College Football Power Rankings: Ranking the Top 25 Teams Heading into Week 2
College Football power rankings as we head into Week 2 of the 2023-2024 season. Wil Week 1 in the books, Matt McCuen gives us his Week 2 college football power rankings from across the country. Which teams moved up and which fell down? Find out here.
Matt McCuen - September 5, 2023, 10:12 AM EDT
7 minCollege Football Power Rankings: Ranking the Top 25 Teams Heading into Week 2
Week 1 in college football is in the books and there have been some teams living up to the hype and others falling short. Deion Sanders' Colorado team came in and upset No. 17 TCU, but Clemson looked atrocious against ACC bottom-feeder Duke in a loss. So, where do the top-25 teams in the country fall? Before you make any college football picks for the week ahead, handicapper Matt McCuen is here to break down his college football power rankings as we head into Week 2.
College Football Power Rankings - Week 2
1. Georgia
There is no doubt that the Bulldogs remain the best team in college football. Week one was not expected to be a competitive game, and the Bulldogs took care of business, beating Ut Martin 48-7 as their defense looked dominant all game.
2. Florida State
The Seminoles were number three in my pre-season poll, and after the biggest win of the weekend, I am moving them up a spot. The offense was as good as advertised, led by Heisman hopeful Jordan Travis. The Seminole's defense was outstanding vs. the run while forcing a pair of turnovers.
3. Alabama
Alabama may be underrated this year as this may be the most talented roster in college football. The biggest question mark for the team is the quarterback position, and all three quarterbacks played in the week one win.
4. Michigan
Michigan looked a bit sluggish on offense in week one vs. East Carolina. Michigan scored just thirty points in the win. The defense for the Wolverines was outstanding, allowing just 235 yards and no touchdowns.
Can Michigan win a loaded Big Ten for the third straight year? Check out the latest odds here
5. Penn State
I was high on this Nittany Lions team entering the year, and I remain high on them after week one. Drew Allar is one of the more underrated quarterbacks in the nation and lit up the West Virginia defense in week one.
6. USC
The Trojans improved to 2-0 on the season. Caleb Williams is undoubtedly the best quarterback in the county and has been as good as advertised in the first two weeks. The only thing that will hold this team back potentially is their defense.
7. Ohio State
Starting Quarterback Kyle McCord was underwhelming in his first start at Ohio State and will look to rebound in week two. The Buckeyes scored just twenty points vs. Indiana, and for as talented as this offense is, that is unacceptable. The encouraging aspect of week one was the team's defense, which allowed just three points.
8. Washington
The Huskies fell behind early but dominated a good Boise State team. Michael Penix Jr. will be in the Heisman race all season long, and he gets the opportunity to work with one of the best-receiving cores in all of college football.
9. Texas
The Longhorns looked solid in week one, scoring thirty-seven points led by one of the nation's best quarterbacks, Quinn Ewers. The offense has enough talent to compete for a national championship, and if the defense plays up to par, this will be a dangerous team.
10. Notre Dame
The Irish are 2-0 to start the season and finally have their quarterback. Wake Forrest transfer Sam Hartman has been lights out in his first two starts, and in normal Notre Dame fashion, this is an outstanding defense. The Irish will have their first real test of the season on the road vs. NC State on Saturday.
11. LSU
I will not hold this loss against LSU too much as I believe Florida State is the second-best team in college football, but the Tigers got dominated in the second half. LSU will attempt to rebound in week two at home vs. Grambling.
12. Tennessee
This was one of the best offenses in college football in 2022, and they looked up to par in week one. Joe Milton three for 201 yards and a pair of touchdowns as the team picked up 499 yards on offense.
13. Oregon State
Perhaps one of the most underrated teams in the nation; I loved what I saw from the Beavers in week one. This is one of the best offensive lines in football paired with a potential top-ten defense. Dj Uagheli looked great in his first start, combing for five touchdowns through the air and on the ground.
14. Utah
The Utes impressed vs. Florida in week one despite not having their starting quarterback, Cam Rising. This high-level defense will compete to win the PAC 12 title.
15. North Carolina
Drake Maye was my pre-season pick to win the Heisman trophy award, and he showed flashes of why in the week one win vs. South Carolina. The most impressive thing for Carolina was their front seven, which was all over Spencer Rattler.
16. Oregon
It is hard to score eighty-one points, but the Ducks did just that in week one, forcing their mascot, Puddles, into distress for all of the push-ups he had to do after scores. Bo Nix brings loads of experience to this team and when healthy, they can compete to win a conference championship.
17. Kansas State
The reigning Big-12 champions took care of business in week one, blowing out Se Missouri 45-0. This is a highly talented team led by quarterback Will Howard.
Texas and Oklahoma have all the hype, but does the Big-12 go through Manhattan, Kansas?
18. Ole Miss
The Rebels looked outstanding on offense in week one, hanging seventy-three points on Mercer. Ole Miss has one of the toughest schedules in college football, but in typical Lane Kiffin fashion, this will be one of the best offenses in the nation.
19. Texas A&M
Jimbo Fisher leads an ultra-talented roster that looked good in week one. The SEC is as deep this year as it has been in any season in recent memory, but if this team stays healthy, they can compete for an SEC title.
20. Oklahoma
The Sooners are coming off a putrid 2022 season in which they finished under the .500 mark. This team will be playing with a chip on their shoulder, led by southpaw Dylan Gabriel. Oklahoma could not have played better in week one, beating Arkansas State 73-0.
21. Wisconsin
The Badgers came out a bit sluggish in their win vs. Buffalo, but this should be one of the best defenses in college football led by head coach Luke Fickell.
22. Iowa
Iowa came out hot, but their offense struggled in the second half of the win. The good thing is that their defense looked as good as advertised, and if this team is going to be successful, it will be because of their defense.
23. Clemson
Clemson got blown out in their week one game vs. Duke, which will move them down fourteen spots from my week one ranking. Clemson was lifeless on the offensive side of the football and struggled defensively in the second half. Despite the poor showing in week one, this is still a top twenty-five team as we head into week two.
24. Tulane
The Green Wave was tested in week one as they played a good South Alabama team. The Green Wave offense put up thirty-seven points, led by veteran Michael Pratt.
25. UCLA
Chip Kelly and the Bruins took care of business in week one, beating a good Coastal Carolina team. The defense was the most impressive part of the win, holding Costal to just thirteen points.
College Football Odds
