Monday, September 16, 2013

2013 FBS PRS Rankings: Week 3

It's time once again for our weekly look at the FBS PRS Rankings! As is usually the case in the first month, there is some wild fluctuation, with a new number one team for the third week in a row. Let's take a look:

1. Central Florida (3-0, 732)
Last Week: Defeated Penn State 34-31
This Week: Idle
There will likely be another new number one next week, as UCF will not collect points while taking a week off. It was a huge win for the Knights against Penn State, and was their first ever win against the Big 10. UCF may also have presented a roadblock to Louisville in the AAC race.

2. LSU (3-0, 719)
Last Week: Defeated Kent State 45-13
This Week: #8 Auburn
The Bayou Bengals cruised once again this week over rebuilding and beat up Kent State, but a sizable challenge comes up this weekend against Auburn, who is probably the most improved team in the SEC right now. I believe LSU wins, but Auburn may challenge them.

3. Ohio State (3-0, 707)
Last Week: Defeated California 52-34
This Week: Florida A&M
Kenny Guyton played big in relief of Braxton Miller in the win over Cal, but Miller could return this weekend. They won't need him against the FCS Rattlers, so I say rest that knee one more week.

4. Northwestern (3-0, 686)
Last Week: Defeated Western Michigan 38-17
This Week: Maine
The Wildcats, like Ohio State and UCF, will fall this week, but that's because of an ill-timed FCS opponent in Maine. The Bears are solid, but not enough so to challenge the red hot Cats in Evanston.

5. Michigan (3-0, 643)
Last Week: Defeated Akron 28-24
This Week: At UConn
The Wolverines got a  major scare from hapless Akron last weekend, and will have to rebound quickly as they take to the road, but the Huskies should not pose a threat this week. I look for a blow out win to send a message for the Wolverines.

6T. Oregon (3-0, 625)
Last Week: Defeated Tennessee 59-14
This Week: Idle
The Ducks are probably the hottest team in the country not named Alabama, but had they played at least one road game in their first three games, they would likely be on top by now. The bye week will see them drop some next week. No play, no PRS points.

6T. Oklahoma (3-0, 625)
Last Week: Defeated Tulsa 51-20
This Week: Idle
Another team with a bye week. The top 10 sure will look different next week. OU is on a roll, and after Blake Bell's big day, they have a dreaded QB controversy.

8. Auburn (3-0, 583)
Last Week: Defeated Mississippi State 24-20
This Week: At #2 LSU
Auburn's early 3-0 start sure has surprised some people. Gus Malzahn is doing one hell of a job early on, and this week will be a huge chance to shock someone on the road. They may not be ready to make that move quite yet against LSU.

9. Oklahoma State (3-0, 572)
Last Week: Defeated Lamar 59-3
This Week: Idle
Yet another top ten team taking a week off in week 4. OSU really had no right to schedule a cupcake like Lamar, but hey, when you do, that's how you beat them. Straight to hell with a hammer.

10. Arizona (3-0, 551)
Last Week: Defeated UT-San Antonio 38-13
This Week: Idle
Hate to hype on the early bye weeks, but here's another one. Rich Rodriguez has done a solid job early, but the Cat's schedule has been less than daunting. It get's real with PAC-12 play right around the corner.

11. Florida State (2-0, 536)
Last Week: Defeated Nevada 62-7
This Week: Bethune-Cookman
I am not sure about the early scheduling out of conference for the Seminoles, but they sure have given a chance for Jamies Winston to look like a mega star in the process. Bethune-Cookman is coming off of an FBS win over FIU, but don't worry, they won't get a repeat shot this week. Seminoles should roll (no disrespect to the Wildcats).

12. Mississippi (3-0, 526)
Last Week: Defeated Texas 44-23
This Week: Idle
Another school in a long line of teams playing FCS opponents, or just taking the week off. The Rebels rolled Texas last weekend on the road, giving them a big boost. It would have been nice to see how they came back from that huge win this week.

13. Louisville (3-0, 519)
Last Week: Defeated Kentucky 27-13
This Week: Florida International
Louisville should hurtle into the top ten this week. If Bethune-Cookman rocked FIU by 25 last week, imagine what Teddy and company will do to the Panthers.

14. Alabama (2-0, 516)
Last Week: Defeated Texas A&M 49-42
This Week: Colorado State
The Tide should roll this week against the Rams, but did you notice how bad the defense was at times? I don't care if they were playing against Johnny Football or Jesus himself last week, Bama never gives up 42. One has to be concerned about the secondary.

15. Minnesota (3-0, 513)
Last Week: Defeated Western Illinois 29-12
This Week: San Jose State
The gophers lost starting QB Phillip Nelson, and Jerry Kill had another seizure. This is not how the Gophers want to go into playing the upset hungry Spartans. It gets real this week.

16. UCLA (2-0, 507)
Last Week: Defeated Nebraska 41-21
This Week: New Mexico State
The Bruins got a huge emotional win at the Huskers after trailing 21-3. The Bruins have a red hot offense, but for the love of God, can they get it together before halftime, please?

17. Maryland (3-0, 506)
Last Week: Defeated UConn 32-21
This Week: West Virginia
The Terps 3-0 start may be the most shocking record of any team right now in a positive light. Is it for real? I am not sure, but I believe they have a solid shot at 4-0 and beating West Virginia this weekend.

18. Northern Illinois (2-0, 488)
Last Week: Defeated Idaho 45-35
This Week: Eastern Illinois
The Huskies were flat for a half against the horrible Vandals. They almost got bitten in the ass. They think that EIU will be the best team they have faced this season, and they may be right. Sorry Iowa and Idaho fans.

19. Texas Tech (3-0, 487)
Last Week: Defeated TCU 20-10
This Week: Texas State
Kingsbury is a solid choice for Big 12 coach of the month for September. The Red Raiders will likely be 4-0 after the Texas State game. Tech may be the sleeper in the Big 12.

20. Washington (2-0, 464)
Last Week: Defeated Illinois 34-24
This Week: Idaho State
The huskies have to be feeling pretty good about averaging 36 points per game in wins over Boise State and Illinois. They will likely score many more against FCS Idaho State, but FCS games kill your PRS number. Still, Washington is a solid third in the Pac-12 North.

21. Stanford (2-0, 453)
Last Week: Defeated Army 34-20
This Week: Arizona State
I am not impressed with the early results for the Cardinal in wins over San Jose State and Army. Kevin Hogan really struggled against the Cadets, completing just 11 of 18 passes in the win, where Stanford allowed Army to hang tough. They could be in trouble at home this week.

22. Michigan State (3-0, 413)
Last Week: Defeated Youngstown State 55-17
This Week: At #26 Notre Dame
The Spartans are a bumpy 3-0. They seemed to pull together against a solid FCS program last weekend, but need to keep focus this week on the road. The Irish are vulnerable, so now is the time to strike.

23. Arkansas (3-0, 409)
Last Week: Defeated Southern Miss 24-3
This Week: At Rutgers
The Hogs may be going to their number two QB for a tough road trip. Rutgers may give the Razorbacks all they can handle, and more this week. If Arkansas can pull this one off, they may be in for a solid season, making for yet another challenger in the SEC West.

24. Miami (2-0, 388)
Last Week: Idle
This Week: Savannah State
The Hurricanes should be ashamed of themselves for scheduling this game, and because of the FCS status of the Tigers, Miami drops out of the top 25. There is no reason to play this game.

25. Georgia Tech (2-0, 332)
Last Week: Defeated Duke 38-14
This Week: North Carolina
Tech has a solid history of handling UNC in Atlanta. A win would be a huge way to show the nation that the Yellow Jackets are for real.

The Next Ten

26. Notre Dame (2-1, 307)
27. Bowling Green (2-1, 299)
28. Navy (2-0, 291)
29. Penn State (2-1, 290)
30. Baylor, 2-0, 283)
31T. North Texas (2-1, 280)
31T. Houston (2-0, 280)
33. Colorado (2-0, 269)
34. USC (2-1, 264)
35. South Carolina (2-1, 258)

The Bottom Ten

116. UConn (0-2, -487)...Lost to former couch Randy Edsell. Ouch.
117. Idaho (0-3, -525)...Had NIU on the ropes, and let them up.
118. Southern Mississippi (0-3, -540)...One win dating to 2011.
119. Western Michigan (0-3, -585)...It has to get worse before it gets better sometimes.
120. New Mexico State (0-3, -594)...Some things never change, like NMSU sucking ass.
121. Temple (0-3, -634)...It's throwback 80's year in Philly.
122. UMass (0-3, -664)...Charlie Molnar is wondering what he was thinking in taking this job.
123. South Florida (0-3, -678)..Willie Taggert is thinking what Charlie Molanr is thinking.
124. Florida International (0-3, -719...Loss to Bethune-Cookman? Of the MEAC? WTF!!!
125. Georgia State (0-3, -780)...It's never to late to slink back to the FCS ranks.

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