Marshall Tops Post-Week Three Conference USA Power Rankings

The Post-Week Three Conference USA power rankings saw the closest voting to date, and while Marshall remained atop the league, the margins are razor thin all the way down the table.

Louisiana Tech saw a major windfall with its win over North Texas Saturday, as the Bulldogs received first-place votes for the first time this season. UTSA, despite a loss, is close behind, and MTSU entered the top tier thanks to an overtime victory over rival Western Kentucky, who checks in at No. 5.

The five teams middle-of-the-table second tier are separated by less than a point, but with the schedule including more bye weeks and conference games going forward, separation should come in the coming weeks.

FIU remains at the bottom of the rankings, despite a stronger-than-predicted performance against Pitt. The Louisville Cardinals, looking for a bounceback game, come to West Miami on Saturday.

1. Marshall (3-0, 86 percent first-place votes)

Last week: Win vs. Ohio 44-14

Next week: @ Akron (Saturday, 2 p.m., ESPN3)

2. Louisiana Tech (2-1, 13 percent fist-place votes)

Last week: Win @ North Texas 42-21

Next week: vs. Northwestern State (Saturday, 7 p.m.)

3. UTSA (1-2)

Last week: Loss @ Oklahoma State 43-13

Next week: BYE

4. MTSU (2-1)

Last week: Win @ WKU 50-47

Next week: @ Memphis (Saturday, 7 p.m., ESPN3)

5. WKU (1-2)

Last week: Loss vs. MTSU 50-47

Next week: BYE

6. UAB (2-1)

Last week: Win vs. Alabama A&M 41-14

Next week: BYE

7. Rice (0-2)

Last week: Loss @ Texas A&M 38-10

Next week: vs. Old Dominion (Saturday, Noon, FSN)

8. UTEP (2-1)

Last week: Win vs. New Mexico State 42-24

Next week: BYE

9. North Texas (1-2)

Last week: Loss vs. Louisiana Tech 42-21

Next week: vs. Nichols State (Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ASN)

10. FAU (1-2)

Last week: Win vs. Tulsa 50-14

Next week: @ Wyoming (Saturday, 4 p.m.)

11. Old Dominion (2-1)

Last week: Win vs. Eastern Michigan 17-3

Next week: @ Rice (Saturday, Noon, FSN)

12. Southern Miss (1-2, six last-place votes)

Last week: Loss @ Alabama 52-12

Next week: vs. Appalachian State (Saturday, 7 p.m., ASN)

13. FIU (1-2, 58 percent of last-place votes)

Last week: Loss vs. Pitt 42-25

Next week: vs. Louisville (Saturday, 3:30 p.m., FS1)