The Athletic 131: Kentucky, Arkansas surge into top 10 in rankings of every team

There’s nothing improper with overcorrections in school soccer rankings this early within the season.

By way of two-plus weeks of soccer, there have been quite a few upsets and stunning outcomes. Three top-10 groups misplaced this previous Saturday to groups exterior the Energy 5 conferences. Alabama almost misplaced to Texas and its backup quarterback. We don’t know what to anticipate by the top of the 12 months, however we also needs to acknowledge that some issues we anticipated this season haven’t panned out.

In these rankings, groups are rewarded for large wins. In consequence, Kentucky and Arkansas have moved into the highest 10 of The Athletic 131.

Will they be there by the top of the season? Perhaps not. However Kentucky simply went to Florida and pushed across the Gators in a 26-16 win. One week in the past, Utah couldn’t do the identical. The Wildcats introduced the Anthony Richardson hype practice again to the station, holding him to 14-for-35 passing with two interceptions and simply 4 dashing yards (together with a sack). Kentucky received 10 video games final 12 months and completed second within the SEC East. The Wildcats had been picked to complete second within the East once more this 12 months. Florida bought a whole lot of love after the Utah win and Tennessee seems to be on the highway again underneath Josh Heupel, however don’t overlook Kentucky. The Wildcats made us keep in mind that on Saturday.

Arkansas beat Cincinnati in Week 1 after which dealt with South Carolina 44-30, dashing for almost 300 yards. The Razorbacks have jumped up in these rankings early within the season after which fallen again at occasions lately. It might all the time occur once more. However quarterback KJ Jefferson has regarded elite up to now, finishing 76.6 % of his passes for 8.2 yards per try, 4 touchdowns and 0 interceptions, plus two dashing touchdowns. The Razorbacks have a tough schedule developing. After Missouri State this week, they play Texas A&M, Alabama, Mississippi State and BYU, however I’d give them an opportunity in most of these proper now. Perhaps Alabama is extra weak than we thought. Perhaps not. However there’s no motive to not reward groups that win, particularly at a time when it looks like nearly anybody can beat anybody.

A reminder that groups can transfer up after a loss or transfer down after a win. Groups can get jumped spimply as a result of another person had a extra spectacular win. They can be impacted when a earlier win or loss seems to be higher or worse with extra outcomes The rankings will solidify extra as soon as everybody performs a top quality opponent. Head-to-head received’t be the only issue because the 12 months goes on, just because it may’t be, however it’s emphasised closely early within the 12 months and works as a tiebreaker between shut groups.

Right here’s the Week 3 version of The Athletic 131.

Georgia was already No. 1 in these rankings after Week 1, and that turned extra agency after Alabama escaped Austin with a 20-19 win. Together with Kentucky and Arkansas, USC and Oklahoma State have moved into the highest 10. The Lincoln Riley-Caleb Williams USC offense seems to be just like the best-case situation proper now, after a 41-28 win at Stanford that was 41-14 going into the fourth quarter. The protection has been common, permitting 21 factors per recreation, however the Trojans have eight takeaways. Can that preserve going?

BYU’s additional time win towards Baylor vaults the Cougars up, and it’s not unreasonable to begin speaking about them as a Faculty Soccer Playoff contender with a couple of extra wins. Tennessee’s additional time win at Pitt has the Vols wanting legit. Kansas State is 2-0 after a dominant 40-12 win towards Missouri. I’m stunned the Wildcats aren’t ranked within the polls. Florida drops after its loss to Kentucky, however the Gators keep forward of Utah as a result of they, you realize, beat the Utes final week.

Oregon State strikes into the highest 25 after a win at Fresno State on the ultimate play. The Beavers are 2-0 towards two of the most effective within the Group of 5, coupled with the comfy win towards Boise State final week. Marshall vaults into the highest 25 as nicely after its 26-21 win at Notre Dame.

Texas strikes up a couple of spots after almost knocking off Alabama as a result of the Longhorns did certainly look rather a lot higher than anticipated. However I’ve seen too many losses to TCU and Iowa State to completely consider in them but, particularly with Quinn Ewers sidelined. Texas A&M falls out of the highest 10 and into this group after a 17-14 residence loss to Appalachian State. It’s behind the Mountaineers, who’re behind North Carolina because of the Tar Heels’ win in Boone final week. Notre Dame additionally falls out of the highest 10 and into this group after the loss to Marshall. The Combating Irish lack playmakers and haven’t carried out a lot since a reasonably profitable first half towards Ohio State. They don’t get the good thing about the doubt anymore.

Washington State strikes up after an enormous win at Camp Randall Stadium over Wisconsin. Texas Tech’s additional time win towards Houston leads to the Purple Raiders leaping up as nicely.

East Carolina adopted up its slender loss towards NC State with a sound 39-21 win towards Previous Dominion. Syracuse’s dominant win towards Louisville final week seems to be even higher now after Louisville received at UCF. Illinois’ 24-3 win towards Virginia is likely to be the quietest Energy 5 win over a Energy 5 crew all season.

Kansas is 2-0 for the primary time since 2011 after an additional time win at West Virginia. Has Lance Leipold already turned this factor round? Duke is 2-0 within the Mike Elko period after a win at Northwestern. Georgia Southern’s 642 yards had been probably the most ever allowed by Nebraska at residence, and Clay Helton’s crew has adjusted out of the triple-option offense fairly nicely. Virginia Tech rebounded from its ODU loss with a 27-10 win towards Boston Faculty.

UCF’s loss towards Louisville was a stunner for a crew that’s imagined to contend for the AAC title this season. Georgia State is 0-2 with two aggressive losses to South Carolina and North Carolina. Don’t be stunned if the Panthers make noise within the Solar Belt. South Alabama was a landing underdog however got here out of Central Michigan with a 38-24 win. Utah State’s 35-7 loss to FCS Weber State was some of the stunning outcomes of the weekend, and the Aggies tumble consequently.

(Photograph of Will Levis: James Gilbert / Getty Photos)