College football rankings 2022: Projected Week 2 AP Top 25 after Ohio State outlasts Notre Dame, Georgia dismantles Oregon

Projected AP Top 25 college football rankings after Week 1: No. 12-11

12. Utah Utes

Even if Utah, on paper, lost to an unranked team to begin their season, it’s hard to really be too dramatic about the loss and how much it affects the Utes. This team went across the country to a hot, muggy Gainesville and was roughly five yards away from getting the win if not for a Cam Rising interception that ultimately ended the game.

If there’s one thing that can be said, Utah’s defense showed that there could be some growing pains as they try to fill the holes at linebacker and at other spots as well. Even still, there’s a good chance that Florida is just better than initially expected and that this loss will look less damning for the Utes as the season moves forward beyond Week 1.

11. USC Trojans

Whenever Caleb Williams was on the field at the helm of the Lincoln Riley offense, it looked exactly like what every USC fan has been dreaming of. Williams looked the part of a Heisman candidate in his three quarters of work as he went 19-of-22 for 249 yards and two touchdowns while adding 68 yards on the ground on only six carries.

But even if it was against Rice, there had to be some good vibes around Alex Grinch as the new defensive coordinator as well. Sure, the Owls moved the ball at times and left something to be desired, but the Trojans were ultra-opportunistic throughout the night and made the splash plays that mattered, taking three separate interceptions to the house to guide USC to a 66-14 win in the opener.

Suffice it to say, the hype train isn’t slowing up one bit in Troy.