College Football Week 2 Power Rankings: Texas, Colorado surge

Huddled in a corner of Bryant-Denny Stadium, Texas players sang “The Eyes of Texas” to a large contingent of fans in scorched orange T-shirts and arms raised with Hook ‘Em hand indications Saturday night. It was an unusual scene.Texas ’34-24

win over No. 3 Alabama was the Longhorns’ very first against an AP top-three team given that 2008 versus Oklahoma. It was their very first versus Alabama given that the 1982 Cotton Bowl, and the very first by double digits against Alabama considering that the 1948 Sugar Bowl.It was Alabama’s first loss by double digits when getting in the 4th quarter since 2008 versus Florida in the SEC title game, and it snapped a 21-game house win streak (longest active house winning streak in FBS).

The win released Texas as much as No. 4 in this week’s Power Rankings.Here’s a take a look at

Texas and the rest of the Power Rankings after Week 2 of the college football season.

Quarterback Carson Beck provided a workmanlike 283 yards, two touchdowns and one interception, and if you stink organizer Mike Bobo, you need to like the way the ball was spread out around with 12 players catching passes. However the story as soon as again was the Georgia defense, which pitched a first-half nothing for the 21st time considering that the start of the 2021 season– the most throughout that period. Ball State got a fourth-quarter basket to prevent a shutout, but only 3 points permitted and 2.8 backyards per rush enabled ought to have Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart feeling great about his team’s effort.– Alex Scarborough

Up next: vs. South Carolina (3:30 p.m. ET, CBS)

The Seminoles were not perfect versus Southern Miss, however you would not understand it from the final rating. There was no disappointment from Florida State after a big Week 1 win over LSU. Trey Benson ran for 3 touchdowns, while Keon Coleman included a getting touchdown– and a ludicrous hurdle after another reception as the starters played a little more than a half. This is the very first time given that 2016 that Florida State has scored 45 or more points in each of its first two games. — Andrea Adelson

Up next: at Boston College (noon ET, ABC)

Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy threw for 278 yards and 2 goals, completing 22 of 25 passes versus UNLV. Through 2 games, McCarthy owns the second- and third-highest one-game conclusion portion by a Michigan quarterback (88% today and 86.7 last week). He’s the first Huge Ten quarterback in the previous 25 years to publish an 85% conclusion portion or greater in consecutive games. Running back Blake Corum put points on the board, too, running for three goals. The Wolverines’ defense gave up simply 7 indicate UNLV after holding East Carolina to 3 points. In spite of losing some pieces along the defensive line from last season, they have been dominant through 2 weeks.– Tom VanHaaren

Up next: vs. Bowling Green (7:30 p.m., Big Ten Network)

Texas and Quinn Ewers made a Texas-sized statement in Tuscaloosa, beating No. 3 Alabama and snapping the Tide’s 21-game house winning streak. Ewers completed 24 of 38 passes for 349 lawns with a 44-yard TD to Xavier Worthy and 7- and 39-yard TD strikes to Georgia transfer Adonai Mitchell. The defense, much reviled over the last few years, intercepted Jalen Milroe two times and held the Tide to 107 lawns rushing and 3.1 backyards an attempt. This was the win Texas fans have actually been awaiting given that Steve Sarkisian arrived from Alabama. The hype around this Texas group was legit, and the toughest game on the schedule this season is now behind it. — Dave Wilson

Up next: vs. Wyoming (8 p.m. ET, Longhorn Network)

Caleb Williams needed only half a game to throw for 300 lawns and three goals, and include a hurrying rating to boot as the Trojans controlled Stanford in the Pac-12 finale in between the 2 groups. An invigorated USC defense had its best performance of the season, restricting the Cardinal offense to only 3 points through 3 quarters while also requiring 2 turnovers. Thanks to Williams’ play, rushing touchdowns from MarShawn Lloyd and Austin Jones in addition to a 75-yard punt-return TD by electric freshman Zachariah Branch, the second half was a simple rule and another chance for USC to test out its depth ahead of a bye week and harder matches to come. — Paolo Uggetti

Up next: at Arizona State, Sept. 23

The Nittany Lions’ running game remained in complete impact, representing goals on their very first four ownerships of a 63-7 win over Delaware. Kaytron Allen (103 rushing lawns, one TD) and Nicholas Singleton (47 rushing backyards, three TDs) took turns for an offense that churned out 315 rushing yards. The two sophomore running backs permitted Penn State to manage the clock substantially, scoring on 8 of 11 possessions. Quarterback Drew Allar finished 22 of 26 passes for 204 yards and a touchdown, striking eight different receivers and adding a 1-yard TD run. Defensively, the Nittany Lions held Delaware to 140 overall backyards, and linebacker Dominic DeLuca had a 26-yard pick-six. — Blake Baumgartner

Up next: at Illinois (midday ET, Fox)

After an upsetting offending opener versus Indiana that largely disregarded its star wide receivers, Ohio State not remarkably solved against FCS foe Youngstown State. Quarterback Kyle McCord discovered Biletnikoff Award favorite Marvin Harrison Jr. for a 71-yard goal on the game’s opening ownership and a 39-yard rating later on in the very first quarter. Harrison and fellow standout receiver Emeka Egbuka, who had just 5 receptions and 34 backyards against Indiana, steadied themselves with a combined 254 backyards and three goals on 12 receptions. McCord looked more comfy, completing with 258 passing lawns and 3 touchdowns, and running back TreVeyon Henderson balanced 11.2 backyards per bring with two ratings. Ohio State still has space to improve, scoring just once after halftime and struggling a bit on early third-down chances. But the much-maligned defense has permitted only 10 points through two games, as high-powered Western Kentucky check outs next week. — Adam Rittenberg

Up next: vs. Western Kentucky (4 p.m. ET, Fox)

Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. not did anything to injure his Heisman Prize candidacy in a win against Tulsa, completing 28 of 38 passes for 409 backyards with three goals and an interception. He finished passes to 10 receivers. The Huskies racked up 563 overall yards and had two 100-yard receivers in Jalen McMillan (8 receptions for 120 lawns and a rating) and Rome Odunze (seven catches for 107 lawns and a TD). 2 receivers– Ja’Lynn Polk and Odunze– each ran for a goal also. Washington tallied a minimum of 37 points for the fifth time in its past six games, going back to last season. — Baumgartner

Up next: at Michigan State (5 p.m. ET, Peacock)

In 2016, Notre Dame played in typhoon conditions at NC State and lost 10-3 as part of an unpleasant 4-8 season. The Irish would not let another weather-impacted game in Raleigh thwart them, getting rid of a one-hour, 45-minute hold-up early in the 2nd quarter to pull away from the Wolfpack behind a big-play offense and an aggressive defense. Al Golden’s blitzing defense harassed NC State quarterback Brennan Armstrong and chose off 3 passes, including interceptions on consecutive ownerships, by Xavier Watts and DJ Brown to avoid any possibility of a rally. Audric Estime set the tone on offense early by racing for an 80-yard touchdown. Quarterback Sam Hartman had 4 more touchdown passes to provide him 10 through three games at Notre Dame, which won its 29th successive regular-season game against an ACC opponent, tying Florida State (1992-95) for the league record. — Rittenberg

Up next: vs. Central Michigan (2:30 p.m. ET, Peacock)

Given that Josh Heupel concerned Tennessee, his groups have actually normally beaten up on the groups they were expected to. That wasn’t the case Saturday as Tennessee sputtered to a 30-13 win in its home opener over FCS opponent Austin Peay, the same Austin Peay team that lost 49-23 in its opener to Southern Illinois. The game was tied at 6-6 with 4:55 left in the second quarter, and the Vols didn’t score their first touchdown till the 15-second mark of the 2nd quarter when quarterback Joe Milton III scored on a 6-yard run. The Vols had 10 charges for 88 backyards, lost a fumble in the red zone and gave up a 52-yard goal reception in the fourth quarter. Austin Peay actually had more very first downs than Tennessee (19 to 17), so the Vols have some things to clean up prior to they take a trip to Florida for their SEC opener next week. — Chris Low

Up next: at Florida (7 p.m. ET, ESPN)

With Jalen Milroe, obviously you need to take the great with the bad. The great being elite athleticism running the ball, and a strong arm to take shots deep. The bad being that you never know quite what you’re going to get with the rest of his game. Frequently he stares down receivers and telegraphs his passes. Two times Texas capitalized with interceptions. And lest we put the loss all on Milroe’s shoulders, the running game didn’t do much and the offensive line consistently permitted pressure. The defense, on the other hand, was proficient at points however could not get home and sack the quarterback and was exposed when Quinn Ewers let it rip. A nonconference 34-24 loss this early doesn’t imply Alabama’s season is over. But it does not hint anything good. — Scarborough

Up next: at South Florida (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC)

The Utes went into Waco without beginning quarterback Web cam Increasing for a second straight game, and this time, his absence really showed. While dueling QBs Bryson Barnes and Nate Johnson kept the Utes afloat against Florida in the season opener, both struggled to get anything going against Baylor, combining for just 153 passing lawns and zero goals the entire game. The Utes somehow outlived Baylor thanks to a connecting drive in the 4th quarter and an occurring interception from safety Cole Bishop, which set up the winning drive. Ja’Quinden Jackson tallied 129 of the group’s 224 lawns on the ground. A 2-0 start was practically destroyed by a miracle Baylor drive with less than 30 seconds left in the game. After enabling a 47-yard pass that left a single second on the clock, the Utes found some luck when a throw to the end zone as time ended was not required protective pass interference, which would have offered the Bears another shot at connecting or winning the game in guideline. — Uggetti

Up next: vs. Weber State (2 p.m. ET, Pac-12 Network)

The Ducks rode a 20-3 4th quarter to erase a nine-point deficit and win 38-30 at Texas Tech. Quarterback Bo Nix kipped down what has become his predicted performance in an Oregon uniform: 32 of 44 completed passes, 359 lawns with 2 TD passes, along with 46 lawns on nine brings. He outperformed previous Oregon QB Tyler Shough, who rushed for 101 yards and passed for 282, but tossed three costly interceptions including a pick-six in the game’s waning moments that ended any shot of a Tech upset. — Kyle Bonagura

Up next: vs. Hawai’i (8 p.m., Pac-12 Network)

2 games in and Oregon State is still waiting for its first competitive game. FCS -opponent UC Davis barely looked like a speed bump as the Beavers got their starters out of the game early, opening up the freshly renovated Reser Stadium in style. Their next challenger, San Diego State, figures to supply a more difficult test, but after a 25-point loss to UCLA, the Beavers will be strong favorites to end up nonconference play unbeaten. — Bonagura

Up next: vs. San Diego State (3:30 p.m., FS1)

The best type of early-season tuneup is one in which you get punched in the mouth and react perfectly. Troy punched, and Kansas State responded. The Trojans scored to cut an early K-State result in 14-10 late in the first half, and it looked predestined to go to halftime with that score. Rather, quarterback Will Howard finished a 38-yard goal pass to Phillip Brooks with 10 seconds left in the half. In the second half, one Howard touchdown pass and 2 Howard keepers turned this one into a 42-13 laugher. Howard completed with 250 lawns and contributed to five touchdowns, and the protecting Sun Belt champs simply could not keep up. — Costs Connelly

Up next: at Missouri (midday, SEC Network)

Entering the season, it was reasonable to think Colorado– having gone 1-11 the year in the past– could start 0-2 with games at TCU and home against Nebraska. Instead, the Buffs sit at 2-0 with a set of excellent victories and will invite ESPN’s “College GameDay” to campus next week as a heavy preferred to triple their win overall from last year prior to the start of conference play. Colorado began slowly against Nebraska but was in control for nearly the totality in a 36-14 win. It was an especially encouraging efficiency from the defense, which rebounded from quiting 42 points recently and restricted the Huskers to couple of scoring possibilities. — Bonagura

Up next: vs. Colorado State (10 p.m. ET, ESPN)

The offense that was such a mess in the season opener versus Florida State found itself Saturday, scoring 72 points against Grambling. Jayden Daniels, whose Heisman Prize project started with a dud, showed signs of life once again with 269 yards and five goals. And a nonexistent running game showed up to the tune of 302 lawns, 5 touchdowns and approximately 6.3 backyards per bring. In other words: It was the best get-right game ahead of the SEC schedule. — Scarborough

Up next: at Mississippi State (midday ET, ESPN)

It is most likely safe to say North Carolina does not wish to see Appalachian State back on its schedule anytime quickly. A year after a wild 63-61 win, North Carolina required double overtime to beat the Mountaineers 40-34. Omarion Hampton ran for 234 yards and 3 touchdowns as the Tar Heels depend on their ground game. In all, North Carolina had at least 300 rushing backyards and 5 hurrying touchdowns in a game for the seventh time because Mack Brown rejoined the program in 2019, the most by any Power 5 team throughout that span. Quarterback Drake Maye did not have a touchdown pass for simply the 3rd time in his career. — Adelson

Up next: vs. Minnesota (3:30 p.m. ET)

The Rebels won their very first roadway game versus a nationally ranked challenger under Lane Kiffin and revealed some major grit in doing so. Leading receiver Tre Harris was hurt in the first quarter after capturing a 31-yard goal pass from Jaxson Dart and didn’t go back to the game. And after falling back 17-7 in the second quarter, Ole Miss owned the 2nd half and went house with a 37-20 triumph over Tulane in the type of roadway environment that the majority of SEC groups try to prevent: playing a Group of 5 team on its campus. The Rebels caught a break in that Tulane beginning quarterback Michael Pratt was hurt and didn’t play, but they also made their own breaks, especially on defense. Deantre Prince returned an interception 44 backyards to establish a fourth-quarter basket and break a 17-17 tie, and Jared Ivey had a 26-yard fumble return for a touchdown to top the game. For the 2nd straight game, Ole Miss running back Quinshon Judkins had a quiet game. He finished with 48 rushing yards after rushing for 60 in the opener. — Low

Up next: vs. Georgia Tech (7:30 p.m. ET, SEC Network)

Coach Brent Venables’Sooners transferred to 2-0 with a workmanlike 28-11 win over what appears to be a rock-solid SMU. OU led 14-3 for most of the second and 3rd quarters however dealt with a gut check when SMU cut the cause 3 early in the fourth. They responded by driving 75 backyards for a goal, requiring a quick four-and-out, then scoring the clinching points on a 27-yard Dillon Gabriel-to-Marcus Major pass. Gabriel completed with simply 19 completions for 176 backyards, however 4 of those conclusions chose scores, and thanks in part to a huge game from linebacker Danny Stutsman (17 takes on, 2.5 for loss), the Sooners’ defense made substantial stops. — Connelly

Up next: at Tulsa (3:30 p.m. ET)

The Blue Devils left to a sluggish start versus Lafayette, and who could blame them after a psychological win over Clemson just 5 days earlier? When Duke settled down, it cruised to a 42-7 success. Quarterbacks Riley Leonard and Henry Belin IV integrated to go 20-of-20 death. According to ESPN Statistics & Information, they are the first FBS duo considering that 1996 to each toss for 100 passing yards with a 100% conclusion percentage in the exact same game. Duke held Lafayette to 213 total backyards. — Adelson

Up next: vs. Northwestern (3:30 p.m. ET, ACC Network)

No one is going to state Miami back after a 48-33 win over Texas A&M, but it is clear the Hurricanes are a markedly enhanced group from a year back. The Hurricanes controlled the 2nd half, and quarterback Tyler Van Dyke played his finest game since 2021, becoming the very first player in Miami history to throw five passing touchdowns against an AP Top 25 challenger. Its 48 points are the most versus an AP-ranked group because scoring 56 in a win over then No. 18 Virginia Tech on Dec. 7, 2002. Those 2 statistics completely highlight where Miami has been– and where it has the prospective to go. — Adelson

Up next: vs. Bethune (7:30 p.m. ET, ACC Network)

Regardless of being a 6.5-point home underdog, the Cougars were in control for most of their 31-22 win versus No. 19 Wisconsin. There were some unsteady minutes in the 3rd quarter as Wisconsin came within a missed out on 2-point conversion of tying the game, however the Cougars’ defense stood high and shut down the Badgers on their final 3 belongings. With a game against FCS school Northern Colorado next week, WSU appears like a sure thing to head into the unofficial Pac-12 national championship versus Oregon State on Sept. 23 in what will likely be a matchup between ranked groups. — Bonagura

Up next: vs. Northern Colorado (5 p.m. ET)

After producing only seven points and 150 yards in 2015’s house loss to Iowa State, Iowa exceeded both overalls rather easily in coach Kirk Ferentz’s 200th general success and sixth straight in Ames. Organizer Brian Ferentz’s offense is far from dominant, especially when it gets behind the chains, but boasts some playmakers in tight end tandem Luke Lachey and Erick All, along with emerging redshirt freshman running back Jaziun Patterson, who had a 59-yard run and tacked on a goal. Iowa not remarkably won with defense, as Sebastian Castro returned an interception for a goal and the line stoned Cartevious Norton on fourth-and-1 after ISU had near within a goal. Iowa has only 44 points (37 on offense) through its very first two games, however Kirk Ferentz likes the system’s capacity to grow behind quarterback Cade McNamara, who dealt with the deep ball versus ISU but came out of the game setback-free with his quad injury. — Rittenberg

Up next: vs. Western Michigan (3:30 p.m. Big 10 Network)

Real freshman quarterback Dante Moore not just began the game and played every prospective breeze at the position until trash time, however he also threw for 290 yards and 3 goals on his method to leading the Bruins to a commanding 35-10 win over San Diego State. UCLA added 254 backyards on the ground as a group in addition to 2 hurrying goals. The story of the game, though, was when again Moore, who averaged almost 11 lawns a toss and revealed exactly why he was such a highly promoted recruit and the most likely starter for the Bruins headed forward into conference play. — Uggetti

Up next: vs. North Carolina Central (5 p.m. ET)