In a dramatic reshuffling of the AP Top 25 rankings following a tumultuous Week 1 of college football, Florida State surged to the No. 4 spot, while Colorado and Duke made impressive debuts in the rankings. The weekend’s matchups saw unranked teams staging major upsets, with TCU and Clemson falling victim to the underdogs, and Florida State delivering a resounding victory against LSU. Here’s a closer look at the Week 2 AP Poll Top 25 rankings:
1. Georgia (1,569 points): The Bulldogs retained their top spot with a convincing 48-7 win against UT Martin, extending their winning streak to a school-record 18 games.
2. Michigan (1,485 points): Michigan secured its No. 2 position with a 30-3 victory over East Carolina. Running back Blake Corum’s rushing touchdown tied him for the most rushing touchdowns among active FBS players.
3. Alabama (1,424 points): Alabama, now at No. 3, started its campaign with a dominant 56-7 win over Middle Tennessee. Quarterback Jalen Milroe made history by becoming the first Alabama QB to throw three touchdowns and rush for two more.
4. Florida State (1,384 points): A statement victory against LSU propelled Florida State to the No. 4 spot. Their 45-24 win showcased the talents of sixth-year quarterback Jordan Travis, who threw for nearly 350 yards.
5. Ohio State (1,308 points): Ohio State, previously ranked No. 3, slipped to No. 5 after a hard-fought 23-3 victory over Indiana. The game highlighted some challenges for the Buckeyes as they adapt to a new quarterback.
6. Southern Cal (1,255 points): Southern Cal retained its No. 6 ranking with a decisive 66-14 win against Nevada. Quarterback Caleb Williams stood out, achieving a rare feat among USC quarterbacks.
7. Penn State (1,212 points): Penn State secured the No. 7 position by defeating West Virginia 38-15. Quarterback Drew Allar impressed in his first career start with 325 yards and three touchdown passes.
8. Washington (1,107 points): Washington moved up two spots to No. 8 after a 56-19 victory over Boise State. Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. set records with over 400 yards passing and five touchdowns.
9. Tennessee (975 points): Tennessee climbed to No. 9 with a convincing 49-13 win over Virginia. The team has been a scoring machine since coach Josh Heupel took over in 2021.
10. Notre Dame (967 points): Notre Dame surged to No. 10 after a resounding 56-3 victory over Tennessee State. Quarterback Sam Hartman extended his streak with a touchdown pass in 32 consecutive games.
11. Texas (935 points): Texas maintained its No. 11 ranking with a 37-10 win against Rice. The game marked a defensive resurgence for Texas, ending a turnover drought.
12. Utah (919 points): Utah moved up to No. 12 following a 24-11 win over Florida. Their defense held Florida to just 13 rushing yards, marking a tough start for the Gators.
13. Oregon (823 points): Oregon stood firm at No. 13 after an 81-7 demolition of Portland State. Their 81 points were the most in a Pac-12 opener since 1991.
14. LSU (706 points): LSU dropped significantly from No. 5 to No. 14 after a 45-24 loss to Florida State. Coach Brian Kelly’s record in AP top-10 matchups took a hit with this loss.
15. Kansas State (579 points): Kansas State climbed to No. 15 with a commanding 45-0 win over Southeast Missouri State. Quarterback Will Howard made history with a multi-faceted performance.
16. Oregon State (558 points): Oregon State moved up two spots to No. 16 after a 42-17 victory over San Jose State. The Pac-12 has enjoyed an undefeated start to the season.
17. North Carolina (551 points): North Carolina climbed to No. 17 with a 31-17 win over South Carolina. Coach Mack Brown achieved a significant milestone with his 100th win at two different FBS schools.
18. Oklahoma (426 points): Oklahoma rose to No. 18 following a staggering 73-0 win over Arkansas State. It marked one of the largest season-opening wins for the program.
19. Wisconsin (407 points): Wisconsin secured the No. 19 spot with a 38-17 win over Buffalo. The Badgers displayed impressive offensive firepower.
20. Ole Miss (379 points): Ole Miss climbed two spots to No. 20 after a dominant 73-7 victory over Mercer. The Rebels showcased their prowess with a 66-point margin.
21. Duke (343 points): Duke made an impactful entry into the rankings at No. 21 after a historic win over then-No. 9 Clemson. It was Duke’s first win over a top-10 team since 1989.
22. Colorado (269 points): Colorado burst into the rankings at No. 22 after defeating No. 17 TCU 45-42. The game featured a standout performance by quarterback Shedeur Sanders and wide receiver Travis Hunter.
23. Texas A&M (267 points): Texas A&M maintained its No. 23 ranking with a 52-10 win over New Mexico. Quarterback Conner Weigman made history with five touchdown passes.
24. Tulane (241 points): Tulane held its No. 24 ranking following a 37-17 win over South Alabama. Quarterback Michael Pratt achieved a school record with 72 career touchdown passes.
25. Clemson (141 points): Clemson tumbled from No. 9 to No. 25 after a disappointing 28-7 loss to Duke. The game marked Clemson’s fewest points against an unranked team in the Dabo Swinney era.
These rankings set the stage for an exciting Week 2 of college football, with several intriguing matchups on the horizon. As the season unfolds, college football fans can expect more thrilling action and surprising outcomes. Stay tuned for more updates and game coverage.