College Football Power Rankings Based on National Championship Odds (Alabama, Georgia Dominate in Week 1)

Week 1 in college football surely didn't disappoint.

Starting on Thursday with the Backyard Brawl and finishing Monday with ACC Favorite Clemson disposing of Georgia Tech, we were treated to a chaotic opening weekend of the college football season. There were dramatic finishes across the country as teams looked for early statement victories, but at the top of the projected College Football Playoff rankings it was blowouts left all over the board.

Georgia reminded everyone why they are the reigning National Champions, disposing of No. 11 Oregon 49-3, while the favorite, Alabama also looked the part of a champion, rolling Utah State 55-0 ahead of their Week 2 matchup against Texas.

Here is BetSided's top 25 rankings based on National Championship odds from FanDuel Sportsbook

1. Alabama (+180)

Alabama destroyed an overmatched Utah State, 55-0, and hit the ground running in 2022. Reigning Heisman Trophy winner, quarterback Bryce Young, moving to the favorite to win the award after one week of play. Young finished completing 18 of 28 passes for 195 yards, five touchdowns as well as five carries, 100 yards and a touchdown.

Week 2 Opponent: Texas (-20, 62.5)

2. Georgia (+300)

Georgia's offense was primed for a step forward in 2022 behind an emerging receiving corps, and boy did it show it in the Bulldogs' opener against Oregon. The defending champs won 49-3 behind quarterback Stetson Bennett (now +1500 to win the Heisman Trophy), who completed 80% of his passes for 368 yards and two touchdowns. Keep an eye on this offense.

Week 2 Opponent: Samford (N/A, N/A)

3. Ohio State (+300)

It wasn't peaches and cream for Ohio State in Week 1. Despite taking care of No. 5 Notre Dame, 21-10 at home, the team didn't look as explosive as many expected in this one, mainly because star receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba left early with a hamstring injury. He is expected to miss "a couple of week" according to 247 Sports.

However, the Buckeyes defense looked outstanding, limiting Notre Dame to one touchdown and a dismal 23% third down conversion rate. If the defense takes the expected leap under first year defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, that could steady OSU until JSN returns from injury.

Week 2 Opponent: Arkansas State (-43.5, 68)

4. Clemson (+800)

Clemson holds the fourth spot in this ranking, but not because of what happened over the first 55 minutes on offense in their 41-10 Week 1 win over Georgia Tech, but the last five.

D.J. Uiagalelei struggled for most of the opener, completing 59% of his 32 passes for 209 yards and fumbling as well, raising more concerns about his starting gig at Clemson. There was more speculation after the game when Dabo Swinney opted to give top quarterback recruit Cade Klubnik a drive to end the game (and cash the -24 point spread), which resulted in a four-for-six 50 passing yards and touchdown possession.

If Clemson wants to contend, it's clear the ceiling is higher with Klubnik under center.

Week 2 Opponent: Furman (N/A, N/A)

5. Michigan (+4000)

Michigan gave Cade McNamara the start against Colorado State, and while the Wolverines rolled to a 51-7 victory, last year's starter didn't impress enough to take control of the starting job, in my opinion. He completed 50% of his 18 passes for 136 yards and a touchdown, paving way for J.J. McCarthy to secure the QB1 role as he is in line to get a start against Hawai'i next weekend in the Big House.

Week 2 Opponent: Hawai'i (-51, 65)

6. Oklahoma (+5000)

The Sooners rolled against UTEP in Brent Venables' debut, averaging more than eight yards per play while holding the Miners to less than four.

Dillon Gabriel was efficient in the 45-13 victory and cover (-30.5), completing 15 of 23 passes for 233 yards and two touchdowns.

Week 2 Opponent: Kent State (-32.5, 69.5)

7. Texas A&M (+2500)

Jimbo Fisher's team shutdown FCS foe Sam Houston State 31-0 in the opener as they look ahead to the tougher part of their non conference schedule against Sun Belt contender Appalachian State and Miami in the next two weeks.

Week 2 Opponent: Appalachian State (-17, 55)

8. USC (+1600)

The Trojans hit the ground running against Rice, winning 66-14 in a game that featured three pick-six's for USC. Caleb Williams also accumulated his stats on offense, completing 19 of his 22 passes for 249 yards and two touchdowns. He added 68 yards on six carries as well.

We'll see if that was enough of a tune up as USC starts PAC-12 play against Stanford next week.

Week 2 opponent: @ Stanford (-9, 65.5)

9. North Carolina State (+15000)

While NC State avoided a massive upset against East Carolina that included the Pirates missing a game tying extra point and field goal in the final four minutes, the Wolfpack are a big benefit of the Uiagalelei struggles at Clemson above, which is why they rise up in the rankings. If Clemson sticks with its quarterback, it only helps NC State.

Devin Leary had an uneven start, completing 51.5% of his passes for 211 yards and an interception, but NC State had a blocked punt in the first quarter that proved to be the difference.

Week 2 Opponent: Charleston Southern (N/A, N/A)

10. Notre Dame (+12000)

The Irish couldn't get the outright upset against Ohio State, but did cash as 16.5-point underdogs.

The defense limited explosive plays against one of the best offenses in the country and was able to play the game on their terms, even in a losing effort.

Expect Tyler Buchner to keep growing into the role of starting quarterback with time. There is time for Notre Dame to stay in the CFP mix despite the early blemish.

Week 2 Opponent: Marshall (-20.5, 51.5)

11. Utah (+20000)

Utah lost one of the most thrilling games of the weekend against Florida, 29-26, but this Utes team proved that they are a contender to run through the PAC-12 and stay in the hunt as a one loss entrant into the CFP.

Cam Rising was awesome: 22/32, 216 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interceptions , 91 rushing yards. Unfortunately, his lone pick was in the end zone in the final seconds with the game on the line.

Week 2 opponent: Southern Utah (N/A, N/A)

12. Texas (+8000)

Texas rolled its Week 1 opponent, 52-10, but now comes the real test against Alabama in Week 2.

Quinn Ewers completed 16 of 24 passes for 225 yards and two touchdowns, but did add an interception to his stat line. We'll see if the Longhorns are CFP material quickly against the Crimson Tide on Saturday.

Week 2 opponent: Alabama (20, 62)

13. Tennessee (+10000)

The Vols throttled Ball State 59-10 in Week 1, but quickly face a stiff test in Pittsburgh on the road.

Will Hendon Hooker jump start his Heisman campaign against the Panthers?

Week 2 Opponent: @ Pittsburgh (-7, 65.5)

14. BYU (+50000)

While the Cougars, could've been looking ahead to next weekend's showdown against Baylor, they didn't.

Jaren Hall led the team to a 50-21 win despite not having Gunner Romney, his No. 1 receiver, on the field, who is still nursing a leg injury. Keep an eye on Romney's availability for Saturday's key matchup against Oregon, but Hall proved that he is ready for a leap this season.

Week 2 Opponent: Oregon (-3.5, 53.5)

15. Miami (+8000)

The U started out strong against Bethune-Cookman, averaging nine yards per play en route to a 70-13 win. I expect more good times ahead for the Hurricanes as they host Southern Mississippi in Week 2.

Week 2 Opponent: Southern Mississippi (-26, 56.5)

16. Florida (+8000)

Anthoyn Richardson was the star of Week 1, leading the Gators to a (slight) upset over Utah, 29-26 at home. Richardson was electric, accumulating 274 combines yards and completing 70% of his passes in the win.

The QB saw his Heisman Trophy odds drop from 60-1 to 14-1 in the victory.

Week 2 Opponent: Kentucky (-4.5, 51.5)

17. Wisconsin (+10000)

Braelon Allen rushed for 148 yards on 14 touches in the Badgers 38-0 win over Illinois State, including the longest rush in Wisconsin history.

Week 2 Opponent: Washington State (-17.5, 46.5)

18. Oklahoma State (+10000)

Spencer Sanders started his 2022 season strong, completing 68% of his 41 passes for 406 yards and four touchdowns as the Cowboys hung 58 on Central Michigan.

It's worth noting that what was a top five defense under Jim Knowles (who is now the DC at Ohio State) allowed the Chippewas to score 44 points and cover the 20.5-point spread.

Week 2 Opponent: Arizona State (-11, 55)

19. Mississippi State (+2000)

The Bulldogs limited Memphis to less than 300 yards of total offense as they won 49-23 to start 2022.

Will Rogers was on point all game long, completing 38 of 49 passes for five touchdowns.

Week 2 Opponent: @ Arizona (-10.5, 61.5)

20. Washington (+2000)

Michael Penix's Washington career got off to a good start, completing two-thirds of his passes for four touchdowns as the Huskies covered against Kent State at home, 45-20.

Week 2 Opponent: Portland State (N/A, N/A)

21. TCU (+25000)

It was a slow start for the Horned Frogs in Colorado, but the team got going in the second half and cruised to a win and cover against the Buffaloes.

The big takeaway from this one is that Chandler Morris left the game with a knee injury, but should only miss about a week. However, this does pave way for Max Duggan to secure the job after Morris was pedestrian in the start (13/20, 111 passing yards).

Week 2 Opponent: Tarleton State (N/A, N/A)

22. Oregon (+30000)

The Ducks had the worst result of the weekend, looking uncompetitive against Georgia in the 49-3 loss.

While a loss isn't the end all be all for the Ducks season, it's going to be tough to look past a blowout like that when the committee assess this team's candidacy for the CFP.

Week 2 Opponent: Eastern Washington (N/A, N/A)

23. Houston (+30000)

The Cougars avoided a crushing loss at UTSA on Saturday, winning in a thrilling triple overtime affair. The team had to dig out of a two touchdown hole in the second half, but Clayton Tune and Tank Dell got the team out of an Antonio with a win.

Week 2 Opponent: @ Texas Tech (+3, 65.5)

24. Arkansas (+12000)

K.J. Jefferson combined for 283 yards and four touchdowns as the Razorbacks won at home against Cincinnati, 31-24.

The team has another test though as they open conference play against Spencer Rattler and South Carolina next week.

Week 2 Opponent: South Carolina (-8.5, 53)

25. Penn State (+10000)

It wasn't the prettiest effort, but Sean Clifford drove Penn State down the field in the final minutes to avoid a disheartening loss to Purdue on the road. Clifford was up anddown all game long, but the Nittany Lions left West Lafayette with a 35-31 victory.

Week 2 Opponent: Ohio (-24.5, 53.5)