Ohio State moved to the top of my Associated Press Top 25 ballot after the Buckeyes defeated Texas 14-7. The remainder of the Top 5 on my ballot: No. 2 LSU, No. 3 Georgia, No. 4 Penn State and No. 5 Miami.
New teams in my ballot this week: Florida State, South Carolina, Iowa State and Auburn. Falling out of my Top 25 was Alabama, Kansas State, Indiana and Louisville.
My Top 25 ballot after Week 1:
The defending national champions held off Texas 14-7. The victory was the fifth consecutive for the Buckeyes and Coach Ryan Day against a Top 7-ranked team. Last year, Ohio State won the national title with wins against No. 7 Tennessee, No. 1 Oregon, No. 4 Texas and No. 3 Notre Dame. Ohio State continues its non-conference schedule the next two weeks with home games against Grambling and Ohio.
2. LSU (1-0)
LSU won the battle of the Tigers at Clemson with a dominating second half performance. Trailing 10-7 at the half, LSU blanked Clemson 14-0 in the second half for Coach Brian Kelly‘s first season opening win in four seasons at LSU. The Tigers host Louisiana Tech Saturday before beginning a rugged SEC slate in two weeks against Florida.
The Bulldogs coasted in their opener against overmatched Marshall 38-7. Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch gave a glimpse of what to expect from the USC transfer, with 95 yards receiving on five catches. QB Gunner Stockton led the Bulldogs in rushing with 73 yards on 10 carries. Georgia hosts Austin Peay on Saturday before opening SEC play next week at Tennessee.
The Nittany Lions opened with a comfortable 46-11 win against Nevada. Penn State QB Drew Allar completed 22 of 26 for 217 yards and a TD and added 20 yards rushing. The Nittany Lions remain at home for consecutive games against non-conference foes, FIU on Saturday and Villanova on Sept. 13, before opening Big Ten play Sept. 27 at Oregon.
Led by a pair of transfers on offense – QB Carson Beck and WR CJ Daniels – the Hurricanes upset Notre Dame 27-24 on Sunday night. Beck threw for 205 yards and two TDs, including a remarkable one-handed catch by Daniels to end the first half. It was the Hurricanes’ seventh consecutive victory in Miami against the Irish. Miami hosts Bethune-Cookman Saturday, the first of four consecutive games against Florida opponents. After Bethune, Miami hosts USF and Florida then visits Florida State to open ACC play.
The Longhorns became the first preseason AP No. 1-ranked team to be shut out in the first half of a season opener since 1988 in UT’s 14-7 loss at Ohio State. The Longhorns actually outgained Ohio State by more than 130 yards and held the Buckeyes to only 203 yards. However, UT couldn’t overcome its red zone offensive struggles. QB Arch Manning was limited to 170 yards, completing 17 of 30. Texas hosts San Jose State Saturday, the first of three consecutive non-conference games before opening SEC at Florida on Oct. 4.
The Ducks jumped to a 38-3 halftime lead against Montana State and coasted to a 59-13 win. It was Oregon’s 19th consecutive regular season victory. QB Dante Moore sparked the offense, throwing for 213 yards and three TDs. The Ducks host Oklahoma State Saturday and then open Big Ten play the following week at Northwestern.
The Seminoles pulled off the most stunning victory of the weekend, by rolling Alabama 31-17. Florida State was a two TD underdog, but dominated the Tide behind QB Thomas Castellanos (152 yards passing, 78 yards rushing). With new OC Gus Malzahn’s play-calling, the Seminoles piled up 230 yards rushing. FSU hosts East Texas A&M Saturday.
Clemson was held scoreless in the second half in its 17-10 loss to LSU, the Tigers’ third consecutive season opening loss under Coach Dabo Swinney. Clemson QB Cade Klubnik threw for 230 yards, but the Tigers were limited to 31 yards rushing on 20 carries. Clemson tries to rebound at home Saturday before opening ACC play the following week at Georgia Tech.
The Fighting Irish lost their seventh consecutive game in Miami Sunday night 27-24. Notre Dame freshman QB CJ Carr was impressive in his first start, rallying the Irish from a 10-point deficit in the final 6 minutes to tie the Hurricanes at 24. Notre Dame is off this week before hosting Texas A&M on Sept. 13, potentially the Irish’s final ranked opponent this season. A loss to the Aggies could derail the Irish’s College Football Playoff hopes.
11. Michigan (1-0)
Result: Win 34-17 vs. New Mexico
12. Texas A&M (1-0)
Result: Win 42-24 vs. UTSA
13. Utah (1-0)
Result: Win 43-10 at UCLA
14. SMU (1-0)
Result: Win 42-13 vs. East Texas A&M
15. Florida (1-0)
Result: Win 55-0 vs. Long Island
16. Illinois (1-0)
Result: Win 52-3 vs. Western Illinois
17. Oklahoma (1-0)
Result: Win 35-3 vs. Illinois State
18. Tennessee (1-0)
Result: Win 45-26 vs. Syracuse in Atlanta
19. Arizona State (1-0)
Result: Win 38-19 vs. Northern Arizona
20. Ole Miss (1-0)
Result: Win 63-7 vs. Georgia State
21. South Carolina (1-0)
Result: Win 24-11 vs. Virginia Tech in Atlanta
22. USC (1-0)
Result: Win 73-13 vs. Missouri State
23. Iowa State (2-0)
Result: Win 24-21 vs. Kansas State in Ireland, Win 55-7 vs. South Dakota
24. Texas Tech (1-0)
Result: Win 67-7 vs. Arkansas Pine-Bluff
25. Auburn (1-0)
Result: Win 38-24 at Baylor
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