Fansided

Projected college football rankings after Week 1: Clemson, Oklahoma, LSU drop; Georgia up to No. 2

By Charles Rahrig V

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 04: Tyler Van Dyke #9 of the Miami Hurricanes is tackled by Tim Smith #50 and Chris Braswell #41of the Alabama Crimson Tide during the second half of the Chick-fil-A Kick-Off Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 04, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 04: Tyler Van Dyke #9 of the Miami Hurricanes is tackled by Tim Smith #50 and Chris Braswell #41of the Alabama Crimson Tide during the second half of the Chick-fil-A Kick-Off Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 04, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Sep 4, 2021; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions safety Ji’Ayir Brown (16) is surrounded by teammates following the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 4, 2021; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions safety Ji’Ayir Brown (16) is surrounded by teammates following the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

15. Texas Longhorns (Last Week: 21)

How many times have we seen Texas fall on its face in an opener? Well, the Longhorns didn’t do that this time and they actually had a nice day all around in a 38-18 win at home against No. 23 Louisiana. That should reflect well on them in the rankings with other teams in front of them falling. Steve Sarkisian probably couldn’t have asked for a better start.

14. Penn State Nittany Lions (Last Week: 19)

Penn State started last season with an incredibly disappointing loss at Indiana. James Franklin’s guys were determined to do something different this year when they outlasted Wisconsin for a 16-10 win. With multiple teams in front losing, the Nittany Lions are going to be rewarded for a quality road win.

13. Iowa Hawkeyes (Last Week: 18)

Not only did the Hawkeyes open the season with a ranked conference win, but they also did so in absolute style. Iowa sent Indiana packing with a major 34-6 win. Iowa’s statement victory is assuredly going to move them up some spots in the college football rankings. If it can help them crack the top 15, it will be a big opening week.

12. Oregon Ducks (Last Week: 11)

The Oregon Ducks could move a spot back or stay at 11. In this case, they underwhelmed in their 31-24 game against Fresno State and might have been looking ahead to Ohio State a little too early. Whereas USC was a tad more impressive in their win. The Ducks move back a spot.

11. USC Trojans (Last Week: 15)

The Trojans made a statement with a 30-7 win at home over San Jose State to begin the season. They certainly looked way more impressive than many of their Pac-12 counterparts. You can argue Oregon here, or it can go to USC due to the fact they didn’t need late-game heroics.

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