College football rankings: Florida State looks to escape Bottom 25 with win vs. Mike Norvell’s former team

25. Florida State0-2Florida State had a bye in Week 2, so no less than it could not lose once more. After a moderately disastrous begin to the season, the Seminoles now have to show their consideration to a possible Faculty Soccer Playoff workforce after they face Memphis, Mike Norvell’s former workforce. It by no means will get simpler. (Final week: 19)

24. Air Force1-1Remember when Air Pressure was an AP High 25 workforce final 12 months? Now the Falcons are headed in one other path, because of a 2-6 skid of their final eight video games. Issues hit a brand new low after they misplaced to San Jose State for the primary time ever. Troy Calhoun is a superb coach so it is onerous to see this pattern persevering with. (NR)

23. Texas Tech1-1The Joey McGuire honeymoon interval is 6-feet below at this level. He could recruit nicely, and he is a Texas soccer icon, however the precise on-field outcomes aren’t backing any of that up. After an exhilarating extra time victory in opposition to mighty Abilene Christian in Week 1, the Pink Raiders bought thrashed by Washington State final week. (NR)

22. Buffalo1-1It hasn’t been an terrible season for Buffalo to date. The Bulls misplaced to Missouri by simply 38 factors after which adopted that with a 17-point win in opposition to Lafayette. An enormous Backside 25 matchup in opposition to UMass gives Buffalo a chance to maintain the nice vibes rolling. (NR)

21. Nevada1-2Nevada’s almost-win in opposition to SMU in Week 0 and precise win in opposition to Troy in Week 1 are each trying worse because the season grinds on. Shedding to Georgia Southern would not assist optics. This weekend’s sport in opposition to Minnesota may go to the primary workforce to interrupt 17 factors. (NR) 

20. Appalachian State1-1Appalachian State made Clemson’s offense look elite. That is maybe probably the most scathing commentary I am going to present all 12 months. Tigers quarterback Cade Klubnik missed on simply two of his passes and tossed 5 touchdowns within the 66-10 win. Possibly the ‘Neers can bounce again in opposition to East Carolina (NR)

19. Outdated Dominion 0-2If Outdated Dominion had any form of offense, the Monarchs may be a playoff workforce. Alright, that may be a slight exaggeration, however ODU is only a couple performs away from being 2-0. It had an opportunity to upset South Carolina in Week 1 however had what may have been a game-winning drive reduce quick by an interception. Then final week in opposition to East Carolina, the Monarchs could not capitalize off of 4 (4!) Jake Garcia INTs in a 20-14 loss. (NR) 

18. Georgia State1-1A 24-21 win in opposition to FCS Chattanooga was sufficient to barely enhance Georgia State’s standing, however the Panthers are a good distance away from climbing out of the Backside 25. What regarded like a positive Week 3 sport in opposition to Vanderbilt has changed into one other probably setback. The Commodores are a wagon this 12 months, of us. (17) 

17. New Mexico State1-1New Mexico State could also be a newcomer to this week’s rankings, however the Aggies are quite a bit additional forward than I anticipated at this level. They led Liberty, a possible CFP workforce, for over three quarters earlier than letting issues slip away late in a 30-24 loss. We’ll see if they will truly maintain on in opposition to Fresno State (NR). 

16. Colorado State1-1Colorado State rebounded large time final week with a 38-17 win in opposition to Northern Colorado. Subsequent on the docket is non-directional Colorado, with superiority of the state on the road. The Buffaloes are reeling after getting run out of the stadium in opposition to Nebraska and nonetheless do not have an offensive line, so it is a Prime alternative for the Rams to proceed their ascent. (2) 

15. Florida Atlantic0-2The Tom Herman experiment is not figuring out. He is now 4-10 by his first 14 video games with the Owls. His offense — and keep in mind, Herman got here up by the teaching ranks as an offensive coordinator — has scored a whopping 17 factors by the primary two video games in 2024. (NR)

14. Western Kentucky1-1See what occurs when you do not play Alabama? The Hilltoppers blanked Jap Kentucky 31-0 to earn their first win of 2024. Subsequent up is the Backside 25 Recreation of the Week in opposition to Center Tennessee, with a possible ticket out of the rankings on the road. (1)

13. UMass0-2UMass has misplaced its first two video games by a mean of 14.5 factors. Since wins could also be onerous to return by for the Minutemen this 12 months, I’ve determined to trace what number of instances UMass is ready to reduce a ultimate deficit to 1 rating. (22)

12. Charlotte0-2Charlotte truly put up a good struggle in opposition to North Carolina and had the sport inside one possession early within the third quarter earlier than the Tar Heels pulled away. Gardner-Webb in Week 3 ought to be a get-right sport for the 49ers. (12) 

11. Troy0-2Turns out it is fairly devastating to lose a coach like Jon Sumrall. The Trojans have already matched their loss complete from every of the previous two years, and that is earlier than this Saturday’s sport in opposition to Iowa! (NR) 

10. UTEP 0-2Last week I wrote that Scotty Walden was an upside swing for UTEP, and that it could take a while for this system to see any significant outcomes. Properly, there wasn’t a lot upside to be present in a 27-24 loss to Southern Utah. Particularly for the reason that Miners blew a 17-6 halftime lead and bungled an opportunity to win in extra time. (3)

9. Center Tennessee1-1Derek Mason has his arms full with this rebuild. The Blue Raiders weren’t going to be aggressive in opposition to No. 5 Ole Miss, however the truth that they solely beat Tennessee Tech by a landing of their season opener is regarding. (NR)

8. Kennesaw State0-2No first-year FBS bump for the Owls, it appears. They’ve misplaced their first two video games since making the leap from the FCS by a mixed rating of 62-26. It appears to be like like the true measuring stick can be after they host UT Martin on Sept. 28. (25)

7. New Mexico0-2New Mexico plummeted on its bye week for causes which might be identified solely to arithmetic. The Lobos have not regarded unhealthy by their 0-2 begin, even when that features a loss to FCS Montana State. Bronco Mendenhall may get a signature win Saturday in opposition to Auburn. Groups from New Mexico are Hugh Freeze’s Achilles’ heel in spite of everything. (14)

6. Temple0-2Temple has extra turnovers (9) than offensive touchdowns (1) by two video games. On the fee issues are going, which may stay a relentless all through the season. We will definitely maintain you up to date on any progress (10) 

5. Jacksonville State0-2Jacksonville State is at present having the season most individuals thought it will final 12 months because it adjusted to the FBS degree. Any leftover magic from these 9 wins in 2023 is totally exhausted. Saturday’s sport at Jap Michigan in all probability will not present a lot reprieve. (21) 

4. Kent State0-2Kent State is gunning for that high spot. After profitable the Backside 25 championship a 12 months in the past, the Golden Flashes are in nice form for a two-peat, an inglorious feat that hasn’t been achieved since UTEP went back-to-back in 2017-18. (9)

3. Western Michigan0-2If Western Michigan was auditioning for the Massive Ten forward of the seemingly inevitable subsequent wave of convention realignment, issues actually may have gone higher. The Broncos misplaced to Wisconsin and Ohio State by a mixed rating of 84-14. An upcoming sport in opposition to Bethune-Cookman ought to go higher. (NR) 

2. Wyoming0-2It’s frankly surprising to see the Cowboys fall this low. Seems that 48-7 loss to Arizona State could have been a nasty omen. Wyoming adopted that up by falling 17-13 to FCS Idaho. Idaho is a superb workforce, and the Vandals pushed Oregon in Week 1, nevertheless it’s onerous to justify that consequence. (4) 

1. Akron 0-2In an analogous trend to Western Michigan, Akron scheduled a pair Massive Ten groups to start out the 12 months and had moderately predictable outcomes. At the least the Zips have been capable of put six factors on the board in opposition to Ohio State. The unhealthy information for Akron is that it has to play its third Energy 4 workforce in 4 weeks when it travels to South Carolina on Sept. 21. (5)