Associated Press poll voters can seem a little cruel at times.
After being given a raw deal by game officials on Saturday in a loss to Central Michigan, Oklahoma State fell out of the AP Top 25 on Sunday. The Cowboys controversy was one of the few big developments from a college football weekend that was entertaining if not particularly impactful.
Consider it the calm between the storms. Week 3 is even more loaded than Week 1. For the first time since 1999 the top three teams in the AP rankings will all face ranked opponents in the same week in September. The last time the top 3 teams all played ranked opponents away from home at any point in the season was Oct. 11, 2003.
Before turning the page completely on Week 2, a heat check on the AP Top 25, which is guaranteed to change significantly next week.
No. 1 Alabama (2-0)
Nick Saban called his team’s performance in a 28-point victory against Western Kentucky embarrassing and said he could not remember feeling more disappointed after a win. Seems a bit harsh, but then check the schedule and see why it was a good time for Saban to send a message.
Next: at No. 19 Mississippi. Got it.
Heat check: Just right.
No. 2 Florida State (2-0)
The Heat Checker endorsed the Seminoles at No. 2 last week. So here we are.
Next: at No. 10 Louisville.
Heat check: Just right.
No. 3 Ohio State (2-0)
The Buckeyes have yet to allow an offensive touchdown. That will probably change Saturday, but still an impressive start for a rebuilt group.
Next: at No. 14 Oklahoma.
Heat check: Too hot.
No. 4 Michigan (2-0)
Watch other teams put forth listless efforts against inferior teams and appreciate how Jim Harbaugh gets the Wolverines to play hard when they could be mailing it in.
Next: Colorado.
Heat check: Too hot.
No. 5 Clemson (2-0)
Something is off with the Tigers and they’ve got about a week and a half to get it right.
Next: South Carolina State (then a Thursday night game at Georgia Tech).
Heat check: Too hot.
No. 6 Houston (2-0)
QB Greg Ward Jr. got a day off to rest up for the short turnaround game.
Next: at Cincinnati, Thursday night.
Heat check: Too cold.
No. 7 Stanford (1-0)
The Cardinal were off last week and now have 11 straight weeks (maybe 12 if they reach the Pac-12 title) of games. To make it tougher, the next 10 games are against Pac-12 teams or Notre Dame.
Next: Southern California.
Heat check: Just right.
No. 8 Washington (2-0)
The Huskies could float into the top five without playing anyone because of attrition in front of them.
Next: Portland State.
Heat check: Too hot.
No. 9 Wisconsin (2-0)
The Badgers have won 37 straight nonconference games at home. And 38 should not be a problem.
Next: Georgia State.
Heat check: Just right.
No. 10 Louisville (2-0)
QB Lamar Jackson has accounted for 13 touchdowns. Only eight teams have more scored more.
Next: No. 2 Florida State.
Heat check: Too cold.
No. 11 Texas (2-0)
If Texas is back — or at least better — it should beat a Cal team that can’t stop the run at all.
Next: at California
Heat check: Too cold.
No. 12 Michigan State (1-0)
Spartans with a chance to make an early statement.
Next: at No. 18 Notre Dame.
Heat check: Too hot.
No. 13 Iowa (2-0)
The Hawkeyes face one of the few FCS teams that could count as a quality victory for a ranked team.
Next: North Dakota State.
Heat check: Too hot.
No. 14 Oklahoma (1-1)
The Sooners can’t afford another loss and their next two games are very losable.
Next: No. 3 Ohio State.
Heat check: Too hot.
No. 15 Tennessee (2-0)
The Vols won’t be a serious playoff contender without a better down-field passing game, but they might be able to power run their way to an SEC East title.
Next: Ohio.
Heat check: Just right.
No. 16 Georgia (2-0)
Hard to figure if a bad performance against Nicholls, after a good one against North Carolina, is just an aberration or a cause for concern. Little of both, probably.
Next: at Missouri.
Heat check: Just right, maybe?
No. 17 Texas A&M (2-0)
The Aggies’ secondary sports one of the best safety duos in the country in Justin Evans and Armani Watts.
Next: at Auburn.
Heat check: Too cold.
No. 18 Notre Dame (1-1)
The Fighting Irish lost CB Shaun Crawford for the season to a torn Achilles, depleting a secondary that has already taken a few hits.
Next: No. 12 Michigan State.
Heat check: Just right.
No. 19 Mississippi (1-1)
The Rebels had never won consecutive meetings against Alabama before the last two years. Now they need to make it three in a row to save their playoff hopes.
Next: No. 1 Alabama.
Heat check: Just right.
No. 20 LSU (1-1)
It is hard to believe that the answer to the Tigers’ offensive ills will be a graduate transfer quarterback who averaged 5.8 yards per attempt in 13 games for Purdue. But Danny Etling might get a chance to try.
Next: Mississippi State.
Heat check: Too hot.
No. 21 Baylor (2-0)
Still don’t think the Bears should be ranked. And next week won’t change anything either.
Next: Rice.
Heat check: Too hot.
No. 22 Oregon (2-0)
Take away the quarterback rushing stats, including sacks, and the Ducks allowed Virginia ball carriers to average 7.1 yards per carry. New defensive coordinator Brady Hoke still has some fixing to do. Offense looks fine, though.
Next: at Nebraska.
Heat check: Too hot.
No. 23 Florida (2-0)
Odd: The Gators have faced only 31 pass attempts in two games, without facing an option team.
Next: vs. North Texas
Heat check: Too hot.
No. 24 Arkansas (2-0)
Not many teams have a quality road win in the first two weeks of the season. Razorbacks got short-changed a bit by the voters.
Next: Texas State.
Heat check: Too cold.
No. 25 Miami (2-0)
The Hurricanes haven’t really earned this ranking yet, but they will if they survive one of the trickier nonconference road trips of the season.
Next: at Appalachian State.
Heat check: Too hot.
