After a crazy Labor Day Weekend, the rankings have changed quite a bit. Whether it’s the dominant effort by Florida State in the second half, or the disappointment that was Clemson. Here is the top 25 this week.
- Georgia (1-0) (PREV: 1)
It was an easy first game for the defending national champions, stomping UT Martin, 48-7. Quarterback Carson Beck had two total touchdowns as the Bulldogs didn’t have to do much. They will host Ball State on Saturday at noon.
- Michigan (1-0) (PREV: 2)
Michigan walked all over East Carolina, but there was a key part of their team missing. Head coach Jim Harbaugh was suspended to begin the season, and quarterback J.J. McCarthy let the media know he misses his head coach. He and Roman Wilson connected for three touchdowns as the Wolverines won 30-3. They will host UNLV on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
- Florida State (1-0) (PREV: 6)
Despite a close game at the half, the Seminoles took over the second half against No. 5 LSU, as quarterback Jordan Travis made himself known in the Heisman Trophy race with five total touchdowns, including four in the air. Three of his four passing touchdowns were to wide receiver Keon Coleman, who had nine receptions for 122 yards on Sunday night. Florida State skyrockets to No. 3 in my latest ranking and will begin their home schedule on Saturday night against Southern Miss.
- Alabama (1-0) (PREV: 4)
The Crimson Tide are in good hands with new starting quarterback Jalen Milroe, as he was accountable for five total touchdowns. Even though they played Middle Tennessee State, they looked like a true contender in the SEC, winning 56-7. Alabama has a massive night game on Saturday against Texas. The outcome could determine what kind of season Nick Saban’s team will have.
- Ohio State (1-0) (PREV: 3)
I wasn’t too impressed with Ohio State, as they beat Indiana 23-3. Their defense looked strong against a Big Ten opponent, but the offense worries me. It’s early in the season, but Kyle McCord doesn’t look like he’s filling C.J. Stroud’s shoes well through one game. The Buckeyes have a chance to prove what their offense can do on Saturday against Youngstown State.
- USC (2-0) (PREV: 7)
Reigning Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams looked like a Heisman Trophy winner during Week 1’s dominant win over Nevada, 66-14. He had five touchdown passes, two to Tahj Washington, who had three receptions for 75 yards. The only concern is the Trojans’ defense, which didn’t look great during Week 0’s win against San José State. They will begin their final Pac-12 schedule against Stanford on late Saturday night.
- Penn State (1-0) (PREV: 8)
Drew Allar passed for 325 yards and three touchdowns in his debut as Penn State’s starting quarterback, including two to KeAndre Lambert-Smith, who had 123 yards on four receptions. Nick Singleton continues to be one of the best running backs in the Big Ten, with 70 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries. The Nittany Lions opened the season with a 38-15 win over West Virginia, marking a new era in Happy Valley. Penn State will host Delaware at noon on Saturday.
- LSU (0-1) (PREV: 5)
The Tigers didn’t look like a top-5 team on Sunday night as they lost to Florida State 45-24 in Orlando. Brian Thomas Jr. had a good outing, with 142 yards and a touchdown on seven receptions. However, some bad decisions on fourth downs and turning the ball over twice lost the game for LSU. I considered dropping them lower, and I probably should have, but here they are at No. 8. They will open their home schedule on Saturday night against Grambling State.
- Washington (1-0) (PREV: 9)
Michael Penix Jr. showed why he’s one of the best quarterbacks in college football, passing for five touchdowns as the Huskies thumped Boise State 56-19. Rome Odunze, one of the best wide receivers in the nation, had 132 yards and a touchdown on seven receptions. They will move on to face Tulsa on Saturday.
- Tennessee (1-0) (PREV: 10)
Dylan Sampson made his name known to begin the season with four total touchdowns, while Joe Milton III was responsible for the three other Tennessee touchdowns. The Volunteers routed Virginia in Nashville, 49-13. They will open their home schedule on Saturday against Austin Peay.
- Texas (1-0) (PREV: 12)
Quinn Ewers had four total touchdowns, and Bert Auburn made three field goals as Texas started the season on the right note, beating Rice 37-10. They have a huge test on the road on Saturday night as they face Alabama in a rematch of last year’s thriller in Austin.
- North Carolina (1-0) (PREV: 17)
Drake Maye may be one of the best quarterbacks in the ACC, but that wasn’t what impressed me the most about North Carolina on Saturday night. The Tar Heels’ defense had nine sacks against Spencer Rattler and the Gamecocks as North Carolina beat South Carolina 31-17 in Charlotte. As Mack Brown now has 100 wins with two programs, his team will host Appalachian State on Saturday.
- Utah (1-0) (PREV: 14)
No Cam Rising, no problem, as Utah did not give up a touchdown to Florida until the fourth quarter, winning 24-11 to open the season. Bryson Barnes had a passing and rushing touchdown each but did not have to do much else as the defense helped. With the Utes off to the Big 12 soon, they will have a preview of what to expect when visiting Baylor as they face the Bears at noon on Saturday.
- Notre Dame (2-0) (PREV: 13)
Sam Hartman was responsible for three touchdowns as Notre Dame demolished Tennessee State 56-3. The Fighting Irish were phenomenal on defense once again, only allowing 158 yards and forcing two turnovers in the win. Running back Audric Estime had a strong outing, with 116 rushing yards and a touchdown on 13 carries. Notre Dame hasn’t been tested yet, but their first test will come at NC State at noon on Saturday.
- Oregon (1-0) (PREV: 15)
Saying Oregon dominated against Portland State is quite an understatement. They did more than that, as Bo Nix had three passing touchdowns, including two to Troy Franklin, who had 106 yards on seven receptions. The running game was dominant, as Bucky Irving rushed for 119 yards and two touchdowns on four carries, while Jordan James ran for three touchdowns, all in the second quarter. The Ducks won in blowout fashion, 81-7. They will be tested more on Saturday night against Texas Tech, coming off a brutal loss.
- Kansas State (1-0) (PREV: 16)
K-State’s defense showed out on Saturday as they shut out Southeast Missouri State 45-0. Despite an interception, Will Howard was responsible for four touchdowns, with one going to RJ Garcia II, who had 119 yards on five catches. The Wildcats will stay at No. 16 in my ranking as they face Troy at noon on Saturday.
- Oregon State (1-0) (PREV: 19)
DJ Uiagalelei looked like what Clemson expected out of him on Sunday afternoon, as he had five total touchdowns in his Oregon State debut. It wasn’t a close battle, as the Beavers beat San José State 42-17. They will host UC Davis late on Saturday night.
- Ole Miss (1-0) (PREV: 21)
Similar to Oregon, Ole Miss had a high-scoring performance as they demolished Mercer 73-7. Tre Harris showed out in the season opener, with six receptions for 133 yards and all of Jaxson Dart’s four passing touchdowns. Quinshon Judkins, one of the best running backs in America, had two touchdowns in the blowout win. That wasn’t quite the test for the Rebels, but this Saturday should provide one as they face Tulane on the road.
- Colorado (1-0) (PREV: N/A)
Colorado showed that it belonged in the top 25 with an upset over TCU in Fort Worth. The offense was spectacular to watch, with Shedeur Sanders passing for 510 yards and four touchdowns, three of them going to Dylan Edwards, who also had 135 yards on five receptions in addition to another rushing touchdown. Travis Hunter was awesome to watch, as he had 11 receptions for 119 yards and an interception on defense. He seems like the real deal. The Buffaloes will take on Nebraska at noon on Saturday.
- Tulane (1-0) (PREV: 22)
Michael Pratt was nearly perfect in the season-opener, going 14-for-15 passing for 294 yards and four touchdowns, including two to Jha’Quan Jackson, who had 106 yards on three catches. Tulane looks like the best team in the American Athletic Conference, and I’m not sure it’s even close. The Green Wave will have a tough battle on Saturday at home against Ole Miss.
- Wisconsin (1-0) (PREV: 23)
The Badgers started the season on the right note thanks to the help of Chez Mellusi, who ran for 157 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries, including an 89-yard run to the end zone. It’s a solid first game for the Luke Fickell era in Madison, but it is just the beginning. Wisconsin will face Washington State on Saturday night on the road.
- Clemson (0-1) (PREV: 11)
This one shocked me. Clemson did not look disciplined as they fell to Duke 28-7. The Tigers only scored once in the 28-7 loss in Durham, and it seems their reign as the top program in the ACC might be over. They will begin their home schedule with Charleston Southern on Saturday.
- Oklahoma (1-0) (PREV: 25)
Oklahoma dominated all game to open the season against Arkansas State, shutting them out 73-0. Dillon Gabriel only really needed to play the first half, as he passed for over 300 yards and had three total touchdowns through the first two quarters. They’ll have more of a challenge as they welcome future ACC school SMU to Norman on Saturday.
- Texas A&M (1-0) (PREV: N/A)
The Aggies enter the top 25 after a dominant performance against New Mexico, winning 52-10. Conner Weigman passed for five touchdowns, including three to Noah Thomas and two to Evan Stewart. It was a good warmup game as they travel to face Miami (FL) on Saturday afternoon.
- Duke (1-0) (PREV: N/A)
Duke was nowhere near my top-25 before the season, but after their dominant performance against Clemson on Monday night, the Blue Devils are in my top-25. Quarterback Riley Leonard had a strong game, rushing for 98 yards and a touchdown. They took advantage of Clemson’s mistakes, and it benefitted them. They will stay at home to host Lafayette on Saturday.
Calhoun's Corner 