Image Courtesy: The Oklahoman
AP Top 5
1.Ohio State 1-0 (0-0) Big Ten This week: Grambling (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, BTN)
2.Penn State 1-0 (0-0) Big Ten This week: Florida International (Saturday, 12 PM ET, BTN)
3.LSU 1-0 (0-0) SEC This week: Louisiana Tech (Saturday, 7:30 PM ET, ESPN+)
4.Georgia 1-0 (0-0) SEC This week: Austin Peay (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, ESPN+)
5.Miami 1-0 (0-0) ACC This week: Bethune-Cookman (Saturday, 7 PM ET, ESPN)
Biggest risers and fallers in the AP Top 25 this week:
Risers
1.Ohio State 1-0 (0-0) Big Teen Week 1: #3 (Defeated 1.Texas 14-7)
3.LSU 1-0 (0-0) SEC Week 1: #9 (Defeated 4.Clemson 17-10)
5.Miami 1-0 (0-0) ACC Week 1: #10 (Defeated 6.Notre Dame 27-24)
16.Iowa State 2-0 (1-0) Big 12 Week 1: #22 (Defeated South Dakota 55-7)
Fallers
7.Texas 0-1 (0-0) SEC Week 1: #1 (Lost to 3.Ohio State 14-7)
8.Clemson 0-1 (0-0) ACC Week 1: #4 (Lost to 9.LSU 17-10)
9.Notre Dame 0-1 (0-0) Independents Week 1: #6 (Lost to 10.Miami 27-24)
21.Alabama 0-1 (0-0) SEC Week 1: #8 (Lost to Florida State 31-17)
23.Indiana 1-0 (0-0) Big Ten Week 1: #20 (Defeated Old Dominion 27-14)
Dropped Out
Boise State 0-1 (0-0) Mountain West Week 1: #25 (Lost to South Florida 34-7)
New
14.Florida State 1-0 (0-0) ACC Week 1: NR (Defeated 8.Alabama 31-17)
25.Utah 1-0 (0-0) Big 12 Week 1: NR (Defeated UCLA 43-10)
Key games this weekend (Rankings based off of AP Poll)
Saturday, September 6
11.Illinois (1-0) @ Duke (1-0)
12 PM ET, ESPN
Illinois rose to no. 11 in the AP Poll after their season-opening 52-3 victory over instate opponent Western Illinois. The Fighting Illini meet their first true test on the road against Manny Diaz and Duke in Durham. The Blue Devils dominated Elon 45-17 last Thursday to begin their 2025 campaign.
Bret Bielema’s team gave up only three points last Friday against the Bulldogs. Linebacker Gabe Jacas (4 tackles, 2 sacks, and a forced fumble) led the way against the Bulldogs. He will look to do the same against Tulane transfer Darian Mensah and the Duke offense. Mensah, who threw for 389 yards and 3 touchdowns in week 1 will look to get the ball down the field to one of his favorite targets Cooper Barkate (5 catches for 117 yards), Que’Sean Brown (6 catches for 93 yards), and Sahmir Hagans (5 catches for 54 yards and 2 TDs).
The Blue Devils must run the ball better against the Fighting Illini if they want to protect their home field. The four tailbacks they used combined for just 169 yards overall and 2 touchdowns. Gabe Jacas and the Illinois defense will be ready to stop Duke consistently if they cannot rely on both the run and the pass.
Luke Altmyer threw just four incompletions in a surgical performance where he threw for 217 yards and 3 touchdowns. Duke linebacker Jaiden Francois’ will look to build on an incredible 10-tackle performance on Friday as he attempts to stop Altmyer, running back Aidan Laughery (9 carries for 101 yards and 2 TDs), and receiver Hank Beatty (5 catches for 108 yards.).
All eyes will be on Durham as the Blue Devils attempt to get a nonconference win for the ACC after an okay week 1 for the league. Illinois will battle Duke in a close one and come out on top by playing a quality fourth quarter and clinching the victor
Projected Score: Illinois 34, Duke 24
Iowa (1-0) @ 16.Iowa State (2-0)
12 PM ET, FOX
The battle for the Cy-Hawk trophy heads to Ames this weekend. The home team, the Cyclones are already 2-0 with a victory over Kansas State in the opener in Dublin before returning home to a victory over South Dakota. The Cyclones’ instate rival Iowa only has one game under their belts and it was a 34-7 victory over Albany on Saturday.
Through two games, Iowa State’s Rocco Becht has already thrown for 461 yards and 5 touchdowns with an impressive 83.4 QBR. Iowa defensive end Max Llewellyn (1 sack) and defensive back TJ Hall (5 tackles) will look to make things difficult on the road for Becht and the Cyclone offense. Receiver Brett Eskildsen and tight end Gabe Burkle have combined for 12 catches, 239 yards, and 2 touchdowns so far this season and will be a great help for Becht down the field against what is normally a tough Hawkeye defense.
Iowa’s offense has been pedestrian for most of Kirk Ferentz’s tenure as head coach. Xavier Williams leads the Hawkeyes at tailback, carrying the ball 11 times for 122 yards and a score. Williams is attempting to help his quarterback Mark Gronowski get the ball down the field to his receivers and tight ends after he passed for only 44 yards and a touchdown against Albany. Gronowki’s down the field passing problems may not end against an Iowa State secondary led by Jamison Patton, who has 13 tackles and an interception through two weeks. Williams and Iowa’s group receivers (any of who don’t have a touchdown yet this season) will also have to deal with linebacker Kooper Ebel, who has a sack on the season for the Cyclones.
Because Iowa is traveling on the road and their offense’s playmaking ability down the field does not seem improved from their season opener, Iowa State will win their third consecutive game and win the Cy-Hawk Trophy.
Projected Score: Iowa State 24, Iowa 7
Kansas (2-0) @ Missouri (1-0)
3:30 PM ET, ESPN2
Kansas heads to Missouri to continue the “Border War” series for the first time since November 26, 2011. These two schools and states hate each other and it has been a rivalry since the age of the Civil War.
The Jayhawks dominated both Fresno State (31-7) in week 0 and Wagner (46-7) in week 1 before the huge match up in Columbia this weekend. Jalon Daniels has lit up defenses through two games throwing seven touchdowns to just one interception. Daniel Hishaw (158 yards and 1 TD) joins him in the backfield at running back with Emmanuel Henderson Jr. (9 catches for 154 yards and 2 TDs) on the outside at receiver. The Tiger front seven will present many problems to Daniels, Hishaw, Henderson Jr., and the Jayhawk offense. Defensive end Damon Wilson’s two sacks and linebacker Josiah Trotter’s eight tackles will be crucial in stopping Daniels’ passing attack and Hishaw’s ground game.
Missouri lost backup signal-caller Sam Horn to injury just minutes into Thursday’s season-opener against Central Arkansas. So, much will be entrusted to Penn State transfer Beau Pribula, who looked good against the Bears, accounted for 283 yards through the air, 65 yards on the ground, and 4 touchdowns overall. ULM transfer running back Ahmad Hardy started slow but he reached 100 yards and a score. Marquis Johnson starred against UCA, going for 134 yards on just five catches and a touchdown. Pribula, Hardy, and Johnson will look to continue their success against a Kansas defense that has given up just a touchdown in each of their first two games, but this will be their first true test.
Linebacker Trey Lathan (12 tackles) and defensive tackle DJ Withers (2 sacks) will be key in getting to sack Pribula and stopping a Missouri ground attack that took awhile to get going due to problems along the offensive line. The Jayhawk defense will have to make sure they get consistent stops because traveling on the road to their arch rival will be difficult with a stadium loaded with fans.
In what will be a back and forth affair, I expect the Kansas-Missouri game to go to the wire. Missouri will win behind a packed crowd in a game that could go to overtime.
Projected Score: Missouri 38, Kansas 31
20.Ole Miss (1-0) @ Kentucky (1-0)
3:30 PM ET, ABC
Ole Miss will look to avenge the loss that kept them out of the College Football Playoff this Saturday when they head to Lexington to face Kentucky. Last September, the Wildcats beat the Rebels by a score of 20-17. Later in the season, Ole Miss lost to LSU and Florida, making them 9-3 to finish the regular season and they missed the first annual College Football Playoffs.
The Rebels have a clear advantage in this game on offense even though they have many new starters on that side of the ball. Austin Simmons’ first game as a starter was up and down as he threw three touchdowns but he through two interceptions. That will need to be fixed as they face their first SEC opponent, the Kentucky Wildcats after they scored 63 points in a drubbing against Georgia State. Linebackers Alex Afari (13 tackles and 1 sack) and Steven Soles Jr. (2 sacks and 2 forced fumbles) will be the pivotal road blocks to prevent the Rebels’ offensive success. Simmons is joined by Kewan Lacy, who rushed for 108 yards and 3 touchdowns on 16 carries and wide receiver Harrison Wallace, who has caught five passes for 130 yards and a score.
The Wildcats beat MAC favorite Toledo by a score of 24-16. A big reason was the lack of offensive production. Kentucky’s offense is led by veteran and former Texas A&M and Auburn signal-caller Zach Calzada. Calzada was not efficient in the Wildcats’ opener against Toledo going 10-23 for 85 yards and an interception. Ole Miss has lost defensive linemen Walter Nolen and Princely Umanmielen to the NFL but current Rebels TJ Dottery (9 tackles) and Zxavian Harrison (1 sack) will make sure Calzada does not throw a touchdown on Saturday afternoon. Dante Dowdell’s 129 yards and a touchdown leads all SEC tailbacks in rushing so he should be able to help his quarterback if he can get downhill behind his offensive line.
If Lane Kiffin’s Rebels are focused on Saturday, they should blow out Kentucky. The Wildcats’ lack of offensive weapons could help the Rebels’ defense produce turnovers and they should win by multiple scores.
Projected Score: Ole Miss 31, Kentucky 13
Vanderbilt (1-0) @ Virginia Tech (0-1)
7:30 PM ET, ACCN
Vanderbilt heads to Blacksburg to face Virginia Tech on Saturday night and get their second win over the Hokies in as many seasons after a 34-27 victory last August. The Commodores dominated Charleston Southern 45-3 on Saturday. However, on Sunday Virginia Tech’s lack of focus and penalties caused them to give up 14 points in the fourth quarter and lose to South Carolina 24-11.
If the Commodores want to win a second in a row against the Hokies, they must rely on the confident Diego Pavia at quarterback. Pavia threw for 275 yards and 3 touchdowns in Vanderbilt’s last victory. His favorite target is Eli Stowers, who has caught four passes for 86 yards. Virginia Tech safety Quentin Reddish will attempt to stop the Pavia-Stowers duo and the rest of the Vanderbilt offense. Sed Alexander joins Pavia in the backfield at running back and he was an important cog for the Commodores last season against the Hokies, rushing for 69 yards and a touchdown. He will look to do even more for his team against the Hokies this season.
Virginia Tech’s offense struggled greatly with procedural penalties and overall mistakes in their loss to South Carolina on Sunday. The Hokies must hope that veteran quarterback Kyron Drones (15/35, 221 yards, and 2 INT) rebounds from his performance last weekend. Facing another SEC team, they should be more confident, especially because they do not have to deal with South Carolina star Dylan Stewart along the defensive line this weekend. Linebacker Bryce Cowan (5 tackles) and defensive tackle Zaylin Wood (1 sack) will be what Drones’ offense will have to deal with but he will have help with this playmakers. Donavon Greene (3 receptions for 94 yards) and tailback Marcellous Hawkins (15 carries for 58 yards) will help Drones out against another SEC defense.
Brent Fry’s Virginia Tech squad must get a victory this week or he may be squarely on the hot seat. It is admirable seeing the Hokies schedule back to back SEC programs but they are difficult to overcome. Vanderbilt will make a statement for the SEC and win their second consecutive against Virginia Tech.
Projected Score: Vanderbilt 31, Virginia Tech 28
12.Arizona State (1-0) @ Mississippi State (1-0)
7:30 PM ET, ESPN2
Arizona State and Mississippi State face off for the second time in as many seasons as the Sun Devils head to Starkville to face the Bulldogs on Saturday night. A win for Arizona State over an SEC program even a program like Mississippi State would help them prove they are still capable of winning the Big 12 again and a threat to make another College Football Playoff. A win for Mississippi State would definitely be an upset and a landmark win for second year head coach Jeff Lebby.
Arizona State’s offense might have lost skilled running back Cam Skattebo to the NFL in the off-season but returning quarterback Sam Leavitt (257 passing yards, 73 rushing yards, 4 overall TDs, and 1 interception) and wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (12 catches for 141 yards and 2 TDs) were impressive in their 38-19 season-opening win over Northern Arizona. Coleman Hutzler’s defense was not good in 2024 but they only gave up 17 points in their win over Southern Miss on Saturday. It will be up to safety Isaac Smith (7 tackles) and lineman (4 tackles and 1 sack) to lead the way against the talented Sun Devil offense.
Lebby’s offense will have to keep pace with Marcus Arroyo’s including the aforementioned Levitt and Tyson. It may not be as hard to score on Arizona State’s defense as it was last season after they gave up 19 points to Northern Arizona on Saturday. A big day will be expected from quarterback Blake Shapen as he builds on his week 1 performance that included 272 passing yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception. He must not turn the ball over and rely on top receiver Brenen Thompson (7 catches for 92 yards) and tailback Davon Booth (16 carries, 80 yards, and 1 TD) if they want to protect Davis Wade Stadium. The Bulldog offensive line must protect against Sun Devil linebacker Jordan Crook, who had a 7 tackle and 1 sack day last Saturday against the Lumberjacks.
This Arizona-Mississippi State matchup could very well be a close game going into the fourth quarter with the game being in Starkville, but the Bulldogs’ defense will continue to hurt them. Arizona State’s offense will power them to a 14-point victory.
Projected Score: Arizona State 38, Mississippi State 24
15.Michigan (1-0) @ 18.Oklahoma (1-0)
7:30 PM ET, ABC
College football’s top game on Saturday is another Big Ten-SEC battle. ESPN’s College GameDay will be on scene to see Sherrone Moore’s Michigan Wolverines take on Brent Venable’s Sooners in an AP Top 18 matchup.
Michigan lost to fellow SEC foe Texas last season at home but this season they will be on the road in Norman against Oklahoma. Talented freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood (251 yards and 1 TD) will be tested on the road against a quality defense that includes one of the better linebackers in the country Sammy Omosigho (8 tackles and 1 sack). Moore’s offense must trust Alabama transfer Justice Haynes (16 carries, 159 yards, 3 TDs) and tight end Marlin Klein (6 catches for 93 yards and 1 TD) to help their young quarterback in front of a raucous Norman crowd.
Oklahoma expected much from Washington State transfer signal-caller John Mateer and they got in week 1 against Illinois State. Mateer threw for an SEC-leading 392 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 1 interception in an exciting 35-3 win. More of the same will be expected against one of the Big Ten’s top teams. California transfer tailback Jaydn Ott may have a bigger role against the Wolverines than he did last Saturday as hope is he is healed from a shoulder injury he suffered in camp. If that happens, the passing game should open up to receiver Keontez Lewis (9 catches for 119 yards and 2 TDs) against a group of talented linebackers Ernest Hausmann (8 tackles) Troy Bowles (2 tackles and 1 sack).
In what should be a low-scoring affair with two talented defenses on the field, the edge goes to the home team. Oklahoma defeats Michigan with a late field goal.
Projected Score: Oklahoma 24, Michigan 21
