Who said that Week 2 was a down week for college football? There was a lot of movement with a couple of teams dropping out our Gridiron Football Top 25 entirely, which shows how this ranking will fluctuate each and every week. This is of course based on a week-to-week basis and although the AP Poll is accounted for, this ranking solely based on what Gridiron Football will rank these teams after Week 2.
- Ohio State (2-0)
GF Ranking From Week 1: #1 (No Movement)
AP Ranking: #1
Week 2 Result: 70-0 win over Grambling
After what was a conservative game from the Ohio State offense against Texas, Julian Sayin let it rip in a 70-0 win over Grambling as he completed 18 of 19 passes for 306 yards and four touchdowns. Jeremiah Smith had a bounce back game as well with five catches for 119 yards and two touchdowns. Overall, the Buckeyes outgained the Tigers 651 yards to 166 total yards showing no hangover after the win against the Longhorns. The defending national champions will take on Ohio this Saturday. Through two weeks, the Buckeyes have firmly been in command at the number one spot.
2. Oregon (2-0)
GF Ranking From Week 1: #7 (Up 5 Spots)
AP Ranking: #4
Week 2 Result: 69-3 win over Oklahoma State
Do not give Dan Lanning any extra motivation and that is the costly mistake Mike Gundy made earlier this week saying that Oregon spent $40 million on their roster. The Ducks put that money to good use by dominating the Cowboys by a final score of 69-3. Dante Moore completed 16 of 21 passes for 266 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Ducks to 631 total yards and 69 points with over 300 yards on the air and 300 on the ground. The Ducks defense was just as dominant holding the Cowboys to only 211 total yards and 10 punts. When this Ducks team is motivated and clicking, there are not a lot of teams in the country that can hang with them.
3. LSU (2-0)
GF Ranking From Week 1: #2 (Down 1 Spot)
AP Ranking: #3
Week 2 Result: 23-7 win over Louisiana Tech
It was your classic sandwich game for LSU coming off a big win against Clemson in Week 1 and before a heated rivalry game against Florida this Saturday. It showed in the Tigers’ 23-7 win over Louisiana Tech. The offense did not have their sharpest game with Garrett Nussmeier completing 26 of 41 passes for 237 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Caden Durham was only held to 29 yards rushing on 13 carries. Despite an explosive performance from Barion Brown and big runs from Zavion Thomas and Harlem Berry, the Tigers will need a lot more of those big plays moving forward. Defensively, the Tigers looked impressive giving up only 154 total yards and forcing nine punts. LSU will need to be sharp offensively this Saturday as they will host a desperate Florida team that is coming off an embarrassing home loss.
4. Penn State (2-0)
GF Ranking From Week 1: #3 (Down 1 Spot)
AP Ranking: #4
Week 2 Result: 34-0 win over FIU
The Penn State Nittany Lions have taken care of business in their first two games but have looked a little lethargic in doing so. Penn State struggled this past week on converting third downs making three of 12 attempts. Drew Allar completed 19 of 33 passes for 200 yards and two touchdowns while the 1-2 punch of Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton combined for 212 yards and two touchdowns. The Nittany Lions’ defense was stout posting a shutout and holding the Panthers to under 300 yards. Penn State will have one more opportunity to tune up against Villanova this Saturday before a highly anticipated matchup against Oregon in two weeks.
5. Miami (2-0)
GF Ranking From Week 1: #6 (Up 1 Spot)
AP Ranking: #5
Week 2 Result: 45-3 win over Bethune Cookman
After a big win against Notre Dame to start the season, the Miami Hurricanes did not have a letdown as the Hurricanes were able to get a 45-3 win over Bethune Cookman. Carson Beck was nearly flawless in his second start as a Hurricane having just as much incompletions as touchdowns with two. Mark Fletcher had two more touchdown runs to help lead the victory. In what will be one of the most interesting games of the week, the Miami Hurricanes will take on the South Florida Bulls that have already defeated two Top 25 teams to start the season.
6. Georgia (2-0)
GF Ranking From Week 1: #4 (Down 2 Spots)
AP Ranking: #6
Week 2 Result: 28-6 win over Austin Peay
The Georgia Bulldogs are one of many top College Football Playoff contenders that struggled against inferior programs as Kirby Smart’s team only managed a 28-6 win over FCS Austin Peay. Georgia struggled offensively and even couldn’t score on four plays from the 1 yard line against a FCS defensive front. Gunner Stockton completed 26 of 34 passes for 227 yards while Nate Frazier and Chauncey Bowen combined for all the Bulldogs touchdowns. Defensively, the Bulldogs were sharp only allowing 196 total yards and 10 first downs. It was a little bit of a look ahead game for Georgia as they will take on Tennessee this Saturday.
7. Texas (1-1)
GF Ranking From Week 1: #5 (Down 2 Spots)
AP Ranking: #7
Week 2 Result: 38-7 win over San Jose State
Arch Manning had a bounce back week after a game to forget against Ohio State in a 38-7 win over San Jose State. Manning completed 19 of 30 passes for 295 yards and four touchdowns. Manning threw two touchdowns a piece to Parker Livingstone and Jack Endries in the game. Manning will have two more opportunities to build even more confidence and his statline against UTEP and Sam Houston before starting SEC play against Florida.
8. Florida State (2-0)
GF Ranking From Week 1: #14 (Up 6 Spots)
AP Ranking: #10
Week 2 Result: 77-3 win over East Texas A&M
After pulling off a shocking upset in Week 1 in which Florida State dominated the Alabama Crimson Tide, the Seminoles put it on East Texas A&M with a whopping 77-3 win. The offense continued to hum scoring touchdowns on their first 10 possessions and accounting for 729 total yards. Tommy Castellanos’ Heisman stock continues to rice after completing eight of 11 passes for 237 yards and three touchdowns. He was able to connect with Duce Robinson five times for 173 yards and two touchdowns. The Seminoles have another opportunity to once again put up video game numbers against Kent State this Saturday.
9. Illinois (2-0)
GF Ranking From Week 1: #15 (Up 6 Spots)
AP Ranking: #9
Week 2 Result: 45-19 win over Duke
The Illinois Fighting Illini passed their first road test of the season with flying colors getting a 45-19 win over the Duke Blue Devils. Luke Altmyer is quietly playing like one of the best quarterbacks in college football completing 22 of 31 passes for 296 yards and three touchdowns. Kaden Feaglin, Ca’Lil Valentine, and Hank Beatty also ran for touchdowns with Beatty becoming Altmyer’s number one target with eight grabs for 128 yards. The Illini defense was an opportunistic defense forcing five total turnovers. The Illini will have a big test coming up this Saturday against Indiana, which was a team that just missed the cut on the Gridiron Football Top 25.
10. Oklahoma (2-0)
GF Ranking From Week 1: #19 (Up 9 Spots)
AP Ranking: #13
Week 2 Result: 24-13 win over Michigan
Brent Venables got arguably the biggest win of his career at Oklahoma with an impressive 24-13 win over Michigan. QB John Mateer put himself in the front of the early Heisman race completing 21 of 34 passes for 270 yards and one touchdown while running the ball 19 times for 74 yards and two more touchdowns in the victory. While Mateer was electric, the defense shut down Michigan’s offense besides one long touchdown run in the game. Despite losing the turnover battle, the Sooners were still in firm control of the game from start to finish. Venables has always gotten Oklahoma’s defense to be solid and add in the fact that they finally get back a playmaker at quarterback, the Sooners are going to be a scary draw moving forward.
11. Notre Dame (0-1)
GF Ranking From Week 1: #10 (Down 1 Spot)
AP Ranking: #8
Week 2 Result: Bye
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are the highest ranked winless team on this list as Marcus Freeman’s team is coming off a bye after their narrow loss to Miami. CJ Carr was impressive on the road against a Top 10 team and will have an opportunity to continue that momentum in his first home start against another ranked team in Texas A&M. With a winnable schedule the rest of the way, this feels like a must win game for Notre Dame as far as a resume builder to be considered for the College Football Playoff. Starting the season off at 0-2 may be a tough blow to their chances.
12. South Carolina (2-0)
GF Ranking From Week 1: #9 (Down 3 Spots)
AP Ranking: #11
Week 2 Result: 38-10 win over South Carolina State
After an emotional win for Shane Beamer against the team that his dad Frank Beamer led to plenty of success, the South Carolina Gamecocks had a little bit of a letdown against South Carolina State winning by a final score of 38-10. What was most shocking was that the Gamecocks did not score their first offensive touchdown until the third quarter as LaNorris Sellers only threw 128 yards and the offense only accounted for 125 rushing yards. Once again, Vicari Swann is proving to be one of the best punt returners in the country. After returning a punt for a touchdown against the Hokies, Swann added two more punt return touchdowns against South Carolina State. The Gamecocks have an intriguing matchup against the Vanderbilt Commodores, which is a team that can easily be ranked in the GF Top 25 poll.
13. Iowa State (3-0)
GF Ranking From Week 1: #17 (Up 4 Spots)
AP Ranking: #14
Week 2 Result: 16-13 win over Iowa State
The Iowa State Cyclones find ways to win under head coach Matt Campbell. In their heated in-state rivalry game against Iowa, the Cyclones were able to edge out the Hawkeyes 16-13 in one of the biggest games of the weekend. The Cyclones defense has been really good to start the defense holding the Hawkeyes to less than 250 yards of offense. Kyle Konrardy has been an unsung hero for the Cyclones kicking three field goals including the eventual game winning field goal from 54 yards out. Rocco Becht has stepped up as one of the best quarterbacks in college football by making plays whenever the team needs him to make plays. This team is looking like the favorite to win the Big 12 conference through the first couple of weeks. Iowa State will host Arkansas State this Saturday.
14. South Florida (2-0)
GF Ranking From Week 1: Unranked
AP Ranking: #18
Week 2 Result: 18-16 win over Florida
The South Florida Bulls are the biggest risers this week in the Gridiron Football poll and it is definitely deserving. Through two weeks, there might not be a better story in college football than the South Florida Bulls under Alex Golesh. Already, the Bulls have upset not one, but two Top 25 teams. After destroying Boise State in Week 1, the Bulls pulled off one of the biggest upsets in the early season by going to the Swamp and upsetting the Florida Gators by a final score of 18-16. Byrum Brown is in the early conversation of the Heisman race as he led an 87-yard scoring drive in the final two minutes setting up a game winning 20-yard field goal from Nico Gramatica. The Bulls took advantage of plenty of Florida mistakes including 11 penalties to help seal the victory. After defeating two ranked teams, the Bulls will try to make it three as their next task is the Miami Hurricanes. Even if South Florida loses in a close game to Miami, the Bulls are right now in the driver’s seat for being the Group of Five representative in the College Football Playoff.
15. Clemson (1-1)
GF Ranking From Week 1: #8 (Down 7 Spots)
AP Ranking: #12
Week 2 Result: 27-16 win over Troy
Clemson’s Week 1 loss to LSU clearly affected Dabo Swinney’s squad as the Tigers were in danger of losing to Troy trailing the Trojans 16-3 at halftime. Clemson did wake up in the second half scoring 24 unanswered points against Troy to win 27-16. Cade Klubnik had a much better second half completing eight of nine passes for 99 yards and two touchdowns. Despite the win, there are still a lot of concerns around the program and how good this team really is. After a rocky start in the first two games, the Tigers have an opportunity to get back on track on the road against Georgia Tech, which is one of the most crucial games of the early conference slate in the ACC.
16. Tennessee (2-0)
GF Ranking From Week 1: #16 (No Movement)
AP Ranking: #15
Week 2 Result: 72-17 win over East Tennessee State
So far, the Tennessee Volunteers are showing that they made the right decision in not paying Nico Iamaleava and acquiring Joey Aguilar through the transfer portal. Aguilar continues his strong start to the season throwing for 288 yards and two touchdowns leading a Josh Heupel offense that racked up 72 points and 717 total yards against East Tennessee State. There is a concern for the Volunteers heading into their highly anticipated game against Georgia with three defensive linemen missing the East Tennessee State game with an injury. Like Texas A&M, Tennessee has a golden opportunity to shoot up possibly in the Top 10 if the Volunteers can stop the losing streak to the Georgia Bulldogs on Saturday.
17. Texas A&M (2-0)
GF Ranking From Week 1: #18 (Up 1 Spot)
AP Ranking: #16
Week 2 Result: 44-22 win over Utah State
The Texas A&M Aggies had a productive day from their QB Marcel Reed, who had an efficient game through the air throwing for 220 yards and four touchdowns in a 44-22 win over Utah State. The defense was also impressive in the victory holding Utah State to only 2.2 yards per attempt and Cashius Howell added three sacks on the defensive side of the football on three straight plays. The Aggies have a golden opportunity to rocket up the rankings as Mike Elko’s group will be looking for some revenge in South Bend after losing to Notre Dame last year.
18. Ole Miss (2-0)
GF Ranking From Week 1: #24 (Up 6 Spots)
AP Ranking: #17
Week 2 Result: 30-23 win over Kentucky
The Ole Miss Rebels got revenge on the Kentucky Wildcats after Mark Stoops’ team helped ruin the Rebels’ playoff chances last season. The Rebels got the first SEC conference win of the season by going on the road and defeating the Wildcats by a final score of 30-23. The game started off like it was going to be a repeat of last year as two early Austin Simmons interceptions led to a 10-0 deficit for the Rebels, but the Rebels’ southpaw quarterback would then lead the Rebels to six scoring drives. The trio of Kewan Lacy, Simmons, and Damien Taylor all had rushing touchdowns in the game for the Rebels’ offense while the defense made things difficult for Zach Calzada, who completed only 50% of his passes for 149 yards. Along with two late fourth down stops, the Rebels were able to hold on to the victory. Next up, the Rebels will take on 2-0 Arkansas this Saturday for the first conference game.
19. Utah (2-0)
GF Ranking From Week 1: #20 (Up 1 Spot)
AP Ranking: #20
Week 2 Result: 63-9 win over Cal Poly
The Utah Utes built on an impressive Week 1 pull away victory from UCLA with a dominant 63-9 win over Cal Poly. Devon Dampier completed 17 of 23 passes for 192 yards and three touchdowns. The rushing game got three touchdowns from NaQuari Rogers and Wayshawn Parker while the Utes defense forced six punts and two interceptions. Kyle Whittingham’s team will take on Wyoming this Saturday.
20. Alabama (1-1)
GF Ranking From Week 1: #23 (Up 3 Spots)
AP Ranking: #19
Week 2 Result: 73-0 win over ULM
Week 2 was definitely a get right game for Kalen DeBoer and the Alabama Crimson Tide after getting manhandled by the Florida State Seminoles in Week 1. The Crimson Tide took out their frustrations on the ULM Warhawks winning by a final score of 73-0. The offense got back on track with the Crimson Tide scoring on each of their first 11 possessions. Ty Simpson was nearly flawless completing a school record 17 passes for 212 yards and three touchdowns. Meanwhile the defense shut out the Warhawks limiting them to less than 150 total yards of offense and forcing three turnovers. Next up, the Crimson Tide will look to continue that positive momentum from this past week at home against Wisconsin.
21. Texas Tech (2-0)
GF Ranking From Week 1: #22 (Up 1 Spot)
AP Ranking: #21
Week 2 Result: 62-14 win over Kent State
Through two weeks, the Texas Tech Red Raiders have blown out inferior competition outscoring Kent State and Arkansas Pine Bluff by a combined score of 129-21. The Red Raiders have scored on their first 14 possessions of the season and perhaps, the best news is that Behren Morton played in the first half and looked sharp throwing for 258 yards and three touchdowns in the first half after injuring his right leg against Arkansas Pine Bluff in Week 1. We will have a better idea of how good this Texas Tech team can be as they will step up in competition against Oregon State this week.
22. Missouri (2-0)
GF Ranking From Week 1: Unranked
AP Ranking: #25
Week 2 Result: 42-31 win over Kansas
The Missouri Tigers won a shootout over an explosive Kansas football team led by Jalon Daniels. It looked like it was going to be the Jayhawks’ night early on taking a 21-6 lead over the Tigers, but the home team responded. Beau Pribula has solidified the quarterback job as he has thrown for 617 yards and five touchdowns in the first two games with over 300 yards passing against Kansas. Along with Pribula, the Tigers had two 100-yard rushers in Jamal Roberts and Ahmad Hardy and a 100-yard receiver in Kevin Coleman Jr. The Tigers took control of the game with a go-ahead touchdown pass to Brett Norflett and put the dagger in the hearts of their bitter rivals with a 63-yard touchdown run from Roberts to seal the deal in a 42-31 win. Under Eli Drinkwitz, the Tigers are a dangerous team that is flying under the radar in the SEC. They will take on the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns on Saturday.
23. Mississippi State (2-0)
GF Ranking From Week 1: Unranked
AP Ranking: Unranked
Week 2 Result: 24-20 win over Arizona State
Jeff Lebby gets his first marquee win as the head coach of Mississippi State. It was a game to remember for all of the Bulldogs fans that were ringing cowbells in Davis Wade Stadium with Blake Shapen throwing a game winning 58 yard touchdown pass to Brenen Thompson with 30 seconds left in the game to get a 24-20 victory over a #12 ranked Arizona State team that was the defending Big 12 champions. Arizona State orchestrated a comeback after being down 17-0 and taking a 20-17 lead late in the fourth quarter before the Bulldogs took the lead for good. Shapen had a standout game completing 19 of 33 passes for 279 yards and three touchdowns. Thompson had six grabs for 133 yards and two touchdowns while Anthony Evans had nine catches for 108 yards and one touchdown. While the Bulldogs gave up 251 yards on the ground, the pass defense made things difficult for Sam Leavitt and the passing game as Leavitt finished 10 of 22 passes for 82 yards and two interceptions.
24. Auburn (2-0)
GF Ranking From Week 1: Unranked
AP Ranking: #24
Week 2 Result: 42-3 win over Ball State
After a big road victory over Baylor to start the season, the Auburn Tigers showed no hangover and had an impressive 42-3 win at home against Ball State. Jackson Arnold wanted to make sure that he was not just a running quarterback as he threw for 251 yards and three touchdowns. Jeremiah Cobb added 121 yards and two more touchdowns on the ground. While the offense had a good showing, the defense was even more dominant holding Ball State to only 68 total yards of offense including -3 yards rushing. Hugh Freeze and the Tigers will take on South Alabama at Jordan Hare this week.
25. Michigan (1-1)
GF Ranking From Week 1: #12 (Down 13 spots)
AP Ranking: #23
Week 2 Result: 24-13 loss to Oklahoma
The Michigan Wolverines went on the road to Norman Oklahoma for what was the game of the week in the nation. The Wolverines offense struggled to get anything going offensively with the lone touchdown being a 75 yard run from Justice Hayes. Bryce Underwood made his first start on the road and struggled only completing nine of 24 passes for 142 yards. The wide receivers could not create a lot of separation while the defense would eventually wear out highlighted by a game winning 78-yard drive late in the game by the Oklahoma Sooners. Head Coach Sheronne Moore’s return to Oklahoma where he played for Brent Venables as his defensive coordinator ended up in a loss. Next week, the Wolverines will take on Central Michigan where Bif Poggi will fill in as the interim head coach as Moore will serve a two-game suspension amid the NCAA’s sign stealing investigation.
Just Missed The Cut: Indiana, Tulane, Georgia Tech, TCU, Vanderbilt, Baylor, Arizona State, Nebraska
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