CFB Power Rankings (Week 2)

/ Kolton McKinnies
  1. Georgia (1-0) (+3)
    • The defending champs let the whole country know they weren’t ready to relinquish their title just yet, and despite all of the talent lost to the NFL they looked as good if not better than a season ago on both sides of the ball. Stetson Bennett was dominate, the D was nasty and they absolutely embarrassed Oregon. They deserve #1 and anyone saying otherwise isn’t using their eyeballs.
  2. Alabama (1-0) (-1)
    • The Tide won 55-0 and drop to #2, speaks to what Georgia was able to do, not the Tide looking bad by any means. Bryce Young was dominate, the defense looked great and they get a chance Week 2 to have their own dominating performance against the always hyped Texas.
  3. Ohio St (1-0) (-1)
    •  It could be we overestimated the Buckeyes heading into this season. It could be we underestimated ND, possibly a little of both. However, Ohio St still came away with a victory in what turned out to be an absolute grind. The Irish deserve a ton of credit for pushing them as far as they did, but alarm bells may begin to sound if this Ohio St Offense continues to sputter. On the plus side the defense looked much better, so elite is still the proper descriptor for this team.
  4. Clemson (1-0) (-1)
    • Clemson is on shaky ground right now, and if it weren’t for an absolutely disgusting defense they would not be near the top-5. DJ and co just need to be competent and they will be in the hunt, the problem was the O-Line looked abysmal in Week 1 against Georgia Tech. No run game, no explosive WR’s and a shaky QB? The offense has a long way to go…but damn that defense is scary.
  5. Texas A&M (1-0) (+1)
    • Defense pitched a shutout and Hanes King looked serviceable, albeit a bit too eager to throw it into traffic. If he can clean up the decision making the Aggies are extremely dangerous thanks to a solid run game and a great defense. Make no mistake though, the gap from here and nos. 1 and 2 is gigantic.
  6. Michigan (1-0) (+1)
    • Another team that simply took care of business in Week 1, slowly and definitively burying Colorado St behind the usual solid run game and good defense. The question here is the QB position…I think everyone who has watched the game for even a little while can see JJ McCarthy is the guy, we’ll just have to see how Harbaugh handles it.
  7. Utah (0-1) (-2)
    • A lot of people are discounting the Pac-12 after the Utes traveled to the swamp and lost in tragic fashion at the 11th hour. I say not so fast, as Florida looked really, really good and so did the Utes, who’s to say they can’t go 11-1 and be right in the mix? A soft stretch in the schedule should allow them to gain the confidence back before a road trip to Eugene opens the door to CFP relevancy again.
  8. Notre Dame (0-1) (–)
    • Another top-10 team who looked the part but lost a tough road game. The Irish gave the Buckeyes everything they could handle behind their stout D, the offense just simply couldn’t get it done, mustering only 10 points. The Irish have to get better on that side of the ball, and still have every opportunity to make the playoff with dates against Clemson and USC still on the schedule.
  9. Oklahoma (1-0) (+2)
    • The Sooners took care of business and all of the new parts looked solid. We really just won’t know what to make of this team for a while, as their NC schedule is pretty weak especially given how Nebraska has looked early on. Oklahoma could be a sneaky bet to make the playoff just due to the favorable schedule and Dillon Gabriel is the real deal.
  10. Arkansas (1-0) (+6)
    • Woo. Pig. Sooie. The Hogs looked much like they did a season ago with KJ Jefferson and co. running the ball down Cincy’s throats and notching a win over a ranked opponent. It was a 7-point game that really never felt like they were in danger, as Cincy just lost too much on Offense to pose a serious threat. Next up a wildcard in South Carolina.
  11. Miami (Fl) (1-0) (+1)
    • When your offense puts up 70 points it’s always a good Saturday, and the Canes proved just why everyone is hyping them up. It’ll be interesting to see Van Dyke play a legitimate defense, and to see what their D looks like against a real offense. We’ll find out just who they are Week 3 when they head to Texas A&M.
  12. Wisconsin (1-0) (+1)
    • Just what we expected out of the Badgers. Run the ball, run some more, hope Mertz can make a few throws in play action and allow virtually 0 yards. Braelon Allen is the most under the radar elite player in the Nation and this D is pretty nasty. It really comes down to Graham Mertz being a game manager and not wrecking it for a solid team. Tough test in Washington St this weekend.
  13. USC (1-0) (+2)
    • Well the experiment is off to a good start, but it helps to welcome in Rice for the first go round. Caleb Williams looked good, Addison looked good, the D was fine. The real test begins this week however, as they go to Stanford who will be feisty as always. Can they stop the run? Can the O-Line hold up against a legit PAC-12 D? We will soon find out.
  14. Florida (1-0) (NR)
    • The story of Week 1. Anthony Richardson looked like a legit NFL prospect with unreal athleticism to go with a legitimate rocket of a right arm. His ability in read option/RPO’s make this Florida offense a scary proposition for opposing defenses. And speaking of defense, they slowed down a powerhouse Utah offense and were flying around. Kentucky is next to the swamp, if you are legit ya gotta win again.
  15. Pitt (1-0) (+2)
    • Kedon Slovis looked the part against heated rival W. Virginia and there is no rest for the wicked as Tennessee heads to town next. Should be another shootout as the first team to 40 may not even be in the clear. What is clear is that this Pitt offense is still humming and the Pitt defense is still garbage. We’ll see if that remains true this weekend.
  16. N.C. State (1-0) (-6)
    • Whew. Only way to describe what State is feeling following an escape of a win against rival ECU. Sending the kicker some flowers as well. Devin Leary did not look great, and the offense needs some explosive playmakers, but the defense did play well despite being on the field a ton. Not sure what to think now on this squad. Week 1 jitters?
  17. Oklahoma St (1-0) (-3)
    • A shootout with a MAC team? That spells trouble. With last season’s defense seeing a lot of exits including the D coordinator giving up 44 in Week 1 is a rough start. Spencer Sanders looked good but if they regress defensively they will not be in the hunt in the Big 12 and may not last long in this top-25. A date with Arizona St could be more of a test this week, all eyes on the defense.
  18. Kentucky (1-0) (–)
    • A trip to the swamp could expose what I think is a too highly valued Kentucky team that at times was in a struggle with Miami (OH). The offensive line was a problem as the run game was a struggle and Levis was often under duress. That won’t cut it in the Swamp, especially when trying to keep up with Anthony Richardson and co.
  19. Baylor (1-0) (–)
    • Another team that got through the cupcake in Week 1 but could really be exposed this upcoming weekend when they go to BYU. Shapen looked good but a lot of QB’s look good against a team like Albany. This is a giant matchup for both teams, but the Baylor regression should be on display this Saturday night.
  20. Minnesota (1-0) (–)
    • The unheralded Gophers took care of business as the D pitched a shutout and they dominated on the ground. Ibrahim being fully back from injury is huge, and the experience of Tanner Morgan is extremely valuable. This might be the only top-25 that included Minnesota but it will be proven correct as time goes on.
  21. Texas (1-0) (–)
    • Ho-hum victory over a cupcake gets Texas to the biggest challenge on the schedule in Alabama this weekend. There are no moral victories but you know the Longhorns just want to have a respectable performance. They will not win, but if Ewers moves the ball and they can score 20-30 points on Bama the hype will continue. Bama might score 50 tho…
  22. Ole Miss (1-0) (–)
    • Is Troy good? I’m going to say no, and that performance was a little concerning by the Rebels, as the offense looked bad at times. They are relying on a strong ground game as Jaxson Dart has a long way to go at QB. I am much less convinced Ole Miss is deserving of a top-25 ranking, but an 18 point win is an 18 point win. Week 3 @ GA Tech could be sneaky.
  23. Michigan St (1-0) (–)
    • Looked a lot like last year, strong running game and a serviceable defense against bad teams. Week 3 @ Washington will tell us a bit more about how good Sparty can be this year, but for now they stay inside the rankings. Nationally I think they are overvalued, but are good enough to be sitting here for now.
  24. BYU (1-0) (–)
    • Keeping BYU here for now as they did to USF what they should have done, now they get a chance to take down Baylor and really cement themselves as the top G5 team. This group is so experienced and disciplined on both sides of the ball. I expect them to make a statement this weekend and beat Baylor and vault up these rankings.
  25. Oregon (0-1) (-16)
    • Yikes. Oregon I’m giving the benefit of the doubt in that most teams going to Atlanta would face a similar fate against Georgia right now. I think the Ducks can still be a factor in a down PAC-12 as the talent is off the charts. Bo Nix can win in that conference. The LB’s are talented. Just need to get back out West and prove they belong. But man that was embarrassing.

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