1. Ohio State 2-0
The Buckeyes had a much easier time this week against Grambling, winning 70-0. Julian Sayin was 18/19 for 306 yards and four touchdowns. His only incompletion was an interception. The Buckeyes ran for 274 yards as well. They face in state Ohio next week.
Last week’s ranking: 1
2. Penn State 2-0
After a sluggish first half that still saw Penn State up 10-0 at the half, they pulled away in the second half against FIU, winning 34-0. Drew Allar threw for 200 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Kaytron Allen rushed for 144 yards and a score. Next week, Penn State welcomes Villanova.
Last week’s ranking: 2
3. Oregon 2-0
Oregon moves up a spot after destroying Oklahoma State 69-3. The Ducks scored 20 in the first quarter, 21 in the second, and 28 in the third. They ran for 312 yards and five touchdowns and outgained Oklahoma State 631-211. Next week is a Big Ten opener against Northwestern.
Last week’s ranking: 4
4. Indiana 2-0
Indiana lands at four after a 56-9 win over Kennesaw State. Fernando Mendoza had 245 yards and four touchdowns while four different Hoosiers rushed for over 50 yards en route to 316 yards and three scores. Next up for Indiana is Indiana State.
Last week’s ranking: 5
5. Illinois 2-0
After a close first half that saw the Fighting Illini up 14-13, they capitalized on a lot of mistakes by Duke, winning 45-19. Illinois forced five turnovers in the game. Luke Altmyer had three touchdown passes to lead Illinois on offense. Next week, the Illini face Western Michigan.
Last week’s ranking: 6
6. Michigan 1-1
It felt a lot like last year in this game. Still, Michigan had chances to win this game. The Sooners didn’t play their best game, and Michigan certainly didn’t. Michigan fell 24-13. The Wolverines will try and regroup against Central Michigan. It will be the first of two games without Head Coach Sherrone Moore.
Last week’s ranking: 3
7. Nebraska 2-0
Nebraska took care of Akron 68-0. The Cornhuskers outgained Akron 730-175 (only 62 passing yards). They also held Akron to 1of-14 on third down. Dylan Raiola threw for four touchdowns and 364 yards. Emmett Johnson had a pair of rushing touchdowns and 140 yards. Next week, Nebraska faces the Houston Christian Huskies.
Last week’s ranking: 7
8. Wisconsin 2-0
After a scoreless first quarter, Wisconsin scored 14 points in every quarter to beat Middle Tennessee State 42-10. Danny O’Neil had 283 yards passing and three touchdowns. Trech Kekahuna had a 61-yard touchdown run. Next week, Wisconsin is on the road against #21 Alabama.
Last week’s ranking: 9
9. USC 2-0
USC scored 21 points in the first quarter on its way to a 59-20 win over Georgia Southern. The Trojans put up 755 yards of offense. On defense, Anthony Lucas had two sacks, and Eric Gentry had 10 tackles along with a sack. USC is on the road next week against Purdue in each team’s first Big Ten matchup of the year.
Last week’s ranking: 10
10. Washington 2-0
Washington beat UC Davis 70-10 due in part to a five-touchdown day on the ground from Jonah Coleman. Coleman ran 15 times for 111 yards. The Huskies had eight touchdowns via the ground. Up next is the Apple Cup game against Washington State.
Last week’s ranking: 8
11. Michigan State 2-0
Michigan State beat Boston College 42-40 in overtime in a back-and-forth game. Jordan Hall had a game-high 15 tackles for the Spartans. Quarterback Aidan Chiles threw for four touchdowns and ran for another. Next up for Michigan State is Youngstown State.
Last week’s ranking: 12
12. Iowa 1-1
Iowa lost a tough one in a rivalry game and against a ranked opponent in #16 Iowa State 16-13, so I didn’t want to drop them too far under teams that are still undefeated that played not as stiff competition. The Hawkeyes have UMass next week.
Last week’s ranking: 11
13. Maryland 2-0
Maryland beat NIU 20-9 on Friday night. Malik Washington threw a 42-yard touchdown on fourth down in the fourth quarter to seal the game for the Terrapins. Maryland’s next game is against Towson.
Last week’s ranking: 14
14. Minnesota 2-0
Yes, Minnesota won this week and dropped a spot. The quality of the opponent matters. It was a 66-0 shutout, but it was also over Northwestern State. Minnesota caused four turnovers. John Nestor had two interceptions, including a pick-six. Matt Kingsbury recovered two fumbles for the Golden Gophers. Minnesota hits the road next week for the first time against California.
Last week’s ranking: 13
15. Purdue 2-0
Southern Illinois gave Purdue a fight in the first quarter, 14-14, but the Boilermakers pulled away for a 34-17 victory. Devin Mockobee had 32 carries for 126 yards and two touchdowns for Purdue. Next week, Purdue has USC at home.
Last week’s ranking: 15
16. Rutgers 2-0
Rutgers defeated Miami (OH) 45-17. The Scarlet Knights ran the ball 41 times for 162 yards and a couple of scores. Three players had 10+ carries. Quarterback Athan Kalakmanis went 26/36 for 259 and four touchdowns. Next week, Rutgers has Norfolk St.
Last week’s ranking: 16
17. Northwestern 1-1
Northwestern picked up the win over Western Illinois 42-7. It should give them some confidence when they face #6 Oregon next week in Big Ten action. Preston Stone went 21/29 for 245 yards and three touchdowns.
Last week’s ranking: 17
18. UCLA 0-2
UCLA fell short of a comeback attempt against UNLV, losing 30-23. After being down 23-3 at the half, UCLA scored 20 points (10 in each quarter). The Bruins are back home next week against New Mexico.
Last week’s ranking: 18