Don’t worry. I’m not going to treat you to a dissertation on the theory of college football rankings again. I won’t do that until the committee screws it up again (likely) or until we make it to the beginning of next season when I feel the need to provide an annual reminder (sorry in advance). Just one simple reminder this week, especially for those of us who grew up with the AP and Coaches’ polls being the rankings we saw each week, that these are designed to be significantly more fluid than the polls of old. Winning doesn’t ensure moving up or staying the same. Losing doesn’t ensure moving all the way out. There are no preseason polls, no biases, no laundry taken into consideration. The poll only sees points for, points against, measured strength of opponents. How good are you? How strong is your resume? What does that combination equate to in relation to everybody else? It’s that simple.

1. Pitt (3-0) (Power: 1, Resume: 1)

We spent all offseason trying to figure out who Miami would play in the ACC championship game. Louisville? SMU? Is Clemson back? (They are not). Why not Pitt? They’ve been there before and have the bankable combination of defensive-minded head coach and emerging star quarterback.

2. Mississippi State (3-0) (Power: 7, Resume: 3)

All eyes are on Oxford this week, but the SEC has a problem brewing in Starkville too.

3. Virginia Tech (3-0) (Power: 2, Resume: 11)

Can the Hokies take James Franklin to heights Penn State could not?

4. Notre Dame (3-0) (Power: 4, Resume: 10)

One win away from their first unscathed September of the 12-team playoff era.

5. Alabama (3-0) (Power: 9, Resume: 6)

This week it was the offense that bailed out the defense. The offense showed clear signs of coaching progress from last week to this week. Keelon Russell might already be a problem.

6. Ole Miss (3-0) (Power: 15, Resume: 2)

Biggest win of the season so far when you include the emotional baggage that came with it. Now it’s time to avoid the letdown going forward.

7. Texas (3-0) (Power11, Resume: 8)

Most of you probably think this is way too low after the comeback against Ohio State. The rankings will adjust accordingly over time.

8. UCF (2-1) (Power: 3, Resume: 25)

Maybe the Scott Frost offense is back after all?

9. Miami (3-0) (Power: 6, Resume: 19)

They are still one of the three best teams I’ve watched play this season, but letting Wake Forest creep back into the game is a warning sign of the old Mario Cristobal mistakes.

10. UCLA (3-0) (Power: 19, Resume: 5)

I’ll keep banging the drum. Bob Chesney may not have had the same hype as Curt Cignetti, but he can flat out coach.

11. Tulsa (3-0) (Power: 20, Resume: 4)

Maybe that opening weekend loss by Oklahoma State wasn’t so bad?

12. LSU (2-1) (Power: 8, Resume: 23)

This is still very much a college football playoff contender. The Trey’Dez Green injury looked serious though, and that will be a huge loss (and not just because of his physical stature).

13. Maryland (2-1) (Power: 5, Resume: 26)

Clawed back into the game against Virginia Tech, but the Hokies controlled it for four quarters. I suspect Maryland will continue to drop as the weeks roll on, but this team looks good enough to save Mike Locksley’s job at least.

14. Florida (3-0) (Power: 12, Resume: 14)

Jon Summrall has restored toughness and physicality in “The Swamp”.

15. West Virginia (3-0) (Power: 30, Resume: 9)

Burn those couches! Take me home, country roads!

16. Michigan (3-0*) (Power: 37, Resume: 7)

The asterisk will remain in place all season.

17. James Madison (3-0) (Power 21, Resume: 15)

I said on “The Spread Offense” podcast last week that the Dukes would go out west and steal a W.

18. Tennessee (3-0) (Power: 14, Resume: 22)

Put up or shut up week for the Vols.

19. Kansas State (3-0) (Power: 13, Resume: 27)

The run defense got gashed at times by Tulane, fortunately the offense returned the gashing and then some.

20. Oklahoma (2-1) (Power: 16, Resume: 28)

How far can the defense carry this lame duck offense?

21. Auburn (2-1) (Power: 28, Resume: 20)

If they keep up this one-score game percentage, we’ll be calling them the “cardiac cats” by Halloween.

22. Penn State (3-0) (Power: 18, Resume: 34)

Classic example of what taking care of inferior competition looks like. The floor is high, but how high the ceiling is remains to be answered.

23. Ohio State (2-1) (Power: 10, Resume: 67)

Note that the “power” component is still high. The Buckeyes are going to be fine as long as Ryan Day doesn’t clam up with a lead…again.

24. BYU (3-0) (Power: 34, Resume 21)

After the Houston vs. Texas Tech showdown Friday night, I still feel great about BYU as my preseason Big XII champion pick.

25. Oklahoma State (2-1) (Power: 25, Resume: 32)

Tulsa might prove to be not that bad of a loss. Likewise, Oregon’s loss might not ultimately prove to be that bad either.

First Five Out: Missouri, Georgia State, Texas A&M, Louisville, Virginia

Cover Photo Courtesy of Sports Illustrated