Football Rankings: Week 3, 2013 [POLL]

Some big games don't wait until the end of the season...they happen when they are scheduled, and for a number of teams, that big game is NOW!

The top 4 teams in 4A will battle each other this week, while the remaining teams are hoping to tune things up with their game plan, for when they do face the big 4. Gillette's shaky performance last week, plus the injury to their starting quarterback, and the last week's weather, has cost them the #1 ranking. The Camels slip to #2, while East is now on top. The Thunderbirds head to #4 Sheridan, to face a Bronc team hoping to prove that they are ready, and that they belong. Meanwhile, the Camels are back in Casper to face Natrona, who appears to have righted the ship after their triple OT loss 2 weeks ago. Despite the near-loss, Central has proven to the voters that they are #5, and are looking to maintain that spot this weekend at Rock Springs.

The top 2 ranked teams in 3A are unanimous, and all eyes are on them. Powell is #1, with Douglas at #2. The Panthers make a long trip to Torrington, who is feeling pretty good about last week's long trip victory at former #5 Worland. Meanwhile, the Bearcats appear to face another stern test, with #3 Star Valley coming to town. Cody slips to #4, and is back on the road, against the new #5 team...Riverton. It's a big game for both, with conference play starting next week.

There's a very small amount of change in the 2A polls. Big Horn and Mountain View retain the top 2 rankings, while Lovell jumps Burns for #3, bumping the Broncs down to #4. Wheatland holds at #5. Big conference games this week, has the Rams in eastern Laramie County to battle the Broncs. Meanwhile, Lovell is focusing on a home game vs. unranked Lyman...a team that beat them twice last year...including the 2A state championship game.

To be the man, you got to beat the man...and that's what Cokeville did...sort of. The Panthers dismantled Southeast in last week's big rematch, and have climbed over Lusk for the #1 ranking. The Panthers start conference play this weekend at Wind River. Upton/Sundance is #3 and has the week off. It could be a blessing...or a a curse for #4 Lingle-Ft. Laramie. Either way, they have a huge hill to climb as they play at #2 Lusk and home to #1 Cokeville in their next 2 games. This stretch could define their season. Despite scoring 0 points in 2 games, Southeast is still ranked at #5. They play their conference opener at Pine Bluffs, and with the way things have been going for both of these teams, the loser might be the one 1A East team, that does not make the playoffs.

It's also a big week in 6-man, with 4 of the top 5 teams doing battle.The hard part for #1 Dubois is NOW, as the Rams face a Saturday game at newly ranked #4 Hulett, and then host the big one next week vs. #2 Meeteetse (The Longhorns are home to Ten Sleep this week, in what should be a tune-up game). On Friday, a huge east game has #5 Saratoga at #3 Midwest.

Click here to see the voting breakdown.