College Football Rankings: Josh Pate reveals personal Top 25 ahead of Week 2

Earlier this week, Josh Pate released his JP Poll Power Ratings following an action-packed Week 1 of the college football season. Thursday, he also revealed his Top 25 rankings ahead of Week 2.

Pate’s rankings differed a bit from the AP poll this week, including the fact Alabama and Oklahoma are not ranked. Additionally, Utah jumped up into his Top 10 despite just cracking the AP Top 25 this week. But there were some similarities throughout his rankings.

Week 2 presents some intriguing matchups, which could make for some early shifts in the rankings. Here are Pate’s full Top 25 rankings, as he shared on Josh Pate’s College Football Show.

1. Ohio State

After a huge win over Texas in Week 1, Ohio State comes in as the No. 1 team in Josh Pate’s rankings. The Buckeyes’ defense rose to the occasion against Arch Manning and the Longhorns, picking up the biggest win of the week.

Julian Sayin also made his collegiate debut in the matchup and turned in a solid performance. He completed 13 of 20 passes for 126 yards and a touchdown in the grind-it-out win over the then-AP No. 1 team in the country.

2. LSU

For the first time in the Brian Kelly Era, LSU won its season opener. The Tigers have a huge signature victory on their resume, and they come in as the No. 2 team in Josh Pate’s Top 25 rankings.

It wasn’t entirely easy for LSU against Clemson in the 17-10 victory. But a touchdown early in the fourth quarter, as well as a huge play from Harold Perkins late in the game, helped send the Tigers to a 1-0 record entering Week 2.

3. Miami

Another marquee Week 1 matchup took place in Coral Gables as Miami and Notre Dame renewed their storied rivalry. The Hurricanes took control before the Fighting Irish closed the gap, but Mario Cristobal’s group held on to pick up a Top-10 victory.

Josh Pate now has Miami at No. 3 in his rankings following the performance, which saw Carson Beck help lead the charge in the Sunday night matchup. The Georgia transfer threw for 205 yards and two touchdowns in the effort to start his tenure with the Hurricanes.

4. Penn State

Looking to contend once again in the Big Ten this year, Penn State put together a complete performance in its season opener against Nevada. The Nittany Lions cruised to a blowout victory, and they check in at No. 4 in Josh Pate’s Top 25 rankings.

Drew Allar was efficient as he kicked off his third year as the starter, completing 22 of 26 passes for 217 yards and a touchdown before his departure. Penn State will now get ready to take on FIU in Week 2 to continue the non-conference schedule.

5. Georgia

Georgia comes in at No. 5 in Josh Pate’s rankings, one spot lower than in the AP poll. The Bulldogs had a complete performance against Marshall in Week 1, led by quarterback Gunner Stockton.

Stockton got the job done with both his arm and his legs as he threw for 190 yards and two touchdowns while adding a team-high 73 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground. UGA continues non-conference play this week against Austin Peay before a marquee matchup against Tennessee to kick off SEC play in Week 3.

6. Oregon

Oregon got the Dante Moore Era underway in Week 1 against Montana State, cruising to the 59-13 victory. The Ducks came in at No. 6 in the AP poll this week, and Josh Pate has them in the same spot in his rankings.

Moore showcased his arm strength as he went 18-of-23 or 213 yards and three touchdowns before Austin Novosad took over. An intriguing matchup awaits this week, though, as Oklahoma State makes the trip to Eugene for the Big 12 vs. Big Ten matchup.

7. Florida State

One of the biggest stories of Week 1 took place in Tallahassee as Florida State took down Alabama. That catapulted the Seminoles into the Top 10 of Josh Pate’s rankings – an increase from their AP ranking.

Thomas Castellanos led the charge for FSU as Gus Malzahn debuted his power-rushing offense against Alabama. The Boston College backed up his comments to On3’s Pete Nakos earlier this offseason in a big way, and Florida State looked the part as it looks to bounce back from 2024.

8. Utah

The biggest difference between Josh Pate’s rankings and the AP Top 25 was at No. 8. Pate has Utah in that spot, a big departure from the Utes’ spot at No. 25 in the AP rankings.

The Utes took total control last week against UCLA en route to the resounding 43-10 victory. Devon Dampier looked the part in a big way, going 21-of-25 for 206 yards and two touchdowns while leading Utah with 87 rushing yards and a touchdown.

9. Notre Dame

Despite trailing 21-7 at one point against Miami, Notre Dame didn’t back down and eventually tied things up. The Fighting Irish fell on a late field goal, but Josh Pate saw enough to keep them in the Top 10 of his rankings ahead of Week 2.

CJ Carr got his first career start in the matchup and showed flashes in the up-and-down performance. He completed 19 of 30 passes for 221 yards and a touchdown while also recording a rushing touchdown in the effort.

10. South Carolina

Rounding out Josh Pate’s Top 10, South Carolina played Beamer Ball en route to its win, appropriately, over Virginia Tech last week. The Gamecocks got a big day from LaNorris Sellers, and Nyck Harbor also showcased his playmaking ability in the victory.

Sellers went 12 of 19 for 209 yards and a touchdown – a 64-yarder to Harbor to all but seal it late. Pate and the AP agree on South Carolina’s spot at No. 10 in the respective rankings as the Gamecocks get ready to take on SC State in Week 2.

Josh Pate’s Top 25 rankings: Nos. 11-25

11. Texas
12. Illinois
13. Tennessee
14. Iowa State
15. Ole Miss
16. Arizona State
17. Florida
18. SMU
19. Michigan
20. Texas A&M
21. Clemson
22. Georgia Tech
23. USC
24. Texas Tech
25. USF

Week 1 of college football is in the books. Now, it’s on to Week 2 with some notable matchups on tap on Saturday.