Top 10
1. Georgia (1-0) (Last week: 1)
We would learn more about Georgia if it held intrasquad scrimmages instead of these non-conference shellackings that waste everyone’s time.
2. Florida State (2-0) (2)
A short week coming off an emotional win didn’t impact Florida State. The Seminoles obliterated Southern Miss, 66-13, a good sign that they won’t let the pressure of expectations get to them.
3. Michigan (2-0) (3)
Senior receiver Roman Wilson already has set a career-high with five touchdown catches while averaging 16.7 yards on 10 receptions. He’s become an early favorite of quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
4. Texas (2-0) (10)
Is Texas back? It certainly looks like it after the Longhorns mauled Alabama in Tuscaloosa, handing Nick Saban his most lopsided home loss as the Crimson Tide coach. Quinn Ewers is a Heisman Trophy candidate and Texas appears much improved up front. It controlled the line of scrimmage Saturday night.
5. Ohio State (2-0) (5)
Yes, the opponent was Youngstown State, but Ohio State’s offense and Kyle McCord needed a jolt of confidence in the form of his 258-yard, three-touchdown effort in a blowout.
6. Penn State (2-0) (6)
Penn State has been here several times before under James Franklin, blowing out inferior opponents early in the year. It’s all about taking down Ohio State and Michigan this fall.
7. Washington (2-0) (7)
An already interesting game will now have an added twist: Michigan State suspended coach Mel Tucker on Sunday amid a sexual harassment probe. The Spartans have started well, blowing out Central Michigan and Richmond, and will host the Huskies on Saturday.
8. USC (3-0) (8)
After three blowouts in as many weeks, USC gets a bye before visiting Arizona State on Sept. 23. But it’s the following Saturday’s visit to Colorado that all of a sudden could have major significance at the top of the Pac-12.
9. Tennessee (2-0) (10)
At least so far, Tennessee’s offense hasn’t lost a step with Joe Milton III under center. It is averaging 39.5 points and Milton has notched seven touchdowns, albeit against Virginia and Austin Peay.
10. Notre Dame (3-0) (NR)
After one more layup, Saturday at home against Central Michigan, we get to see if Notre Dame is a playoff threat, starting at home against Ohio State the following week.
Heisman Watch (in alphabetical order)
QB Sam Hartman, Notre Dame Hartman has so far exceeded the considerable hype, elevating the Notre Dame offense. The Irish are averaging 53.7 points per game and Hartman has thrown 10 touchdowns without an interception.
QB Quinn Ewers, Texas Nobody had a better Saturday than Ewers, who picked up the biggest win of his college career, leading Texas past Alabama. He put up big numbers — 349 passing yards and three scores — but it was his poise, patience and smarts that really stood out.
QB Michael Penix Jr., Washington Two games, two 400-yard passing performances with a completion percentage of at least 72.5. Not a bad start for a Heisman campaign.
QB Shedeur Sanders, Colorado Deion Sanders’ Buffaloes are the best early story in college football, and his son Shedeur is leading them, accounting for seven touchdowns and 903 passing yards through two weeks.
QB Caleb Williams, USC The junior has produced 65 touchdowns in 17 games as a Trojan. That’s 3.82 per contest. Silly.