College football rankings 2022: Projected Week 3 AP Top 25 after Alabama survives, Notre Dame & Texas A&M fall

Projected AP Top 25 college football rankings after Week 2: No. 20-19

20. Ole Miss Rebels

It feels like no one is talking about Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss, which is a wild thing to say given the spotlight that the head coach often occupies. Part of that is due to a less than stellar opener against Troy but they still got the win. The Rebels were much more convincing on Saturday night in Week 2, though, as they took Central Arkansas to the woodshed in their matchup.

Sure, we’re not talking about the highest level of competition here, but Ole Miss looked the part as they moved the ball at will throughout the night and ran away to a 59-3 victory. There is still a lot for this team to show if they want to compete seriously in the SEC this season but the Rebels undeniably showed progress from Week 1 to Week 2.

19. Wake Forest Demon Deacons

Sam Hartman missed the first game of the season for Wake Forest after the star quarterback had a blood clot that he had to undergo treatment and rehabilitation from but he returned on Saturday as the Demon Deacons made a trip to Nashville to face a much-improved Vanderbilt team and the offense didn’t miss a beat.

Hartman had a big return as he threw for 300 yards and four touchdowns on the day and the Deacs went on to secure a comfortable 45-25 win. The big question for Wake has long been the defense and there are still some concerns there that could pop up and bite them. All told, though, the return of Hartman raises the level of optimism a great deal in Winston Salem.