The power rankings get a bit of a shakeup outside of the No. 1 team. The Ohio State Buckeyes ended up getting flattened at home by the Oklahoma Sooners, which sent Urban Meyer’s squad further down the list. We also saw Stanford take a tumble after they were handled by USC. Auburn and Notre Dame were also deemed fringe contenders and one point but both lost to Clemson and Georgia, respectively, strengthening the case of both of those sides.
The field is listed at +2000.
1. Alabama Crimson Tide
Last Week: 1
National Championship Odds: +125
The Crimson Tide (2-0) made short work of Fresno State in a 41-10 route at home as Jalen Hurts was 14-of-18 for 128 yards and a touchdown, then he ran 10 times for 154 yards and two more scores. The Crimson Tide gained 497 yards to 274 for their opponents, but they still have some work to do as they host Colorado State on Saturday. They should be another walk in the park for them as they start to ramp up for SEC play.
2. USC Trojans
Last Week: 3
National Championship Odds: +650
The Trojans (2-0, 1-0 Pac-12) looked better in a 42-24 win at home over Stanford as Sam Darnold was 21-of-26 for 316 yards and four touchdowns, although he’d like to have his two interceptions back. The Trojans also ran 48 times for 307 yards and two touchdowns as a team and their offense is deadly when it gets rolling. They’ll have a chance to keep it going on Saturday as they host Texas in what could be the most entertaining game of the week to watch. Can the Trojans keep their focus, though? They should be able to roll the Longhorns this week – especially given how Texas played in Week 1. But this also looks like a bit of a trap as USC is coming off such a big win. If they let their guard down, they could be in a dog fight like they were against Western Michigan.
3. Oklahoma Sooners
Last Week: 6
National Championship Odds: +800
The Sooners (2-0) had the big win of the week as they went to Ohio State and beat the Buckeyes 31-16. Baker Mayfield was 27-of-35 for 386 yards and three touchdowns, while Dimitri Flowers had seven catches for 98 yards and a score. However, the most impressive part of this win for the Sooners was their defense, which forced a turnovers and held the passing attack to 183 yards. If their defense continues to improve, the Sooners could be a problem in December and January. They’ll host Tulane this week.
4. Ohio State Buckeyes
Last Week: 2
National Championship Odds: +1000
The Buckeyes (1-1) didn’t get a good game out of J.T. Barrett, who was 19-of-35 for 183 yards and a pick, although he ran for 66 yards. The Buckeyes ran for 167 yards as a team, but they fell behind and had to go to the air, which isn’t their strong suit and now they need to run the table for the rest of the year to even think about a national-title shot. It’ll start this week at home against Army.
5. Clemson Tigers
Last Week: —
National Championship Odds: +1200
The defending national champions from Clemson (2-0) finally break into the rankings after a 14-6 win at home against Auburn, as Kelly Bryant was 19-of-29 for 181 yards, and then ran 19 times for 59 yards and two touchdowns. The defense was the story as the Tigers held Auburn to 117 yards of offense, but this week’s test will be much tougher as they head to Louisville to take on the Cardinals, who are led by reigning Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson.
6. Penn State Nittany Lions
Last Week: 4
National Championship Odds: +1200
The Nittany Lions (2-0) dropped Pittsburgh 33-14 at home as Trace McSorley was 15-of-28 for 164 yards, three touchdowns and a pick, then had 65 yards on eight carries. Saquon Barkley ran 14 times for 88 yards and a score, then had four catches for 45 yards and a touchdown as Penn State was efficient, scoring 33 points despite having the ball for only 21:40. That could come back to bite them at some point, but not this week as they host Georgia State.
7. Michigan Wolverines
Last Week: 5
National Championship Odds: +1200
The Wolverines (2-0) defeated Cincinnati 36-14 as Wilton Speight was 17-of-29 for 221 yards and two touchdowns, while Ty Isaac had 20 carries for 133 yards for Michigan, who allowed 200 yards on the other side of the ball. The Wolverines get Air Force at home this week as they prepare for conference play, but they need Speight to get a little better before that portion of the schedule kicks off.
8. LSU Tigers
Last Week: 7
National Championship Odds: +1500
The Tigers (2-0) blew out Chattanooga 45-10 as they were up 28-3 by halftime. Danny Etling was 8-of-14 for 227 yards and a touchdown, and Derrius Guice ran 15 times for 102 yards and two scores for the Tigers, who forced a pair of turnovers and gained 454 yards to 242 yards for Chattanooga. The Tigers will kick off their conference schedule this weekend as they head out on the road to visit Mississippi State.
9. Georgia Bulldogs
Last Week: —
National Championship Odds: +2000
The Bulldogs enter the countdown as they went to Notre Dame and came away with a hard-fought 20-19 win. Jake Fromm was 16-of-29 for 141 yards, a touchdown and an interception, while Sony Michel had 13 carries for 73 yards and a score as Georgia had 185 yards on 43 carries as a team. The defense helped out with two turnovers and allowed 266 yards to the Fighting Irish, and it was a strong performance as the Bulldogs get ready to host Samford on Saturday.
10. Louisville Cardinals
Last Week: —
World Series Championship Odds: +2500
The Cardinals (2-0) are another new team in the power rankings after running away with a 47-35 win at North Carolina, and Lamar Jackson was the story once again. Jackson was 25-of-39 for 393 yards and three touchdowns, and then ran 19 times for 132 yards and three scores; Malik Williams also ran 13 times for 149 yards. Jackson will get the headlines as the reigning Heisman-Trophy winner, however, and he has to be a top favorite to repeat as he is leaving off right where he was 2016. Jackson and the Cardinals can make a huge statement on Saturday as they host the national champions from Clemson.
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