1. Georgia (3-0) (Last week:1)
Just 262 total yards. Only one touchdown. It was ugly, but Georgia’s 13-12 win over Kentucky was still a road victory in the nation’s premier conference. You don’t throw those back.
2. Texas (3-0) (3)
If you’re going to lose your starting quarterback (Quinn Ewers) like Texas did Saturday, it helps to have a blue-chip backup (Arch Manning). It’s also nice to have a cupcake like UTSA on the schedule.
3. Ohio State (2-0) (3)
Practices during the bye week were probably tougher than the Buckeyes blowout wins over Akron and Western Michigan.
4. Alabama (3-0) (4)
One concern from the 32-point beatdown over Wisconsin: The defense against the run. The Badgers piled up 149 yards on the ground. This would’ve been a different game had starting quarterback Tyler Van Dyke not suffered an injury in the first quarter.
5. Ole Miss (2-0) (5)
Three wins by a cumulative 168-9 have revealed very little about Ole Miss, other than it doesn’t play with its food. That is a good quality to have.
6. Oregon (3-0) (6)
Now that was more like it. After back-to-back ugly wins over inferior opponents, Oregon finally looked the part in a 49-14 destruction of in-state rival Oregon State.
7. Tennessee (3-0) (7)
Tennessee would’ve gotten more out of scrimmage than playing Kent State. The Volunteers racked up a ridiculous 541 yards of offense in the first half alone, en route to a 71-0 demolition.
8. Penn State (2-0) (8)
The Nittany Lions may as well start preparing for Illinois in two weeks after what we saw from Kent State — their opponent next Saturday — in Knoxville.
9. USC (2-0) (9)
Let’s not call Saturday’s trip to Ann Arbor a litmus test. Michigan is mediocre at best. Still, USC can continue to build early momentum with a victory.
10. Missouri (3-0) (10)
There were no style points for the Tigers on Saturday, not after digging themselves an early 11-point hole and failing to put away Boston College. But 3-0 is 3-0, and Missouri could be favored in every game — the Texas A&M matchup in College Station is the only question mark — until an Oct. 26 visit to Alabama.
Heisman Watch (in alphabetical order)
QB Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss
The senior has now thrown for at least 300 yards in four straight games and six of his last eight contests. Voters like consistency.
QB Dillon Gabriel, Oregon
The preseason betting favorite produced his best game of the young season, throwing for 291 yards and two scores and running for 64 yards and another touchdown in the Ducks’ rout of Oregon State.
RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
Do yourself a favor and tune in to Boise State’s next game. The electric Jeanty is worth your time.
QB Jalen Milroe, Alabama
That was a Heisman-caliber performance by Milroe at Wisconsin: 261 all-purpose yards and five touchdowns.
QB Cam Ward, Miami
The Ward hype was considerable, and the Washington State transfer has somehow lapped it. Already, he has thrown for 1,035 yards and 11 touchdowns — nearly half of the Hurricanes’ total of 23 from a year ago.