Week 2 Top 25

My week 2 rankings are a combination of do I think the team is good after what we saw in week one and did that team meet expectations based on their opponent. Also, there wasn't a ton of movement this week because many coaches say teams make their biggest improvement between weeks 1 and 2. I expect a much different set of rankings after next weeks game where many teams have major showdowns.

1. Alabama (1-0) – We didn't really learn much about the Crimson Tide against San Jose St., but there is no reason to drop them after an easy blowout win. I expect to have a much better grip on this team after the Penn St. game Saturday night.
2. Boise St. (1-0) – We learned a lot about Boise St. Despite the usual opening game snafus that most teams have (Virginia Tech had them too), the Broncos were well-prepared and took advantage of Va Tech mistakes, just like an experienced and talented bunch should do in an even game.
3. Ohio St. (1-0) – Shut out for the defense against Marshall (Marshall scored on a blocked field goal return). Ho hum. Bring on Miami.
4. Oregon (1-0) – 59-0 at halftime and 72-0. I hope for the sake of the rest of the Pac-10 that New Mexico really is that bad (highly probable).
5. Oklahoma (1-0) – That secondary has some major issues. I am already starting to rethink them as my championship pick considering losing a non-conference game is a likely kiss of death in the national title chase and the strength of Saturday opponent Florida St. is the passing game behind Christian Ponder.
6. TCU (1-0) – The toughest one for quite some time is now out of the way. Unless something unforeseen happens against SMU or Baylor, it will be smooth sailing until Utah in early November.
7. Texas (1-0) – While not nearly as questionable as Florida or Oklahoma's performances, the Longhorns weren't very impressive and for a team re-emphasizing the running game, I think there are some major problems in that area.
8. Nebraska (1-0) – Gave up more yards that expected against bottom dweller Western Kentucky but its really nitpicking when you win 49-10.
9. Florida (1-0) – That was unspeakably bad until the middle of the fourth quarter. A competent MAC and the Gators would have been in serious trouble. The obvious talent keeps them here for now.
10. Wisconsin (1-0) – Scott Tolzien had the INT bug in the first half against UNLV keeping the Rebels close. In the second it was a different story. He just didn't throw much.
11. Iowa (1-0) – A nice easy win over the over matched FCS foe. Just what the doctor ordered after last years miraculous escape.
12. Virginia Tech (0-1) – The Hokies are going to really mad at themselves for quite some time for blowing this game. That had every opportunity to win despite falling behind 17-0.
13. Utah (1-0) – Another ugly first game, but a win over a ranked team is a win over a ranked team. The Utes can now put it on cruise control for awhile too.
14. Miami (1-0) – The only notable thing that happened at Miami's opener was fans brawling in the stands. Bring on Ohio St.
15. Georgia (1-0) – Did what teams are supposed to do to over matched Sun Belt foes: Blow them up and shut them down.
16. Arizona (1-0) – Took an interesting opening road trip to Toledo (first Pac-10 school to ever play in a MAC stadium) and systematically took the Rockets apart. While that was expected on offense, it certainly wasn't on defense.
17. Florida St. (1-0) – Wonder if they will have any consistency this season after last season's up and down campaign. Also wonder if the offense will be as good on the road against a quality opponent as it seemed on Saturday.
18. Auburn (1-0) – Did half of what team are supposed to do to over matched Sun Belt opponents. Blew them up but the 26 points is cause for concern with a team that didn't really stop anyone last season.
19. Texas Tech (1-0) – The Air Raid lives as the Red Raiders threw 53 times and even played some defense until mental lapses (and a 61 yard field goal) let SMU back in the game in the 4^th quarter.
20. BYU (1-0) – Impressive second half defensive display to beat Jake Locker and Washington. Also, the two quarterback system worked well in the opener.
21. West Virginia (1-0) – Boring easy shutout over FCS foe. Marshall next. Wake me when they get to LSU at the end of the month.
22. Penn St. (1-0) – Paterno starts a true freshman quarterback for the first time overshadows some other problems. Penn St. was in some trouble against FCS foe Youngstown St. until the freshman was allowed to start throwing. Lack of running game won't fly in Tuscaloosa.
23. Georgia Tech (1-0) – Josh Nesbitt only completed 1-6 passes. Even if the option game is working he will have to be better than that once ACC play starts (though evidently not against Kansas this week).
24. Kansas St. (1-0) – Daniel Thomas is a heck of a running back and Kansas St. got a lot better as the season went on last year. In Snyder I trust. Now back to cupcakes after beating UCLA.
25. Oregon St. (0-1) – Certainly could have beaten TCU and probably would have with a veteran quarterback, but Katz wasn't quite ready to win that kind of game yet.

Dropped Out of Rankings

Cincinnati (0-1) – After giving up eight sacks at Fresno St., I expect the Bearcats to not be returning anywhere near these rankings this season.

LSU (1-0) – Nearly blew it against the carcass of North Carolina. Les Miles might want to consider ordering his offensive staff to run the score up on everyone the entire game because no lead is actually safe with these guys.

Pittsburgh (0-1) – Were lucky to even get to overtime against Utah. Have plenty of high-profile chances later in the season

Others Considered for the Rankings

Clemson (1-0) – I think they are good, but they don't play anyone to prove it for another week and I can't possibly root for them in that game since they are playing Auburn.

USC (1-0) – The defense didn't show me enough to believe they are anything but a 9-4 team against this schedule.

Arkansas (1-0) – Played an over matched FCS foe but at least the defense played well. That wasn't the case in last season's FCS slaughter.

Michigan (1-0) – Found themselves a quarterback and a defense that, at the very least, can stop the run. The walking wounded secondary should be tested this week.

Notre Dame (1-0) – An interesting and surprisingly conservative game against Purdue, but an easy win that was never really in doubt.

South Carolina (1-0) – Finally destroyed lesser competition. This team has been unable to do that for quite some time. Maybe they finally turned a corner.