After a big weekend of college football that included Georgia holding on for a home win over Notre Dame and Wisconsin dominating Michigan, the top ten teams in the nation are beginning to get clearer.
1. Clemson Tigers (4-0) | Last week: 1
Trevor Lawrence and other starters didn’t play much in Clemson’s rout of Charlotte, as a bunch of players at all positions received a good amount of playing time. It’s nice to see Dabo Swinney allow guys that are working hard in practice to get real action in the games, and he was right when he said the Tigers could’ve scored 100 points but that it’s not about stats and winning a Heisman.
2. Alabama Crimson Tide (4-0) | Last week: 2
The Crimson Tide coasted to a 49-7 win against Southern Miss, with Tua Tagovailoa throwing more touchdowns (five) than incompletions (four). Running back Najee Harris got going on the ground, with 110 yards on 14 carries. Alabama is tied for just 24th in total defense, but they’re ninth in the nation in scoring defense, with just 10.8 points allowed per game.
3. Georgia Bulldogs (4-0) | Last week: 3
It was a little too close for comfort, but Georgia was able to get a late stop to secure their 23-17 victory versus Notre Dame last Saturday night to improve to 4-0 on the year. Quarterback Jake Fromm isn’t putting up huge numbers, but he’s playing exceptionally well and keeps the Bulldogs in every game. Graduate transfer receiver Lawrence Cager came up big for Georgia, with 82 yards and a key touchdown in the win over the Irish.
4. LSU Tigers (4-0) | Last week: 4
LSU’s defense giving up 38 points against an inferior opponent doesn’t seem right, but it’s not the end of the world with the way the offense is playing. Joe Burrow threw for 398 yards and six touchdowns in the Tigers’ win over Vanderbilt, and the rushing attack did its part with over 150 yards. But Terrance Marshall Jr. (fractured foot) is a big loss for the offense, and guys will have to step up for the team’s leader in touchdown receptions this season (six).
5. Oklahoma Sooners (3-0) | Last week: 5
The Sooners had a bye week and actually dropped a spot in the AP poll, but they stay at No. 5 here. They host Texas Tech this Saturday.
6. Ohio State Buckeyes (4-0) | Last week: 6
After a 76-5 win over Miami (Ohio) in which Justin Fields scored six second-quarter touchdowns, Ohio State moved up to No. 5 in the AP poll. The Buckeyes are off to a very impressive start to the season and have superb athletes all over the field operating at a high level, but things should get more challenging the next two weeks when they face Nebraska and Michigan State.
7. Auburn Tigers (4-0) | Last week: 7
They let Texas A&M creep back into the game with 17 fourth-quarter points, but that was a strong effort overall for Auburn in their 28-20 win at College Station. Stud defensive lineman Derrick Brown recorded two sacks in the victory for the undefeated Tigers, while Anthony Schwartz showed that he might be the fastest player in the country after a blazing 57-yard touchdown run to set the tone for Auburn.
8. Wisconsin Badgers (3-0) | Last week: 10 (+2)
The Badgers had the benefit of playing at home, but there was no question they were the vastly superior team to Michigan over the weekend. Michigan had a chance to make it a two-score game late, but the matchup felt more lopsided than the 35-14 score indicates. Heisman contender Jonathan Taylor ran for 203 yards and two touchdowns in the win, while the defense was lights out for most of the game.
9. Texas Longhorns (3-1) | Last week: 9
21 second-quarter points, a couple of key second-half scoring drives, and two interceptions by the defense powered Texas’ 36-30 win against Oklahoma State. Sam Ehlinger connected for four touchdowns to four different receivers, while he, Keaontay Ingram, and Roschon Johnson all did damage on the ground for the Longhorns. The defense must improve, though, and the team can’t look past a trip to West Virginia this Saturday with the Sooners on deck.
10. Florida Gators (4-0) | Last week: NR
Believe it or not, Florida quarterback Kyle Trask did not make a start since his freshman year of high school (for the junior varsity team) before starting for the Gators last Saturday in relief of Felipe Franks being done for the season. Trask looked pretty comfortable considering the situation, and he should only get better with more experience. The Gators and their talented roster should handle Towson this week before likely back-to-back top-ten matchups with Auburn and LSU.