Week 3 - ACL Power Rankings: Overreactions 

As Week 4 kicks off we now have 3 weeks worth of football in the books. This basically means we know everything we need to know about each of the teams and how they will do for the rest of the season. This edition of the ACL Power Rankings has one bold statement for each team and whether or not it is an overreaction to the early season results.

Biggest Riser: Iowa +4

Biggest Faller: South Dakota -4

Team: Record (Last Ranking)

1. Maryland: 3-0 (1)

Maryland will go back-to-back and a dynasty will be born

Verdict: overreaction. If they can win it all again, then they can justifiably begin to look at themselves as the beginning of a dynasty. Injuries are a concern as they have already had to begin trading away their limited future assets. This team has the talent, but can things break their way yet again.

2. Virginia: 3-0 (3)

Virginia should be the favorite to win the ACL.

Verdict: overreaction. With the most Points For in their undeated beginning to the season, Virginia can make a strong claim to being the best team in the league. However, it’s still too early to proclaim them as the favorite. They may have wait all the way until their first matchup with Maryland in Week 8 to really stake their claim for the throne.

3. Arizona: 3-0 (5)

Arizona starts out 3-0 but misses the playoffs due to the super wild card spot. 

Verdict not an overreaction: Arizona has started the season strong at 3-0. However, their points for aren’t overwhelming and the race for the wild card looks stronger than ever. A Week 4 matchup against division rival California will be an early measuring stick on the true merit of this team.

4. California 2-1 (6)

California earns a bye in the playoffs, but is knocked out in their first matchup.

Verdict: not an overreaction. The first three weeks of the season showed us exactly how that can happen. After being the top scoring team through two weeks, California collapsed in Week 3. Only time will tell if it was just a coincidence or was this a troubling sign of things to come. 

5. Washington 1-2 (4)

Washington will finish the season with most Points For.

Verdict: not an overreaction. Washington has already been one of the top scoring teams while still fighting short-term injuries. One of the toughest early season schedules led to a 1-2 start. As health returns to the projected starting lineup, points can start to pile up in a hurry.

6. South Dakota: 2-1 (2)

South Dakota’s reign of regular season dominance is over.

Verdict: not an overreaction. South Dakota has been the regular season champion the past two seasons. Early returns suggests the team has taken a step back. South Dakota will stay competitive, but does not look to be the team it once was.

7. Iowa 2-1 (11)

Iowa is now the favorite to win its division.

Verdict: overreaction. Iowa has started the season strong and found its way to a winning record atop its division. Their Points For don’t point to a strong staying power. 

Minnesota should still remain the favorite to win the division, but Iowa can make this a competitive race. 

8. Minnesota 1-2 (7)

Minnesota will finish with the highest scoring RB and WR, but miss the playoffs.

Verdict: not an overreaction. It’s not too often the preseason RB1 and WR1 finish in that same spot. Through 3 weeks these two are showing no signs of why they can’t. Already behind in their division Minnesota needs to be on high alert as they fight for a playoff spot. 

9. Ohio 1-2 (9)

Ohio holds the keys to the playoff bracket seeding.

Verdict: not an overreaction. The beginning of this season has confirmed team is still a year away from competing for a playoff spot. That being said this team has the young pieces to be quite the team to watch out for in November. This is not a team contenders want to face late in the year as they jockey for playoff position.

10. Hawaii 0-3 (8)

Hawaii will be the biggest seller on the trade market.

Verdict: not an overreaction. With a team full of aging veterans, Hawaii needs to see a quick turnaround from how its season began. If it doesn’t, it has a golden opportunity to sell off some of their players and begin to position itself for the future.

11. Vermont 0-3 (10)

Vermont will go winless this year.

Verdict: overreaction . This has been one of the lowest scoring teams to begin the year. In the same division as the top 2 teams the odds are against Vermont to stack wins. That being said, it’s a long season this team has the potential to sneak up on an opponent. 

12. Wisconsin: 0-3 (12)

Wisconsin is not out of the race for their division.

Verdict: Overreaction. In a wide open division, it’s tough to rule out a team after only 3 weeks. An 0-3 start with the lowest Points For is a bad sign for a team’s competitiveness in the division race. It may be time to start building for the future and make some moves for some young capital.