Week 1 had some of the most anticipated games of the season, including one game that is already up for Game of the Year. We’ve seen the blowouts, the upsets, but the one part we missed most is back: the fans. I loved seeing Wisconsin fans jump to “Jump Around,” and who could forget the guy who poured Duke’s Mayo all over himself? That can only mean one thing: college football is BACK. After a terrific Week 1, let’s see who I have ranked, and who fell out:
- Alabama (1-0) (PREV: 1)
It’s official: Bryce Young is the Heisman front-runner through Week 1. The new QB1 went 27-38 for 344 yards and four touchdown passes. The Tide destroyed Miami 44-13, and they show no signs of slowing down.
- Georgia (1-0) (PREV: 5)
In the highly-anticipated Georgia-Clemson game in Charlotte, there were two takeaways: Clemson’s offensive line is below average, and Georgia’s defense is top-tier. There was no offense in that game, but Zamir White impressed: 74 yards on 13 carries. Putting Georgia as the number 2 team was a no-brainer after they beat Clemson.
- Ohio State (1-0) (PREV: 4)
After Clemson fell to Georgia and Oklahoma beat Tulane by only 5, Ohio State being #3 was the easy choice. I’m not impressed by C.J. Stroud, I thought wide receivers Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson carried this offense. Also, what’s with TreVeyon Henderson not being RB1? You have to play him. They got a solid road win over a good Minnesota team (not anymore. Sorry, Mohamed Ibrahim).
- Oklahoma (1-0) (PREV: 2)
Oklahoma started as my preseason number 2 team in the country. However, beating Tulane by 5 in Norman is enough for them to fall to 4. It looks like that Oklahoma defense is still nothing to rave about. I was impressed with Kennedy Brooks, who rushed for 87 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries. I’d like to see more out of Spencer Rattler, who faces Western Carolina’s defense next Saturday.
- Texas A&M (1-0) (PREV: 8)
Texas A&M: I’m sorry for putting you guys so low. Even though it was a blowout win at home against Kent State, you’re top 5 worthy, for now. I’m very concerned about Haynes King, who somehow threw three picks against Kent State. The running back depth showed: Devon Achane had 124 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries; Isaiah Spiller had 113 rushing yards on 17 carries. Ainias Smith reeling in 2 touchdowns and having 100 yards on eight receptions helped the Aggies win. Leon O’Neal had two picks, one being an 85-yard pick-six.
- Clemson (0-1) (PREV: 3)
Clemson’s offensive line is so bad it’s laughable. The fact that the Tigers only could get a field goal shows that Clemson might not be so dominant this year. However, Georgia is an incredible team, and Clemson has an easy schedule the rest of the way (no ranked opponents so far). If they lose another game, they’re certainly not making the College Football Playoff. They don’t have a single ranked opponent left on their schedule, which is concerning.
- Cincinnati (1-0) (PREV: 7)
Cincinnati stays ranked seventh because they did what everyone expected them to do: get a blowout win against Miami (Ohio). Quarterback Desmond Ridder went 20-25, passing for 295 yards, four passing touchdowns, an interception, and a rushing touchdown. Running back Jerome Ford rushed for 121 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries; Wide receiver Tyler Scott had an 81-yard touchdown in the win.
- Notre Dame (1-0) (PREV: 9)
Notre Dame proved they’re still here to contend for the College Football Playoff, but letting Florida State come back and force overtime is concerning. However, I like their quarterback, Jack Coan (26-35, 366 passing yards, four passing touchdowns, one interception), who is already a better passer than Ian Book. Coan isn’t a runner, but I like his style of play. Kyren Williams was underwhelming, but that receiving core is far better than expected. Four receivers caught a touchdown, 3 of them having over 80 receiving yards. Marcelo Mayer is awesome to watch, but he did end up having two crucial drops. Kyle Hamilton is also the best safety in the nation, picking Jordan Travis off twice.
- Iowa State (1-0) (PREV: 6)
Iowa State is a good team, but beating Northern Iowa by six is inexcusable. I thought they could be the best team in the Big 12 with their defense. Brock Purdy was underwhelming, but at least Breece Hall had 69 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Jake Hummel had nine solo tackles, so he’s off to a solid start this season. I don’t know how well-prepared they could be for Iowa, a team that dismantled Indiana.
- USC (1-0) (PREV: 13)
Yes, you read that right. USC cracks the top-10 before Week 2 because of their pure dominance over San Jose State, a team that looked like a possible upset pick coming into this game. Wide receiver Drake London had a career day, reeling in 12 passes for 137 yards; safety Greg Johnson had a 37-yard pick-six. Kedon Slovis did not have the best QB rating. However, he went 24-36, passing for 256 yards and two touchdowns. The defense looks terrific, too. Watch out, Pac-12.
- Iowa (1-0) (PREV: 18)
Iowa moves up five spots due to their blowout win at home against the ranked Indiana Hoosiers. The Hawkeye’s defense was up there with Georgia’s for Week 1. If Iowa’s defense can look like that every week, they’ll easily win the Big Ten West.
- Penn State (1-0) (PREV: 20)
Penn State did what I wanted them to do (even though my pick was Wisconsin): upset the Badgers on the road, showing that last season was a fluke. It was a great game, led by the Nittany Lions’ defense. They disrupted Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz, who was picked off twice and did not help at all.
- Florida (1-0) (PREV: 12)
Florida’s quarterback play was not stellar, but the Gators found a way to beat Florida Atlantic by 21. Gator fans better hope Emory Jones gets his act together. Otherwise, they might be bound for a long season. I hope they give Anthony Richardson more reps, who had a better QB rating than Jones. Dan Mullens says Jones is still the starter, but that might not be for long if he can’t perform. Richardson looks like a threat on the run, with 160 rushing yards and a touchdown. Running back Malik Davis also had himself a day, with 104 rushing yards and a touchdown on 14 attempts. It looks like the Gators are going to be run-heavy this season.
- Texas (1-0) (PREV: 19)
So many teams ranked in this area lost last week, which is why Texas is ranked number 14 in the country. Texas looked like they were back, but maybe the ranked Ragin’ Cajuns were just overhyped. The Longhorns’ offense should start and end with running back Bijan Robinson, who might be the best running back in the country. Defeating Louisiana 38-18 deserves a bump up in the rankings.
- Ole Miss (1-0) (PREV: 21)
I was surprised that Ole Miss was not ranked in the preseason AP Top 25, but they should finally make it this week with a blowout win against Louisville. Matt Corral looks like the real deal, and the defense is better than I anticipated. I cannot wait to see them play SEC opponents.
- Oregon (1-0) (PREV: 11)
I’m not impressed with Oregon because they beat Fresno State by a touchdown. I cannot tell if Fresno State is just a better team than we thought they were (they blew out UConn during Week 0), or Oregon is overrated. My biggest concern in college football (besides Clemson’s offensive line) is the health of Kayvon Thibodeaux. If the Ducks can clean up their offense and Thibodeaux is healthy, they should be just fine.
- Virginia Tech (1-0) (PREV: N/A)
The Hokies came in playing Enter Sandman and ended with the same song as students stormed the field as Virginia Tech defeated #10 North Carolina. Their defense made potential Heisman candidate Sam Howell feel like last season’s Cam Newton: hard to watch.
- UCLA (2-0) (PREV: N/A)
Is UCLA back? During Week 0, they took apart Hawaii. This week they took down ranked LSU. The Bruins are trending upwards, especially with students back on campus soon. Zach Charbonnet looks like the best running back in the Pac-12, without a doubt.
- Miami (0-1) (PREV: 14)
Miami may have lost, but they could not have lost to a better team. The Crimson Tide took down Miami, but the Hurricanes deserve to stay because they are not proven to be a bad team. I am excited about their matchup against North Carolina later this season. Do not count D’Eriq King out yet.
- North Carolina (0-1) (PREV: 10)
Sam Howell did not look like a Heisman candidate on Friday night. It seems that Virginia Tech’s home-field advantage was too much for the Tar Heels. Wide receiver Josh Downs looks promising, who had eight receptions for 123 receiving yards and a touchdown. I’m still taking UNC to win their division, but it suddenly looks a lot more interesting.
- Auburn (1-0) (PREV: 25)
Bo Nix and Tank Bigsby: what did I tell you guys? I knew they would a lot better this season. However, they blew out Akron, one of the worst teams in FBS. Soon, they will get their first real test: a white-out game at Penn State.
- Coastal Carolina (1-0) (PREV: 24)
The Chanticleers proved to be the more dominant ranked Sun Belt team (the other was Louisiana) during Week 1, as they tore down The Citadel on Thursday night. I want to see them get a real test because their schedule is so easy. Grayson McCall is a solid quarterback, only having three incompletions.
- UCF (1-0) (PREV: N/A)
UCF barely missed the cut to be on my top 25 before Week 0, and with their comeback win against Boise State, I’m happy to put the Knights in my rankings. I like what I saw from Dillon Gabriel, who passed for over 300 yards and four touchdowns. The question is: are they better than Cincinnati?
- Utah (1-0) (PREV: N/A)
The Utes did play Weber State, but with the upsets that happened during Week 1, Utah was right in line and got their job done. They’re known for having one of the top defenses in the Pac-12, so I’m hoping they can prove that they’re still at that level against real competition.
- Wisconsin (0-1) (PREV: 16)
Graham Mertz needs to get his act together because if they cannot win big games like against Penn State, they will be off the top 25 in no time. I’m worried if the Badgers are going to be prepared for Notre Dame in a few weeks.
Calhoun's Corner 