While the rankings did come out with new teams appearing in them, I’m not fully convinced on a few just yet. As for those in the rankings, they were on upset alert and were choppy during the game. However, there are some new faces in and outside of the rankings that deserve to be in my Power Rankings this week. So here they are!

12) TEXAS STATE

After nearly giving up a lead to Lamar last week, they wrecked UTSA this past weekend. They have an opportunity to put themselves amongst the Group of Five in a race for the College Football Playoff this upcoming weekend against undefeated Arizona State. Coach GJ Kinne could receive plenty of Power 4 head coach offers real soon.

11) IOWA STATE

After struggling mightily in the first half against Iowa, quarterback Rocco Becht and company surged in the second half and fought back to end Iowa. Also, Iowa going for and failing on the two-point conversion in the third quarter eventually cost them in the end. Sometimes, it’s best not to go for two unless you have to.

10) NORTHERN ILLINOIS

The MAC conference deserves a little more attention. Amongst teams that suffered through the transfer portal harvest, Northern Illinois was one of the few that didn’t lose much. They went into a hostile environment, dealt with a confident Notre Dame that came off their own victory in a hostile environment, and silenced the thousands. The Huskies are ranked for the first time since October of 2013. The Huskies going on a Cinderella run is a possibility, but they still have games to play, including NC State in late September.

9) ALABAMA

The Tide survived South Florida yet again. It wasn’t perfect and the penalties were one of the main problems. Despite winning 42-16, they were only up 14-13 in the fourth quarter prior. They have a tough task at Wisconsin next weekend. The team’s discipline in that hostile environment will test Kalen Deboer’s version of Alabama.

8) PENN STATE

Penn State was another team that escaped an upset against a Group of Five school in Bowling Green. The Falcons had opportunities of ending Penn State’s run, but the Nittany Lions came through late and held the lead to win. They go into a bye with plenty of lessons and perspective before playing their next MAC opponent.

7) USC

USC clobbered Utah State. They go into a bye with plenty to prepare before traveling to Ann Arbor. If Texas was able to manhandle an offensively inept Michigan, USC should have no problem cakewalking them too if their defense repeats their performance.

6) OLE MISS

Ole Miss tears up another poor old non-Power 4 school. Unfortunately, that’s not good enough after allowing their first points of the season. It’s only three points, but that’s still unacceptable for a team that’s expected to tear through the SEC this season lol Jokes aside, Ole Miss might be alongside Tennessee in competing for an SEC title appearance.

5) MIAMI

Miami was off to a slow start before eventually running away from Florida A&M. Cam Ward did great in his first two starts as a Hurricane and should have no problem against Ball State unless MAC teams are suddenly rising to the occasion thanks to the 12-team playoff.

4) TENNESSEE

Tennessee embarrassed quarterback Grayson McCall and NC State in their home state in neutral site. Offense and defense alike did their job and quarterback Nico Iamaleava could be the real deal. In two weeks, Josh Heupel runs into his old team, Oklahoma.

3) OHIO STATE

Ohio State blanketed Western Michigan. They have a bye before facing Marshall and Michigan State. It shouldn’t be a problem.

2) TEXAS

The Longhorns clobbered Michigan in Ann Arbor. Quinn Ewers looked solid, and the offense was surgical despite the running back room being hampered with injuries. Texas has no other tough competitions until the Red River Rivalry next month.

1) GEORGIA

Georgia played Tennessee Tech. Not much changed, so we move on.

HONORABLE MENTION

SYRACUSE

It’s only two weeks into the season, but the Orange looks like a tough out. They made a statement against ranked Georgia Tech, and quarterback Kyle McCord tossed for over 700 yards and eight touchdowns through two games. He currently looks like the best quarterback in the ACC.

ARMY AND NAVY

Two military schools at one and two in the AAC respectfully through two weeks is bonkers. Army just started competing in their second ever conference in school history and is already at the top. There’s still plenty of games left but seeing both military academies there deserves a mention. Imagine if both finished at the top and played each other in the AAC title and faced each other again the next week for the Army-Navy game? Pray to the football gods for a miracle situation!

MOST DISAPPOINTED

NOTRE DAME

They won me and others over for being a guaranteed playoff team with just 11 games to go. Then they slip up against an experienced, but Group of Five school in Northern Illinois with their coach on the hot seat. This is the second straight season that Notre Dame lost to a Group of Five school at home. The offensive line still needs to develop, but it doesn’t help their quarterback’s confidence in game time situations. Their manageable schedule has now turned tricky each week.

OREGON

Oregon went from struggling against Idaho to getting into a boat race with Ashton Jeanty and Boise State. The team couldn’t stop him from running for 192 yards and three touchdowns. Is this team overrated???