The top half of the college football power rankings stay the same this week mostly because the Alabama Crimson Tide looked quite impressive once again. While some people thought that Vanderbilt might be able to give them some trouble, they came out and absolutely flattened the Commodores. At the same time, we’ve seen Oklahoma State take a tumble out of the Top 10 while the USC Trojans and the Penn State Nittany Lions barely survived to maintain their spots. The Trojans were in a fight deep into the second half against California before pulling away while the Nittany Lions needed a last-second touchdown to escape Iowa with a win.
With some teams falling, others are on the rise. That includes Georgia, who smoked Mississippi State last week. And also the Wisconsin Badgers, who were previously outside of the Top 10 but now find their way in as they’ve played well to date. They have been flying under the radar.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at this week’s college football power rankings.
1. Alabama Crimson Tide
Last Week: 1
National Championship Odds: +175
The Crimson Tide (4-0, 1-0 SEC) dismantled Vanderbilt 59-0 on the road in their conference opener, racking up 677 yards of offense while holding the Commodores to 78 yards. After replacing Jalen Hurts, Tua Tagovailoa was 8-of-10 for 103 yards and two touchdowns, while Damien Harris ran 12 times for 151 yards and three touchdowns for the Crimson Tide, who ran 66 times for 496 yards and six scores in total. Alabama looks to keep rolling at home on Saturday against Ole Miss as they continue to be the class of college football.
2. Clemson Tigers
Last Week: 2
National Championship Odds: +500
The Tigers (4-0, 2-0 ACC) scored 27 points in the fourth quarter of a 34-7 win at home over Boston College, rushing 58 times for 342 yards and five touchdowns. Kelly Bryant was 17-of-26 for 140 yards and two picks, but he had 22 carries for 106 yards and two scores for the Tigers, who had 482 yards to 238 yards for Boston College. Clemson heads to Virginia Tech on Saturday night for a big ACC showdown on national television.
3. Oklahoma Sooners
Last Week: 3
National Championship Odds: +800
The Sooners (4-0, 1-0 Big 12) raced out to a 21-7 first-quarter lead and then held on to win 49-41 at Baylor in their Big 12 opener. Baker Mayfield was 13-of-19 for 283 yards and three touchdowns for the Sooners, who also ran 40 times for 342 yards and four touchdowns, but they did allow 523 yards from the Bears. The Sooners will have a week off to get their defense together as they’re on a bye as they prepare for a home game with Iowa State.
4. USC Trojans
Last Week: 4
National Championship Odds: +800
The Trojans (4-0, 2-0 Pac-12) outscored California 17-7 on the road in a 30-20 victory. Sam Darnold was 26-of-38 for 223 yards, a pair of touchdowns and a pick for the Trojans, who allowed 416 yards, but they forced six turnovers out of the Golden Bears. The Trojans have a short week now as they’ll head to Washington State on Friday night in one of three games that feature a pair of top-10 teams.
5. Ohio State Buckeyes
Last Week: 5
National Championship Odds: +1000
The Buckeyes (3-1, 1-0 Big Ten) were up 44-7 at halftime and then cruised to a 54-21 win at home over UNLV, as they put up 664 yards to 264 yards for the Rebels. J.T. Barrett was 12-of-17 for 209 yards and five touchdowns for the Buckeyes, who had 40 carries for 190 yards on the ground, but Ohio State did have three turnovers while forcing two. The Buckeyes will travel to Rutgers on Saturday night to continue their Big Ten schedule.
6. Penn State Nittany Lions
Last Week: 7
National Championship Odds: +1200
The Nittany Lions (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten) scored on the final play of a 21-19 win at Iowa, and Trace McSorley was 31-of-48 for 284 yards, one touchdown and a pick. Saquon Barkley had 28 carries for 211 yards and a score for the Nittany Lions, who had 579 yards to 273 yards for the Hawkeyes, but they struggled to put Iowa away as they had a pair of turnovers. The Nittany Lions will host Indiana on Saturday in their second Big Ten game of the season.
7. Georgia Bulldogs
Last Week: 9
National Championship Odds: +1200
The Bulldogs (4-0, 1-0 SEC) flexed their muscles in their SEC opener as they throttled Mississippi State 31-3 at home, forcing a pair of turnover and holding Mississippi State to 280 yards. Jake Fromm was 9-of-12 for 201 yards and two touchdowns, while Nick Chubb ran 15 times for 81 yards and a pair of scores for the Bulldogs, who ran 42 times for 203 yards. The Bulldogs head out on the road this Saturday afternoon as Georgia visits Tennessee in an old-school SEC showdown.
8. Michigan Wolverines
Last Week: 8
National Championship Odds: +1200
The Wolverines (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten) outscored Purdue 21-0 in the second half of a 28-10 victory on the road. John O’Korn, replacing the injured Wilton Speight, went 18-of-26 for 270 yards, a touchdown and an interception for the Wolverines, who also got 97 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 14 carries from Chris Evans. The Wolverine had 423 yards to 189 yards for Purdue, and Michigan had the ball for 38:59, and eventually they wore down the Boilermakers. The Wolverines have a bye this week, but they’ll be back to host Michigan State in a rival game.
9. Washington Huskies
Last Week: 10
National Championship Odds: +1500
The Huskies (4-0, 1-0 Pac-12) were held scoreless in the first quarter of their trip to Colorado, then thumped the Buffaloes 37-10 as they forced three turnovers. Jake Browning was 11-of-21 for 160 yards, a touchdown and a pick, while Myles Gaskin ran 27 times for 202 yards and two touchdowns for the Huskies, who ran 39 times for 254 yards and three scores as a team. The Huskies will stay on the road on Saturday night as they head to Oregon State in the Pac-12.
10. Wisconsin Badgers
Last Week: —
National Championship Odds: +2000
The Badgers (3-0) moved into the power rankings even though they had a bye last week, which followed a 40-6 destruction of BYU on the road on September 16th. The Badgers will open up their Big Ten slate on Saturday against Northwestern at home, and they’ll try to get a win to stay in the mix in a tight conference that has four teams in the power rankings this week.
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