The Falcons and Bulldogs are the only teams to earn a first-place vote this week and are ruining away with the top two spots, at least for this week.
Wyoming’s close loss to Texas did drop them from earning first-place votes but they still remain at No. 3 in the poll. Then there is Colorado State who lost to Colorado in a close matchup and it did move them up a few spots, and we will see if that is sustainable.
Prior rankings: Preseason | Week 0 | Week 1 | Week 2
12. Nevada (PV: 12)
Despite a close single touchdown loss to Kansas, there are not many believers for the Wolf Pack. The fight and keeping it close does show some optimism.
11. New Mexico (PV: 10)
Still can’t beat their rival New Mexico State and the offense that was promised with that UAB influence is still a work in progress.
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10. Hawaii (PV: 9)
What is there to say in a massive blowout loss to Oregon? Not much, but it would have been nice to score a few more points.
9. Colorado State (PV: 11)
Maybe the Rams are better than we thought or they got ready for a rivalry game against Colorado. A lot more will be known after this week’s game against Middle Tennessee.
8. San Jose State (PV: 7)
The Spartans just are living up to the preseason hype, according to this author. A pick-six was killer for Chevan Cordeiro against Toledo. The defense is showing some life and doing reasonably well but the offense is not as explosive.
7. Utah State (PV: 4)
New quarterback in town with true freshman McCae Hillstead coming over Cooper Legas did prove to be fruitful against Air Force but it was too little too late.
We will see what happens when James Madison comes to Maverik Stadium.
6. UNLV (PV: 8)
Does not matter it was Vanderbilt. UNLV defeated a Power 5 team in one of the exciting games of the day. Also, they did so without quarterback Doug Brumfield who got knocked out. Jayden Maiava came in and helped with the win. Brumfield is the guy, assuming he is healthy.
5. San Diego State (PV: 6)
Not sure what to make of the Aztecs. They did move up but that honestly might be more due to Utah State’s poor showing and dropping a few spots. There is a little more faith in San Diego State than UNLV, at least right now.
4. Boise State (PV: 5)
The Broncos are also in a weird spot and seem similar to San Diego State, to a degree. Boise State did get its first win topping North Dakota after losing to a pair of Power 5 programs.
3. Wyoming (PV: 3)
The near upset on the road against Texas did not drop the Cowboys out of the third spot but it did cost them a few first-place votes. This Wyoming teams needs to be considered contenders.
2. Air Force (PV: 2, 5 first-place vote)
Air Force has a defense and looks like they have found their guys to run the ball. We knew it would take a week or two with a new quarterback and finding depth at running back.
1. Fresno State (PV: 1, 6 first-place votes)
The only nitpick is going plus-eight in the turnover margin and Fresno State only scores 29 points against Arizona State.
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