College Football Rankings 2017: Projected Top 25 after Week 1

ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 02: Bo Scarbrough #9, head coach Nick Saban, and Jalen Hurts #2 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrate with the Chick-fil-A Kick-Off Game trophy after defeating the Florida State Seminoles 24-7 in their game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /

11 of 26

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – SEPTEMBER 02: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Louisville Cardinals throws the ball during the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

16. Louisville Cardinals

Ranking before Week 1: No. 16

Purdue gave Louisville all they could handle throughout most of the night on Saturday in Indianapolis, but the Cardinals had the trump card of all trump cards: reigning Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson.

Jackson basically picked up where he left off in his historic season last year with almost 500 total yards and two touchdown passes in Louisville’s 35-28 victory over the Boilermakers.

It was a tougher opener than many probably expected for Jackson and the Cards on Saturday night, but with a lighter schedule this season outside of the Clemson and Florida State meetings that they split last last year, the Cardinals could be an outside name that could crash the playoff party.

That door opened with Deondre Francois’ injury against Alabama and with Jackson still under center, anything’s possible.It’s a long season, but not many teams have the answers to slowing down the Louisville offensive attack.

Home/College Football Rankings