The college football season is ten weeks in, including Week 0, and there is still lots to learn. Everyone appears to be waiting for the chips to fall, beginning with next week’s SEC showdown between Georgia and Tennessee in Athens. Michigan and Ohio State will be another big chip.
Aside from that, eyes will focus on how the Pac-12 plays out with the conference’s Big Four. Is TCU and Kansas State on another collision course to decide the Big 12? Can Clemson navigate the weakened ACC without any hiccups? And have we forgotten about Alabama?
The answers will take some time. But here are my power rankings this week and what we’ve learned from the top 25 teams.
1. Georgia (8-0, SEC)
College football’s most known this season is the defending national champion, Georgia Bulldogs. The Bulldogs have the second-ranked offense in the nation, putting up 530.1 yards and 41.8 points per game. Their defense is fourth. Georgia is the most complete team in college football.
Next Week: vs. No. 2 Tennesee (8-0)
2. Tennessee (8-0, SEC)
The nation’s best resume is Tennessee, highlighted by the best win, beating Alabama. Meanwhile, quarterback Hendon Hooker should be the Heisman Trophy’s frontrunner. The once-Virginia Tech Hokie is leading the nation’s best offense.
Next Week: at No. 1 Georgia (8-0)
3. Michigan (8-0, Big Ten)
Michigan running back Blake Corum may be the best non-quarterback player in the country. Michigan averages 246 rushing yards per game, the second-most of any Power 5 school. The resume is not as impressive as others, but the eye test makes it clear the Wolverines are one of the best four teams in the FBS.
Next Week: at Rutgers (4-4)
4. Ohio State (8-0, Big Ten)
Ohio State may have the most explosive offense in FBS. The Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud is pushing through in the Heisman Trophy race. As long as they avoid an upset, the Buckeyes’ season rest on their Nov. 26 date against Michigan.
Next Week: at Northwestern (1-7)
5. Alabama (7-1, SEC)
The Crimson Tide has one of the better resumes. They were a missed field goal away from beating Tennessee on the road. CFB pundits are ready to write off Nick Saban’s team due to fatigue. Folks are tired of Alabama being in the CFB playoff mix, but the reality is they are a top-5 team, even with one loss.
Next Week: at No. 13 LSU (6-2)
6. Clemson (8-0, ACC)
Clemson is another team pundits want to write off. The narrative is the ACC is down right now. And to a degree, it’s true the ACC Coastal is rivaling the Big Ten West as the worst Power 5 division. However, Clemson plays in the ACC Atlantic division, and the Tigers have wins over Wake Forest, NC State, and Syracuse, all of which are in this week’s Power 25.
Next Week: at No. 22 Notre Dame (5-3)
7. TCU (8-0, Big 12)
TCU’s Week 1 dominance of Colorado was eye-opening enough to know the Horned Frogs were in store for a great season. Eight wins later, they sit on top of the Big 12 Conference with wins over Oklahoma State, Kansas State, Kansas, and Oklahoma already. If they run the table, they’ll be in a prime position to make the Playoff.
Next Week: vs. Texas Tech (4-4)
8. USC (7-1, Pac-12)
USC is currently the best team in a top-heavy Pac-12 Conference. Caleb Williams is the most pro-ready quarterback in the nation. Honesty, he may actually be the best quarterback in college football. Williams has tossed 24 touchdowns against one interception this season.
Next Week: vs. California (3-5)
9. Oregon (7-1, Pac-12)
Oregon has come a long way from its 46-point loss to Georgia to start the season. Since then, the Ducks have won seven straight. Oregon’s quarterback Bo Nix has resurrected his collegiate career. Through eight games, Nix has a career-high 20 touchdown passes. He never threw more than 18 in three seasons at Auburn.
Next Week: at Colorado (1-7)
10. UCLA (7-1, Pac-12)
UCLA is one nightmare outing against Oregon from being in the CFB Playoff top-6 conversation, but the Bruins bounced back with a big win over Stanford. Dorian Thompson-Robinson is one of the Pac-12’s stud group of quarterbacks.
Next Week: at Arizona State (3-5)
11. Utah (6-2, Pac-12)
Utah’s debacle with Cam Rising aside, the Utes have an impressive resume with losses to Florida and UCLA. Looking at their schedule, they can pile three more wins with a chance to shake up the Pac-12 with a Nov. 19 trip to Oregon.
Next Week: vs. Arizona (3-5)
12. Illinois (7-1, Big Ten)
Illinois is a three-point loss to Indiana from being undefeated. The Illini have won six straight. Yes, Illinois is in the Big Ten West, but they have been dominant. The Illini sport the nation’s best defense in yards, allowing 224.5 yards, and in scoring, allowing 8.9 points per game.
Next Week: vs. Michigan State (3-5)
13. LSU (6-2, SEC)
LSU got left for dead after a season-opening loss. Their blowout loss to Tennessee didn’t help. But the Tigers have won two straight since, dominating Florida and Ole Miss. Brian Kelly’s history of falling in big games will get tested again next week against an old friend Nick Saban, and the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Next Week: vs. No. 5 Alabama (7-1)
14. Ole Miss (8-1, SEC)
Does Ole Miss have the blandest resume of any top-15 team? But it’s hard to rank an 8-1 team in the SEC any lower. The 25-point loss to LSU hurt big time. Head Coach Lane Kiffin has an extra week to prepare for Ole Miss’s Nov. 12 season-defining showdown against Alabama.
Next Week: Idle
15. Wake Forest (6-2, ACC)
Wake Forest losing to Louisville on the road wasn’t a huge surprise. But getting blown out was. Can Dave Clawson have his team chalk up the loss as an aberration? How many times will the Demon Deacons turn over the football eight times in a game?
Next Week: at No. 25 NC State (6-2)
16. Kansas State (6-2, Big 12)
Adrian Martinez and Kansas State made a resounding statement to the Big 12 with a 48-0 win over Oklahoma State. There is a real buzz behind the Wildcats securing a spot in the Big 12 Championship Game.
Next Week: vs. Texas (5-3)
17. Oklahoma State (6-2, Big 12)
Once again, Mike Gundy’s Oklahoma State team lays an egg in a big game. The all-elusive clutch win continues to evade the Cowboys. Now with losses against TCU and Kansas State, OK State has to once again be cheerleaders down the stretch to get back into the Big 12 Championship Game picture.
Next Week: at Kansas (5-3)
18. Tulane (7-1, American)
Tulane has a solid resume that includes a win at Kansas State back in September. The Green Wave is 4-0 in the conference and looks steps ahead of the rest of the league. Not bad for a team that got picked to finish seventh in the conference preseason.
Next Week: at Tulsa (3-5)
19. Penn State (6-2, Big Ten)
Penn State and head coach James Franklin has to win these big games eventually. Franklin is now 1-10 against top-5 teams following Penn State’s loss to Ohio State on Saturday. Given Michigan and Ohio State are in the Big Ten, Franklin has to win those games if he plans to get the Nittany Lions in national championship contention.
Next Week: at Indiana (3-5)
20. North Carolina (7-1, ACC)
The Tar Heels rallied from an early deficit to blowout out Pittsburgh. UNC quarterback Drake Maye had another stellar performance, tossing five touchdowns against the Panthers. North Carolina sits at the mountaintop of the lackluster ACC Coastal, but their loss to Notre Dame will haunt their CFB Playoff rankings.
Next Week: at Virginia (3-5)
21. Syracuse (6-2, ACC)
The Orange suffered a second-straight loss as the Notre Dame offense ran through their vaunted defense. Dino Babers will have to regroup his team because the remainder of the Orange’s schedule is daunting. Pitt, Florida State, and Wake Forest are up next.
Next Week: at Pittsburgh (4-4)
22. Notre Dame (5-3, Independent)
Notre Dame plays its best against big-time opponents. Saturday was no different with the Irish’s 41-24 win at Syracuse. Losses to Marshall and Stanford will hurt their ranking but beating North Carolina and Syracuse stacks up well against others. They’ll need to bring their big-game energy next week against Clemson.
Next Week: vs. No. 6 Clemson (8-0)
23. Liberty (7-1, Independent)
Liberty is the second-best Group of 5 schools behind Tulane. The Flames are a one-point loss at Wake Forest away from being undefeated. Don’t overlook Liberty’s chances for a New Year’s Six bid.
Next Week: at Arkansas (5-3)
24. Coastal Carolina (7-1, Sun Belt)
Coastal Carolina is back in a familiar position. The Chandeliers are the new Boise State. Everyone loves to see them win. But can they finish the deal and get the elusive New Year’s Six Bowl?
Next Week: vs. Appalachian State (5-3)
25. NC State (6-2, ACC)
NC State is a totally different team without Devin Leary at quarterback. Hopefully, freshman quarterback MJ Morris can build on his three-touchdown performance against Virginia Tech to salvage the Wolfpack’s season.
Next Week: vs. No. 15 Wake Forest (6-2)
Next Five Out:
26. Cincinnati
27. UCF
28. Kentucky
29. Oregon State
30. Texas
