Week 1 of the college football season was nothing short of amazing. From the “Enter Sandman” entrance of Virginia Tech, to the instant classic between Notre Dame and Florida State, the 2021 season started out with a bang.
When the smoke cleared Alabama looked to be in a stratosphere among itself. The SEC proved it’s supremacy over the ACC. Florida State flashed a sign of a return to relevancy and UCLA could be this year’s surprise playoff contender.
One week in, here’s how my power rankings shape up:
1. Alabama (1-0, SEC)
Sophomore Bryce Young looked the part as the next great Alabama quarterback. He threw for 344 yards and four touchdowns as the Crimson Tide steamrolled Miami 44-13 in Atlanta. Nick Saban continues to just reload at Alabama and once again looks like a tier all to itself from the rest of the nation.
Next Week: Mercer (1-0)
2. Georgia (1-0, SEC)
Georgia’s defense showed up in a big way against Clemson. The Bulldogs sacked Clemson sophomore QB DJ Uiagalelei seven times, holding the Tigers offense to a mere 180 yards in their 10-3 win in Charlotte. If Georgia’s defense plays like that every week, they could run the table until their potential meeting against Alabama in the SEC Championship Game in December.
If there is one concern it’s the Georgia offense. JT Daniels and Co. struggled just as much as Clemson’s offense. We’ll learn in a matter of time if it was just Clemson’s defense or the old school offense of Georgia.
Next Week: UAB (1-0)
3. Ohio State (1-0, Big Ten)
The CJ Stroud era got off to a rocky start in the first half against Minnesota Thursday. However, the redshirt freshman bounced back in major way in the second half, finishing 13-of-22 for 294 yards, four touchdowns and an interception. His development will be key to if the Buckeyes meet expectations of getting back to the CFB Playoff.
Next Week: No. 11 Oregon (1-0)
4. Oklahoma (1-0, Big 12)
The Sooners escaped Saturday’s game with a win after an unexpected challenge from Tulane. In a game that was originally scheduled for New Orleans, Oklahoma looked shaky on their home field in Norman. Quarterback Spencer Rattler seemed rattled. He threw for 304 yards and a touchdown, but also threw two interceptions.
While OU’s defense stepped up late when they needed to, they still yielded 35 points and 396 yards to Tulane. That’s a cause for concern as their schedule will get tougher in the Big 12.
Next Week: Western Carolina (0-1)
5. Texas A&M (1-0, SEC)
Jimbo Fisher’s team had a tune-up against Kent State. While Texas A&M won in route 41-10, the Aggies quarterbacks had their struggles. Collectively they tossed four interceptions, three from freshman Haynes King. But the running backs carried the load, with both Devon Achane and Isaiah Spiller going over 100 yards each.
The Aggies will get their first true test on the road in Boulder against Colorado next week.
Next Week: at Colorado (1-0)
6. Notre Dame (1-0, Independent)
Notre Dame survived a scare from Florida State in a classic. When the smoke cleared from the 41-38 overtime game, Wisconsin transfer quarterback Jack Coan had a record-setting Irish debut. He threw for 366 yards, four touchdowns and a pick. There were peaks and valleys for the offense, but the defense under first-year defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman, looked iffy.
Florida State actually outgained Notre Dame 442-431 on offense. If not from a pair of stud plays by All-American safety Kyle Hamilton, the outcome of the game could have been very different. Freeman will have to go back to the drawing board as the schedule only gets tougher from here.
Next Week: Toledo (1-0)
7. Clemson (0-1, ACC)
Life after Trevor Lawrence doesn’t look so great one week in for Dabo Swinney’s team. Fortunately, for the Tigers there is no other Georgia remaining on their schedule. They’ll be favorites in every game from here on out and destined for another ACC championship. But Saturday’s loss in Charlotte put a dent into their playoff hopes.
Next Week: South Carolina State (0-1)
8. Cincinnati (1-0, American Athletic)
Cincinnati leads the charge for the Group of Five’s New Year’s Day bowl bid. However, the Bearcats have bigger aspirations. Could Luke Fickell’s team crash the playoff built for Power 5 schools? They have a daunting schedule that has two formidable opponents in back-to-back games on deck with two trips to Indiana to face the Hoosiers and Notre Dame. Time will tell how good Cincinnati really is.
Next Week: Murray State (1-0)
9. Iowa State (1-0, Big 12)
Iowa State got all it could handle with Northern Iowa. Possibly the Cyclones were looking ahead to this Saturday’s clash against Iowa? Head coach Matt Campbell sure is hoping that was the case for their 16-10 win over their FCS in-state opponent. Because the Hawkeyes will be a different type of challenge next week.
Next Week No. 10 Iowa
10. Iowa (1-0, Big Ten)
Indiana may be overrated, but what the Hawkeyes defense was able to do Saturday was remarkable. Iowa set the tone early with Tyler Goodson’s 56-yard touchdown run followed by Riley Moss’s pick-six. Iowa appears to be the team to beat in the Big Ten West. Next week’s trip to Ames will gauge how great their playoff hopes are.
Next Week at No. 9 Iowa State (1-0)
11. Oregon (1-0, Pac-12)
Don’t sleep on how good Fresno State is. The Ducks had to rally in the fourth quarter to get the win. Now, they’ll face an even bigger challenge as they travel to Columbus to face Ohio State next week.
Next Week: at No. 4 Ohio State (1-0)
12. Penn State (1-0, Big Ten)
Penn State started the season with a tough road win over Wisconsin. It was one of many heavyweight clashes in Week 1. The Nittany Lions edged the Badgers in Madison in a defensive slug fest by the score of 16-10. What was most impressive is the fact Penn State’s defense was on the field 42:51 of the game. Yet, it was them who made the game-changing plays when needed forcing three turnovers.
Next Week: Ball State (1-0)
13. UCLA (2-0, Pac-12)
Chip Kelly is at it again! He’s revitalizing another college football program. Back in the Pac-12, he has the Bruins looking like the most formidable team in the Pac-12 South. After a win over Hawaii in Week Zero, the Bruins dominated the visiting LSU Tigers with the final score (38-27) being a lot closer than the game actually was. Is Kelly destined to face his former team Oregon in the Pac-12 Championship Game?
Next Week: Idle
14. Florida (1-0, SEC)
Florida has the run game that could be the perfect antidote for Georgia’s defense. The Gator hung up 400 yards and four touchdowns on the ground in their 35-14 win over Florida Atlantic.
Next Week: at South Florida (0-1)
15. USC (1-0, Pac-12)
The Trojans paced themselves in their 30-7 win over San Jose State. USC has Pac-12 title aspirations, but the South seems reloaded with Utah, Arizona State and the emergence of UCLA. Thus the path won’t be easy.
Next Week: Stanford (0-1)
16. Wisconsin (0-1, Big Ten)
Sophomore quarterback Graham Mertz had his fair share of struggles against Penn State. Mertz threw two picks into a game-clincher next the end zone in the closing moments. He also had two fumbles, losing one. Considering the debut of Jack Coan at Notre Dame, the pressure got that much thicker for Mertz heading into Week 2.
Next Week: Eastern Michigan (1-0)
17. Coastal Carolina (1-0, Sun Belt)
Coastal Carolina is good again this year. And this year they’ll be looking to make a play for a New Year’s Day Six bowl appearance. With their talent and schedule running the table is once again a realistic possibility for the Chanticleers.
Next Week: Kansas (1-0)
18. Texas (1-0, Big 12)
Fresh off the news of heading to the SEC, this is the perfect time for the Longhorns to be resurrected. Saturday’s win over a pretty good Louisiana team is a great start for new head coach Steve Sarkisian. Next week is another steady test at Arkansas.
Next Week: at Arkansas (1-0)
19. Virginia Tech (1-0, ACC)
Virginia Tech pulled off the first upset of the 2021 season, topping then No. 10 North Carolina 17-10. The Hokies quarterback Braxton Burmeister made more plays than his counterpart Sam Howell. Now, Virginia Tech hopes to build off the impressive season-opening win. They’ll lean on a defense that forced three picks from Howell.
Next Week: MTSU (1-0)
20. Ole Miss (1-0, SEC)
Lane Kiffin wasn’t on the sideline after testing positive for COVID-19, but he was all smiles with the Rebels’ impressive win over Louisville. The score read 43-24, but the game wasn’t that close. In an SEC West figured to be led by Alabama and Texas A&M, don’t overlook Ole Miss.
Next Week: Austin Peay (1-0)
21. North Carolina (0-1, ACC)
Sam Howell’s Heisman Trophy candidacy appears to be effectively over. The UNC quarterback looked much like he was missing his NFL-bound weapons from a year ago — wide receivers Dyami Brown and Dazz Newsome and running backs Michael Carter and Javonte Williams. Good news the ACC Coastal division is quirky and no true favorites.
Next Week: Georgia State (0-1)
22. Miami (0-1, ACC)
The Hurricanes were throttled by Alabama. Now, they’ll look to regroup and win the ACC Coastal. The division once again could be a jumbled mess with UNC and Virginia Tech right with the Canes.
Next Week: Appalachian State (1-0)
23. Utah (1-0, Pac-12)
Don’t forget about Utah in the race for the Pac-12 South division. The Utes did what they were supposed to do in a tune-up against Weber State. Next week is a trip to Provo to face in-state rival, BYU.
Next Week: at BYU
24. Arizona State (1-0, Pac-12)
The Sun Devils leaned on their collective run game with 222 yards and six touchdowns against Southern Utah. Jayden Daniels was efficient to say the least at 10-of-12 passing for 132 yards. Look for Herm Edwards’ team to cruise into their Pac-12 opener against Colorado on Sept. 25.
25. LSU (0-1, SEC)
Is the magic running out for head coach Ed Orgeron? After the magical run to the 2019 national title behind Joe Burrow and a plethora of NFL talent, the Tigers seem to hit a wall. Marred by their 5-5 record last year, getting pummeled by UCLA isn’t an ideal start for 2021.
Next Week: McNeese (0-1)
