College Football Rankings: Week 3 AP Poll winners and losers

College Football Rankings 2016: Week 3 AP Poll winners and losers

Sep 10, 2016; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie (16) fumbles a punt recovered by the Nicholls State Colonels during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Georgia defeated Nicholls State 26-24. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

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Sep 10, 2016; Stillwater, OK, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys linebacker Devante Averette (40) reacts to the Central Michigan Chippewas win during the final second of the game at Boone Pickens Stadium. Central Michigan won 30-27. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports /

Loser 1: Oklahoma State Cowboys (No. 22 to NR)

It was tough to choose between Oklahoma State and TCU, but there’s a big difference between the Cowboys’ loss and the Horned Frogs’. For starters, Oklahoma State’s defeat at the hands of Central Michigan effectively ended any hope it had to make a run at the College Football Playoff.

As for TCU, losing to a now-ranked Arkansas team doesn’t mean much. The Horned Frogs have a lot of work to do on the defensive side of the ball, but they’re still the 26th team in the nation — AKA the first team outside of the AP Top 25 receiving the most votes.

Losing to a MAC team at home, like Oklahoma State did, is something that just can’t happen when you’re trying to make the playoff. Only four teams in college football get that honor and you better believe one of the last ones standing won’t have a loss to Central Michigan on their schedule.

No, the Cowboys haven’t been eliminated from Big 12 title contention, by any means, especially since this was a non-conference matchup, but this defeat might be a confidence-crusher and that might show during conference action in the next couple of weeks.

Tough loss for the Cowboys and you better believe they won’t be sniffing the AP Poll for quite some time.

Next: Arkansas Razorbacks

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