College Power Rankings Week 2

Alabama is obviously my top team in college football. If there were any doubts, they won the national championship last year, and they play in the SEC. Now let’s get to business.

1. Alabama (2–0) Up Next – Duke (1–1)

‘Bama made Penn State, then no. 18 in the nation, look like a bug on their windshield. The Nittany Lions didn’t even score until the fourth quarter, and that was a field goal. Next up is Duke. Expect a monster score in that one.

2. Ohio State (2–0) Up Next – Ohio (1–1)

So much for an interesting matchup. Terrelle Pryor didn’t have the best day in the air, but he ran all over the Hurricanes defense. The score wasn’t really indicative of the true beat down that the Buckeyes put on the Hurricanes.

3. Boise State (1–0) Up Next – Wyoming (1–1)

Boise State was off last week but now their easy schedule kicks in. I'm sure Wyoming and future opponents would like to have a say in that but I’ll tell them now, “GET OUT OF BOISE STATES’ WAY!”

4. TCU (2–0) Up Next – Baylor (2–0)

Yes it was Tennessee Tech but 62–7? A ridiculously dominant game. The Horned Frogs are just as scary, if not more, than the Boise State Broncos. The Baylor Bears will be a little more of a challenge this week for TCU.

5. Texas (2–0) Up Next – Texas Tech (2–0)

They seem to be getting off to slow starts in games. Luckily they haven’t faced any one too difficult. They will have to get off to a fast start against Tommy Tuberville’s Red Raiders.

6. Oregon (2–0) Up Next – Portland State (1–1)

Oregon beat New Mexico 72-0 in their season opener. What did they do for an encore? Dismantle Tennessee. They destroyed an SEC team 48-13. I feel sorry for Portland State this week.

7. Nebraska (2–0) Up Next – Washington (1–1)

They might have the second best defense behind ‘Bama. I wouldn’t be surprised if they didn’t let anyone score more than 20 or 25 points in a game this season. Sure that doesn’t sound all that great, but look at the Oregon scores.

8. Florida (2–0) Up Next – Tennessee (1–1)

Oregon beat Tennessee by 35 points. What will Florida do? Probably not that big of a margin of victory but 25 isn’t that bad. It could be more if the Gators could get on a typical Florida roll.

9. Iowa (2–0) Up Next – (21) Arizona(2–0)

Ricky Stanzi wasn’t all that great but the Hawkeyes’ running game was insane. They had as many rushing yards as in-state rivals, Iowa State Cyclones, had total yards. Iowa will get a true test from Nick Foles and the Arizona Wildcats.

10. Oklahoma (2–0) Up Next – Air Force (2–0)

They destroyed Florida State but I'm not going to drink the juice just yet. In the latest ESPN the Magazine, they found out that the Sooners are typically eight spots overrated. In other words, they fall eight spots from where they were ranked at the beginning of the season. So like I said, I won’t go head over heels for them.

11. Wisconsin (2–0) Up Next – Arizona State (2–0)

They weren’t very impressive against San Jose State but the Hurricanes lost. So by default, they jump up a spot. I don’t expect a great outcome for the Badgers against the Sun Devils unless RB John Clay goes off for Wisconsin.

12. Arkansas (2–0) Up Next – Georgia (1–1)

The Razorbacks have a great QB in Ryan Mallett. He threw for 400 yards against LA–Monroe. The Warhawks aren’t the best team obviously but Malllett performed accordingly. The competition is a little better this week, but Mallett should still throw for at least 300 yards against the Bulldogs.

13. USC (2–0) Up Next – Minnesota (1–1)

They haven’t performed the greatest but they have not lost yet. Either way, they aren’t going anywhere since they can’t be in a bowl. With a tough schedule, they could slide in the next couple of weeks. Lane Kiffin better motivate them, and fast.

14. LSU (2–0) Up Next – Mississippi State (1–1)

280 rushing yards is nice, especially when just your rush yards were more than double the opposing team’s total offense. Jordan Jefferson wasn’t good in the air, but when you can just hand off to multiple running backs it doesn’t matter. It helps that they have a dominant defense.

15. Stanford (2–0) Up Next – Wake Forest (2–0)

Andrew Luck threw two TDs and still wasn’t very impressive. Whatever Jim Harbaugh is doing up at Stanford, it is working. They destroyed the putrid UCLA Bruins 35-0. Wake Forest should be more of a challenge this week, but I’ll take the Cardinal by double digits.

16. Auburn (2–0) Up Next – Clemson (2–0)

QB Cameron Newton had another typical game, as dual threat to pass or run. He didn’t do either particularly well against Mississippi State and will have to have an extraordinary game to beat Kyle Parker and the Clemson Tigers. Parker could make the ACC a very interesting conference, especially if he forgoes the rest of his eligibility in football. He was drafted in the first round by the MLB’s Colorado Rockies.

17. Miami (Fl.) (1–1) Up Next – OFF

The Hurricanes next game is September 23rd. They will need the time to lick their wounds from Ohio State. Bad memories of 2003 Fiesta Bowl popped into my head during that game.

18. Utah (2–0) Up Next – New Mexico (0–2)

The Utes always seem to be good, but then again, they don’t have the most difficult schedule in the world. Don’t put them with the nation’s elite just yet.

19. South Carolina(2–0) Up Next – Furman (1–0)

Everyone is on their band wagon. But count me out. They have a nice defense, only allowing 9.5 points per game. But then again, they played a depleted Georgia team and Southern Miss. They have a weak offense as well. When their SEC schedule kicks in, I’ll be the one laughing at the people on the bandwagon.

20. Arizona (2–0) Up Next – (9) Iowa (2–0)

Nick Foles is no slouch in a Pac 10 littered with very good QBs. At 6’5” and 245 lbs. he is a big guy with a big arm. Iowa will need their secondary to stop one of the nation’s top offenses.

21. WVU (2–0) Up Next – Maryland (2–0)

Marshall took them into overtime. That doesn’t provoke a lot of confidence in the Mountaineers for me. Maryland is a different kind of monster. They may have only played “minor league teams,” but they always have some of the most athletic players in all of football. Can the Mountaineers compete with that?

22. Houston (2–0) Up Next – UCLA (0–2)

QB Case Keenum can light up a scoreboard in a hurry. The sad thing? He hasn’t played up to his 2009 and 2008 numbers. Expect a huge game by Keenum and the nation’s highest scoring offense against the lowly Bruins.

23. Penn State (1–1) Up Next – Kent State (1–1)

Joe Paterno’s team lost to ‘Bama in a big way. So expect a big win against Kent State. Joe Pa will get his team back on the straight and narrow. A BCS bowl is still in sight for this young team.

24. Virginia Tech (0–2)Up Next – East Carolina (2–0)

Yes, they lost both of their games. And yes, they lost to James Madison, but I just can’t see them playing that poorly the rest of the way. I think Hokies, head coach Frank Beamer will light a fire under his team and they will dominate games the rest of the way.

25. Michigan (2–0) Up Next – Massachusetts (2–0)

Everyone is on the Wolverines bandwagon. I say it’s because of the name of the school. They are the winningest football program in history, but don’t think this team is on the comeback. Just before the game, many fans were still yelling “Fire Rich Rodriguez!” Hard to believe those feelings will change after an overrated 2-0 start. They have played UCONN and Notre Dame. Big whoop de doo. Notre Dame is not good. let me repeat that for you: NOTRE DAME IS NOT GOOD. They haven’t been your grandpa’s Fighting Irish in a long time. Funny thing, Notre Dame probably would be here on other people’s rankings if they had won. I reluctantly put Michigan here, but no way would I have put the Fighting Irish here if they were victorious. Sure Denard Robinson looks good but he hasn’t faced a good defense, and won’t see one until (9)Iowa on October 16th. Until then? Take everything you hear about Michigan with a lump of salt. Yes, a lump of salt.