College football rankings from 1 to 134 for Week 3: Why SEC QB bias just means more

One look at the 1-134 college football rankings heading into Week 3 is going to evoke two all too familiar words.

SEC bias.

Five of our top 10 teams are SEC schools, a list of national championship contenders that includes No. 1 Georgia, No. 3 Texas, No. 4 Alabama, No. 6 Ole Miss and No. 10 Tennessee. All five of those teams are in the latest Sporting News College Football Playoff projections, and No. 14 Oklahoma and No. 17 LSU are in the top 25.

So, SEC bias? No, its actually about quarterback bias.

Through two weeks, the SEC has seven quarterbacks with a passer rating of 175 or higher. That is more than the Big Ten which has five, the struggling ACC with four and the Big 12, thought to be a strong QB conference going into the season, with just two.

SEC quarterbacks with passer rating of 175 or better

Ole Miss' Jaxson Dart, Alabama's Jalen Milroe and Georgia's Carson Beck are Heisman favorites. Tennessee's Nico Iamaleava is going to keep the Vols in that mix, too.

LSU's Garrett Nussmeier (174.5) and Texas' Quinn Ewers (165.6) – who torched No. 19 Michigan for 246 yards and three TDs in Week 2 – just missed the cut.

This conference has quality depth at the most-important position and Arch Manning isn't even on the field yet. That – more than anything – is why the SEC has the best rankings combination right now.

Here is a closer look at Sporting News 1-134 rankings heading into Week 3:

College football rankings 2024

Top 25 for Week 3

1. Georgia (2-0)

The Bulldogs are just plain scary. They are one of five FBS teams that has not allowed a touchdown on defense, and a 48-3 victory against Tennessee Tech gave Carson Beck (18 of 25, 242 yards, 2 TDs) a chance to work with running back Trevor Etienne (5-78) in a low-pressure setting. Georgia is a complete team, and Kirby Smart has them playing with an edge that should translate at Kentucky in the SEC opener.

2. Ohio State (2-0)

The Buckeyes are showing no mercy under Ryan Day this season. Will Howard has 520 yards, four TDs and on interceptions through two games, and Quinshon Judkins (163 yards, 3 TDs) and TreVeyon Henderson (131 yards, 2 TDs) average more than seven yards per carry. The Buckeyes' defense dominated in a 56-0 victory against Western Michigan heading into an early bye week.

3. Texas (2-0)

The Longhorns were impressive in a 31-12 victory against Michigan in the first top-10 showdown of the season. Quinn Ewers (24 of 36, 246 yards, 3 TDs) did not turn the ball over, and Texas was 10 of 16 on third-down conversions. The Longhorns have next-level talent on both sides of the ball, and it showed up in Ann Arbor. Texas plays UTSA in Week 3.

4. Alabama (2-0)

Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe is in a three-way tie for the FBS lead with nine total TDs, but it took a 28-point fourth quarter to shake off South Florida in a 42-16 victory in Week 2. Ryan Williams (4-68, TD) continues to star at receiver, and a road trip to Wisconsin will be the first real test for first-year coach Kalen DeBoer. That is another one of those Big Ten-SEC separator games that could turn up later.

5. Oregon (2-0)

Are the Ducks the second best team in the Big Ten? We think so, and they outlasted Boise State in a wild 37-34 thriller. Oregon overcame two turnovers and a running game that averaged just 3.1 yards per attempt. Dillon Gabriel ranks third in the FBS with an 84.3% completion percentage. Oregon faces rival Oregon State (2-0) on Sept. 14 in the Civil War.

MORE: Recapping Oregon's WILD late-night win over Boise State

6. Ole Miss (2-0)

We are close to having four SEC teams in the top five. Lane Kiffin has a team that ranks first in the FBS with 713.5 yards per game. Jaxson Dart leads the FBS in passing yards (795) and passer rating (247.5) through two weeks, and the Rebels have outscored their first two opponents 128-3. A road trip to Wake Forest is up next in Week 3.

7. USC (2-0)

The Trojans have arguably been the most impressive team in the Big Ten the last two weeks given the preseason expectations. Miller Moss has been a perfect fit for Lincoln Riley, and the Trojans rank first in the Big Ten with 336 passing yards per game. An improved defense (!!) pitched a 48-0 shutout against Utah State in Week 2. USC has a bye week before the Big Ten opener at Michigan on Sept. 21.

8. Penn State (2-0)

Was the 34-27 victory against Bowling Green a cause for concern or a let-down from Week 1? We are somewhere in between. Penn State allowed just a field goal in the second half, and the tag-team future NFL RB room of Nick Singleton (13-119) and Kaytron Allen (14-101) combined for 220 yards. The Trojans leap-frogged the Nittany Lions in the Big Ten pecking order, but those teams will settle it on the field Oct. 12. Penn State will enjoy an early bye week in Week 3.

9. Miami, Fla. (2-0)

The Hurricanes made short work of Florida A&M in a 56-9 blowout. Cam Ward continues to thrive. He is second among ACC quarterbacks in passing yards (689) and passer rating (199.5). Miami has emerged as the favorite in the ACC race, with the caution that could take a turn at any time. The Hurricanes face Ball State in Week 3.

10. Tennessee (2-0)

Nico Iamaleava is getting Heisman hype and he also has the strong support of the leading rusher in the SEC. Dylan Sampson has 256 yards and eight TDs – and he is averaging 8.0 yards per carry. The Volunteers average 60 points per game through two weeks. It feels like 2022, but there are 12 playoff teams this time. The Vols play woeful Kent State in Week 3.

11. Missouri (2-0)

Missouri has outscored its first two opponents 89-0 and has allowed a FBS-best 127 yards per game. Yes, the competition has been awful, but this is no doubt an impressive start under Eli Drinkwitz this season. Preseason All-American Luther Burden III has seven catches for 64 yards and a TD through two games. We should see more of him in Week against Boston College.

12. Utah (2-0)

Cam Rising's hand injury is a legitimate concern, but the Utes still have the most-consistent defense in the Big 12. Utah allows 186.5 yards per game through two weeks, and they face Utah State in Week 3. Kyle Whittingham is 8-1 against the Aggies, with the only loss coming in 2012.

MORE: Meet Zach Wilson's brother, likely QB1 for Utah with Cam Rising hurt

13. Kansas State (2-0)

Kansas State pulled out a 34-27 victory at Tulane that went down to the last minute to avenge a loss from 2022. The Wildcats could be considered the best team in the Big 12 thanks to quarterback Avery Johnson, and accurate passer who can also run. Johnson hasn't turned it completely loose, however, which might be necessary if Friday's matchup with Arizona morphs into a shootout.

14. Oklahoma (2-0)

The Sooners lead the nation with a +7 turnover margin through two games, and that improved defense keyed a 16-12 victory against Houston. Jackson Arnold (315 yards, six TDs, one INT) is growing into the starting role, and the running game has not been dominant the first two weeks. The home-stand continues in Week 3 against Tulane.

15. Oklahoma State (2-0)

The Cowboys were fortunate to escape in a 39-31 victory against Arkansas, but it goes down as the second straight victory against a trendy upset pick. Doak Walker Award winner Ollie Gordon (175 yards, 4 TDs) is grinding out yards, and the defense will need to be better in Big 12 play. The Cowboys play at Tulsa in Week 3 in what could be a trap game.

16. Arizona (2-0)

Somewhat surprisingly, The Wildcats were inconsistent on offense in a 22-10 victory against Northern Arizona. Tetairoa McMillan – who had 10 catches for 304 yards in Week 1 – was limited to two catches for 11 yards. The Wildcats get the Big 12 spotlight on Friday against Kansas State.

17. LSU (1-1)

The Tigers beat Nicholls 44-21, even though John Emery's season-ending injury has impacted the running game. The Tigers averaged 3.0 yards per carry in the victory. Fortunately, Garrett Nussmeier was on point with 302 passing yards and six TDs. SEC play starts in Week 3 at South Carolina – and that can be tricky if LSU has a slow start.

18. Clemson (1-1)

The Tigers eliminated any question about an emotional hangover after Week 1 with a 66-20 blowout against Appalachian State in a game that was expected to be much closer. Cade Klubnik passed for 378 yards and five TDs, and coach Dabo Swinney has maintained faith in his process. The Tigers have a bye week to prepare for NC State. The struggling Wolfpack beat Clemson 24-17 last season.

19. Michigan (1-1)

The Wolverines received their reality check in a 31-12 loss to Texas that revealed this year's team is a shell of the national championship team from last season. The Longhorns wore out the Michigan defense after the offense stalled in the first half. The quarterback question between Davis Warren and Alex Orji needs more clarity in Week 3 against Arkansas State.

MORE: Michigan's offensive reality check

20. Louisville (2-0)

Trust Jeff Brohm. The Cardinals have played light competition so far, but Jeff Shough is the latest quarterback to fit in. He has 581 yards, a 68.4% completion percentage and six TDs through two games. Three different running backs have 100-plus rushing yards. Remember, Louisville played in the ACC championship game. Don't discount them in a wide-open race.

21. Nebraska (2-0)

We were right to put Nebraska in the Top 25 last week. The Huskers avenged last year's loss to Colorado with a 28-10 victory in Week 2. Freshman Dylan Raiola has a 73.7% completion percentage with three TDs, and the run support is there with 186 yards per game. Are the Huskers ready to win the close games with Matt Rhule in Year 2?

22. Memphis (2-0)

The Group of 5 has several playoff candidates, and Memphis is the best of the bunch right now. The Tigers have a balanced offense that averages 39.0 points per game, and a defense that has allowed 8.5 points per game through two weeks. Can they beat Florida State in Week 3? This is Memphis' showcase game.

23. Notre Dame (1-1)

We understand the instinct to knock the Irish out of the polls after the 16-14 loss to Northern Illinois in Week 2. The Irish have averaged just 18.5 points per game, and the passing game has been limited through two games. Notre Dame's defense will keep them in every game, but there is no margin for error now.

24. Washington (2-0)

Perhaps the preseason predictions on Washington were too harsh. First-year coach Jedd Fisch is making it work with veteran quarterback Will Rogers (511 yards, 5 TDs 0 INTs) and running back Arizona transfer running back Jonah Coleman (231 yards, 3 TDs). The Apple Cup against Washington State comes early in Week 3.

25. Iowa State (2-0)

The Cyclones are the sixth Big 12 team on this list. Iowa State pulled out a 20-19 victory against Iowa — the Cyclones' first victory at Kinnick Stadium against a ranked Hawkeyes' team in school history. Iowa State has committed just one turnover in two games, and a bye week is next.

College football 1-134 rankings: (1-25)

A look at the top 25 teams in the FBS heading into Week 3:

Rest of FBS (26-134)

Here is a look at the rest of the FBS heading into Week 3:​​