- Ohio State takes the top spot: The reigning national champions are the new No. 1 after dismantling Texas.
- LSU launches into No. 2: The Tigers moved up seven spots after a win over Clemson this weekend.
Estimated Reading Time: 6 minutes
Chaos.
That’s the only way to describe the first weekend of the college football season. Three of PFF’s preseason top-four teams went down, and four top-10 squads fell in total, providing a major shake-up to this week’s rankings.
Here’s how the PFF top 25 looks heading into Week 2. Please note that these are not the same as the PFF power rankings.
1. Ohio State Buckeyes (1-0, Previous: 5th)
Week 2 Matchup: vs. Grambling State Tigers (FCS)
The defending national champions proved they’re still the team to beat in college football, securing a 14-7 victory over top-ranked Texas. The Buckeyes’ defense was stellar in the victory, holding the Longhorns to just 4.9 yards per play. They held up in the game’s biggest moments, as Texas was just 1-for-5 on fourth-down attempts.
Ohio State doesn’t play another currently ranked team until Illinois in Week 7, so the program could remain at the top for a while.
2. LSU Tigers (1-0, Previous: 9th)
Week 2 Matchup: vs. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
Ohio State wasn’t the only school whose defense came up big in a top-10 showdown. LSU’s group shined in a 17-10 road win over No. 4 Clemson. The Tigers held Clemson to -0.316 EPA per play, their best defensive performance since the 2014 season. Clemson averaged only 4.5 yards per play, and LSU defensive coordinator Blake Baker had quarterback Cade Klubnik’s head spinning by blitzing him on 67% of his dropbacks.
If that defensive effort holds and Heisman Trophy favorite Garrett Nussmeier continues to excel, LSU is suddenly a legitimate national title contender.
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3. Penn State Nittany Lions (1-0, Previous: 3rd)
Week 2 Matchup: vs. Florida International Golden Panthers
Penn State was the lone unscathed top-four team from PFF’s preseason rankings in Week 1 after a 46-11 victory over Nevada. Edge rusher Dani Dennis-Sutton was the star of the game, posting a 96.0 PFF overall grade after forcing two forced fumbles and picking up a sack and four pressures on just 25 defensive snaps. If he continues his dominance, DDS can become the Nittany Lions’ third straight first-round pick at edge rusher — after Chop Robinson in 2024 and Abdul Carter this past season.
4. Miami (FL) Hurricanes (1-0, Previous: 11th)
Week 2 Matchup: vs. Bethune-Cookman Wildcats (FCS)
Miami secured a massive 27-24 victory on Sunday night over No. 6 Notre Dame. Edge defender Rueben Bain Jr. looked every bit like a potential top-10 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, posting a 93.6 PFF overall grade with a sack, a forced fumble and an interception. With Clemson going down to LSU, the Hurricanes now look like the favorite in the ACC.
5. Oregon Ducks (1-0, Previous: 7th)
Week 2 Matchup: vs. Oklahoma State Cowboys
Oregon took care of business in Week 1 with a 59-13 win over Montana State. The Ducks’ offense was elite in the victory, averaging 0.551 EPA per play. That would’ve been the third-best performance by the program all of last season. Oregon will look to keep things rolling this week against a Power Four opponent in Oklahoma State.
6. Texas Longhorns (0-1, Previous: 2nd)
Week 2 Matchup: vs. San Jose State Spartans
Texas drops a few spots following its loss to Ohio State on Saturday. While Arch Manning’s first three quarters weren’t pretty (41.3 PFF passing grade), don’t sell all of your stock just yet. He rebounded nicely in the fourth quarter with four big-time throws in the final eight minutes. It should be noted that the Longhorns were breaking in four new offensive linemen, and that their top three pass catchers from last year are gone.
With an easier opponent this week in San Jose State, expect Manning and the offense to work out the kinks.
7. Georgia Bulldogs (1-0, Previous: 8th)
Week 2 Matchup: vs. Austin Peay Governors (FCS)
Georgia began its 2025 season with a 45-7 win over Marshall. One of the biggest storylines for the Bulldogs is their receiving corps, which needs someone to step up after the team placed 88th in PFF receiving grade a year ago (67.2). After one week, the answer may be USC transfer Zachariah Branch.
The former five-star recruit notched an elite 90.2 PFF receiving grade against the Thundering Herd, with three catches for 95 yards and a touchdown. Incredibly, all but one of those receiving yards came after the catch.
8. Clemson Tigers (0-1, Previous: 1st)
Week 2 Matchup: vs. Troy Trojans
Clemson entered the year as our top-ranked team in college football but tumbles down to eighth following a season-opening loss to LSU. The Tigers averaged only -0.316 EPA per play on offense, easily their worst performance since the 2014 season.
Clemson will aim to get back on track this week against Troy.
9. Florida Gators (1-0, Previous: 10th)
Week 2 Matchup: vs. USF Bulls
Florida opened its season with a 55-0 shutout victory over Long Island. The Gators posted an elite 90.4 PFF defensive grade in the victory, their best since the 2018 season. Florida will need that side of the ball to show up on Saturday against a USF team that just handled No. 25 Boise State 34-7.
10. South Carolina Gamecocks (1-0, Previous: 15th)
Week 2 Matchup: vs. South Carolina State Bulldogs (FCS)
Even after five of its players were selected in the 2025 NFL Draft, South Carolina’s defense looked fantastic in a 24-11 win over Virginia Tech. The Gamecocks allowed only -0.315 EPA per pass, which would’ve been their second-best mark all of last season.
11. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (0-1, Previous: 6th)
12. Florida State Seminoles (1-0, Previous: NR)
13. Texas A&M Aggies (1-0, Previous: 13th)
14. Illinois Fighting Illini (1-0, Previous: 14th)
15. Tennessee Volunteers (1-0, Previous: 22nd)
16. Alabama Crimson Tide (0-1, Previous: 4th)
17. Indiana Hoosiers (1-0, Previous: 12th)
18. Auburn Tigers (1-0, Previous: 25th)
19. Utah Utes (1-0, Previous: 20th)
20. Arizona State Sun Devils (1-0, Previous: 16th)
21. Iowa State Cyclones (2-0, Previous: NR)
22. Texas Tech Red Raiders (1-0, Previous: 17th)
23. Louisville Cardinals (1-0, Previous: 18th)
24. SMU Mustangs (1-0, Previous: 19th)
25. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (1-0, Previous: NR)
Dropped: Kansas State Wildcats (No. 21), Ole Miss Rebels (No. 23), Michigan Wolverines (No. 24)
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