Projecting the College Football AP Top 25 for Week 2

With one week of football in the books, here's Sports Illustrated's Top 25 projection for Week 2.

Aug 31, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back Nate Frazier (3) runs with the ball against the Clemson Tigers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports / Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

The triumphant return of college football in Week 1 provided plenty of storylines across the sport. From Georgia’s declaration as the class of the sport, USC’s statement win against LSU in Las Vegas, Miami’s dominance in The Swamp that set Billy Napier’s seat on fire, and everything in between, college football fans couldn’t have asked for a better Labor Day weekend as the sport returned in earnest.

With Week 1 now in the books, here’s Sports Illustrated’s AP Top 25 projection heading into Week 2.

The Projected Ranking

1. Georgia Bulldogs: 1-0 (0-0 SEC)

This Week: Won 34-3 vs. No. 14 Clemson (in Atlanta)

Week 2: Home vs. Tennessee Tech

2. Ohio State Buckeyes: 1-0 (0-0 Big Ten)

This Week: Won 52-6 vs. Akron

Week 2: Home vs. Western Michigan

3. Texas Longhorns: 1-0 (0-0 SEC)

This Week: Won 52-0 vs. Colorado State

Week 2: Away at Michigan

4. Alabama Crimson Tide: 1-0 (0-0 SEC)

This Week: Won 63-0 vs. Western Kentucky

Week 2: Home vs. South Florida

5. Oregon Ducks: 1-0 (0-0 Big Ten)

This Week: Won 24-14 vs. Idaho

Week 2: Home vs. Boise State

6. Ole Miss Rebels: 1-0 (0-0 SEC)

This Week: Won 76-0 vs. Furman

Week 2: Home vs. Middle Tennessee State

7. Notre Dame Fighting Irish: 1-0

This Week: Won 23-13 vs. No. 20 Texas A&M

Week 2: Home vs. Northern Illinois

8. Penn State Nittany Lions: 1-0 (0-0 Big Ten)

This Week: Won 34-12 at West Virginia

Week 2: Home vs. Bowling Green

9. Michigan Wolverines: 1-0 (0-0 Big Ten)

This Week: Won 30-10 vs. Fresno State

Week 2: Home vs. Texas

10. Missouri Tigers: 1-0 (0-0 SEC)

This Week: Won 51-0 vs. Murray State

Week 2: Home vs. Buffalo

11. Utah Utes: 1-0 (0-0 Big 12)

This Week: Won 49-0 vs. Southern Utah

Week 2: Home vs. Baylor

12. Tennessee Volunteers: 1-0 (0-0 SEC)

This Week: Won 69-3 vs. Chattanooga

Week 2: Neutral Site vs. NC State (Charlotte)

13. Oklahoma Sooners: 1-0 (0-0 SEC)

This Week: Won 51-3 vs. Temple

Week 2: Home vs. Houston

14. Oklahoma State Cowboys: 1-0 (0-0 Big 12)

This Week: Won 44-20 vs. South Dakota State

Week 2: Home vs. Arkansas

15. Kansas State Wildcats: 1-0 (0-0 Big 12)

This Week: Won 41-6 vs. UT Martin

Week 2: Away at Tulane

16. Miami Hurricanes: 1-0 (0-0 ACC)

This Week: Won 41-17 at Florida

Week 2: Home vs. Florida A&M

17. USC Trojans: 1-0 (0-0 Big Ten)

This Week: Won 27-20 vs. No. 13 LSU (Las Vegas)

Week 2: Home vs. Utah State

18. LSU Tigers: 0-1 (0-0 SEC)

This Week: Lost 27-20 vs. No. 23 USC (Las Vegas)

Week 2: Home vs. Nicholls

19. Arizona Wildcats: 1-0 (0-0 Big 12)

This Week: Won 61-39 vs. New Mexico

Week 2: Home vs. Northern Arizona

20. Kansas Jayhawks: 1-0 (0-0 Big 12)

This Week: Won 48-3 vs. Lindenwood

Week 2: Away at Illinois

21. NC State Wolfpack: 1-0 (0-0 ACC)

This Week: Won 38-21 vs. Western Carolina

Week 2: Neutral Site vs. Tennessee (Charlotte)

22. Iowa Hawkeyes: 1-0 (0-0 Big Ten)

This Week: Won 40-0 vs. Illinois State

Week 2: Home vs. Iowa State

23. Clemson Tigers: 0-1 (0-0 ACC)

This Week: Lost 34-3 vs. No. 1 Georgia (Atlanta)

Week 2: Home vs. Appalachian State

24. Louisville Cardinals: 1-0 (0-0 ACC)

This Week: Won 62-0 vs. Austin Peay

Week 2: Home vs. Jacksonville State

25. Texas A&M Aggies: 0-1 (0-0 SEC)

This Week: Lost 23-13 vs. Notre Dame

Week 2: Home vs. McNeese State

Dropped from Rankings: No. 10 Florida State

Others Considered: Boise State, SMU, Iowa State, Washington, Georgia Tech