1. USC Trojans (1-0) LW 1
USC did exactly what they were suppose to do. They dominated a lesser team. In this case it was Hawaii. The Trojans looked like one of the best teams in the nation. Their offense was running on all cylinders with QB Matt Barkley throwing the ball all over the field to the tune of 372 yards and 3 TDs. 197 of those yards were to MarQise Lee. The defensive was also showed what they have. Holding Hawaii scoreless for the first half and only allowing 10 points to a team that has the ability to score points. This team looks like the real deal.
2. Alabama Crimson Tide (1-0) LW 3
I don't normally like moving a team ahead of somebody in the top 3 with both teams winning. However it is too hard to not be impressed with Alabama's thrashing of Michigan. Sure I know that Michigan was probably overrated, but Alabama still dominated the game. And that's hard to ignore. Their defense had to replace a lot of players, but they are still deep with talent and they shut down one of the most dynamic players in college football. Watch out SEC, Alabama ain't going anywhere!
3. LSU Tigers (1-0) LW 2
LSU moves down a spot, but it really doesn't have anything to do with them. It's more of what rival Alabama did. But LSU took care of their business and it was largely due to the play of their defense and RB Kenny Hilliard. Hilliard rushed for 141 yards and 2 TDs, one of which he took to the house from 60 yards out. This is a good sign for the Tigers because the team will only go as far as the offense takes him.
4. Oregon Ducks (1-0) LW 4
Even with a redshirt freshman QB starting for the first time, the Ducks are still the high flying team we've come to know. QB Marcus Mariota looked like a season pro throwing for 3 touchdowns in his first game. I'm glad to see that Oregon is still using De'Anthony Thomas in the hybrid RB/WR role. With so much talent at RB it is a great way to keep him on the field. The Oregon defense did give up 34 points, which isn't great for their "best defense under Chip Kelly" but most of it was late so that could be a factor.
5. Georgia Bulldogs (1-0) LW 7
The good news for Georgia is that they blew out Buffalo and true freshman Todd Gurley showed some glimpse of becoming a threat at the running back position. That bad news is that their defense gave up 23 points and 347 yards to a Buffalo team that isn't very good. That also diminishes Gurley's accomplishments. 55 of his 100 yards were on 1 play. But none the less once the Bulldogs got things going they played at a high level. The Bulldogs get a big test this next weekend when they face off against SEC new comer Missouri. Missouri has a high flying offense that should really test how good the Bulldog defense is. Should be a good one!
6. South Carolina Gamecocks (1-0) LW 8
When QB Connor Shaw went down with a shoulder injury, the Gamecocks offense really struggled. Luckily he came back and was able to lead South Carolina to a hard fought victory over an improved Vanderbilt team. Marcus Lattimore rushed for 110 yards, but if the Gamecocks want to win the SEC Title, they'll have to develop some playmakers on offense, or it will be hard to score on the elite SEC defenses they'll see later.
7. Oklahoma Sooners (1-0) LW 6
Sooner fans had to be sweating bullets going into the 4th quarter only up 3 points on lowly UTEP. But two TDs later and the Sooners got out of the game with a 17 point victory. Not what you'd expect out of a top 10 team. Even if they did have to go to UTEP. They should have won that game by 30 points or more. But the bright side is that the defense was stellar. They didn't give up a single point (only UTEP TD was on a blocked punt) and will need to keep playing at a high level if the Sooners want to get back to a BCS Bowl or in the National Title picture.
8. Clemson Tigers (1-0) LW 10
After the debacle that was the Orange Bowl last year, the Clemson Tigers were very eager to start the season and show everybody that they are an improved team. It wasn't a blow out, but the Tigers won a hard fought game against a top 25 contender Auburn. They did it without their top playmaker in WR Sammie Watkins who was suspended for the game. However they did get a huge boost from RB Andre Ellington who rushed 231 yards and WR DeAndre Hopkins who set a school record with 13 receptions. Watkins will be back next game, but they'll need to keep having their defense step up when they need them if they are going to make noise this season.
9. Arkansas Razorbacks (1-0) LW 11
You can really tell that the Razorbacks are anxious to move past the whole Bobby Petrino drama and have the type of season everybody was talking about before Petrino crashed his motorcycle. QB Taylor Wilson was a big part of that setting a school record for most yards in an opening game with 367. He did that without his top three WRs returning from last year. The Razorbacks did get RB Knile Davis back and that will really help balance this offense out which was pretty pass heavy last year.
10. Michigan State Spartans (1-0) LW 13
We learned a couple of things from Michigan State's narrow victory over Boise State. First is that their defense is as good as advertised. Holding Boise without a TD is pretty good. I don't care if Kellen Moore and Doug Martin aren't there, that is still a pretty good accomplishment. Second, Le'Veon Bell is a stud and thrust himself into the Heisman race with his 210 yard 2 TD performance. But the real story is the play of Andrew Maxwell. In his first start Maxwell didn't look good. He threw 3 interceptions and threw into coverage several more times. MSU has the chance to have a special season, but they'll need Maxwell to improve.
11. Wisconsin Badgers (1-0) LW 9
It took a batted down pass on 4th down in Wisconsin territory for the Badgers to escape with the win. No this win wasn't against Michigan State or Ohio State. It was against Northern Iowa. No not Iowa, Northern Iowa. The FCS school. Yes Northern Iowa is a top FCS program, but Wisconsin is suppose to be a top FBS program. They should be manhandling UNI with their over sized offensive line and talent everywhere. Instead the Badgers struggled. Badger fans better hope it was just one game, but with a practically new coaching staff and new players all over it could be a long season.
12. Virginia Tech Hokies (1-0) LW 12
Anytime you play Georgia Tech it's going to be a long game. Whether you have a month to prepare or just a week their triple option attack is so unique that it puts a strain on any defense. That showed in VaTech's 20-17 win in overtime. The star of the game was VaTech kicker Cody Journall whose kicks at the end of regulation and in overtime won them the game. QB Logan Thomas was solid, but not spectacular. However he came up big when his team needed him the most. The biggest thing is that the Hokies got out with a win.
13. Ohio State Buckeyes (1-0) LW 14
It took till the 2nd quarter, but Ohio State made quick work of Miami (OH) in new HC Urban Meyer's debut with the Buckeyes. QB Braxton Miller was the star of the game and looks to be the perfect QB for Meyer's offense. He rushed for 161 yards and passed for 207, but the key was that he looked very comfortable running the offense. The Buckeyes now move on to face Central Florida in what should be a step up in competition. However the Buckeyes have a ton of momentum. Too bad for them they can't play in any post season competition.
14. Michigan Wolverines (0-1) LW 5
Every year there is a team that gets over hyped. This year it was Michigan. It's understandable. What they did last season was remarkable. And with a lot of talent returning on offense many people thought they'd be one of the top teams in the nation. Well they fell flat on their face against Alabama. The Crimson Tide dominated the game and it wasn't close. It could be just one game and it could be Alabama being a really good team. But Michigan better get their stuff in gear, cause Michigan State, Ohio State and Nebraska all looked very good in their season openers.
15. West Virginia Mountaineers (1-0) LW 18
West Virginia had so much fun scoring more than 60 points in a game against Clemson in the Orange Bowl, they decided to do it again. This time it was against in-state rival Marshall. QB Geno Smith was practically flawless completing 88% of his passes and throwing for 323 yards and 4 TDs. Pretty impressive. That performance has to have defensive coordinators in the Big 12 scrambling to think of a way to stop this offense. But a little advise from me, good luck!
16. Nebraska Cornhuskers (1-0) LW 19
With defending Conference USA champion Southern Miss coming to town, the Huskers knew they'd have their hands full. However it turned out to be pretty easy for Nebraska. QB Taylor Martinez showed off his new and improved throwing mechanics to the tune of 354 yards and 5 TDs. Not too bad coming from a QB that use to shot put the football to the receivers. However there was a little bad news for the Huskers in that star RB Rex Burkhead left the game in the 1st quarter with a strained MCL. He should be fine, but the offense relies so much on him and if the injury lingers that could spell some trouble. But if Martinez keeps playing like that they should be fine.
17. Florida State Seminoles (1-0) LW 17
What a day to be a Florida State Seminole running back. Especially with their top three backs each scoring at least 2 TDs a piece. Heck maybe I could have gone out there and rushed for one? Probably not, but it was a great sign for an offense that needs to find an idenity this year. Defensively the Seminoles look like the dominant group that finished last season 4th overall in total defense. Bjoern Werner lead the way with 4 sacks and the defense held the Racers to only 156 total yards and 3 points. Pretty good day for the 'Noles, but I'm still not ready to believe they are a top 10 team. Still have a lot to prove.
18. Texas Longhorns (1-0) LW 15
Texas was placed on upset alert after a first quarter where they allowed 9 points and 178 yards. However the defense stepped up and the Longhorn RBs were able to take control and roll to a 20 point victory. Texas was lead by two headed monster Malcolm Brown and Joe Bergeron who both eclipsed the 100 yard mark. This is a vast difference than the teams Mack Brown had the past several years where they struggled to find somebody that would keep defenses honest. Now they have two! Things are looking good for the Longhorns. Especially after Oklahoma struggled against UTEP.
19. Kansas State Wildcats (1-0) LW 16
Late in the 3rd quarter the Wildcats were tied 9-9 with FCS Missouri State and fans had to be thinking they could lose this game. But then KState rifled off 42 straight points (35 in the 4th quarter) to blow the game open and cruise to a 42 point lead. Winning by 42 points has to feel good, but you have to worry that starting the game off slow could come back to burn the Wildcats later in the season. Especially when Big 12 game start and they are facing offenses like West Virginia, Oklahoma State, and Baylor. Won't be able to afford to fall behind against those teams.
20. Lousiville Cardinals (1-0) LW 22
Head Coach Charlie Strong has done a great job of building a team at Louisville. Especially after the debacle that was the Steve Kragthorpe era. Against in state rival Kentucky, the Cardinals blew through them on their way to a victory. It was a pretty efficient day for Louisville. QB Teddy Bridgewater completed 19-21 passes 232 yards while both Jeremy Wright and Senorise Perry both rushed for over 100 yards. Louisville is clearly the class of the Big East, but I'm looking forward to their match up with FIU on Sept 22. That will be a battle of two very underrated teams.
21. Florida Gators (1-0) LW 20
This game was not what most Gator fans thought they were going to get. 14-14 tie in the middle of the 3rd quarter against the Bowling Green Falcons. Yet another top 25 team struggling with a lower tiered school. But this shouldn't be too big of a surprise considering that the Gators offense has struggled since Tim Tebow left three years ago. Here the Gators relied on the running game to get the win, getting 148 yards from Mike Gillislee. But the Gators are going to need QB Jeff Driskel to step up if they are going to beat the likes of Georgia and South Carolina.
22. TCU Horned Frogs (0-0) LW 23
TCU is one of the few teams that didn't have a game this past weekend. Instead they'll be opening up their season this upcoming weekend against FCS Grambling State who is already 0-1 to start the year. TCU shouldn't have too much trouble with Tigers. TCU is lead by QB Casey Pachal who got off to a slow start last year before really catching stride half way through the season. Now he is the leader of the team and the expected star player. They'll need him to be huge now that they are in the Big 12 and playing against top level competition game in and game out. It should be interesting to see how they fare.
23. Oklahoma State Cowboys (1-0) LW NR
84 points. Those are the combined points in the Oklahoma State Savannah State game. But the kicker is that OSU scored all 84 of them. Sure it was a FCS team (tell that to Pittsburgh and Wisconsin) but anytime you score 84 points in college football that is quite the feat. Oklahoma State is doing their best to show that they are going to still stick around and have success even without Justin Blackmon and Brandon Weeden. And after a game like that, I believe them.
24. Stanford Cardinal (1-0) LW 21
We quickly found out how much the Cardinal are going to miss Andrew Luck and company. In their opening game against San Jose State the Cardinal struggled to score points and had to rely on a interception to preserve the win. They better get things figured out because SJSU is suppose to be their easiest game of the year. It could be a long year on the farm.
25. Baylor Bears (1-0) LW NR
RG who? Robert Griffin III may have brought national attention to the Baylor program, but QB Nick Florence is doing all he can to help people forget about RG3. Florence threw for 341 yards and 4 TDs and that was only through 3 quarters. Not too bad. But Florence isn't a stranger to Baylor fans. As a freshman he was their starter for the 2nd half of the season when RG3 tore his ACL. His prior experience and all the talent around him will allow the Bears to stay right in the thick of the Big 12 and help from having Baylor slip back into anonymity.
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