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College football rankings: Projected AP Top 25 after Week 1 – Notre Dame up, Michigan down

By Connor Muldowney

ORLANDO, FL - SEPTEMBER 01: Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (4) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the football game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Louisville Cardinals on September 1, 2018 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando FL. (Photo by Joe Petro/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - SEPTEMBER 01: Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (4) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the football game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Louisville Cardinals on September 1, 2018 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando FL. (Photo by Joe Petro/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 01: USC Trojans tailback Aca’cedric Ware ( 28 ) celebrates with tailback Stephen Carr ( 7 ) after Ware scores a touchdown during the game against the UNLV Rebels on September 01, 2018, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Adam Davis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 01: USC Trojans tailback Aca’cedric Ware ( 28 ) celebrates with tailback Stephen Carr ( 7 ) after Ware scores a touchdown during the game against the UNLV Rebels on September 01, 2018, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Adam Davis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Shawn Robinson took over for Kenny Hill, who was seemingly in college for a decade, and he didn’t disappoint. Southern University didn’t present the most difficult matchup for the Horned Frogs, but a 55-7 win is impressive, nonetheless — especially with a new starting quarterback. Robinson passed for 182 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for another 45 yards and two scores. The defense also stepped up, holding Southern to under 200 total yards.

The much-anticipated JT Daniels debut didn’t get off to the prettiest start as the USC Trojans were stuck in a close battle with UNLV, but they were able to pull away late. Daniels had himself a decent game, passing for over 280 yards and a touchdown while the Trojans got a strong showing from their secondary as well as Aca’Cedric Ware on the ground. The front-seven must do a better job against the run as the Rebels rushed for over 300 yards.

Revenge was on the minds of the Cardinal players after they suffered a tough defeat early in the season last year against San Diego State. The Aztecs didn’t stand much of a chance this time around, even with Juwan Washington out-rushing Bryce Love by a wide margin. Stanford won the Friday night matchup 31-10 thanks to the arm of KJ Costello as he went for over 330 yards and four scores. Why didn’t this kid start all of last season?

Another season opener, another close call for Michigan State. Mark Dantonio can’t explain why his teams always seem to play tight games in season openers, but wins are wins. Unfortunately for the Spartans, a 38-31 victory over Utah State will likely drop them in the rankings. The defense looked shaky and the offensive line was horrid, but the bright spots had to be Brian Lewerke and the receiving corps. This kid is getting better by the day.

Yes, Penn State is 1-0 and yes, the Nittany Lions will drop in the rankings. Why? Because they were unable to handle Appalachian State like they were expected to do in Happy Valley. No, Appalachian State isn’t a layup, by any means, but the No. 10 team in the country didn’t look anything like that, taking the Mountaineers to overtime before winning on an interception in the end zone. Let’s slow this Trace McSorley for Heisman talk — for now.

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