Week 1 College Football Playoff rankings

Week one has officially concluded. And one thing is for sure when it comes to the College Football Playoff Rankings; we can presume with an 0-2 start, Florida State will not be a part of it. Other than that, things are still a big question mark as for the 12 that get in. Despite a lot of cupcake matchups in week one, we were able to glean some takeaways based on how teams looked and how close or decisive games were.

Here are the week two College Football Playoff Rankings

12. Liberty Flames

Liberty continues to have the best odds in all of college football to go undefeated according to FanDuel https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/ncaaf . This makes then a viable candidate for the group of fives highest ranked team at the end of the season, which would make them a lock for the playoff.

11. SMU Mustangs

After a difficult week zero victory on the road against the Nevada Wolfpack, the Mustangs bounced back with a 59-7 victory against FCS opponent Houston Christian. Coming off an 11-2 campaign and returning starting quarterback Preston Stone and head coach Rhett Lashley, I still have them in line to make the playoff as the ACC runner-up. Week zero games are always difficult, especially if it is on the road.

10. Tennessee Volunteers

A lot of noise out of Knoxville this past weekend despite the Vols only playing an FCS opponent in Chattanooga. The Vols took care of business 69-3 with a record-setting first half from first year starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava. The Vols may drop a game or two but expect Iamaleava to become increasingly comfortable as the year goes along which will benefit the Vols come playoff time.

9. Penn State Nittany Lions

For the Nittany Lions to go on the road week one in a hostile environmental against the West Virginia Mountaineers in Morgantown, West Virginia and come away with a 34-12 victory was extremely impressive. This combined with the Michigan Wolverines not having a great showing moves them up the rankings in the Big 10 as well. These two factors combined have them appearing at number nine in my week one playoff rankings.

8. Utah Utes

The Utes took care of business against FCS opponent Southern Utah in week one 49-0. Starting quarterback Cam Rising appeared in his first game action since 2022 after sitting out last season with a torn ACL. Rising and the Utes looked the part and are poised for a playoff run.

7. Oregon Ducks

I had the Ducks at number two last week, but with their lackluster week one against FCS opponent Idaho and only winning 24-14, I must drop them a bit until they prove otherwise.

6. Alabama Crimson Tide

The Tide handled business against Western Kentucky defeating the Hilltoppers 63-0 in Tuscaloosa. While the defense looked stout, the offense had some snap issues that still are lingering. Starting quarterback Jalen Milroe did not look that much improved from last year, which could be a concern for the Tide if they want to make it out of the first round in the playoffs.

5. Texas Longhorns

I will be honest in that I did not even have the Longhorns in my pre-season playoff predictions. Based on their 52-0 bashing of Colorado State at home this past weekend and how they looked, I was wrong. The only reason they are not higher than five is because I do not believe they will beat the Georgia Bulldogs to win the SEC. Realistically, I think they are the second-best team in the country by the eye test right now.

4. Ohio State Buckeyes

You would think based on how they played in week one I would have them higher than the four seed. However, until head coach Ryan Day proved he can make a deep playoff run, this is about as high as I have them.

3. Ole Miss Rebels

Lane Kiffin did what Lane Kiffin does in week one against FCS opponent Furman with a 76-0 victory at home in Oxford. Not much to glean but starting quarterback Jaxson Dart did have five touchdown passes and threw for 418 yards. Everything looks status quo in Oxford and the talent across the board has only increased in 2024.

2. Kansas State Wildcats

Remember the name Avery Johnson. Johnson could be a Heisman Trophy finalist in New York City at the end of this season as the starting quarterback of the Wildcats. In week one, Johnson led the Wildcats to a 41-6 victory in Manhattan against FCS opponent, UT Martin. The Wildcats are a well-rounded bunch and feature stud running back DJ Giddens who built on last years impressive resume with 13 carries for 124 yards.

1. Georgia Bulldogs

Defense, defense, and more defense. This was the way of it in week one as the Bulldogs knocked off the 14th ranked Clemson Tigers. The fact that defense is head coach Kirby Smart’s calling card held up with a 34-3 victory in Atlanta. Even more impressive was the fact that this win came without the Bulldogs having two of their top running backs in Trevor Etienne and Roderick Robinson.