IF the season ended today...
1. ALABAMA (2-0)
I would be shocked if the Tide moves from this position till January (IF then).
NEXT UP: Should make light work of Colorado State at the homestead this weekend.
2. OKLAHOMA (2-0)
tOSU is OVERrated, but Boomer Sooner gets some style points for win in Columbus. QB Baker Mayfield is going to have another big-time year.
NEXT UP: NO problem with Tulane Green Wave in Norman this weekend.
3. USC (2-0)
Trojans mentally were still at the beach for opener vs. W. Michigan, but had a solid W over Stanford in WEEK 2. Sam Darnold (QB) and Ronald Jones (RB) among MANY position players with mad skillz.
NEXT UP: Longhorns visit to La La Land being hyped as "rematch" of 2005 natty title game? PLEASE! Trojans will DESTROY this year's version of Hook 'EM!!!
4. CLEMSON (2-0)
Dabo has another solid squad, but D is definitely ahead of O without Deshaun Watson.
NEXT UP: REALLY tough trip to Papa John's Stadium against Lamar "Action" Jackson Saturday night. tFSU was demolished by Cards last year at UL.
5. Penn State (2-0)
Saquon Barkley is the real deal, but does PSU have what it takes to be in playoff come January?
6. Washington (2-0)
Huskies could ride easy schedule (no USC on slate) to a return trip to Final 4.
7. Michigan (2-0)
Wolves schedule isn't exactly great as well. Could battle U-Dub for that final playoff spot.
8. Oklahoma State (2-0)
QB Mason Rudolph can spin the magic bean with ANYBODY, but do Pokes have enough D?
9. Wisconsin (2-0)
Badgers will fundamental you to death!
10. Louisville (2-0)
Cards will always have a chance as long as Lamar Jackson stays healthy. BIG opportunity Saturday night against defending champs.
RANKING THE ATLANTIC COAST CONFERENCE...
1. CLEMSON (2-0)
Tigers D is very solid, but Dabo should be very worried about trip to Papa John's Saturday night.
2. LOUISVILLE (2-0)
Lamar Jackson is NEARLY unstoppable... can Clem's son D stop him?
3. VIRGINIA TECH (2-0)
Hard to win big with a frosh QB (Josh Jackson), but Justin Fuentes is a coaching genius. Should walk the plank with sinking ship ECU.
4. MIAMI (1-0)
All kinds of talent... can Canes put it all together this season and put Irma behind them? Sneaky tough game with Toledo.
5. FLORIDA STATE (0-1)
QB Deondre Francois season ending injury and Irma have Noles off to a rough start. Plenty of talent to turn things around. Hopefully Noleville will be in good enough shape to host Pack on 9/23.
6. NC STATE (1-1)
REALLY tough opening season loss to South Carolina. Dave Doeren has his work cut out to get Pack to 8/9 wins. NO probs with 0-2 Furman this weekend.
7. NOTRE DAME... partial qualifier. (1-1)
Plays BC (this weekend), UNC, NCS, WFU, THE U for ACC fare.
8. WAKE FOREST (2-0)
Second straight bowl game in cross hairs. Should be halfway home after Utah State in Winston.
9. DUKE (2-0)
QB Daniel Jones looks like a pro, and Devils should also be halfway to bowling with W over Baylor this weekend at overflowing Wallace Wade (remember when this looked like a certain L for Dookies?)
10. GEORGIA TECH (1-1)
Should have beaten Vols to open season. Solid season ahead. Interesting game with Pitt in two weeks.
11. NORTH CAROLINA (0-2)
Chazz Surratt is a rising star, but D looks dreadful!!! UPSET alert at ODU Saturday?
12. PITTSBURGH (1-1)
Panthers miss James Conner already. Oklahoma State at Heinz Field could get messy quickly.
13. BOSTON COLLEGE (1-1)
Could surprise, but not much evidence of that vs. WFU last weekend. ND should be L #2.
14. VIRGINIA (1-1)
Looks like a tough year for Hoos. Need to get a W vs. UCONN in the worst kinda way.
15. SYRACUSE (1-1)
Dungey-Ishmael ONLY hope for Orange this season. Hopefully can get a W in the Dome vs. Chippewas.
