The first few weeks of the 2022 college football season have been about as wild as you can hope for. Four new teams already join the top ten of the latest power rankings after last week.
1. Georgia Bulldogs (2-0) | Last week: 1
Georgia, now also No. 1 in the AP poll, handled Samford as expected on Saturday. The defense stonewalled the visiting Bulldogs, and the Georgia offense was able to get guys playing time and spread the ball around to 15 different receivers. The Dawgs begin SEC play this Saturday when they go to South Carolina.
2. Alabama Crimson Tide (2-0) | Last week: 2
The three-touchdown favorite Crimson Tide were open the ropes in Austin, but Bryce Young again looked like a magician on the game-winning drive to help Alabama avoid the early-season upset loss. The penalties for Nick Saban’s squad were very uncharacteristic, but they should get that cleaned up quickly. The big concern for Alabama is the need for receivers to step up around Young.
3. Ohio State Buckeyes (2-0) | Last week: 3
Ohio State is not lacking for premier talent on the outside, with Marvin Harrison Jr. getting the headlines last week after catching three touchdowns from C.J. Stroud versus Arkansas State. The Buckeyes will host Toledo this weekend before beginning the Big Ten schedule.
4. Clemson Tigers (2-0) | Last week: 4
DJ Uiagelelei again did some damage with his legs in Clemson’s second game of the season, and Cade Klubnik only saw very limited action in the 35-12 victory over Furman. The Tigers are five-touchdown favorites for a home matchup with Louisiana Tech on Saturday night.
5. Michigan Wolverines (2-0) | Last week: 5
The quarterback plan for Jim Harbaugh was criticized by some but appears to have worked perfectly. J.J. McCarthy went 11/12 for 229 yards and three touchdowns against Hawaii, and he’ll be the starting quarterback for Michigan. Cade McNamara was key in getting the Wolverines to the College Football Playoff last season, but McCarthy’s dual threat ability might offer more upside for the reigning Big Ten champions. Michigan could be up a spot or two in the rankings.
6. USC Trojans (2-0) | Last week: NR
The USC defense boasted a strong pass rush and was able to force a couple of interceptions at Stanford, but the story was Caleb Williams and the offense. The Oklahoma transfer is super comfortable running Lincoln Riley’s system, and Pitt transfer Jordan Addison (seven receptions, 172 yards, two touchdowns) and fellow Oklahoma transfer Mario Williams (four receptions, 74 yards, one touchdowns) made big plays in primetime.
7. Oklahoma Sooners (2-0) | Last week: 7
The Oklahoma defense was stellar against the run in their 33-3 win over Kent State, and Dillon Gabriel went 21/28 for 296 yards and three touchdowns on offense—with Marvin Mims starring with seven receptions for 163 yards and two touchdowns. Mims is flying under the radar as a third-year player that’s emerging as one of the best big-play threats in the nation.
8. Kentucky Wildcats (2-0) | Last week: NR
Anthony Richardson and Florida were deservingly getting a lot of hype after the first full week of the season, but Mike Stoops’ Kentucky squad came ready to play in “The Swamp” and pulled off the huge SEC win. The Wildcats defense should be among the best in the country all season.
9. Texas Longhorns (1-1) | Last week: NR
Too high for Texas after a loss? The performance versus No. 1 Alabama deserves a close look—maybe the Longhorns will fall off to some extent after playing what might turn out to be their best all-around effort all year. However, Steve Sarkisian is obviously doing a nice job with the program. Bijan Robinson is one of the best players in the nation, and the Crimson Tide couldn’t stick with Xavier Worthy at receiver. It’s a shame that Quinn Ewers was knocked out of the game and will now miss time with a shoulder injury, but Hudson Card did well at quarterback for Texas.
10. Arkansas Razorbacks (2-0) | Last week: NR
KJ Jefferson and the Arkansas offense are clicking, and the Razorbacks scored five touchdowns on the ground (by four different players, led by Reheim Sanders rushing 24 times for 156 yards and two touchdowns) with the dual threat Jefferson complementing with his arm (18/21, 162 yards, one touchdown). Arkansas already has a ranked win over Cincinnati, and they’ll look to push their record to 3-0 when hosting Missouri State on Saturday.