The Significant Results and New Rankings From NCAA Football: Week #3

Coming into this weekend, there were few marquee matchups in the Top 25, as it looked like it would be little more than a schedule of rollover contests for the leading squads. But this also makes for a fertile environment for upsets, and we were delivered our share, along with a number of games that were closer than expected.

In the end, most teams took care of business, but the unimpressive performances led to some shuffling in the poll. But that is not to say there was not some excitement to be seen. Here are the more noteworthy results and the new AP College Football Rankings.

(19) Colorado 43 - Colorado State 38 (2OT)

Deion Sanders has created a stir in The Rockies. Coach Prime has made a seismic shift with his Buffaloes squad, and this longtime in-state rivalry was a statement game in many ways. Trailing for most of the game, QB Shedeur Sanders came alive and guided a comeback. Down by eight points, Colorado was pinned at its own two-yard line with just over a minute and a half remaining, but Sanders threw them downfield on a touchdown drive and a 2-point conversion to send it to overtime. Two more TD throws were followed by a victory-capping interception to nab the victory. Next week is a big contest against the Oregon Ducks.

(25) Florida 29 - (23) Tennessee 16

The Gators looked far better than their unranked status in The Swamp, as the Volunteers were never really in the game. It seemed each time Tennessee was poised to make a drive and catch up, penalties (many of them questionable) stalled them out. One odd sequence saw their hurry-up play interrupted when a ref inadvertently kicked the ball, and as the officials were resetting, it allowed Florida to substitute and stop the play and the drive. It was that kind of night for the Vols as Florida’s Trevor Etienne steamrolled to a 172-yard night.

Missouri 30 - Kansas State 27

Possibly the upset of the day (that had our esteemed Deputy Managing Editor Susie Moore giddy) saw Mizzou keeping things close with the then-15th-ranked Wildcats as QB Brady Cook tossed for 356 yards and a pair of touchdowns with no interceptions. This saw the game tied with just seconds left, and they gave the game to their “thicker kicker,” Harrison Mevis - who, at 5’11”, 243 pounds, is built more like a blocking halfback. Mevis managed to get the win by making a new SEC record 61-yard field goal as the clock burned down. The loss means Kansas State falls out of the poll.

(1) Georgia 24 - South Carolina 14

The Bulldogs looked less than their dominating selves, but it was a weather-affected game. They fell behind 14-3 midway through, but then Carson Beck settled the offense, and the vaunted Georgia defense shut out the Gamecocks in the second half, closing down the ground game in wet conditions as Georgia outgained them 189-53 yards.

(4) Florida State 31 - Boston College 29

It was BC’s annual “Bandana Game,” honoring a fallen alumnus who was a hero during 9-11. The Eagles battled all game with a surprisingly adept offense and managed to get within two points, with a drive taking place in the closing minutes, but the FSU defense got the needed stop to close out the victory.

Here are the Top 25schools (First Place Votes)