If you thought Ohio State would have a fairly easy stroll to a Big Ten title and a slot in the College Football Playoff, think again. The Oregon Ducks came to Columbus and outplayed the Buckeyes in terms of physicality, taking a 35-28 win. That was the Ducks’ first win ever against Ohio State in ten tries. There were other games that looked like they would end similarly for contenders, as Notre Dame trailed Toledo late but won, and Texas A&M was in trouble late at Colorado but came back to win. Both of these teams scored in the last three minutes of the game to take a late lead and win. How have the college football power rankings changed?
Check out the latest edition as you consider your online college football betting for this week’s action.
NCAA News: Football Power Rankings after Week 2
#1 Alabama Crimson Tide (2-0)
Nick Saban has criticized Alabama’s focus from the get-go, beginning with what he termed an incomplete effort against Miami in the season opener and continuing with what he called a lack of respect for Mercer, the FCS team they played last week. The Tide started sloppy against Mercer, having to punt to end their first two drives. Alabama was able to get things going, of course, as Bryce Young had three scoring passes and the Tide won, 48-14. However, a team that had the hammer down from the get-go would likely have hit 70 in this game. Will the team be more focused at Florida this weekend?
#2 Georgia Bulldogs (2-0)
Georgia beat Clemson in a throwback defensive duel in Week 1, winning 10-3 in a game without an offensive touchdown. In Week 2, Georgia took on UAB without starting quarterback J.T. Daniels. Backup Stetson Bennett went 10 of 12 for 288 yards and five scores in a 56-7 win. UAB’s only touchdown came on a pick-six in garbage time. UAB is several levels above Mercer, and winning by 49 with the backup quarterback is another bullet point in the Bulldogs’ championship resume.
#3 Oregon Ducks (2-0)
The Ducks did not have star defenders Kayvon Thibodeaux or Justin Flowe, and they still went to Ohio State and won, piling up 505 yards of total offense, running for 269 yards and three scores on 38 carries. The 99-yard touchdown drive that Oregon mounted in the first quarter set the tone — and fatigued the Ohio STate defense from the get-go. Anthony Brown threw for 236 yards and ran for 121 more. Of his 18 completions, a dozen moved the chains by getting first downs.
#4 Oklahoma Sooners (2-0)
The Sooners did give up 35 points to Tulane in Week 1, and we need to see if Oklahoma can defend against a decent team yet. They ran over Western Carolina in Week 2, 76-0, but that was an FCS school. Spencer Rattler threw five touchdown passes for Oklahoma in the first half as things got out of hand in a hurry. How will Oklahoma do against some of the other Big 12 offenses, though?
#5 Iowa Hawkeyes (2-0)
Iowa has now beaten Iowa State six times in a row, and this past week’s win was all about the Hawkeye defense. Iowa picked off the Cyclones’ Brock Purdy three times and held tailback Breece Hall to 69 yards. Iowa only had 173 yards of offense, including 23 after halftime, but the game never felt like it was in doubt. The Hawkeyes started out by beating then-#17 Indiana and #9 Iowa State — giving the team its first road win over a top-ten opponent in 12 seasons.
#6 Cincinnati Bearcats (2-0)
#7 Clemson Tigers (1-1)
#8 Texas A&M Aggies (2-0)
#9 Florida Gators (2-0)
#10 Penn State Nittany Lions (2-0)
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