Is LSU knocking on the door of the No. 1 ranking in CFB?

Despite entering Week 1 ranked No. 9 in the AP Poll, is LSU Football knocking on the door of the No. 1 ranking in college football thanks to a statement win at No. 4 Clemson?

After TCU blew North Carolina away in Monday night’s final game of Week 1 of the college football season, On3 National College Football writer Brett McMurphy gave his early breakdown on the Top 25 ballot he turned into the Associated Press ahead of Tuesday’s release of the first in-season poll.

How impressed was he with LSU’s result on the road at Clemson?

The Tigers entered the game as the No. 9 team in the preseason AP Top 25, and after one week of football, McMurphy put LSU at No. 2 on his Top 25 submission.

On Monday, McMurphy also projected LSU to not only make the College Football Playoff in December, but secure the No. 2 overall seed and a first-round bye.

He also projected LSU to match up with No. 9 seeded Oregon in the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, but had the Ducks beating the Tigers in the Big Easy to advance to the CFB Playoff semifinals.

As for this week’s AP Poll, here’s McMurphy’s rundown of the Top 10 teams on his ballot.

1. Ohio State (1-0)

The defending national champions held off Texas 14-7. The victory was the fifth consecutive for the Buckeyes and Coach Ryan Day against a Top 7-ranked team. Last year, Ohio State won the national title with wins against No. 7 Tennessee, No. 1 Oregon, No. 4 Texas and No. 3 Notre Dame. Ohio State continues its non-conference schedule the next two weeks with home games against Grambling and Ohio.

2. LSU (1-0)

LSU won the battle of the Tigers at Clemson with a dominating second half performance. Trailing 10-7 at the half, LSU blanked Clemson 14-0 in the second half for Coach Brian Kelly‘s first season opening win in four seasons at LSU. The Tigers host Louisiana Tech Saturday before beginning a rugged SEC slate in two weeks against Florida.

3. Georgia (1-0)

The Bulldogs coasted in their opener against overmatched Marshall 38-7. Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch gave a glimpse of what to expect from the USC transfer, with 95 yards receiving on five catches. QB Gunner Stockton led the Bulldogs in rushing with 73 yards on 10 carries. Georgia hosts Austin Peay on Saturday before opening SEC play next week at Tennessee.

4. Penn State (1-0)

The Nittany Lions opened with a comfortable 46-11 win against Nevada. Penn State QB Drew Allar completed 22 of 26 for 217 yards and a TD and added 20 yards rushing. The Nittany Lions remain at home for consecutive games against non-conference foes, FIU on Saturday and Villanova on Sept. 13, before opening Big Ten play Sept. 27 at Oregon.

5. Miami (1-0)

Led by a pair of transfers on offense – QB Carson Beck and WR CJ Daniels – the Hurricanes upset Notre Dame 27-24 on Sunday night. Beck threw for 205 yards and two TDs, including a remarkable one-handed catch by Daniels to end the first half. It was the Hurricanes’ seventh consecutive victory in Miami against the Irish. Miami hosts Bethune-Cookman Saturday, the first of four consecutive games against Florida opponents. After Bethune, Miami hosts USF and Florida then visits Florida State to open ACC play.

6. Texas (0-1)

The Longhorns became the first preseason AP No. 1-ranked team to be shut out in the first half of a season opener since 1988 in UT’s 14-7 loss at Ohio State. The Longhorns actually outgained Ohio State by more than 130 yards and held the Buckeyes to only 203 yards. However, UT couldn’t overcome its red zone offensive struggles. QB Arch Manning was limited to 170 yards, completing 17 of 30. Texas hosts San Jose State Saturday, the first of three consecutive non-conference games before opening SEC at Florida on Oct. 4.

7. Oregon (1-0)

The Ducks jumped to a 38-3 halftime lead against Montana State and coasted to a 59-13 win. It was Oregon’s 19th consecutive regular season victory. QB Dante Moore sparked the offense, throwing for 213 yards and three TDs. The Ducks host Oklahoma State Saturday and then open Big Ten play the following week at Northwestern.

8. Florida State (1-0)

The Seminoles pulled off the most stunning victory of the weekend, by rolling Alabama 31-17. Florida State was a two TD underdog, but dominated the Tide behind QB Thomas Castellanos (152 yards passing, 78 yards rushing). With new OC Gus Malzahn’s play-calling, the Seminoles piled up 230 yards rushing. FSU hosts East Texas A&M Saturday.

9. Clemson (0-1)

Clemson was held scoreless in the second half in its 17-10 loss to LSU, the Tigers’ third consecutive season opening loss under Coach Dabo Swinney. Clemson QB Cade Klubnik threw for 230 yards, but the Tigers were limited to 31 yards rushing on 20 carries. Clemson tries to rebound at home Saturday before opening ACC play the following week at Georgia Tech.

10. Notre Dame (0-1)

The Fighting Irish lost their seventh consecutive game in Miami Sunday night 27-24. Notre Dame freshman QB CJ Carr was impressive in his first start, rallying the Irish from a 10-point deficit in the final 6 minutes to tie the Hurricanes at 24. Notre Dame is off this week before hosting Texas A&M on Sept. 13, potentially the Irish’s final ranked opponent this season. A loss to the Aggies could derail the Irish’s College Football Playoff hopes.

(Note: Click here for McMurphy’s entire Top 25 ahead of Week 2)