ESPN reveals updated Top 25 SP+ college football rankings for Week 2

College football fans are no longer relying purely on speculation. With Week 1 in the books, fans around the country finally have their first taste of what to expect from their teams this season. In turn, ESPN revealed its updated Top 25 SP+ college football rankings this week.

The rankings are based on ESPN reporter Bill Connelly’s SP+ system. The system is “intended to be predictive and forward-facing. It is not a résumé ranking (hence the lack of unbeatens near the top), so it does not automatically give credit for big wins or particularly brave scheduling.”

Of course, the metric still takes impressive wins into consideration, even if it doesn’t solely rely on them. With so much to cover, let’s dive into the updated rankings.

1. Ohio State Buckeyes

After Ohio State lost both of its coordinators this offseason, there were questions around the program entering this season. The Buckeyes silenced any doubters on Saturday with their emphatic 14-7 triumph over Texas.

Once again, Ohio State’s defense was the story in the win. The Buckeyes’ suffocating defense made Texas’ typically dominant offense look lost on the field. In the end, Ohio State held Texas to 336 yards and fewer points than it scored in a single game all of last season.

2. Georgia Bulldogs (+1)

Georgia moved up one spot in the SP+ rankings this week after handily defeating Marshall 45-7 in its season-opener. In the victory, Gunner Stockton reaffirmed fans who were worried he wouldn’t be able to lead the Bulldogs’ offense.

Stockton led the team in rushing yards against the Thundering Herd, while racking up 190 passing yards and two touchdowns. Georgia’s defense gave up just 207 yards of total offense.

3. Oregon Ducks (+3)

The Ducks soared three spots ahead after dominating Montana State 59-13 on Saturday. Oregon’s transfers looked excellent in the win. Quarterback Dante Moore recorded 213 passing yards and three touchdowns, without throwing an interception.

FSU transfer Malik Benson was Moore’s go-to target. He hauled in five catches for 51 yards and a touchdown. The Ducks’ defense held Montana State to a 25% third-down conversion percentage.

4. Ole Miss Rebels (+5)

Ole Miss gained serious momentum in ESPN’s rankings this week following its convincing 63-7 triumph over Georgia State in Week 1. All eyes were on the new starting QB, Austin Simmons, in the game.

At times, Simmons looked spectacular, completing 20-of-his-31 pass attempts for 341 yards and three touchdowns. However, he also threw two interceptions against the Panthers. He’ll have to clean up his turnovers if he wants to lead Ole Miss to new heights in the 2025 campaign.

5. LSU Tigers (+5)

LSU had one of the best performances of the week in its 17-10 win over Clemson. It was LSU’s first win in a season-opener since 2019. While the Tigers’ offense was impressive in the outing, the team’s defense stole the show.

LSU defensive coordinator Blake Baker coached his unit to perfection, holding Clemson to just 261 yards of total offense. In the loss, Clemson QB Cade Klubnik connected on just 50% of his pass attempts for 230 yards. Klubnik didn’t throw a touchdown, but did toss an interception in the loss.

6. Penn State Nittany Lions (-2)

Despite blowing out Nevada 46-11, Penn State dropped two spots in ESPN’s rankings this week. Nonetheless, there’s plenty for Nittany Lions fans to be excited about this season. In the victory, quarterback Drew Allar threw for 217 yards and a touchdown on a stunning 84.6% completion percentage.

Running backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen lived up to expectations, as well. The highly-touted pair combined for three rushing scores against the Wolf Pack. Penn State will have two more tune-up games before facing off against Oregon in Week 5.

7. Oklahoma Sooners (+8)

If anyone was doubting Oklahoma’s offseason transformation last week, they’re likely not anymore. The Sooners destroyed Illinois State 35-3 this past weekend. Oklahoma was firing on all cylinders in the win, starting with transfer QB John Mateer.

Mateer completed 30-of-his-37 pass attempts for 392 yards and three touchdowns in the win, while only throwing one pick. Mateer’s arm isn’t his only weapon. He also found the end zone once in the ground game.

8. Tennessee Volunteers (+4)

Tennessee fans are feeling much better about losing Nico Iamaleava to the transfer portal this offseason after comfortably defeating Syracuse 45-26 in Week 1. In the win, transfer QB Joey Aguilar notched 247 passing yards and three TDs, without throwing a pick.

The Volunteers’ ground game was strong as well. Running backs Star Thomas and DeSean Bishop combined for 174 rushing yards and a touchdown. Tennessee’s defense squeezed two turnovers out of the Orange.

9. Florida Gators (+7)

Florida was firing on all cylinders in its 55-0 shellacking of Long Island on Saturday. After battling numerous injuries during the offseason, Florida quarterback DJ Lagway put together an impressive performance, logging 120 passing yards and three touchdowns.

In Florida’s backfield, running back Jadan Baugh stole the spotlight. Baugh amassed a team-high 104 rushing yards and a touchdown on just nine carries in the win. Meanwhile, LIU only clawed out 86 total yards of offense against the Gators’ stifling defense.

10. Miami Hurricanes (+4)

Carson Beck had a down year last season at Georgia, and many analysts weren’t convinced he would regain his footing in Miami. Alas, the former All-SEC Second-Team selection looked like a Heisman candidate in the Hurricanes’ 27-24 win over Notre Dame on Sunday.

In the triumph, Beck completed 20-of-his-31 pass attempts for 205 yards and two touchdowns, without throwing an interception. Perhaps more importantly, Miami’s defense looked much improved with new DC Corey Hetherman calling the shots.

11. Alabama (-9)
12. South Carolina (+5)
13. Texas (-8)
14. USC (+6)
15. Michigan (-7)
16. Missouri (+3)
17. Texas A&M (-4)
18. Notre Dame (-11)
19. Utah (+5)
20. Louisville (+5)
21. Illinois (+5)
22. TCU (+6)
23. Auburn (-2)
24. Texas Tech (+3)
25. Clemson (-14)