Week 2 CFBRanking Top 26

1. Clemson (Last week’s rank: 1)

Last Week: W over Georgia Tech 52-14

Trevor Lawrence didn’t have the best game, but Travis Etienne was as advertised. The Tigers have a step up in competition when they play Texas A&M this week.

2. Alabama (2)

Last Week: W over Duke 42-3

Alabama won handily over the Blue Devils, but as always Nick Saban thinks there are ways to improve. Bama gets another easy game at home vs NMSU this week.

3. Oklahoma (3)

Last Week: W over Houston 49-31

Jalen Hurts looked the part in the Sooners offense racking up 6 total TDs and over 500 total yds. The defense looks to be making progress, which makes this team even more dangerous. They get FCS South Dakota at home this week.

4. Georgia (4)

Last Week: W over Vanderbilt 30-6

Jake Fromm was good enough. D’Andre Swift averaged 9.2 ypc and the Dawgs won by 24. They get another week to work with the inexperienced WRs as they face Murray State.

5. Ohio State (5)

Last Week: W over FAU 45-21

Justin Fields looked really good in his debut with the Buckeyes throwing for 4 TDs. The Buckeyes face a tough Cincinnati team in Columbus this week.

6. LSU (7)

Last Week: W over Georgia Southern 55-3

LSU dominated the Eagles Saturday. Joe Burrow was almost perfect with only 4 incompletions, while throwing for 5 TDs. The defense only allowed 98 total yds. Now comes the showdown with Texas in Austin.

7. Washington (6)

Last Week: W over Eastern Washington 47-14

First game in 2 years? No problem. Jacob Eason tossed 4 TDs for UW. With the Oregon loss, the Huskies and Utes may be the only two Pac-12 teams with playoff chances. The Huskies get the defensive Cal Bears at home this week.

8. Michigan (8)

Last Week: W over Middle Tennessee 40-21

The Wolverines started slow, but won handily as a finally healthy Tarik Black caught 4 passes for 80 yds. Michigan gets the ever so stealthy Army Black Knights in Ann Arbor this week.

9. Utah (10)

Last Week: W over BYU 30-12

The defense was as advertised, as they Utes took back 2 INTs for touchdowns. The Utes look like a team that could make a run in the Pac-12. This week they get a tune up vs Idaho State, before Pac-12 play vs USC.

10. Florida (11)

Week 0: W over Miami Fl 24-20 Last Week: Bye

It wasn’t the best performance from the Gators in Week 0, but they got a lot of pressure on defense and scored just enough vs a very good Miami defense. The Gators face UT Martin this week, before a road game vs Kentucky.

11. Notre Dame (12)

Last Week: W over Louisville 35-17

The Cards stuck with the Irish for 3 quarters, but couldn’t quite pull the upset. Notre Dame looked a lot better on defense the last 3 quarters forcing numerous fumbles. The Irish get a break next week, before facing New Mexico at home. However, games vs UGA and Virginia loom in late September.

12. Texas (14)

Last Week: W over Louisiana Tech 45-14

The Longhorns finally escaped Week 1 with a win over a decent Bulldogs team. Sam Ehlinger looked good throwing for 4 TDs. However, the new group of starters will be put to the test when they face LSU at home this week.

13. TCU (13)

Last Week: W over Arkansas Pine Bluff 39-7

Not the prettiest of wins, but it was a win. Jalen Reagor struggled for the Horned Frogs, but Max Duggan had a decent outing throwing for 165 yds and 1 TD. Up next is a road game at Purdue, which could be interesting.

14. Penn State (15)

Last Week: W over Idaho 79-7

Lots and lots of points. Penn St got a lot of subs in, which is good for a team that has a lot of youth in some spots. Sean Clifford got to ease into the starting role and will face a little bit tougher team in Buffalo next week, before Pittsburgh in Week 3.

15. Texas A&M (16)

Last Week: W over Texas State 41-7

Kellen Mond made some great throws vs the Bobcats last week and the defense did an excellent job forcing turnovers. The competition ramps to the highest level when they travel to Clemson this week. We will learn who the Aggies really are on Saturday.

16. Syracuse (17)

Last Week: W over Liberty 24-0

Tommy DeVito had a shaky opener throwing 2 INTs, but the defense did its job forcing 4 turnovers and allowing 0 points. Up next is a road game against Maryland. DeVito will need to pick it up, otherwise an upset could be on the table in College Park.

17. Iowa (18)

Last Week: W over Miami Oh 38-14

The first half was shaky, but the Hawks picked it up in the second half scoring 28 points. The run game looked better than previous years and the WRs took some pressure off the inexperienced TEs. The pass D needs some work, but the Hawks get Rutgers at home next week to iron out the secondary.

18. Washington State (20)

Last Week: W over New Mexico State 58-7

Wazzu did what was expected of them. They won handily. Anthony Gordon looked sharp, completing his first 15 and throwing for 5 TDs. The Cougs get FCS Northern Colorado at home next week, before Houston Week 3.

19. Auburn (NR)

Last Week: W over Oregon 27-21

Credit for the win over Oregon, but it wasn’t pretty. Bo Nix made a couple plays late, but overall it was underwhelming. Auburn faces Tulane at home next week, but still has to face 6 teams in my Top 30 this season.

20. Oregon (9)

Last Week: L to Auburn 21-27

That was a game Oregon should have won. Auburn didn’t play well enough to win, but still did. The Ducks led 21-6, but just couldn’t put it away late. They get a chance to turn things around at home vs Nevada this week.

21. Boise State (22)

Last Week: W over Florida State 36-31

How about the comeback by the Broncos? Down 31-13 with 4 mins till halftime, the Broncos turned it around getting 2 FGs before half and then shutting down the Noles in the second half to pull out the win. Boise State faces an interesting opponent in Marshall next at home.

22. UCF (21)

Last Week: W over Florida A&M 62-0

Business as usual for the Knights, but not a great opponent. Brandon Wimbush only threw one incompletion, so that is promising for UCF. They face FAU next week, before getting a big P5 opportunity against Stanford.

23. Iowa State (19)

Last Week: W over Northern Iowa 29-26 3OT

Burn the tapes. Pretend it didn’t happen. The possible best team in school history struggled vs in-state UNI, but they pulled it out. They get a bye week to figure things out before the Hawkeyes come to town for a huge Cy-Hawk battle. *cough* “College Gameday in Ames” *cough*.

24. Virginia (24)

Last Week: W over Pittsburgh 30-14

This was a trap game right out of the gate for the Cavs, and they handled it perfectly. Bryce Perkins threw for 2 TDs and Wayne Taulapapa averaged 6.6 ypc. The defense forced 2 INTs as well. UVA gets FCS William & Mary next at home.

25T. Memphis/Wisconsin (23)/(NR)

Last Week: W over Ole Miss 15-10

The Tigers defense really showed up Saturday in what was expected to be a shootout. This is a very, very good sign for Memphis going forward. The offense did not have the best day. Look for a bounce back on offense as they face FCS Southern next at home.

Last Week: W over USF 49-0

Wow. Thorough domination by the Badgers. The Bulls had 157 total yds and their longest drive was 8 plays, which was not only their last drive, but ended in a miss FG. Jonathan Taylor averaged 8.4 ypc and had 4 total TDs. The Badgers face Central Michigan at home next.

Next Teams Up

• Cincinnati

Last Week: W over UCLA 24-14

• Army
  

Last Week: W over Rice 14-7

• Nebraska

Last Week: W over South Alabama 35-21

• Stanford

Last Week: W over Northwestern 17-7

• Mississippi State

Last Week: W over UL Lafayette 38-28

• Kentucky

Last Week: W over Toledo 38-24

• Oklahoma State

Last Week: W over Oregon State 52-36