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 attack and the stingiest defense in the country, which has yet to allow a touchdown. Carson Beck threw five touchdown passes, tying the school record, in a 48-3 win against FCS Tennessee Tech to stretch the Bulldogs’ winning streak to 41 games in the regular season. The Bulldogs may not be challenged until Oct. 19 at Texas. — 2-0
2

Texas
For the second time in as many years, Texas thrashed a blue blood on the road with a flawless performance from their quarterback. Michigan may not sniff the Big Ten title this year, but the Wolverines are still solid. As good as Quinn Ewers was Saturday, that defense was almost as magnificent. Ewers enters Week 3 as the only player in the last 30 years to throw three or more TDs against top 10 teams on the road in back-to-back seasons. The Heisman favorite is not done, either, folks. 1 2-0
3

Ohio State
If it’s not clear yet that the best freshman receiver in the country is Jeremiah Smith, just turn on the film. The nation’s No. 1 overall prospect a year ago has amassed 211 yards and three touchdowns through two games and is only 54 yards away from surpassing the best season by a freshman bluechip receiver at Ohio State in the Ryan Day era (Carnell Tate, 2023). 1 2-0
4

Tennessee
Josh Heupel’s offense was again marvelous in the 51-10 demolition of NC State, but the best storyline is the Vols’ defense and their play in the trenches. They accumulated 13 TFLs and three sacks while limiting NC State to 143 total yards with three turnovers, including a pick-six. 6 2-0
5

Miami (FL)
All aboard the Cane Train. For all the worries about Cam Ward’s erratic play at Washington State last season, it’s becoming clearer by the week that it was because of the lack of talent around him. He’s the best quarterback in Florida – and maybe the country. Ward enters Week 3 as the first Miami QB since 2009 to start a season with 600 yards through two games. 7 2-0
6

Ole Miss
Ole Miss’ preseason schedule is over. Blowouts of Furman and Middle Tennessee (128-3 combined score) were flawless exhibitions for Lane Kiffin’s offense and underrated defense. Jaxson Dart broke the SEC record for consecutive completions to start a game (24) in the 52-3 win against Middle Tennessee. He’s completed 87% of his passes so far. A tougher – but not challenging – test awaits at Wake Forest this week. 2 2-0
7

Utah
Utah handled business in a nonconference Big 12 battle against Baylor, but questions about veteran quarterback Cam Rising’s health will hover this week. He suffered an injury to his right throwing hand but is expected to be OK after sitting out the second half. The seventh-year senior will get time to rest, if he needs it, this week against Utah State. 2 2-0
8

Alabama
Don’t let the final score fool you. Alabama was in a massive battle with South Florida (again) before pulling away for a 42-16 win. The Crimson Tide have issues on the offensive line, and the offense struggled to eclipse 3.5 yards per play through the first three quarters. Three lost fumbles in the second half didn’t help. Unlike last year, Jalen Milroe wasn’t benched, but help is needed up front against the elite defenses on the schedule. 2 2-0
9

Missouri
Missouri, much like Ole Miss, has done what it needs to do against two subpar teams. The Tigers outscored Murray State and Buffalo 89-0, and despite Brady Cook not throwing a touchdown pass Saturday against Buffalo, they have plenty of firepower — and a defense to slow anybody on the schedule. Boston College this week is no pushover. 6 2-0
10

Oregon
The Cardiac Quacks did it again, surviving a scare from Boise State and Ashton Jeanty, perhaps the best running back in the country. The issues are on the offensive line, which again had to start a walk-on at center and shook up lineups 11 times for four different lineups against the Broncos. Oregon has already allowed more sacks through two games (7) than it did all last season. 3 2-0
11

Penn State
James Franklin believes not enough people were talking about Penn State’s defense after Week 1. Well, we are now after Bowling Green grabbed a 24-17 lead in the first half before the Nittany Lions rallied for a 34-27 win. Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen each eclipsed 100 yards rushing. Fix that defense, Penn State, or at least don’t sleep through the alarm for the next early kickoff. 3 2-0
12

USC
USC’s defense has turned things around under first-year coordinator D’Anton Lynn. The Trojans recorded their first shutout since 2011 in a 48-0 blowout of Utah State a week after their impressive performance against LSU. Quarterback Miller Moss was efficient, Woody Marks eclipsed 100 yards rushing and USC is set to make noise in two weeks at Michigan. 1 2-0
13

LSU
Nicholls State hung around in the first half before LSU powered on its offense, but Garrett Nussmeier was again impressive. He threw six touchdown passes, the second-most in program history. Suddenly, the trip to South Carolina this week is a big test. The Gamecocks blasted Kentucky on the road in their SEC opener. — 1-1
14

Kansas State
Tulane’s offensive pass interference in the end zone will dominate the conversation this week about Kansas State’s close call at Tulane, but give credit to the Wildcats for rallying against a historically difficult Green Wave program on the road. The Wildcats trailed by double digits in the second half. RB DJ Giddens carried the Wildcats with his sixth straight 100-yard game. 3 2-0
15

Oklahoma
Brent Venables said Oklahoma deserved to lose, and he’s not wrong. The 16-12 victory against out-matched Houston was a head scratcher, and plenty of red flags are flying in Norman two weeks before the SEC opener against Tennessee. Oklahoma had only 249 yards of offense. 1 2-0
16

Iowa State
Iowa State had the most impressive comeback win of the week and shook off its Cy-Hawk demons in Iowa City with a field goal in the final seconds. Iowa lost a game it led by 13 points or more in the second half for the first time in 10 years (57 games). Receiver Jaylen Noel was electric (133 yards, TD) against a top-tier defense, and ISU’s unit shut down QB Cade McNamara (99 yards). NR 2-0
17

Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State somehow beat Arkansas despite losing in nearly every statistical category, but the experienced group capitalized on turnovers and the offense picked up the slack after trailing by two touchdowns. The Razorbacks lost despite out-gaining the Cowboys 648-385. OSU’s lack of push with a veteran offensive line is concerning (2.3 yards per rush). 2 2-0
18

Clemson
Clemson was on fire against a top-tier Group of Five team, breaking school records (525 yards in first half) as it attempted to wash away the disappointing loss to Georgia in the opener. Cade Klubnik scored seven total touchdowns in the first half against Appalachian State. We’ll need to monitor star defensive tackle Peter Woods, who was injured on a chop block. 6 1-1
19

Michigan
This clearly isn’t the Michigan of 2023 or 2022. The Wolverines have problems at quarterback, no matter who takes the snap, and The Big House doesn’t look as daunting after Texas snapped their 23-game winning streak at home. Are we overreacting, just as we did when Georgia thrashed Clemson? Probably not. At this point, it’s time to stick with QB Davis Warren. 5 1-1
20

Louisville
We’ll have to wait two weeks before we figure out if Louisville is worthy of consideration in the top 15. A rest week is ahead before hosting Georgia Tech. The Cardinals chewed up 610 yards and seven different players scored in a 49-14 win against Jacksonville State. NR 2-0
21

Northern Illinois
Northern Illinois jumps into the rankings following the biggest upset of the season. The Huskies overpowered Notre Dame in the trenches and RB Antario Brown had a performance to remember, surpassing his career total in receiving in just one game (125 yards) while rushing for 99 yards. The MAC is now 1-51 against AP top five teams. NR 2-0
22

Syracuse
Fran Brown said last week he owes Ryan Day a bottle of champagne for sending QB Kyle McCord to the transfer portal. The Orange coach should include a charcuterie board with the delivery. McCord threw for 381 yards and four TDs in the 31-28 win against No. 23 Georgia Tech, the first Orange QB since 2007 to record a 350-yard, four-touchdown performance. NR 2-0
23

Notre Dame
We’ve been here before with Marcus Freeman, and though the Fighting Irish may bounce back, when does the head coach stop losing games to unranked teams as a heavy favorite? Freeman has lost three such games in three years. The offense was terrible against Northern Illinois, which is crazy to see after the program added Mike Denbrock as offensive coordinator, Riley Leonard as QB and a slew of receivers from the portal. 18 1-1
24

Nebraska
Nebraska didn’t need to do anything special to knock the shine off flashy Colorado. The Cornhuskers built a 28-0 lead behind QB Dylan Raiola and a pick-six and coasted in the second half as the Buffaloes’ rushing woes continued (16 yards). Nebraska’s offense is coming to life as its defense continues to be great, allowing 24 points or less in nine straight games. 1 2-0
25

Illinois
The Illini beat another top 25 team in Bret Bielema fashion with a low-scoring upset. The Illini forced Kansas QB Jalon Daniels into four turnovers, including a pick-six, in the 19-17 win. UTSA transfer Zakhari Franklin (99 yards) finally came to life after a disappointing 2023 season. The trip to Nebraska in two weeks could feature two top-20 teams. NR 2-0