College Football AP Poll, Week 2: Winners and losers

ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 02: Zach Gentry #83 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates the third quarter touchdown by Karan Higdon #22 of the Michigan Wolverines against the Florida Gators at AT&T Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

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SOUTH BEND, IN – SEPTEMBER 02: Notre Dame Fighting Irish players celebrate after a touchdown during the NCAA football game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Temple Owls at Notre Dame Stadium on September 2, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Winner: Notre Dame Fighting Irish (Unranked to No. 24)

Notre Dame opened the season with question marks surrounding the program. How would the offense replace DeShone Kizer and Malik Zaire? Would the defense be any better? Can Brian Kelly avoid the hot seat conversation by the end of the year?

It’ll still be a while before any of those questions are fully answered, but the Fighting Irish got off on the right foot in Week 1. Hosting Temple on Saturday, Notre Dame put the beat down on the Owls to the tune of a 49-16 victory in South Bend. Brandon Wimbush looked solid in his first start at quarterback and the fans finally had something to cheer about.

A year ago, Notre Dame finished 4-8 and there was concern among the fan base whether the team would get back to its winning ways in 2017. The Irish wasted no time in dismantling the Owls, putting up 21 first-quarter points, never looking back.

For the first time since the beginning of the 2016 season, the Irish are back in the AP Top 25, whether they deserve it or not, and that could give this squad some much-needed confidence.

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