Woodshed Top 20 college football rankings: Week 3

If you haven't learned of Lamar Jackson by now, what have you been watching? This weekend, Louisville, led by its sophomore quarterback sensation, knocked out -- a Muhammad Ali sting-like-a-bee type of knockout -- the Florida State Seminoles. The 'Noles fans in the office have gone into some sort of winter slumber... what's the word I'm looking for? Hibernation!

And if you didn't read last week, we discussed the act of dropping the ball before you cross the goal line. In the Texas vs. Cal game, it actually became a factor.

How this happened again this week is beyond me. Listen up college football coaches, instruct your players to run into the end zone and place the ball at the foot of the goal post. And if you're a defender, I'm hoping you are being instructed to pick up ball and run it back no matter what. Don't stop till you hear a whistle!

I'm not only picking on California fans, it also happened in the Ohio State vs. Oklahoma game.

The best line on Monday: Iowa fan says to Florida State fan, "Hey, Louisville just scored again."

Florida State fan didn't have anything snappy for a comeback, so I'm just going to help him out: "When does basketball season start?"

Here is the Woodshed Top 20 after Week 3:

1. ALABAMA

To be the champ, you gotta beat the champ. This is why I have them at No. 1. I don't think Alabama is the best team, they are beatable. I know a lot of 'Bama papas and nanas had to take extra heart medicine while they watched Ole Miss. The Tide gave up 43 points. "Let's go to Birmingham to get the ruling." A lot of overturned calls went the Tide's way. I don't think that was the deciding factor in the end result, but it does affect play calling the rest of the game, so it does matter. Was the knee down? The call on the field said no. The video shows it may be down at the one-inch line, just not 100 percent sure of that. And then the ball is placed at the 1 1/2 yard line. How did they come up with that spot? It didn't matter, the next play the ball clearly breaks the plane of the goal line, but, upon official review, it gets denied. The officiating in this game was suspect the entire game and I'll leave it at that. If I'm a 'Bama fan, I'm worried I gave up over 40 points. Is Ole Miss really that good? Somebody needs to print up shirts that say, "Almost had 'em."

2. OHIO STATE

The Buckeyes lit up the Sooners in every facet of the game for three quarters on Saturday before Urban Meyer called off the dogs. It was a classic beatdown. Yes, the billboard material before the game was fun to follow. And yes, the silver bullets answered with a national-best fourth interception returned for a touchdown this season. The rest of the nation finally got a chance to see the next class of first-round draft picks Urban Meyer is coaching. The difference in the talent level at every position was evident compared to Oklahoma. Big Game Bob Stoops was merely outmatched. The Big 12 is on notice. You will need a conference championship game moving forward if you want to compete in the playoffs. The Sooners, who are the best the conference has to offer, have the same record as Kansas at 1-2. If you see an Oklahoma fan in the office today, you may want to give him/her a hug. A Noah Brown hug. By far the catch of the year, no?

3. LOUISVILLE

I'm not sure what was more impressive, Lamar Jackson or the Cardinals defense. Watching Lamar Jackson combine for 362 yards of offense with five more touchdowns is just fun. I can't wait to watch Showtime to see it again. Lamar Jackson is special. He has speed burst and moves only seen in video games. I bet you 'Canes fans wish the Boynton Beach product stayed in South Florida. Bobby Petrino has his team firing on all cylinders. And can we just silence the Petrino to the SEC already? The ACC happens to be a fun conference right now with the Cards and Clemson sitting at the top of the Atlantic division. Louisville heads to Marshall next week, so expect the Heisman highlight reel to continue.

4. MICHIGAN

If you just see the score you will say, "Man, the Wolverines are good!" However, the Buffaloes were all over the Blue in the first quarter. Michigan deserves the ranking, but I'm not sold on them being the best in the Big Ten. I'm not even sold if they can beat their little brother in Michigan State. If you listen to many sports reporters, "Urban Meyer and Jim Harbaugh have changed the Big Ten perception; it's the SEC North." Can we stop that kind of talk, Michigan has not beaten anybody of substance yet. Yes, they are better, and, yes, I believe the program is a bunch better with Harbaugh at the helm. I'm merely pointing out that Urban Meyer deserves the credit for changing the perception. The Wolverines are running the ball by committee; that tells me they don't have a guy that can take over a game. In the end, it may be Jabrill Peppers who will get into the Heisman race, because he will be needed at tailback and defense. Peppers is fun to watch. I'm happy to see the Blue doing well. A stiffer test vs. Penn State this week, but then again, it's Penn State at home.

5. HOUSTON

We now have some games with which we can measure the Cougars. Houston did beat Oklahoma, and prevailed in Cincinnati this past week. I thought the Bearcats would claw out an upset, but I was one quarter short of my assessment. Tom Herman's team won't have a test on their schedule for another seven weeks when it hosts Louisville. Until then, they will stay right here at five, out of the playoffs.

6. MICHIGAN STATE

Sparty looked pretty good in South Bend didn't they? So good that Notre Dame fans have already given up on the season and are now wondering if they should fire Brian Kelly for Tom Herman? We already know Petrino won't be a good fit for the Golden Domers. I don't think Kelly should be on the hot seat. He runs a great program and is one of the best coaches in college football. Mark Dantonio is just better. He's the Rodney Dangerfield of college football, he gets no respect. The mean green host Wisconsin this week in a non-division clash. MSU should roll all the way to Halloween weekend when it faces big brother Michigan in East Lansing.

7. CLEMSON

I just can't get excited about this team. I watched them against Auburn and Troy. Both games should have been blowouts, but were not. Deshaun Watson is the reason this team is ranked this high. He is supposed to be a Heisman hopeful. I know the Tigers will get better. It's as if they are playing with a hangover from last year's playoffs. Georgia Tech on tap this week, then Louisville.

8. TEXAS A&M

The Aggies are positioning themselves to be a contender in the SEC West. I know, I know, Johnny Football isn't there. Trevor Knight is, and has some weapons at wide receiver in Josh Reynolds, Christian Kirk and Ricky Seals-Jones. Alabama's weakness on defense this past week vs. Ole Miss was the secondary. Arkansas is a better test to see where this program is. The Razorbacks already took down one Texas team this year; it's possible another could fall this week.

9. STANFORD

With only two games under their belt, I wasn't sure where quite to rank Cardinal. I don't think there will be one unbeaten team from the Pac-12 this year. Christian McCaffrey is doing his part to stay a top contender in the Heisman discussion -- 320 all-purpose yards and a pair of touchdowns keeps the nation talking about the Cardinal. He will get a better audience this week when he plays in the Rose Bowl vs. UCLA.

10. WASHINGTON

11. WISCONSIN

The Badgers struggled with Georgia State at home last week 23-17. What do you think Michigan State, Michigan, Ohio State, Iowa and Nebraska are going to do to them? Yes, that's the gauntlet that awaits them over their next five games. At the end of the year you'll be saying, "Wasn't Wisconsin ranked?"

12. GEORGIA

This is me being stubborn about picking the Bulldogs to win the SEC East. Yes, Kirby Smart's team struggled in its win over Missouri. Chalk it up to playing on the road? Jacob Eason did make a 20-yard perfect throw for the go-ahead touchdown. We will see if Smart's gang is up to the task when they face Ole Miss this week.

13. TENNESSEE

The Vols keep winning, but I remain suspect on Tennessee winning the East. Butch Jones will begin to find out what kind of team he has. The Volunteers host the Gators, who will be without starting quarter Luke Del Rio, this week. Get ready to hear the excuses from Florida fans. If Tennessee wants to be relevant in the discussion of college football, this is a must win.

14. FLORIDA

The talk at the water cooler is very strong this week from my Gator fans. "We have the number one defense in the nation." Yes, the Gators have only given up 130 yards per game. Yes, they are giving up just under 5 points a game. But can we look at who they played? I mean, are Gators fans really beating their chest over shutting out Scott Bakula's Texas State Armadillos? Please Google the movie "Necessary Roughness" if you do not understand the humor. The Gators have my attention with the defense, but my question is who is their quarterback? Enter Austin Appleby, the Purdue graduate transfer. I like Appleby's experience; he will handle the Vols' atmosphere. The Gators have an 11-game win streak over the Vols. Can they make it a dozen?

15. FLORIDA STATE

I think the Seminoles are better than the Gators, but let's see how they respond to this past weekend's embarrassment in Louisville. I'm certain Jimbo Fisher will get the troops rallied. They have a lot of weapons for sure. I know Dalvin Cook is the man, but they may want to look at backup Jacques Patrick a little more. He is averaging 6.3 yards per carry compared to Cook's 4.6. Either way, it's a great problem to have. Cook isn't going to win the Heisman with Lamar Jackson doing his thing, so the Seminoles need to be smart and keep their backs fresh. There's still lots of football left, so I wouldn't count the 'Noles out quite yet.

16. MIAMI

Hurricanes fans will be happy that they are getting talked about again. I still don't think they are all the way back quite yet. I love how Mark Richt gets no respect even though he won a lot at Georgia. He wins. Maybe not the whole enchilada, but he wins. Miami fans don't care because the 'Canes are 3-0 going into ACC action. The swagger is back in Miami, just ask Appalachian State, FAU and FAMU.

17. LSU

The Tigers are still in the hunt for an SEC title. If they get that, then the playoffs can once again be discussed. Anything is possible with Leonard Fournette carrying the load on offense. He is averaging 5.6 yards per carry. Give the man the ball! The Tigers head to Auburn for some SEC action this weekend.

18. NEBRASKA

The Cornhuskers are perfect thanks to Tommy Armstrong Jr.'s 34-yard draw with 3:30 left in the Oregon game. The Ducks were ranked 22nd in the nation, but, like everybody else, they are learning the Big Ten is for real. Nebraska has an easier road through the Big Ten West than Wisconsin. The Huskers still have to go to Columbus in November, so there's that to look forward to.

19. ARKANSAS

We'll learn more about who's who in the SEC West as the Razorbacks visit Texas A&M this week. Bret Bielema has his team unbeaten going into SEC play. They are big and fast in all the right places. Texas A&M has the advantage on the edge. I wouldn't want to bet on this game.

20. OKLAHOMA

The Sooners are 1-2, but are still the cream of the crop of the Big 12. A big game looms for the Sooners as they have to head to TCU in a couple weeks. Oklahoma has a strong rushing attack with Joe Mixon and Samaje Perine. Mixon is averaging 8.1 yards per carry. The Sooners are now playing in a conference with zero defense. Baylor is the only unbeaten in the Big 12, but that will soon change.