2-0)

Last Week: W 31-0 vs. Southeastern Louisiana
Top Performer: DE Breiden Fehoko (6 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1 sack)
This Week: Saturday @ #6 Auburn (3:30 p.m. ET, CBS)

Should they prevail on the road, the Tigers, already with a neutral-site win over Miami under their belts, could really open the eyes of College Football Playoff voters in the early going.

#13. Virginia Tech (2-0)

Last Week: W 62-17 vs. William & Mary
Top Performer: WR Damon Hazelton (4 receptions, 107 yards, 1 TD)
This Week: Bye (Saturday game vs. East Carolina canceled due to Hurricane Florence)

The Hokies tallied 586 yards of offense against the Tribe, a good showing now that a bit of luster was removed from the Florida State win through no fault of their own, as the Seminoles barely got by Samford.

#14. Washington (1-1)

Last Week: W 45-3 vs. North Dakota
Top Performer: WR Ty Jones (4 receptions, 76 yards, 2 TDs)
This Week: Saturday @ Utah (10:00 p.m. ET, ESPN)

There’s no shame in losing a neutral site game against Auburn, but the Huskies have no margin for error against a Utah that has plenty to gain from an upset.

#15. UCF (2-0)

Last Week: W 38-0 vs. South Carolina State
Top Performer: WR Gabriel Davis (9 receptions, 111 yards, 1 TD)
This Week: Bye (Saturday game @ North Carolina canceled due to Hurricane Florence)

This marks the second consecutive season where the Golden Knights have had their schedule affected by weather, as Hurricane Irma canceled a visit from Georgia Tech last season.

#16. Boise State (2-0)

Last Week: W 62-7 vs. Connecticut
Top Performer: WR John Hightower (5 receptions, 119 yards, 1 carry, 55 yards, 2 TDs)
This Week: Saturday @ #21 Oklahoma State (3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)

It may have come against the lowly Huskies, but a blowout of epic proportions, in which the Broncos outgained UConn 818-193 in terms of offense, is a brilliant way to go into a matchup against the potential class of the Big 12.

#17. West Virginia (2-0)

Last Week: W 52-17 vs. Youngstown State
Top Performer: QB Will Grier (21-26, 332 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT)
This Week: Bye (Saturday game @ North Carolina State canceled due to Hurricane Florence)

ESNY sends its thoughts and prayers to the Carolinas and Virginia areas, as they endure the devastation of Hurricane Florence.

#18. Oregon (2-0)

Last Week: W 62-14 vs. Portland State
Top Performer: QB Justin Herbert (20-26, 250 yards, 4 TDs)
This Week: Saturday vs. San Jose State (5:00 p.m. ET, PAC-12 Networks)

While NFL hopeful Herbert stole the show, the Ducks enjoyed dual 100-yard games from rushers Tony Brooks-James and CJ Verdell, who combined for 213 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.

#19. Arizona State (2-0)

Last Week: W 16-13 vs. Michigan State
Top Performer: WR N’Keal Harry (6 receptions, 89 yards, 1 TD)
This Week: Saturday @ San Diego State (10:30 p.m. ET, CBSSN)

The Herm Edwards era earned its first signature win early, one the PAC-12 desperately needed as a whole, behind 424 yards of offense, including a career-high 380 from senior quarterback Manny Wilkins.

#20. Mississippi State (2-0)

Last Week: W 31-10 @ Kansas State
Top Performer: RB Kylin Hill (27 carries, 211 yards, 2 TDs, 1 reception, 16 yards, 1 TD)
This Week: Saturday vs. Louisiana (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2)

A potential stumbling block in a non-conference road game was easily cleared by the Bulldogs, who will look for one more big win before a brutal SEC slate opens with Kentucky, Florida, Auburn, LSU, and Texas A&M.

#21. Oklahoma State (2-0)

Last Week: W 55-13 vs. South Alabama
Top Performer: WR Tylan Wallace (10 receptions, 166 yards, 1 TD)
This Week: Saturday vs. #16 Boise State (3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)

The Cowboys will have to be careful against the perennial mid-major darlings from Boise, but extra motivation comes in the form of the potential fact that they won’t see another ranked team until November, closing out the season with Oklahoma, West Virginia, and TCU.

#22. Hawaii (3-0)

Last Week: W 43-29 vs. Rice
Top Performer: QB Cole McDonald (22-33, 319 yards, 4 TDs)
This Week: Saturday @ Army (12:00 p.m. ET, CBSSN)

The love has gone to Central Florida and Boise State, but the Rainbow Warriors could certainly contend for the Group of Five’s New Year’s Six bowl spot, especially if the offense (leading the nation in total yards after Week 2), continues its torrid pace.

#23. Michigan (1-1)

Last Week: W 49-3 vs. Western Michigan
Top Performer: RB Karan Hingdon (13 carries, 156 yards, 1 TD)
This Week: Saturday vs. SMU (3:30 p.m. ET, BTN)

The Wolverines got back on the right track against their directional in-state foe and have to build further momentum before conference play begins, as the Mustangs have let up at least 40 points in six straight games, dating back to last season.

#24. Texas A&M (1-1)

Last Week: L 28-26 vs. #2 Clemson
Top Performer: QB Kellen Mond (23-40, 430 yards, 4 TDs, 10 carries, 33 yards
This Week: Saturday vs. Louisiana-Monroe (7:30 p.m. ET, SEC Network)

The Aggies came up just short in an early game-of-the-year contender in College Station, but the Jimbo Fisher era has a strong ray of light headed into the future.

#25. Kentucky (2-0)

Last Week: W 27-16 @ Florida
Top Performer: RB Benny Snell Jr. (27 carries, 175 yards)
This Week: Saturday vs. Murray State (12:00 p.m. ET, SEC Network)

Currently 10th in the nation at 301 rushing yards per game, the Wildcats deserve some credit for their historic win in Gainesville, their first win over the Gators since 1986.

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