Week 3 Power Rankings for the D1 Élite
- Arnaud Dignocourt
- 6 hours ago
- 8 min read
Before we dive in, a quick reminder: these rankings are 100% subjective. They’re based on what I watched this week! results, momentum, game flow, and the overall impression teams left on the field. If your team feels too high or too low, that’s part of the debate, and it’s what makes power rankings fun. Also, none of this is personal. Criticism isn’t a target on a player or a program, it’s simply a subjective snapshot of where things stand right now, at this point in the season. And if you disagree, that’s totally fine, just keep the comments respectful. There’s no need to get aggressive or sarcastic in the replies. Debate the football, bring your arguments, back your team… but let’s keep it clean.
Now, onto what matters: what did we actually learn this weekend? Which teams made a statement? Who confirmed they belong near the top? And who left us with more questions than answers? Week 3 gave us plenty to talk about, so let’s get into it.
1. Black Panthers - Thonon-les-bains Flash 3-0
In what was, overall, a very solid and well-played game, they gave the Météores almost nothing to work with and showed a really convincing side. There were still a few uncharacteristic errors (ATH Bafdile putting the ball on the ground on a punt return, for example) that didn’t end up costing much. The conditions clearly played a part, with the bad weather making execution tricky for everyone. But it’s still the kind of detail that can swing a game: against a stronger opponent, those mistakes could be far more expensive. Offensively, they were close to unstoppable. QB Mateo Renteria had a huge performance and kept the unit moving with pace, rhythm, and efficiency. And defensively, they were suffocating, constantly winning early downs, forcing long situations, and limiting the Météores to a steady diet of three-and-outs. A complete showing, with only small clean-up points to watch going forward. The next matchup against Villepinte shouldn't be too hard.
2. Flash - La Courneuve 2-1
Early on, the game felt pretty even. The defense had a hard time keeping the Diables Rouges’ offense under control, and for a while it looked like they might be in for a long night. But as the minutes went by, they settled in, adjusted, and started playing faster and cleaner. The containment got better, stops came more regularly, and the overall defensive level clearly rose with the clock. Offensively, the plan clicked especially on the ground. The run game was rolling to the point where it felt like they were picking up 10 yards every time they handed the ball off. That physical edge set the tone and made everything else easier. And when they needed him, QB McCormack-Reemer gave another glimpse of what he can be: flashes of control, playmaking, and the kind of upside that can change a season. Now the real question is consistency. Over the next few matchups, they’ll have to raise the bar again if they want to truly be seen as part of the title conversation. And the next test comes immediately: a showdown with the Molosses, fresh off a win and coming in with confidence, exactly the kind of opponent that would love to build momentum with another statement victory.
3. Iron Mask - Cannes 3-0
This was a solid win, but not a dominant one, especially considering the opponent is still chasing its first victory of the season. Offensively, they lacked accuracy and struggled to find a real rhythm, even though they had opportunities to take control earlier. Credit where it’s due, though: the opposing defense looks better week after week, and they made life difficult by forcing longer drives and limiting clean looks. What stood out most is that they showed resilience. They fell behind twice, and in a game where the clock kept shrinking their margin for error, they stayed composed and didn’t panic. That ability to remain focused under pressure matters, even on a weekend where the performance wasn’t perfect. Now, the next stretch will tell us a lot. The upcoming matchups against the Grizzlys feel like a turning point, games that will help define whether they’re simply surviving early-season bumps, or if they can still play a major role in the title race this year after being defeated in last season’s final.
4. Grizzlys - Perpignan 2-0
It was a tight one, with both defenses setting the tone and making every yard feel earned. QB Badis Grami was sharp and generally accurate, but the passing game never fully took off, mainly because of a few costly drops from his receiving corps that left big plays on the field. Still, when it mattered most, the defense stepped up late and did exactly what it needed to do, making sure they didn’t let the game slip away in the closing moments. Now comes a major test: the next matchup is against a direct rival in the standings, Cannes, one of those games that can quickly reshape the ladder and the momentum of the season.
5. Molosses - Asnières-sur-Seine 1-2
They’ve earned the right to climb the standings after showing a much better side against the Leopards. New Molosses quarterback AJ Abbott (formerly of the Oregon Ducks) put together an impressive debut, consistently moving the offense and looking like a natural fit in the system. He threw beautiful balls, and what stood out just as much was his energy, he genuinely seemed excited to be there, and the team fed off it. Keep an eye or both on this guy. Defensively, the unit held firm and did what it needed to do in key moments. Now, a matchup with the Flash is the perfect opportunity to prove this performance wasn’t a one-off and that they can truly turn things around after a mixed start to the season.
6. Meteores - Fontenay-sous-Bois 2-1
They looked out of sorts on both sides of the ball. Offensively, they were kept in check and stuck in three-and-outs for most of the game, never really finding any rhythm. No disrespect, though, they were up against the best team in the league, and it’s always tough to come up with answers against a roster that talented and a staff that well-prepared. Still, they’ll need to flush that performance quickly and find solutions before they face the Leopards, because their opponent will be just as motivated, still chasing a second win.
7. Blue Stars - Marseille 1-2
They fell just short, but they’ve shown enough to suggest there’s more in the tank. It’s a group that still has what it takes to compete higher, now it’s about staying patient and seeing if they can build on the positives. Their schedule has been brutal so far, and things should open up next week against the Centaures. If they start faster and clean up the little mistakes, it’s a real chance to turn those close games into a result.
8. Ours - Toulouse 1-2
This was a valuable win for Toulouse, but not a runaway, especially against a Grenoble team that still hadn’t found a first win (0–2–1) at this point of the season. The Ours did flash real upside: they went to halftime up 21–10, powered by two truly explosive scores, a 82-yard touchdown by Pierre Hilderald and a 90-yard rushing TD by Louis Salvagnac. But the game stayed tense deep into the fourth: the Centaures cut it to 28–23 with two minutes left and had the ball with a chance to flip the result. What stood out most, though, was how Toulouse closed: the defense forced a Nathan Valencia fumble, then after an Ours touchdown, Valencia lost the ball again, with Dorian Longhini returning it to effectively seal the score in a 42–23 final. Now the next checkpoint comes quickly: Week 4 is a road trip to the Argonautes, a matchup that should tell us whether Toulouse can turn this into momentum, or if this was simply a much-needed correction after an uneven start.
9. Leopards - Rouen 1-2
What’s worrying isn’t just the scoreline, it’s how quickly the game script turned against them. The Molosses struck on their opening possession, with new QB AJ Abbott finishing the drive with a rushing touchdown, and by halftime Rouen were already staring at a 14–0 deficit with their offense unable to find rhythm. Once you’re chasing like that, everything gets tighter: play-calling shrinks, pressure ramps up, and every short series feels heavier. The second half didn’t offer relief either, as Asnières added two more touchdowns to complete the shutout.This is the kind of result that forces a drop because it raises a simple question: what does Rouen look like when Plan A isn’t working? After a Week 2 win, they needed to show stability, instead they ran into a defense described as much improved and couldn’t manufacture answers. The talent and upside aren’t erased by one night, but until the Leopards prove they can sustain offense against a disciplined unit, they’re going to sit in that uncomfortable middle tier: dangerous on paper, uncertain on Saturdays. Rouen stays in the North and hosts the Météores. It’s the perfect “response game”: at home, against a team that can punish mistakes, Rouen needs to show they can build drives and not let the matchup dictate a one-dimensional script.
10. Centaures - Grenobles 0-2-1
Grenoble are still winless, but Week 3 in Toulouse wasn’t a collapse, it was a game they nearly stole late, before it slipped away fast. After a Grenoble interception, the Centaures were the first to strike with a field goal, and they stayed within reach heading into halftime thanks to a Mathéo Diarra touchdown, trailing 21–10 at the break. The frustrating part is how close they were to flipping the script: with two minutes left, Grenoble got the ball down just 28–23. That’s a one-score game, with a real chance to become the headline. Instead, the turning point was brutal and verifiable: the Toulouse defense forced a fumble by QB Nathan Valencia, recovered it, and Toulouse cashed in. Then Valencia lost the ball again on the next possession, with Dorian Longhini returning it to put the game out of reach in a 42–23 final. So where does that leave the Centaures? They showed they can hang in a track meet, they put themselves in position to win late… and then they didn’t finish. That’s the difference between “dangerous” and “reliable.” The road trip to face Marseille next week : If Grenoble want to stop being the “almost” team, this is where ball security and late-game execution have to finally match the competitiveness they’ve shown.
11. Argonautes - Aix-en-Provence 0-2-1
Aix are still winless, but Week 3 was the first time this season they looked like a team that can actually tilt a game. They lost 20–15 at home and the fact it hurts is the point: they created enough swing moments to make this one feel gettable. The Argonautes did it with defense and situational football. Isiah Loera put them in front with a pick-six for the opening touchdown, then later came up with a key tackle to prevent another score, two high-impact plays in a game decided by five points. They also showed they can stay aggressive under pressure: a converted fourth down extended a late drive that ended with Antoni Giglio scoring with around 10 minutes left, flipping the lead again in crunch time. The problem is the same one that keeps dragging them down the rankings: finishing. With a chance to answer late, Aix’s final push ended when Gabriel Fernandez was intercepted with three minutes remaining. This is less about the opponent and more about Aix finally putting together a profile: playmakers on defense, flashes of late-game execution, but still no clean closing sequence when it matters most.
12. Diables Rouges - Villepinte 0-3
Villepinte’s Week 3 home game was supposed to be the reset button, a chance to “launch the season” against a Flash side coming off a Week 2 loss. Instead, it turned into another reminder of how thin the margin is right now. The Diables Rouges fell 34–10 and the story was written early: the Flash took control on the opening drive, while Villepinte’s best early pushes died just short of the end zone, forcing them to settle for a field goal and a 14–3 halftime deficit. To their credit, Villepinte didn’t fold. They did find a spark after the break with a passing touchdown that brought them back within range, but the response was immediate and decisive, as the Flash re-opened the gap within two minutes and then shut the door defensively the rest of the way. The final quarter was especially punishing: Villepinte conceded 14 more points over the last 15 minutes and finished the night still winless in 2026.
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