From top to bottom: The updated 1-130 rankings
Not surprisingly, Week 1 had a big impact on our 1-130 rankings.
There was a shakeup in the top five, a team fell out of the top 10 and three teams fell out of the top 25.
Here are this week’s 1-130 rankings; the rankings will be updated every Tuesday during the season. There are comments on each of the top-25 teams; in addition, there are comments on other noteworthy teams this week.
The top 25
1. Alabama (1-0 / last week’s ranking: 1st)
The buzz: The whole “Alabama doesn’t rebuild, it just re-tools” thing was taken to another level in the Tide’s ridiculously easy 44-13 demolition of Miami. The defensive effort was expected; that a rebuilt (oops, re-tooled) offense already was on cruise control in the opener wasn’t.
2. Georgia (1-0 / 5th)
The buzz: A ferocious defense beat up on D.J. Uiagalelei and the rest of the Clemson offense. The offensive effort was far from impressive, but, hey, Clemson has a top-notch defense, too. It’s just that Georgia’s defense was otherworldly.
3. Ohio State (1-0 / 3rd)
The buzz: The run defense was gashed repeatedly, but when you have as many offensive weapons as the Buckeyes, it doesn’t matter. New starting QB C.J. Stroud looked quite comfortable, didn’t he?
4. Oklahoma (1-0 / 2nd)
The buzz: Scoring 40 points against Tulane should mean there is no drama in the fourth quarter. Alas, that wasn’t the case. Tulane’s offense does some cool stuff, and questions about the Sooners’ defense have resurfaced.
5. Texas A&M (1-0 / 7th)
The buzz: The Aggies got off to a somewhat slow start, but finally put the pedal to the metal and cruised to an easy win against Kent State. And don’t forget that the Aggies looked, well, mediocre in beating Vanderbilt in last season’s opener.
6. Clemson (0-1 / 4th)
The buzz: There’s no shame in losing to Georgia. Still, you would’ve expected the Tigers’ offense to do more than it did. The offensive line flat-out got whipped.
7. Iowa State (1-0 / 6th)
The buzz: A very ho-hum performance in the opener against FCS member Northern Iowa. This week’s game against archrival Iowa will tell us what we need to know about the Cyclones.
8. Penn State (1-0 / 11th)
The buzz: Penn State’s defense did its job throughout. The offense finally woke up in the second half and did just enough to beat Wisconsin. The Nittany Lions do need to get that running game cranked up, though.
9. Oregon (1-0 / 8th)
The buzz: The Ducks scored TDs on two of their first three possessions and it looked as if the rout was on against Fresno State. Instead, Oregon had to score a late TD to beat the Bulldogs. The Ducks’ secondary was missing some guys and it showed as Fresno’s Jake Haener threw for 298 yards. A much bigger test awaits this week at Ohio State.
10. Cincinnati (1-0 / 9th)
The buzz: The Bearcats punished long-time rival Miami (Ohio) 49-14 in the 125th meeting between the teams. Cincy now has won 15 in a row in the oldest non-conference matchup in the nation.
11. USC (1-0 / 14th)
The buzz: The Trojans’ defense clamped down on a good San Jose State offense, and USC cruised to a 30-7 win. Still, it was just 13-7 entering the fourth quarter. USC has to do a better job of scoring TDs in the red zone; the Trojans had four trips to the red zone and had just one TD and three field goals.
12. Florida (1-0 / 12th)
The buzz: The Gators rushed for 400 yards in an easy win over FAU. That’s about 25 percent of their season total from 2020. Starting QB Emory Jones looked shaky in the passing game, and backup QB Anthony Richardson showed off his immense athleticism on a 75-yard TD run and by hurdling a FAU player.
13. Notre Dame (1-0 / 13th)
The buzz: Jack Coan looked sharp in his debut as the starting quarterback. But the rushing attack and the run defense have some issues.
14. Iowa (1-0 / 22nd)
The buzz: The Hawkeyes blasted Indiana in what was supposed to be one of the best games of the first weekend; then again, when you get two pick-sixes in the first half, it makes things easier. Things aren’t likely to be as easy this week when the Hawkeyes play at Iowa State.
15. Texas (1-0 / 20th)
The buzz: Steve Sarkisian’s first game as coach was a rousing success. RB Bijan Robinson had a big game, new starting QB Hudson Card was steady and the Longhorns’ defense stymied a good Louisiana offense.
16. Arizona State (1-0 / 16th)
The buzz: The Sun Devils beat FCS school Southern Utah by 27, but coach Herm Edwards wasn’t pleased by his team’s two fumbles or 13 penalties. All six ASU TDs came on the ground.
17. Wisconsin (0-1 / 17th)
The buzz: The Badgers had an incredible 95 plays from scrimmage and finished with 30 first downs against Penn State. But they also scored just 10 points and had 365 yards of offense (that’s just 3.8 yards per play, which is … sad). Four trips into the red zone led to just seven points (and that’s sad, too).
18. UCLA (2-0 / 39th)
The buzz: Chip Kelly might have something going in Westwood. The Bruins dominated LSU up front on the way to a 38-27 victory. Not surprisingly, the secondary had issues with LSU’s receivers. But UCLA abused LSU’s linebackers in the first significant win of Kelly’s UCLA tenure.
19. Utah (1-0 / 25th)
The buzz: The Utes allowed FCS member Weber State to return a kickoff 100 yards for a TD in the first quarter, but they quickly responded with a TD drive to end any doubt. Baylor transfer QB Charlie Brewer threw two TD passes and helped the Utes score on seven of their eight trips to the red zone.
20. UCF (1-0 / 26th)
The buzz: The Knights rallied to beat Boise State in one of the more entertaining games in an extremely entertaining first week. The defense had issues in the first half, but played lights out in the second. Northwestern transfer RB Isaiah Bowser ran wild. And QB Dillon Gabriel shook off a 100-yard pick-six in the first quarter to play high-level football for almost all the second half.
21. Indiana (0-1 / 15th)
The buzz: The Hoosiers fell behind 14-0 in the first three minutes and never recovered in losing at Iowa. Michael Penix Jr. threw two pick-sixes (to the same guy!). But IU’s defense actually played OK, and you have to think the Hoosiers will get on track offensively, though the preseason idea that they might be the second-best team in the Big Ten now seems ridiculous.
22. Ole Miss (1-0 / 28th)
The buzz: The Rebels’ rushing attack was way too much for Louisville on Monday night. And — surprise, surprise — what was expected to be a shaky Rebels defense did some good things. But truth be told, that might be because of the opponent.
23. Miami (0-1 / 19th)
The buzz: The Hurricanes ran into a buzzsaw in Atlanta and they never were in it against Alabama. That UM’s defense was abused to that degree was a mild surprise. This week’s game against Appalachian State becomes even more important now.
24. TCU (1-0 / 24th)
The buzz: The Horned Frogs strolled past FCS foe Duquesne 45-3 after taking a 35-0 halftime lead. Duquesne managed just 137 total yards.
25. North Carolina (0-1 / 10th)
The buzz: There were high expectations for Sam Howell and the Tar Heels this season, but the season got off to a rocky start with a loss at Virginia Tech. UNVC’s offensive line returned all five starters, but it looked overmatched against Virginia Tech’s front seven.
Teams 26-50
26. LSU (0-1 / 21st)
The buzz: The Tigers’ defense was a mess last season and it was a mess against UCLA, too, especially the linebackers. In addition, LSU has to find a running game.
27. Louisiana (0-1 / 23rd)
28. Boise State (0-1 / 27th)
29. Oklahoma State (1-0 / 29th)
30. Coastal Carolina (1-0 / 30th)
31. Boston College (1-0 / 31st)
32. NC State (1-0 / 32nd)
33. Auburn (1-0 / 33rd)
34. Virginia Tech (1-0 / 64th)
The buzz: The Hokies’ defense ruled the night in an upset of North Carolina. Edge rushers Tyjuan Garbutt and Amare Barno wreaked havoc, and the offense — while far from impressive — did enough to get the big win.
35. Michigan (1-0 / 35th)
36. Liberty (1-0 / 36th)
37. Appalachian State (1-0 / 37th)
38. Missouri (1-0 / 38th)
39. Washington (0-1 / 18th)
The buzz: Woof, woof, woof for the Huskies, who fell to Montana 13-7. Yes, Montana is a top-tier FCS program. But seven points? Washington’s incredibly experienced offensive line should’ve dominated; instead, the Huskies rushed for 65 yards. And there’s a trip to Michigan this week.
40. Wake Forest (1-0 / 40th)
41. Ball State (1-0 / 41st)
42. Pitt (1-0 / 42nd)
43. Nevada (1-0 / 45th)
The buzz: Carson Strong continued to show why he is one of the better quarterbacks in the nation in leading the Wolf Pack to a win at California. He threw for 312 yards and two TDs against what is expected to be one of the best defenses in the Pac-12.
44. Florida State (0-1 / 53rd)
The buzz: The Seminoles’ secondary still has problems (Jack Coan threw for 366 yards and four TDs) and the offensive line still has issues with pass protection (FSU allowed five sacks, which makes 82 in the past 23 games). But FSU ran the ball down Notre Dame’s throat, the defensive front is much improved and QB McKenzie Milton continues to be an amazing story.
45. UAB (1-0 / 44th)
46. Maryland (1-0 / 55th)
The buzz: The Terps looked good on both sides of the ball in beating West Virginia. Taulia Tagovailoa threw for 332 yards and three touchdowns, and the Terps’ defense forced four turnovers
47. West Virginia (0-1 / 43rd)
48. Kentucky (1-0 / 48th)
49. Minnesota (0-1 / 47th)
The buzz: The Golden Gophers acquitted themselves well in a loss to Ohio State. But they still drop two spots because RB Mohamed Ibrahim, their best player, was lost for the season to an injury against the Buckeyes.
50. San Jose State (1-1 / 49th)
Teams 51-75
51. California (0-1 / 50th)
52. Virginia (1-0 / 51st)
53. Arkansas (1-0 / 54th)
54. Texas Tech (1-0 / 65th)
The buzz: Coach Matt Wells was feeling a bit of heat heading into the season, but his team looked good in the opener, easing past Houston 38-21. The defense had four picks, and new QB Tyler Shough — a transfer from Oregon — rushed for a score and threw a TD pass.
55. Kansas State (1-0 / 62nd)
56. BYU (1-0 / 57th)
57. Louisville (0-1 / 56th)
58. Mississippi State (1-0 / 58th)
59. Purdue (1-0 / 59th)
60. SMU (1-0 / 60th)
61. Colorado (1-0 / 61st)
62. Tulane (0-1 / 77th)
The buzz: The Green Wave earned a lot of notice in a narrow 40-35 loss to Oklahoma. OU led 37-14 at halftime. But the Green Wave dominated the second half and — after recovering a late onside kick — had a chance to pull off the monster upset in the final two minutes.
63. Toledo (1-0 / 63rd)
64. Houston (0-1 / 52nd)
65. Stanford (0-1 / 46th)
The buzz: Stanford had all sorts of problems on the ground in a 24-7 loss to Kansas State. The Wildcats outrushed the Cardinal 200-39. Stanford quarterbacks combined to go 23-of-30 but for just 194 yards, which is a paltry 6.5 yards per attempt. Are there any playmakers on that side of the ball?
66. Marshall (1-0 / 66th)
67. Fresno State (1-1 / 73rd)
68. Rutgers (1-0 / 68th)
69. Tennessee (1-0 / 69th)
70. Michigan State (1-0 / 81st)
The buzz: The Spartans jumped out to a 21-0 lead, then coasted to a 38-21 upset at Northwestern. Wake Forest transfer Kenneth Walker III was expected to make a difference this season, and he rushed for 264 yards and four TDs in the victory. Michigan State has been horrendous on the ground the past three seasons, averaging 124.9 yards per game in 2018, 127.2 in 2019 and 91.4 last season.
71. Northwestern (0-1 / 34th)
The buzz: The Wildcats never really were in it in a home loss to Michigan State. That the offense struggled, frankly, wasn’t a surprise. That the defense got pushed around? That was sort of stunning. Northwestern’s schedule is backloaded, so there is ample time to get things fixed.
72. Baylor (1-0 / 71st)
73. Oregon State (0-1 / 72nd)
74. Nebraska (1-1 / 74th)
Teams 75-100
75. Kent State (0-1 / 75th)
76. UTSA (1-0 / 76th)
77. Memphis (1-0 / 79th)
78. South Carolina (1-0 / 80th)
79. Buffalo (1-0 / 84th)
80. Louisiana Tech (0-1 / 88th)
The buzz: The Bulldogs built a 20-point lead at Mississippi State, only to allow MSU the biggest comeback in school history. Mississippi State won 35-34.
81. Tulsa (0-1 / 70th)
The buzz: The Golden Hurricane committed three turnovers in losing to FCS member UC Davis. The last turnover was a fumble as Tulsa was going in to score with a bit more than four minutes left in a two-point game.
82. East Carolina (0-1 / 82nd)
83. Illinois (1-1 / 83rd)
84. San Diego State (1-0 / 85th)
85. Utah State (1-0 / 116th)
The buzz: The Aggies got their first win over a Pac-12 team since 2012 by beating Washington State in the first game for coach Blake Anderson. Utah State won it on a TD pass from Logan Bonner — who came with Anderson from Arkansas State — with 11 seconds left.
86. Washington State (0-1 / 67th)
87. Wyoming (1-0 / 86th)
88. Army (1-0 / 89th)
89. Syracuse (1-0 / 98th)
90. FAU (0-1 / 90th)
91. Air Force (1-0 / 91st)
92. Central Michigan (0-1 / 92nd)
93. Ohio (0-1 / 87th)
94. Northern Illinois (1-0 / 122nd)
95. Georgia Tech (0-1 / 78th)
The buzz: Year 3 got off to a horrible start for coach Geoff Collins as the Yellow Jackets fell to Northern Illinois, which was supposed to be one of the weakest teams in the MAC. NIU won it on a TD and a two-point conversion with 38 seconds left.
96. Western Michigan (0-1 / 96th)
97. Charlotte (1-0 / 113th)
The buzz: The 49ers got their first-ever win against a Power 5 school by rallying to beat Duke. QB Chris Reynolds threw for 334 yards and three TDs, and Charlotte had two receivers with more than 100 receiving yards.
98. Colorado State (0-1 / 94th)
99. Hawaii (1-1 / 99th)
100. Arizona (0-1 / 100th)
The bottom 30
101. Duke (0-1 / 93rd)
The buzz: What a bad start to the season, falling at Charlotte in the final 40 seconds. Duke rolled up 580 yards; you shouldn’t lose to a Conference USA team when you roll up 580 yards.
102. Miami (Ohio) (0-1 / 102nd)
103. Georgia State (0-1 / 95th)
104. Navy (0-1 / 101st)
The buzz: The Midshipmen opened with a 49-7 home loss to Marshall. The Middies got torched through the air, with the Herd throwing for 363 yards. Navy allowed just seven passing plays of 40-plus yards in 10 games last season, but allowed three against Marshall.
105. Georgia Southern (1-0 / 103rd)
106. Troy (1-0 / 105th)
107. USF (0-1 / 104th)
108. Arkansas State (1-0 / 107th)
109. Middle Tennessee (1-0 / 108th)
110. Kansas (1-0 / 109th)
111. Texas State (0-1 / 112th)
112. Western Kentucky (1-0 / 110th)
113. North Texas (1-0 / 111th)
114. South Alabama (1-0 / 120th)
The buzz: New coach Kane Wommack and well-traveled new QB Jake Bentley got a win in their first game with the Jaguars, beating Southern Miss handily.
115. FIU (1-0 / 115th)
116. Southern Miss (0-1 / 106th)
117. Eastern Michigan (1-0 / 117th)
118. Rice (0-1 / 118th)
119. New Mexico (1-0 / 119th)
120. Vanderbilt (0-1 / 97th)
The buzz: Clark Lea’s first game as coach was a disaster. The host Commodores fell 23-3 to East Tennessee State. ETSU, a FCS program, had lost 24 of its past 30 road games, yet won in an SEC venue.
121. UTEP (2-0 / 121st)
The buzz: Let’s not get overly excited about the 2-0 start. The Miners opened the season with a win over New Mexico State (which ranks 130th on this list), then followed it up with a victory over BCS member Bethune-Cookman.
122. Temple (0-1 / 114th)
123. UNLV (0-1 / 123rd)
124. Akron (0-1 / 124th)
125. UConn (0-2 / 125th)
The buzz: The Huskies fell to FCS opponent Holy Cross on Saturday. Perhaps not so coincidentally, coach Randy Edsall announced Sunday he would be retiring at the end of the season; Monday, it was announced he was stepping down immediately.
126. ULM (0-1 / 126th)
127. Old Dominion (0-1 / 127th)
128. Bowling Green (0-1 / 128th)
129. Massachusetts (0-1 / 129th)
130. New Mexico State (0-2 / 130th)