Ranked Teams Move Up and Down in Week 2

There were plenty of good games for ranked teams, especially for only the second week of the season! There were some upsets, some close calls, and some classics! Let’s look at the Top 25 Rankings!

The Top 25

1. Georgia (2-0) (Last Week #1) (Ranked #1 in the AP and Coaches Polls)

There’s no change here at the top. You know you’re at the top when you win by 45, your quarterback throws five touchdown passes, and everyone thinks you could’ve done a little better. These Dawgs are barking thunderously and their bite is worse than their bark.

2. Ohio State (2-0) (Last Week #2) (Ranked #3 and #2 in the AP and Coaches Polls)

Ohio State had a game of a team ranked in the top two. They started fast and got hot and stayed hot. Their stars shone on offense with Howard, Henderson, Judkins, and Smith making huge plays and the defense got the shutout. I know it was a MAC opponent, but another college football titan got upset by a MAC team today. 56-0 is a good win on any given Saturday.

3. Texas (2-0) (Last Week #3) (Ranked #2 and #3 in the AP and Coaches Polls)

Texas was America’s team this week and they did the USA proud by putting a whooping on the team that cheated its way to the top last year. The Longhorns doing so now that Ann Arbor Astros can’t cheat anymore is further proof. Quinn Ewers will never have to pay for a drink in Ohio, and the Longhorns are right where they want to be.

4. Oregon (2-0) (Last Week #5) (Ranked #9 and #6 in the AP and Coaches Polls)

The Ducks had trouble with two teams from neighboring Idaho but survived them both. This win helps Oregon’s resume down the stretch of the season as Boise State is one of the top G5 teams in the country. Special teams were the difference maker for Dan Lanning’s team in this game. And they didn’t deserve to be dropped in the polls for playing some decent teams. Next is another test as they battle for the state and the Platypus Trophy against Oregon State.

5. Alabama (2-0) (Last Week #6) (Ranked #4 in the AP and Coaches Polls)

It looked tight there for a while for Bama, but they poured it on late. They struggled with the same South Florida last year and just went on to beat Georgia in the SEC Championship. If games like this can happen under Nick Saban it can happen in year one with Kalen DeBoer.

6. Ole Miss (2-0) (Last Week #7) (Ranked #5 in the AP and Coaches Polls)

I know Ole Miss fans don’t like that Quinshon Judkins left for Ohio State but they are not lacking in firepower. Jaxson Dart is known but Henry Parrish Jr. introduced himself today with 165 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. Like I said before, enjoy Lane Kiffin while he is there Ole Miss fans.

7. Penn State (2-0) (Last Week #8) (Ranked #8 in the AP and #7 in the Coaches Polls)

James Franklin’s squad survived and sometimes that’s the best you can do. They had plenty of missteps and BGSU gave them a game. But, the Lions walked out with a win because of Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen. Both running backs had over 100 yards on the ground and a touchdown each.

8. Utah (2-0) (Last Week #9) (Ranked #12 and #10 in the AP and Coaches Polls)

The Utes are still the slight lead horse in the race for the Big 12. With Kyle Whittingham and their defense, they’d be the comfortable leader if they could keep their quarterback healthy. They held Baylor to under 250 yards of total offense but the question now becomes is Cam Rising’s injury really not serious and can Isaac Wilson fill his shoes if necessary?

9. Tennessee (2-0) (Last Week #10) (Ranked #7 and 9 in the AP and Coaches Polls)

Putting up 51 on a ranked NC State team is a great win for the Vols. Just as good is that they played great defense against a solid Wolfpack offense. Tennessee fans will hate to hear this but they have something in common with Ole Miss; they may both have their coaches for a limited time. Except for when they’re playing each other, Big Orange Nation needs to root for Oklahoma. They don’t want them tempted to try and get Josh Heupel from Knoxville to Norman. Heupel has Tennessee resurgent and they don’t want his alma mater to come looking for a head coach.

10. Missouri (2-0) (Last Week #11) (Ranked #6 and #8 in the AP and Coaches Polls)

Mizzou is a quiet playoff contender with Eliah Drinkwitz. They had over 500 total yards of offense in their 38-0 win over Buffalo. They’ve won like they should in the first two weeks and have a solid test next week while hosting Bill O’Brien’s Boston College.

11. Miami (2-0) (Last Week #12) (Ranked #10 and #12 in the AP and Coaches Polls)

Mario Cristobal and Cam Ward have another good outing by routing Florida A&M. Ward had another 300 yards in the air and four total touchdowns. The Hurricanes remain the current favorite to receive the ACC’s automatic playoff bid as their conference champion.

12. USC (2-0) (Last Week #13) (Ranked #11 in the AP and Coaches Polls)

It still leaves me scratching my head how USC seems to have found a defense this year. On the one hand, Trojan fans must be frustrated they didn’t have this when Caleb Williams was quarterback. But on the other they have to be happy it helped them beat LSU, is here for B1G play, and shut out Utah State.

13. Oklahoma State (2-0) (Last Week #14) (Ranked #13 and #14 in the AP and Coaches Polls)

The Cowboys had a barn burner with the Razorbacks and traded blows for a double-overtime win. Ollie Gordon was stymied and the Cowboys still pulled out the win. The Pokes look to be in good shape in the Big 12. Also, it wouldn’t surprise me if this win ages well.

14. Oklahoma (2-0) (Last Week #15) (Ranked #15 and #13 in the AP and Coaches Polls)

Winning ugly is acceptable. Well, it certainly beats the alternative. If you don’t believe me ask Notre Dame fans. Still, it’s not good to have to eke out a win at home against a team that last to UNLV the week before by 20. Next is a Tulane team that nearly beat a top-25 Kansas State today.

15. Kansas State (2-0) (Last Week #17) (Ranked #14 and #15 in the AP and Coaches Polls)

K-State had a fight against Tulane and was the last man standing. But make no mistake, they too were bloodied. Someone needs to bring Tulane into the Power 4 because they as a program are ready. That makes this road win big for the Wildcats. They haven’t missed a step from their success of the past few seasons.

16. Louisville (2-0) (Last Week #21) (Ranked #19 and #21 in the AP and Coaches Polls)

The Cardinals had a solid win over Conference USA foe, Jacksonville State, 49-14. Behind the arm of quarterback Tyler Shough the Cards put up over 600 yards of total offense. In a wide-open conference race, Louisville is likely to return to the ACC Championship.

17. Arizona (2-0) (Last Week #16) (Ranked #20 and #18 in the AP and Coaches Polls)

I try not to drop teams that win but the Wildcats struggling against FCS Northern Arizona kind of made me have to. Their high-scoring offense only mustered 22 points. They still won, but a few teams they were ahead of last week looked better.

18. Nebraska (2-0) (Last Week #25) (Ranked #23 and #24 in the AP and Coaches Polls)

Many out there don’t think much of Colorado (I am not one of them) but they have elite athletes, especially in their passing game. So, holding Shedeur Sanders, Travis Hunter, and Jimmy Horn Jr. to 10 points is a big deal. Their offensive line has struggled though, and Nebraska made them pay to the tune of six sacks. The Huskers’ offense seemed to get conservative in the second half but this is a game that in the last few years they would have lost outright so this is a significant win for them.

19. Iowa State (2-0) (Last Week Unranked) (Ranked #21 and #23 in the AP and Coaches Polls)

I thought Kaleb Johnson was going to run the Cyclones out of Iowa City and back to Ames. Credit ISU for just sticking around in that game until they had a chance to win it. Winning against your biggest rival in walk-off fashion in their house is extra sweet.

20. Illinois (2-0) (Last Week Unranked) (Unranked in the AP and Coaches Polls)

Coach Bielema and Illinois upset Kansas by forcing four turnovers, including taking one the other way for a touchdown. They held a Kansas offense that was expected to be high-powered this year to only 17 points.

21. Washington (2-0) (Last Week Unranked) (Unranked in the AP and #22 in the Coaches Polls)

The Huskies are working out the growing pains with so much being new for their program. Will Rogers is a solid quarterback and he is a big reason the Huskies aren’t looking also down after what they lost last year. Up next, a game we’re used to after Thanksgiving finds it’s new home in September. I’m thrilled it’s still being played, the Battle of Washington, the Apple Cup!

22. Liberty (2-0) (Last Week #22) (Unranked in the AP and Coaches Polls)

The Flames looked prone for an upset but managed to beat New Mexico State for the third time in 365 days. Jamey Chadwell’s team can’t afford a loss if they hope to make the playoffs. Undefeated and they are the leader. With a loss they’re out.

23. BYU (2-0) (Last Week Unranked) (Unranked in the AP and Coaches Polls)

Kalani Sitake’s team was double-digit road underdogs against SMU and that seemed to be too much. The Cougars overcame losing their best running back and three turnovers by their quarterback to upset SMU. Their defense played elite football never letting SMU, a program that scores a lot, into the endzone.

24. Syracuse (2-0) (Last Week Unranked) (Unranked in the AP and Coaches Polls)

Kyle McCord has been an early shot in the arm for Syracuse. The Ohio State transfer has shown improvement from last season. He is more accurate and his ball placement is much improved. The Orange have followed him to wins of Ohio out of the MAC and an upset over Georgia Tech this past week.

25. Washington State (2-0) (Last Week Unranked) (Unranked in the AP and Coaches Polls)

The Cougars have had no trouble scoring in their first two games. They put up 70 on Portland State in their first game and 37 on Texas Tech. Being that they are pseudo-independent they’ll need to score a lot all year to keep positive attention on themselves.

Games of the Week

Upset of the Week

College Football Playoff Projections

1. Georgia
2. Ohio State
3. Utah
4. Miami
5. Texas
6. Oregon
7. Alabama
8. Penn State
9. Ole Miss
10. Missouri
11. Tennessee
12. Liberty

First Round

5. Texas vs. 12. Liberty

Saturday, December 21st, 2024 – Austin, Texas

6. Oregon vs. 11. Tennessee

Friday, December 20th, 2024 – Eugene, Oregon

7. Alabama vs. 10. Missouri

Saturday, December 21^st, 2024 – Tuscaloosa, Alabama

8. Penn State vs. 9. Ole Miss

Saturday, December 21^st, 2024 – State College Pennsylvania

Quarterfinals

1. Georgia vs. 8. Penn State in the Peach Bowl

Wednesday, January 1^st, 2025 – Atlanta, Georgia

2. Ohio State vs. 7. Alabama in the Rose Bowl

Wednesday, January 1^st, 2025 – Pasadena, California

3. Utah vs. 6. Oregon in the Fiesta Bowl

Tuesday, December 31st, 2024 – Phoenix, Arizona

4. Miami vs. 5. Texas in the Sugar Bowl

Wednesday, January 1st, 2025 – New Orleans, Louisiana

Semifinals

1. Georgia vs. 5. Texas in the Orange Bowl

Thursday, January 9^th, 2025 – Miami, Florida

2. Ohio State vs. 6. Oregon in the Cotton Bowl

Friday, January 10^th, 2025 – Dallas, Texas

Championship

Monday, January 20^th, 2025 – Atlanta, Georgia

2. Ohio State over 1. Georgia