Grading the top College Football Playoff contenders after two weeks

Week 2 of the college football season is officially in the books, and that means there are now multiple data points to look at for most teams. College football analyst Josh Pate took the opportunity to hand out some early grades to College Football Playoff contenders.

He graded several teams based on what he’s seen so far. He provided those grades on Sunday night’s edition of Josh Pate’s College Football Show.

On3 stops to break down Pate’s grades on the teams he listed. Let’s dive in below.

Georgia Bulldogs: (Incomplete)

Pate wasn’t willing to give Georgia a grade just yet, in part because the Bulldogs have “hee-hawed” their way through the first two games. For him, there’s simply not enough data to make an educated call on Georgia right now.

The program will have a chance to prove some things this week against Tennessee, an opponent that Georgia has beaten the last several times out, Pate points out. It’ll be a huge stage for the Bulldogs, can they show up and prove they’re playoff-caliber?

Texas Longhorns: (B-)

Right now Pate is not a full believer in the Texas offense, citing some injury concern with Arch Manning and things just not clicking right now. The Longhorns just haven’t managed to snap into a rhythm.

The good news for Texas is that it has a very manageable schedule all the way up until the Florida game in a few weeks. And even that one looks easier this week than it did last, with the Gators dropping a game in the Swamp this weekend.

Florida State Seminoles: (A+)

Relative to expectations, especially, Florida State is crushing it right now. Pate said you’d hardly know the 2-10 season in 2024 even happened if you weren’t paying attention. Could this be a playoff team?

The Seminoles have an explosive offense again, hat tip to Gus Malzahn. It’s a different cast of characters, but this is what it’s supposed to look like at Florida State. The schedule will include a huge game at Miami in a couple weeks.

Ohio State Buckeyes: (A)

The win over Texas in Week 1 really helps the case for the Buckeyes. The defense is playing like it’s supposed to, despite the loss of coordinator Jim Knowles this offseason. That will get you places.

Pate does not have just about any complaints about Ohio State, which has a ton of talented pieces on offense and looks to be one of the more well-rounded teams in the country. It’s hard to see when the next real test will be on the schedule. Penn State on Nov. 1? Perhaps Illinois on Oct. 11?

Clemson Tigers: (C)

Pate noted it’s a ‘C’ at best for Clemson right now. Trailing to Troy 16-0 was a huge eye-opener. He worries that the Tigers are too limited offensively and will have to overly rely on quarterback Cade Klubnik to produce offense.

He said the team is dynamic enough to win nine games, but he’ll have to see more before he’s willing to say the Tigers are a surefire playoff team capable of making a deep run. A lot to prove still.

LSU Tigers: (A-)

After a somewhat closer game against Louisiana Tech, some LSU fans are disappointed. Pate didn’t seem particularly surprised by that… teams go through some games like this. One game isn’t enough evidence that there’s a real problem just yet.

The road win over Clemson helps earn a good grade here. LSU will get another test this week against Florida, though the Gators are coming off a humbling loss to USF over the weekend.

Miami Hurricanes: (A)

Quarterback Carson Beck has answered a lot of questions, as has the defense for the Hurricanes. That said, Pate needs to see Miami tested in multiple ways before he’s ready to endorse on both sides of the ball.

One of the things that’s a real strength? Miami’s offensive line and ability to run the ball. Now a red-hot USF comes in, even though the Bulls will be about a 17-point underdog in the contest.

South Carolina Gamecocks: (B-)

Pate called the South Carolina offense “mediocre” but points out the special teams has been outstanding so far. Can that be enough to keep the Gamecocks gunning along toward a potential playoff berth?

Big test against Vanderbilt coming up. That will tell us a whole lot about where South Carolina is. Can quarterback LaNorris Sellers get a little more help from his supporting cast on offense — particularly at receiver — and pick up a big win?