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College Football Rankings 2023: Projected AP Top 25 for Week 3

By Connor Muldowney

Sep 9, 2023; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers (3) celebrates their 34-24 victory over the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 9, 2023; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers (3) celebrates their 34-24 victory over the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Miami Football
Sep 9, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Ahmad Moten (99) reacts as he takes the field prior to the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports /

The Hawkeyes were ranked to start the season but slid out to make room for Duke and Colorado. Plus, the Hawkeyes didn’t look all that impressive against Utah State at home and the offense was stagnant still. The offense wasn’t a ton better against Iowa State this week, but this was a nice rivalry win, nonetheless. Iowa will jump back in.

Through the first half, I was ready to declare Clemson “done” for the season. The Tigers were only up 24-17 and Charleston Southern had all the momentum, but whatever Dabo Swinney said in the locker room at halftime worked and Clemson scored the last 42 points of the game to win 66-17. They have to do something about these slow starts.

Did I think I’d be putting Miami in the AP Top 25 projections this early in the season? No, but Mario Cristobal and Co. continue to prove me wrong. They just handled a very talented Texas A&M team and did what they haven’t been able to over the past few years: seal the deal. Impressive win for the Hurricanes.

I’ve officially become a believer in Washington State. Cam Ward is one of the best quarterbacks in the country and he just led the Cougars over No. 19 Wisconsin in upset fashion. I believe that most voters will have the Cougars in the AP Top 25 after this one.

Duke followed up a nice season-opening upset win over No. 9 Clemson with a blowout win over Lafayette. The Blue Devils pretty much just rolled right through Lafayette on the way to a 42-7 win with ease. Can’t take much from this but it feels like the Blue Devils are legit.

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