Clemson Football: Ranking College Football resumes after Week 3

Georgia – AP Rank: 1st, Resume score: 13

Georgia took on Oregon in Week 1 and annihilated them 49-3. Following an FCS cupcake, they went on the road to South Carolina and beat them 48-7. That’s a Top 25 win at a neutral site and a road win against a Power Five opponent. That’s a strong resume. The CFP committee would put Georgia right at the top, same as the AP. Their score might not get another big boost until the Florida game at the end of October, however.

Alabama – AP Rank: 2nd, Resume score: 12

We used to be able to poke fun at Nick Saban for being scared to play big programs on the road in the early season. Then Bama went and scheduled a road game against the Longhorns and ruined it for us. We almost had the last laugh, as Texas pushed the Tide to the bitter end, but a close win is still a win. With the Longhorns in the current Top 25, Alabama’s resume is much stronger at this point in the season than usual. It might get stronger if the Tide keep winning. Three ranked opponents in the next four weeks, two of whom host Alabama.

Ohio State – AP Rank: 3rd, Resume score: 7

I will admit I was a bit harsh on Ohio State earlier. They have played road games in the non-conference several times in the last decade. Not this year, however. All three games at home. While many would give the Buckeyes consideration that they thought the Irish would be better than they are, the reality is that win isn’t against a Top 25 team anymore. Unfortunately for Ohio State, they don’t have a chance to prove themselves against a Top 25 team until they visit Happy Valley in late October.

Michigan – AP Rank: 4th, Resume score: 6

Goodness, Big Blue, your resume score is even worse. Why? Three home games against three Group of Five teams. Yes, Michigan has scored at least 50 points against all three of their opponents, but until they venture away from Ann Arbor, their resume will hold them back. Suddenly, we realize the Big Ten is hurting in 2022: like the Buckeyes, Michigan’s first chance against a Top 25 team is against Penn State in mid-October, and no one else on their schedule is ranked right now. Ouch, Big Ten, very ouch.

Clemson – AP Rank: 5th, Resume score: 8.25

Through three games, Clemson has defeated Georgia Tech at a neutral site, and an FCS and Group of Five opponent at home. I gave a bit more weight to their win over the Yellow Jackets because it wasn’t a true neutral site game, being that it was in Atlanta and officially counted as a Georgia Tech home game. It also wasn’t a true road game either, as it wasn’t at Tech’s home stadium and most of the crowd wore orange. It’s a pretty average resume compared to most of the AP Top 25 right now, but Clemson’s chances are coming. They travel on the road to Wake Forest this weekend and then take on NC State at home.

Where does the rest of the Top 25 stand on resume?