If the first full week was any indication, the 2022 college football season is going to be a great one. The Week 2 power rankings already include a new No. 1 team.
1. Georgia Bulldogs (1-0) | Last week: 3 (+2)
There was some hope for a relatively close game on Saturday afternoon, but Georgia completely dismantled Oregon to kick off their 2022 season about as well as possible. The defending champions have reloaded just like the Alabama teams under Nick Saban have over the years, and quarterback Stetson Bennett has complete control of the Bulldogs offense.
2. Alabama Crimson Tide (1-0) | Last week: 2 (-1)
Alabama couldn’t have asked for more from their opening game, handling Utah State, 55-0. The drop to No. 2 is just a matter of us having Georgia too low in our preseason rankings. The Crimson Tide defense smothered the opposition, and Bryce Young totaled six touchdowns (five passing, one rushing) in the victory.
3. Ohio State Buckeyes (1-0) | Last week: 2 (-1)
Jaxon Smith-Njigba leaving the game because of a leg issue didn’t help, but the Ohio State offense was off by a touch to begin the season versus Notre Dame until they were able to get going in the second half. The run game led by TreVeyon Henderson (15 carries, 91 yards) and Miyan Williams (14 carries, 84 yards, one touchdown) might be relied on often by Ryan Day if opposing defenses don’t want to let the Buckeyes throw all over the field.
4. Clemson Tigers (1-0) | Last week: 4
Clemson also had a relatively slow start by their standards—but they were at least ahead for most of the game and eventually separated for a 41-10 win at conference opponent Georgia Tech. A slimmer DJ Uiagelelei played well, and exciting freshman Cade Klubnik entered the game and showed major flashes that has the Tigers excited.
5. Michigan Wolverines (1-0) | Last week: 6 (+1)
Michigan dominated from the jump of their 51-7 win against Colorado State, moving up four spots to No. 4 in the AP poll after their showing. At quarterback, Cade McNamara threw a touchdown while J.J. McCarthy ran for one. The Wolverines will look to handle Hawaii similarly this Saturday night in the The Big House.
6. Texas A&M Aggies (1-0) | Last week: 5 (-1)
Alnias Smith starred in the Aggies’ first game of the year, catching six passes for 164 yards and two touchdowns. Haynes King threw a couple of interceptions, but he threw for 364 passing yards and three touchdowns. Next up, Texas A&M hosts an Appalachian State team that just took North Carolina down to the wire.
7. Oklahoma Sooners (1-0) | Last week: 10 (+3)
The Brent Venables era as the head guy at Oklahoma began with a 45-13 win versus UTEP, and the potential of the defense has Sooners fans optimistic about their CFP chances. Transfer quarterback Dillon Gabriel threw a couple of touchdowns to Brayden Willis, while Marcus Major ran for two touchdowns—and Gavin Freeman scored on a 46-yard reverse.
8. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (0-1) | Last week: 7 (-1)
Marcus Freeman had a tough task facing his alma mater in Columbus to begin his first season as Notre Dame’s head coach, and his team acquitted themselves nicely with a style of play that had them in control for the first half of the game, which was closer than the 21-10 score might indicate. The Fighting Irish will play Marshall this week as they look to get to 1-1.
9. Florida Gators (1-0) | Last week: NR
Utah-Florida was one of the top games of Week 1, and the Gators take the Utes’ spot in the top ten after a thrilling home victory. Quarterback Anthony Richardson dazzled throughout the evening, with 11 carries for 106 yards and three touchdowns on the ground along with a smooth two-point conversion through the air:
Still thinking about this Anthony Richardson play from last night 🤯
Unreal 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Azn1FCNW9N
— ESPN (@espn) September 4, 2022
10. Baylor Bears (1-0) | Last week: NR
The defending Big 12 champions scored at least 14 points in every quarter of their 69-10 win versus Albany. A matchup with No. 21 BYU late this Saturday night will obviously be a bigger challenge for Dave Aranda’s squad.