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We entered this much-hyped college football weekend able to find out about a number of teams. Some flailed within the highlight whereas others got here via. But the largest lesson we realized is that Florida State is actually again to being among the best teams within the nation. After an extra time win at Clemson, the Seminoles transfer as much as No. 2 on this week’s version of The Athletic 133.
Yes, it was ugly early. Yes, Clemson missed a chip-shot area objective late. But the actual fact these issues occurred highlighted how Clemson has fallen and the way the Seminoles have risen to take that place, ending a seven-game shedding streak within the rivalry. Clemson didn’t have a Keon Coleman-esque participant who made a play when the staff wanted it most. Instead, it missed a area objective with a late-addition kicker and made an ill-advised broad receiver display screen throw on third-and-1 in extra time.
Now Florida State sits at 4-0 with a blowout victory towards LSU and a win at Clemson. The Seminoles have an argument to be No. 1. They have among the greatest wins. They solely sit at No. 2 for me as a result of they wanted to flee Boston College final week. Georgia doesn’t have the large wins however it additionally hasn’t been in actual hazard.
On this precise date two years in the past, Florida State dropped to 0-4 after a loss to Louisville, two weeks after a loss to FCS Jacksonville State. FSU couldn’t afford to purchase out one other coach in lower than two years. It needed to let Mike Norvell determine it out. Now it sits right here as a nationwide championship contender. The Seminoles have figured it out. It’s a lesson in endurance, roster constructing and believing within the folks you may have.
Here is that this week’s version of The Athletic 133.
1-10
Quite a little bit of change on this group. FSU jumps Texas as a result of it has two top-level wins. Ohio State moves as much as No. 4 after beating Notre Dame with one second to play. Washington continues to wreck everybody and appear like the most effective staff within the nation, however it received’t play a top-level opponent till Oregon on Oct. 14.
Utah beat UCLA to maneuver to 4-0 and Cam Rising hasn’t even performed but, so look out for the Utes. Penn State overwhelmed Iowa 31-0 and slides up as nicely. Michigan slips to No. 8 not simply because the Wolverines haven’t performed anybody noteworthy, however as a result of they haven’t been all that spectacular, both. They are 0-3-1 towards the unfold, and that 31-7 win towards Rutgers on Saturday was a 10-point recreation deep into the third quarter. I don’t doubt the expertise on Michigan. We simply haven’t seen it but like we now have with Washington. When we do, the rankings will react to it. Is this contradictory to the Georgia rating? Maybe. But the two-time defending nationwide champions get that advantage of the doubt for now. All Michigan has to do is win its video games and it’ll be advantageous.
USC battled into the fourth quarter with an Arizona State staff that Fresno State shut out final week, so the Trojans tumble. Oregon moves into the highest 10 after a 42-6 win towards Colorado, bringing the Buffs again right down to earth.
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11-25
Notre Dame solely falls to No. 11, for the reason that Irish had been a couple of inches away from beating Ohio State. LSU wanted a last-second area objective to beat Arkansas and stays at No. 12. Alabama bought via a brutal first half towards Ole Miss to win 24-10 and form of get again on monitor, transferring as much as No. 15. Washington State beat Oregon State 38-35 in a recreation that wasn’t as shut because the rating, and Wazzu moves as much as No. 16.
Kansas is 4-0 for the second consecutive 12 months and moves into the highest 25 after beating BYU 38-27. Kansas State beat UCF 44-31 and in addition moves into the highest 25. TCU seems just like the TCU we anticipated this season after a 34-17 win towards SMU, and Colorado hangs within the high 25 for now due to that victory over TCU.
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26-50
Maryland is quietly 4-0 after caring for enterprise at Michigan State and is No. 26. UCLA actually struggled at Utah, however it was only a 14-7 remaining rating, so the Bruins solely drop to No. 27. Ole Miss and Clemson additionally fall out of the highest 25 after their losses.
Kentucky, at No. 33, dealt with itself towards Vanderbilt and hosts Florida this upcoming weekend for an enormous matchup. Syracuse is 4-0 and No. 36 after beating Army and finishes undefeated in nonconference play for the primary time for the reason that Orange joined a convention in 1991. Fresno State can also be 4-0 after caring for Kent State and inches as much as No. 37.
Iowa and Auburn drop into the 40s after ugly offensive performances towards Penn State and Texas A&M, respectively. No. 46 James Madison held on to beat Utah State, No. 47 Wyoming returned a block area objective within the remaining minutes to beat Appalachian State, and West Virginia beat Texas Tech to leap into the highest 50.
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51-75
No. 51 Ohio continues to do what it must and beat Bowling Green 38-7. This staff is perhaps undefeated if Kurtis Rourke didn’t get damage within the opener towards San Diego State. Georgia Tech jumps as much as No. 53 after a snug 30-16 win at Wake Forest. Fellow Atlanta resident Georgia State is 4-0 after a 30-17 win at Coastal Carolina to place the Sun Belt on discover and transfer as much as No. 54. Marshall beat Virginia Tech 24-17 and regarded like the higher staff from the beginning, and the Herd make an enormous soar to No. 55 due to it.
Texas Tech misplaced to West Virginia and misplaced quarterback Tyler Shough to a damaged fibula. A Big 12 darkish horse has turned downward very quick, right down to No. 60. Rutgers performed Michigan powerful for greater than a half and the Scarlet Knights do look improved, inching as much as No. 57. USF appears to have one thing below Alex Golesh, after a 42-29 win towards Rice, and moves as much as No. 69. Troy held on to beat Western Kentucky 27-24 and moves to No. 58. Boise State beat San Diego State 34-31 for an enormous Mountain West highway win to maneuver as much as No. 64.
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76-100
Texas State continues to win however slip somewhat as a result of Baylor continues to fall, and due to Texas State’s loss to UTSA. (*133*) Alabama, one week after blowing out Oklahoma State, misplaced 34-30 to Central Michigan in a stunner and dropped to No. 83. UNLV is 3-1 below Barry Odom after a snug 45-28 win towards UTEP, transferring as much as No. 85.
Minnesota slides dramatically down these rankings to No. 90 after blowing a 31-10 fourth-quarter lead and shedding to Northwestern in extra time. Indiana wanted a missed area objective and 4 overtimes to flee Akron, so the Hoosiers drop to No. 91. Jacksonville State and RichRod are 3-1 and transfer as much as No. 94 after a 21-0 thumping of Eastern Michigan. Stanford performed Arizona shut however misplaced 21-20, dropping to No. 96. Colorado State beat Middle Tennessee 31-23 and moves into the highest 100.
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101-133
Virginia Tech and Virginia drop to this group. The Hokies are 1-3 after a loss to Marshall. The reality they had been underdogs to start with says lots. Virginia rallied however misplaced to NC State on a last-second area objective to stay winless.
Hawaii continues to point out enchancment, beating New Mexico State at house to maneuver as much as No. 115. UMass continues to fall since beating NMSU in Week 0, shedding to New Mexico in extra time and dropping to No. 119. Arkansas State beat Southern Miss for Butch Jones’ first Sun Belt win over a staff that isn’t ULM and moves as much as No. 123. That’s a win that might be a wanted signal of progress this 12 months.
UConn misplaced 41-7 to Duke and seems to have taken an enormous step again this 12 months, falling to No. 128. Sam Houston lastly scored a landing, however has simply 10 factors via three video games, so the Bearkats drop to No. 132. Buffalo stays on the backside after a 45-38 loss to Louisiana.
(Photo: Michael Reaves / Getty Images)
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