Week 3 Poll: Special Teams Shake Up

This weekend's games showed everybody why special teams truly matters. Teams that were able to make plays on special teams survived. Teams that were unable too...suffered. The major changes in this week's polls are from teams that made big plays on special teams, or failed to make any.

Who's Down!

Iowa

The Hawkeyes are one of those teams that failed to make plays on special teams last week. A blocked punt that resulted in a touchdown. Then giving up another touchdown on a kick-off return. Without those plays Iowa may still be in the top ten, and be feeling a lot better from their trip to Arizona after what would have most likely been a win, but that is not what happened. The Hawkeyes drop this week because they couldn't make the big plays on special teams.

Who's Up!

Arkansas

The Razorbacks make their debut in the top ten this week after a solid win at Georgia. While the Bulldogs are not as solid as they have been in the past, anytime you win on the road between the hedges is a great road win. While it was not that impressive in the final score, the Razorbacks owned that game. Although they are in the top ten this week they will need to win a big one this weekend to remain in the top ten. Bring on Alabama!

Who's In!

Michigan State

While we haven't put in the Wolverines quite yet we are putting the Spartans in the top 25 this week. The exciting overtime victory over Notre Dame puts them over the top, and once again shows how teams that made big plays on special teams are moving up this week. The Spartans once again looked like a solid all-around offensive football team, and were able to hang with what is starting to look like a strong passing offense in Notre Dame. For our Michigan fans that want to know why the Wolverines were once again left out....keep reading.

On the Bubble!

Michigan

The Wolverins could have made it this week, but once again we will remind everybody that we look at how you played, and who you played. A narrow win over FCS Massachusetts is not enough to push the Wolverines into the top 25 this week. All the win over UMass showed the world is that the Wolverine defense still needs a lot of work after giving up 37 points in the Big House. Better luck next week.

Nevada

The Wolf Pack are right on the edge of the top 25 after their victory over Cal last week. Nevada looked solid again but just like Michigan it is hard to reward teams that don't have solid victories. The key word is victories...that's a plural. So far this season Nevada has beaten Eastern Washington (FCS), Colorado State, and Cal. While Colorado State in the past may have been a solid victory...it is not this season. But don't worry quite yet Nevada fans...a win at BYU this weekend will definitely push the Pack into the top 25.

The Poll

1. Alabama

2. Ohio State

3. Boise State

4. Oregon

5. TCU

6. Texas

7. Nebraska

8. Arkansas

9. Oklahoma

10. Wisconsin

11. Florida

12. Arizona

13. South Carolina

14. Miami (FL)

15. Utah

16. Iowa

17. Auburn

18. LSU

19. USC

20. Stanford

21. Penn State

22. Florida State

23. West Virginia

24. Michigan State

25. Oklahoma State