UNLV and Memphis notched major wins in Week 3. Beating Kansas further strengthened the Rebels spot atop the Power Rankings this week. It’s been fun to watch exciting football in Vegas this year, and the Rebels are ranked in a major poll for the first time.
The Tigers made the biggest move up the rankings after truly dominating Florida State. I don’t care what the perception is of the Seminoles this season, that was still impressive to see from the Tigers. Memphis’ defense was a major question mark but has turned into a strength alongside the offense. This could be one of the more balanced Memphis teams we’ve seen in quite a while.
Keep an eye on what is going on with the following teams who are currently not ranked but could make their way onto the list by next week: Navy, James Madison and Fresno State. All three are quietly playing good ball and have significant matchups this week that could catapult them into our Top 10.
Group of Five rankings remain important. Though these conferences get a significantly lower financial guarantee from the new 12-team CFP, they are on a more equitable field when it comes to the competition: The four highest ranked conference champions get byes, and the five highest ranked champs get auto-bids, but nothing is to say that the supposed “Power Four” are guaranteed those four byes or four of those five spots; if a Group of Five team were to outrank, hypothetically, the Big 12 champion, it would get a bye and home game. And with those spots comes financial windfalls based on success in the tournament.
Group of Five Power Rankings
No longer ranked: Tulane
