2024 College Football Power Rankings: Tennessee, Miami surge into top five after top teams struggle in Week 2

Georgia

Georgia continues to roll behind a potent passing assault and the stingiest protection within the nation, which has but to permit a landing. Carson Beck threw 5 landing passes, tying the varsity report, in a 48-3 win towards FCS Tennessee Tech to stretch the Bulldogs’ profitable streak to 41 video games within the common season. The Bulldogs is probably not challenged till Oct. 19 at Texas.–2-0

Texas

For the second time in as a few years, Texas thrashed a blue blood on the highway with a flawless efficiency from their quarterback. Michigan might not sniff the Large Ten title this yr, however the Wolverines are nonetheless stable. Nearly as good as Quinn Ewers was Saturday, that protection was nearly as magnificent. Ewers enters Week 3 as the one participant within the final 30 years to throw three or extra TDs towards prime 10 groups on the highway in back-to-back seasons. The Heisman favourite is just not executed, both, people.12-0

Ohio State

If it is not clear but that the most effective freshman receiver within the nation is Jeremiah Smith, simply activate the movie. The nation’s No. 1 total prospect a yr in the past has amassed 211 yards and three touchdowns by means of two video games and is simply 54 yards away from surpassing the most effective season by a freshman bluechip receiver at Ohio State within the Ryan Day period (Carnell Tate, 2023).12-0

Tennessee

Josh Heupel’s offense was once more marvelous within the 51-10 demolition of NC State, however the most effective storyline is the Vols’ protection and their play within the trenches. They accrued 13 TFLs and three sacks whereas limiting NC State to 143 whole yards with three turnovers, together with a pick-six.62-0

Miami (FL)

All aboard the Cane Prepare. For all the troubles about Cam Ward’s erratic play at Washington State final season, it is changing into clearer by the week that it was due to the dearth of expertise round him. He is the most effective quarterback in Florida – and possibly the nation. Ward enters Week 3 as the primary Miami QB since 2009 to begin a season with 600 yards by means of two video games.72-0

Ole Miss

Ole Miss’ preseason schedule is over. Blowouts of Furman and Center Tennessee (128-3 mixed rating) had been flawless exhibitions for Lane Kiffin’s offense and underrated protection. Jaxson Dart broke the SEC report for consecutive completions to begin a sport (24) within the 52-3 win towards Center Tennessee. He is accomplished 87% of his passes to this point. A harder – however not difficult – take a look at awaits at Wake Forest this week.22-07

Utah

Utah dealt with enterprise in a nonconference Large 12 battle towards Baylor, however questions on veteran quarterback Cam Rising’s well being will hover this week. He suffered an damage to his proper throwing hand however is anticipated to be OK after sitting out the second half. The seventh-year senior will get time to relaxation, if he wants it, this week towards Utah State.22-0

Alabama

Do not let the ultimate rating idiot you. Alabama was in a large battle with South Florida (once more) earlier than pulling away for a 42-16 win. The Crimson Tide have points on the offensive line, and the offense struggled to eclipse 3.5 yards per play by means of the primary three quarters. Three misplaced fumbles within the second half did not assist. In contrast to final yr, Jalen Milroe wasn’t benched, however assist is required up entrance towards the elite defenses on the schedule.22-0

Missouri

Missouri, very like Ole Miss, has executed what it must do towards two subpar groups. The Tigers outscored Murray State and Buffalo 89-0, and regardless of Brady Cook dinner not throwing a landing cross Saturday towards Buffalo, they’ve loads of firepower — and a protection to gradual anyone on the schedule. Boston School this week isn’t any pushover.62-0

Oregon

The Cardiac Quacks did it once more, surviving a scare from Boise State and Ashton Jeanty, maybe the most effective working again within the nation. The problems are on the offensive line, which once more needed to begin a walk-on at heart and shook up lineups 11 occasions for 4 totally different lineups towards the Broncos. Oregon has already allowed extra sacks by means of two video games (7) than it did all final season.32-011

Penn State

James Franklin believes not sufficient folks had been speaking about Penn State’s protection after Week 1. Properly, we at the moment are after Bowling Inexperienced grabbed a 24-17 lead within the first half earlier than the Nittany Lions rallied for a 34-27 win. Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen every eclipsed 100 yards speeding. Repair that protection, Penn State, or a minimum of do not sleep by means of the alarm for the following early kickoff.32-0

USC

USC’s protection has turned issues round below first-year coordinator D’Anton Lynn. The Trojans recorded their first shutout since 2011 in a 48-0 blowout of Utah State every week after their spectacular efficiency towards LSU. Quarterback Miller Moss was environment friendly, Woody Marks eclipsed 100 yards speeding and USC is ready to make noise in two weeks at Michigan.12-0

LSU

Nicholls State hung round within the first half earlier than LSU powered on its offense, however Garrett Nussmeier was once more spectacular. He threw six landing passes, the second-most in program historical past. Out of the blue, the journey to South Carolina this week is a giant take a look at. The Gamecocks blasted Kentucky on the highway of their SEC opener.–1-1

Kansas State

Tulane’s offensive cross interference in the long run zone will dominate the dialog this week about Kansas State’s shut name at Tulane, however give credit score to the Wildcats for rallying towards a traditionally troublesome Inexperienced Wave program on the highway. The Wildcats trailed by double digits within the second half. RB DJ Giddens carried the Wildcats along with his sixth straight 100-yard sport.32-0

Oklahoma

Brent Venables stated Oklahoma deserved to lose, and he isn’t mistaken. The 16-12 victory towards out-matched Houston was a head scratcher, and loads of purple flags are flying in Norman two weeks earlier than the SEC opener towards Tennessee. Oklahoma had solely 249 yards of offense.12-0

Iowa State

Iowa State had essentially the most spectacular comeback win of the week and shook off its Cy-Hawk demons in Iowa Metropolis with a subject aim within the remaining seconds. Iowa misplaced a sport it led by 13 factors or extra within the second half for the primary time in 10 years (57 video games). Receiver Jaylen Noel was electrical (133 yards, TD) towards a top-tier protection, and ISU’s unit shut down QB Cade McNamara (99 yards).NR2-0

Oklahoma State

Oklahoma State one way or the other beat Arkansas regardless of dropping in practically each statistical class, however the skilled group capitalized on turnovers and the offense picked up the slack after trailing by two touchdowns. The Razorbacks misplaced regardless of out-gaining the Cowboys 648-385. OSU’s lack of push with a veteran offensive line is regarding (2.3 yards per rush).22-0

Clemson

Clemson was on hearth towards a top-tier Group of 5 crew, breaking faculty data (525 yards in first half) because it tried to scrub away the disappointing loss to Georgia within the opener. Cade Klubnik scored seven whole touchdowns within the first half towards Appalachian State. We’ll want to observe star defensive sort out Peter Woods, who was injured on a chop block.61-1

Michigan

This clearly is not the Michigan of 2023 or 2022. The Wolverines have issues at quarterback, regardless of who takes the snap, and The Large Home does not look as daunting after Texas snapped their 23-game profitable streak at house. Are we overreacting, simply as we did when Georgia thrashed Clemson? Most likely not. At this level, it is time to keep on with QB Davis Warren.51-1

 

Louisville

We’ll have to attend two weeks earlier than we work out if Louisville is worthy of consideration within the prime 15. A relaxation week is forward earlier than internet hosting Georgia Tech. The Cardinals chewed up 610 yards and 7 totally different gamers scored in a 49-14 win towards Jacksonville State.NR2-0

Northern Illinois

Northern Illinois jumps into the rankings following the largest upset of the season. The Huskies overpowered Notre Dame within the trenches and RB Antario Brown had a efficiency to recollect, surpassing his profession whole in receiving in only one sport (125 yards) whereas speeding for 99 yards. The MAC is now 1-51 towards AP prime 5 groups.NR2-0

Syracuse

Fran Brown stated final week he owes Ryan Day a bottle of champagne for sending QB Kyle McCord to the switch portal. The Orange coach ought to embody a charcuterie board with the supply. McCord threw for 381 yards and 4 TDs within the 31-28 win towards No. 23 Georgia Tech, the primary Orange QB since 2007 to report a 350-yard, four-touchdown efficiency.NR2-0

Notre Dame

We have been right here earlier than with Marcus Freeman, and although the Combating Irish might bounce again, when does the pinnacle coach cease dropping video games to unranked groups as a heavy favourite? Freeman has misplaced three such video games in three years. The offense was horrible towards Northern Illinois, which is loopy to see after this system added Mike Denbrock as offensive coordinator, Riley Leonard as QB and a slew of receivers from the portal.181-1

Nebraska

Nebraska did not have to do something particular to knock the shine off flashy Colorado. The Cornhuskers constructed a 28-0 lead behind QB Dylan Raiola and a pick-six and coasted within the second half because the Buffaloes’ speeding woes continued (16 yards). Nebraska’s offense is coming to life as its protection continues to be nice, permitting 24 factors or much less in 9 straight video games.12-0

Illinois

The Illini beat one other prime 25 crew in Bret Bielema vogue with a low-scoring upset. The Illini pressured Kansas QB Jalon Daniels into 4 turnovers, together with a pick-six, within the 19-17 win. UTSA switch Zakhari Franklin (99 yards) lastly got here to life after a disappointing 2023 season. The journey to Nebraska in two weeks might characteristic two top-20 groups.NR2-0