Top Teams Topple in Week Three Shockers

Week three of the college football season showed fans that yes, even the top tier teams have weaknesses.  With five more top-25 teams, being knocked off on Saturday afternoon.

Of course, the most notable would be No. 2 USC falling yet again to the Stanford Cardinal, ranked 21st heading into this week.

With another loss to their in state rivals, the senior class led by quarterback Matt Barkley, will leave USC having never beaten as a member of the Trojans.

USC had issues on converting third downs all game long. The Trojans ended the game converting just one of 13 chances on third downs. Heisman hopeful Barkley also failed to throw a touch down in the game. Finishing 20 of 41 for 254 yards and 2 INT's.

  The Trojans fell 21-14, and most likely out of the top-10, when the new AP Poll comes out.

The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame (No. 20) make it to 3-0 on the season after knocking off the 10th ranked Michigan State Spartans, 20-3.

The Golden Domers held Sparty to just 50 yards on the ground and 187 yards through the air.

Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson found the end zone twice for the Irish. Once through the air connecting with John Goodman, and another using his feet on a six yard scamper for the touch down.

A defensive game throughout, both teams combined for 537 yards of total offense. Notre Dame with 300, as Michigan State was only able to post 237 total yards of offense.

Another shocker on the day was No. 13 Virginia Tech losing to an unranked Pitt team, 35-17.

The Hokies big quarterback Logan Thomas, had a very rough start to the game, that didn't get much better as the afternoon went on.

The 6', 6", 260 lb quarterback finished the game going 14 of 31 for 265 yards and 3 INT's to just one TD. His struggles with accuracy and decision making are still hindering his play, as well as the offense for Frank Beemer.

Thomas' counterpart on the Pitt sideline; Tino Sunseri, was able to have a great day on the field for his squad. Finishing 19 of 28 for 283 yards and 3 TD's with 1 INT.

The Panthers ran the ball over the Hokies, racking up 254 yards on the ground. Virginia Tech was only able to post 59 yards on the ground.

We finally come to the big Tennessee vs. Florida ESPN Gameday showdown between two undefeated SEC teams heading into the match up.

It was a very close game through half time, before the Vols imploded during the second half. Losing to Florida for the seventh straight season, 37-20.

Vols quarterback Tyler Bray, went from the talk of the SEC to what he and Tennessee have seemed to do since Derek Dooley has taken over as head coach. Under achieve and lacking a signature win.

Bray finished the game 22 of 44 for 257 yards, 2 TD's and 2 INT's.

It looked as though Bray was pushing and pressing throws early in the game. Throwing many into very tight coverage, while not making good decisions with the ball.

Once again in this series, it was the team that could rush the ball effectively that was ultimately the winner.

The Gators crushed the Vols in the run game, posting 336 total rushing yards to Tennessee's 83.

The game was close and actually tied 20-20 at the 3:15 mark of the third quarter. From there, Florida would go on to score 17 unanswered points to once again hand Tennessee a lose, and their fans wondering what has happened to a once great football program.

The college football polls and landscape have once again changed with top team falling, upsets occurring and once great rivalries, turning into one sided affairs.

Although there are many games and rivalry match ups to take place during the 2012 season. The cream; as it always does, is starting to rise to the top.