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) /

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MADISON, WI – SEPTEMBER 01: Wisconsin Badger wide receiver Danny Davis III (6), Wisconsin Badger offensive lineman Tyler Biadasz (61), and Wisconsin Badger tight end Zander Neuville (85) celebrated after scoring a touchdown an college football game between the Utah State Aggies and the Wisconsin Badgers on September 1st, 2017, at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, WI. Wisconsin defats Utah State 59-10. (Photo by Dan Sanger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

9. Wisconsin Badgers

Ranking coming into Week 1: No. 9

Wisconsin was one of the many teams that had some early struggles in their first game of the season. At the break in Madison on Friday night, the Badgers were tied at 10 with Utah State and really weren’t showing any kind of energy on either side of the ball.

So of course, they won 59-10 and all was well at Camp Randall to open the season. The Badgers pummeled the Aggies in the second half, 49-0, while Alex Hornibrook threw for 244 yards and three touchdowns in the 49-point rout for Wisconsin.

If you’re looking for a pick to win the John Mackey Award for the nation’s best tight end this season, Troy Fumagalli might be a good selection. Fumagalli hauled in five catches for 105 yards and a touchdown in the opener against Utah State, carrying his strong performances over from late last season, including a great performance against Western Michigan in the Cotton Bowl.

The Badger defense also did their job on Friday night, forcing four turnovers, including three interceptions of Aggie quarterback Kent Myers. Wisconsin came into the season as the favorites to win the Big Ten West and nothing about Friday night changed that prediction from many at all.

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