The first big weekend of the 2018 college football season is in the books, ending with a couple of routs on back-to-back nights after the jam-packed Saturday. A lot will change until the first College Football Playoff rankings release on October 30, but we’ll be ranking the top ten teams each week up to and through then.
1. Alabama (1-0)
As expected, the Crimson Tide rolled to a 51-14 victory against Louisville. Both Tua Tagovailoa and Jalen Hurts had playing time and both played well, but Tagovailoa in particular really played an outstanding game (though he did receive more opportunities). The media is making a big deal about it, but Alabama’s so-called “quarterback problem” might be the best quarterback situation in the country.
2. Clemson (1-0)
Clemson’s quarterback situation isn’t too bad, either. Kelly Bryant played very well, showing good touch on his throws while doing damage on the ground; and talented true freshman Trevor Lawrence came in and threw the ball as well as advertised. The defense was dominant against Furman, but they should be tested more against Texas A&M this Saturday, as they run into Jimbo Fisher despite the former Florida State coach leaving the ACC.
3. Georgia (1-0)
Georgia dominated their tune-up game against Austin Peay, and they’ll jump right into their SEC schedule as they head to South Carolina to face the Gamecocks in the prime afternoon matchup on CBS.
4. Wisconsin (1-0)
The quarterback-running back combo of Alex Hornibrook and Jonathan Taylor picked up right where they left off last season, combining for four touchdowns in Wisconsin’s win against Western Kentucky. The Badgers should be able to handle New Mexico at home this Saturday.
5. Ohio State (1-0)
Ohio State tied a school record for points in a season opener (77) against Oregon State, and they’re now one win away from being the second school in major college football to hit the 900-win mark. At home against Rutgers, they should get it.
6. Auburn (1-0)
The best win of the season through one week belongs to Auburn, who held on to win a close one against Pac-12 favorite Washington. The win could have big ramifications if things are close in the final College Football Playoff rankings, showing that it can pay off to schedule tough out-of-conference games.
7. Penn State (1-0)
People are probably getting too low on Penn State after one game, which they won, against Appalachian State. Miles Sanders (career-high 91 yards against Appalachian State) did a great job leading the running back group sans Saquon Barkley. Armani Oruwariye stepped up for the defense to clinch the game in overtime, and they must carry momentum heading into a tough matchup with Pittsburgh.
8. Oklahoma (1-0)
The trio of Kyler Murray, Rodney Anderson, and Marquise “Hollywood” Brown led Oklahoma to 63 points and ensured Lane Kiffin’s FAU squad didn’t have a chance for an upset. Now they’ll face a UCLA squad that’s coming off a loss to Cincinnati.
9. LSU (1-0)
There were some doubters of LSU entering the year, but they certainly came to play on Sunday night in a convincing 33-17 victory over Miami. Ohio State transfer Joe Burrows played better than the numbers (11/24, 140 yards) indicate, and he could be the program’s best quarterback in a while.
10. Washington (0-1)
It was just one game, so people shouldn’t call Washington’s close loss to Auburn an indictment on the Pac-12. However, it was a big loss for the Huskies, who probably cannot afford to drop anymore games if they’re going to be in the Playoff discussion at the end of the season.
The polls dropped PSU so far.
Too far probably.