College football rankings: Georgia tops RJ Young’s top 25

By RJ Young
FOX Sports College Football Writer

Following an entertaining Week 1 in school football, the query I most need answered is that this: Who goes to beat this Georgia workforce? 

On Saturday, the defending champs opened their season by throttling the Oregon Ducks, a workforce that is not solely ranked No. 11 within the AP top 25, however which is led by former Bulldogs defensive coordinator Dan Lanning. Not solely that, the Dawgs made it look straightforward.

Perhaps 2022 will not look that dissimilar from 2021 in any case.

1. Georgia (1-0)

Defeated Oregon, 49-3

The Bulldogs took this second to remind us all that they are the defending nationwide champs, notching essentially the most lopsided win by one ranked opponent over one other all weekend. While the main target for a Kirby Smart workforce is often on the protection, quarterback Stetson Bennett was the star, finishing 25 of 31 makes an attempt for 368 passing yards and accounting for 4 complete TDs earlier than getting the hook late within the third quarter.

2. Alabama (1-0)

Defeated Utah State, (*25*)

Reigning Heisman winner Bryce Young recorded 5 TDs within the first half towards the Mountain West champion Aggies, and Pete Golding’s protection gave up completely nothing. Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide would possibly nicely be on target for an additional SEC and nationwide title tilt towards UGA.

3. Ohio State (1-0)

Defeated Notre Dame, 21-10

The Buckeyes confirmed large coronary heart getting back from a 10-7 halftime deficit to win on the Shoe towards a top-10 Notre Dame. Without star wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba for a lot of the recreation, quarterback CJ Stroud fashioned a partnership with Emeka Egbuka that allowed the Buckeyes to maneuver to 1-0.

No. 2 Ohio State outlasts No. 5 Notre Dame

RJ Young breaks down Ohio State’s 21-10 victory over Notre Dame. C.J. Stroud was large for the Buckeyes, finishing 24 of 34 passes for 223 yards.

4. Texas A&M (1-0)

Defeated FCS Sam Houston State, 31-0

The Aggies appear like they’re going to be maintaining tempo with Alabama within the SEC West with a 31-0 win towards a Sam Houston State program in transition. After beating out quarterback Max Johnson for the beginning job, Haynes King accomplished 20 of 31 makes an attempt for 364 yards, with three TDs and two INTs.

5. Notre Dame (0-1)

Lost to Ohio State, 21-10

I feel Ohio State might find yourself enjoying within the College Football Playoff — if not the nationwide title recreation — and Notre Dame had the Buckeyes on the ropes within the third quarter. The Irish gave up two TDs and have been held scoreless within the second half, however lined the unfold (17 factors) and threatened the Buckeyes each offensively and defensively.

6. Michigan State (1-0)

Defeated Western Michigan, 35-13

With Kenneth Walker III within the NFL, Spartans coach Mel Tucker wanted to discover a new bell-cow again within the offseason. He discovered two. Wisconsin switch Jalen Berger and Colorado switch Jarek Broussard mixed for 174 speeding yards on 26 carries.

7. Baylor (1-0)

Defeated FCS Albany, 69-10

Bears quarterback Blake Shapen stays scarily environment friendly. He hit 17 of 20 passes for 214 yards and a TD, whereas the Bear speeding assault gained 259 yards of their season-opener.

8. Arkansas (1-0)

Defeated Cincinnati, 31-24

The Razorbacks earned their first Week 1 win towards a ranked opponent since 1975. Quarterback KJ Jefferson posted 285 complete yards and 4 TDs within the win.

9. Utah (0-1)

Lost to Florida, 29-26

The Utes got here up simply quick in a recreation that was tight the entire method on the street towards the second-best workforce within the SEC East. The Utes gave up 15 factors within the fourth quarter after main 19-14 to start out the interval.

Florida upsets No. 7 Utah

RJ Young breaks down the Florida Gators’ upset victory over No. 7 Utah, discussing the all-around nice efficiency by QB Anthony Richardson.

10. Clemson

The Tigers are a 22.5-point favourite towards Georgia Tech of their season-opener on Labor Day.

11. Oklahoma (1-0)

Defeated University of Texas El-Paso, 45-13

With Lincoln Riley at USC, many requested if Brent Venables might put collectively a workers that would rating factors. Not solely did the Sooners put up 45 in Venables’ debut, additionally they did so with out turning the ball over whereas limiting the Miners to simply 316 complete yards.

12. USC (1-0)

Defeated Rice, 66-14

The Riley period started with loads of factors on offense, and a protection that proved itself to be simply as succesful. Alex Grinch’s D took three INTs again for TDs towards the Owls, together with one by Alabama switch and linebacker Shane Lee.

Quarterback Caleb Williams accounted for 317 complete yards and two TDs in his debut on the Coliseum.

13. Oklahoma State (1-0)

Defeated Central Michigan, 58-44

The Cowboys opened the season with 44 factors within the first half towards Central Michigan, however gave up 44 factors to the Chippewas at residence. Pokes defensive coordinator Derek Mason must shore up his unit’s tackling earlier than the convention slate kicks off, or it could possibly be a protracted season. 

14. Brigham Young (1-0)

Defeated South Florida, 50-21

BYU led 35-0 with 7:19 left within the second quarter. That’s who the Cougars have turn into, and it is a motive to be cautious in the event that they’re in your workforce’s schedule this season.

15. Minnesota (1-0)

Defeated New Mexico State, 38-0

Mo Ibrahim stepped again onto the sector for the primary time since Week 1 of 2021 and picked up the place he left off, notching his tenth consecutive 100-yard speeding efficiency. The Gophers can go.

16. Florida (1-0)

Defeated Utah, 29-26

Led by quarterback Anthony Richardson, the Gators rushed for 283 yards towards the Utes in Billy Napier’s debut as head coach — giving him his first win towards a top-10 opponent as an SEC head coach.

17. Michigan (1-0)

Defeated Colorado State, 51-7

This was Michigan’s largest season-opening win since 2016. While the jury continues to be out on who the starting quarterback will be, Wolverines defensive coordinator Jesse Minter answered the query of who will fill the void left by EDGE gamers Aidan Hutchinson and David Ojabo with former five-star Eyabi Anoma and Mike Morris displaying up in an enormous method on Saturday.

Anoma formally joined the workforce simply three weeks earlier than the season started and recorded his first sack as a Wolverine on Saturday. Meanwhile, Morris is so athletic at 6-foot-6, 292 kilos, that Minter had him in a stand-up, foot-nine-technique — an outdoor linebacker place — at occasions in the course of the recreation.

Michigan, Oklahoma roll in Week 1

RJ Young discusses Brent Venables profitable in his Oklahoma Sooners’ debut, in addition to Michigan’s Week 1 romp.

18. Iowa (1-0)

Defeated FCS South Dakota State, 7-3

Iowa has by no means suffered from an identification disaster, and its season-opener towards the No. 3-ranked workforce within the FCS was no completely different. The Hawkeyes grew to become the primary workforce since at the very least 2000 to win 7-3 with out scoring a TD — two safeties and a discipline purpose is all Kirk Ferentz’s workforce wanted.

If you are gonna beat Iowa this 12 months, pack a lunch and convey a rock to combat with.

19. Mississippi (1-0)

Defeated Troy, 28-10

The Jaxson Dart period was a bit underwhelming with the USC switch finishing simply 18 of 27 passes for 154 yards with one TD and an INT. However, Lane Kiffin will definitely take the win to open the weekend.

20. North Carolina State (1-0)

Defeated East Carolina, 21-20

After leaping out to a 21-7 lead at half, the Wolfpack narrowly held off a double-digit comeback try from ECU after kicker Owen Daffer missed a game-tying further level after which a possible game-winning discipline purpose. N.C. State coach Dave Doeren will hope this recreation is an aberration and never an indication of what is to come back.

The Wolfpack is 29-0 when main by 14 or extra since 2015.

21. Miami (1-0)

Defeated FCS Bethune-Cookman, 70-13

The Hurricanes scored at the very least 14 factors in each quarter — together with 28 within the second — of their win. Quarterback Tyler Van Dyke accomplished 13 of 16 passes for 193 yards with two TDs earlier than calling it a day.

22. Houston (1-0)

Defeated the University of Texas-San Antonio, 37-35 in 3OT

The Cougars scored 17 factors within the fourth quarter to drive additional time. Quarterback Clayton Tune completed with 257 complete yards and 4 complete TDs within the thriller.

23. Texas (1-0)

Defeated Louisiana-Monroe, 52-10

Quarterback Quinn Ewers‘ debut featured him finishing 16 of 24 passes for 225 yards with two TDs and one foolish INT.

24. Wisconsin (1-0)

Defeated Illinois State, 38-0

Braelon Allen continues to be a dude. He rushed for 148 yards with two TDs on simply 14 carries.

25. Tennessee (1-0)

Defeated Ball State, 59-10

The Vols led 52-3 after three quarters. Quarterback Hendon Hooker accomplished 18 of 25 passes for 221 yards with two TDs.

RJ Young is a nationwide school football author and analyst for FOX Sports and the host of the podcast “The Number One College Football Show.” Follow him on Twitter at @RJ_Young and subscribe to “The RJ Young Show” on YouTube.