College football is back, and it basically just hit the "reset" button on everything we thought we knew. If you spent your summer convinced that the preseason rankings were gospel, Week 1 likely felt like a bucket of ice water to the face. The college football top 25 rankings week 2 are out, and honestly? It’s a total wrecking ball to the established order.
We saw a preseason No. 1 go down. We saw a perennial titan in Tuscaloosa look human. It's wild.
The King is Dead, Long Live the Buckeyes
Texas entered the season with all the hype in the world. Arch Manning, Steve Sarkisian’s play-calling, the SEC transition—it felt like a freight train. But Ohio State didn't care about the narrative. The Buckeyes walked into that heavyweight bout and squeezed the life out of the Longhorns in a 14-7 defensive masterclass.
Ohio State is now your new No. 1.
They snagged 55 first-place votes in the AP Poll. Julian Sayin looked like the real deal at quarterback, but it was that Silver Bullet defense that really told the story. Texas, meanwhile, tumbled six spots down to No. 7. It’s not a death sentence for their season, but the "Arch-mania" has definitely cooled off a bit after a shaky debut where he looked, well, like a kid playing his first real meaningful snaps.
The Bama Bomb and the Florida State Resurrection
Nobody expected Alabama to drop like a stone, but here we are. Kalen DeBoer’s era started with a thud as the Crimson Tide fell 31-17 to an unranked Florida State squad.
Let's talk about the Noles for a second.
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After the heartbreak of how last season ended, FSU played like they had a personal vendetta against the entire committee. They were faster, hungrier, and basically made Alabama look like they were running in wet cement. Florida State didn't just win; they vaulted into the rankings at No. 14. Alabama? They plummeted 13 spots to No. 21. That is the lowest Bama has been ranked in nearly two decades.
It’s a different world without Saban.
Who Else Moved the Needle?
The middle of the college football top 25 rankings week 2 is where things get really interesting. LSU is the big winner here. They went into Death Valley (the other one, in Clemson) and ground out a 17-10 win. Brian Kelly finally seems to have a defense that can hit back. LSU jumped six spots to No. 3.
Miami is also back in the conversation. Carson Beck—yes, the former Georgia QB now slinging it for the U—led them to a 27-24 upset over Notre Dame. The Hurricanes climbed five spots to No. 5. It feels like 2001 in Coral Gables again, though we should probably wait until October before we book playoff tickets.
The New Top 10 (AP Poll)
- Ohio State (1-0)
- Penn State (1-0)
- LSU (1-0)
- Georgia (1-0)
- Miami (1-0)
- Oregon (1-0)
- Texas (0-1)
- Clemson (0-1)
- Notre Dame (0-1)
- South Carolina (1-0)
South Carolina snuck in there after a dominant showing. They’re the "sleeper" team everyone is suddenly terrified of.
The Teams That Fell Off the Map
Kansas State and Boise State. Gone.
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Boise State got rocked by South Florida 34-7. That wasn't just a loss; it was a demolition. USF is now lurking just outside the Top 25, receiving a ton of votes. Kansas State, on the other hand, barely scraped by an FCS opponent after losing to Iowa State. The voters had seen enough.
Utah is the team to watch in that "others receiving votes" category. They destroyed UCLA 43-10, and QB Devin Dampier is playing like a Heisman dark horse. If you’re looking for a team that’s going to be in the Top 15 by October, put your money on the Utes.
Why These Rankings Still Feel Wrong
Rankings this early are basically a guess based on one Saturday of evidence. Georgia at No. 4 feels low, right? They beat Marshall 45-7 and didn't break a sweat. But because Ohio State and LSU had "quality" wins, the Bulldogs got pushed down.
It’s the classic "resume vs. eye test" debate.
The Coaches Poll is a bit different, too. They kept Penn State at No. 2 but gave LSU a massive bump. If you're a Michigan fan, you're probably annoyed sitting at No. 15, but after a close call in Week 1, the voters are clearly in "prove it" mode with Moore’s squad.
What to Watch for in Week 2
Don't expect the college football top 25 rankings week 2 to stay this way for long. We have some massive matchups coming up that will shake the snowglobe again.
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Oklahoma vs. Michigan. That’s the big one.
Oregon vs. Oklahoma State.
If Oregon struggles with the Pokes the way they sometimes do with physical Big 12-style teams, they could be the next Top 10 team to slide. The Ducks looked great against Montana State, but playing an FCS school is a lot different than stopping a Mike Gundy offense.
The reality of 2026 college football is that the transfer portal has leveled the playing field. You can't just rely on five-star recruits anymore. Florida State proved that by poaching enough talent to rebuild a contender in one offseason.
Actionable Takeaways for the Fan
- Ignore the "Out" teams: Don't count Alabama out yet. They have the talent; they just need an identity. Watch their game against ULM this week to see if the execution improves.
- Buy Utah stock: If your sportsbook still has them at long odds for the Big 12 or the Playoff, grab it now before they officially enter the Top 25.
- Watch the "G5" race: With Boise State out, the race for that guaranteed Group of Five playoff spot is wide open. Keep an eye on Tulane and James Madison.
The rankings are a snapshot in time. By next Tuesday, half of this list will probably be upside down again. That’s the beauty of this sport.
Next Steps:
Check the injury reports for Michigan's offensive line before their clash with Oklahoma. The line movement is already shifting toward the Sooners in several markets. You should also verify the kickoff times for the Oregon-Oklahoma State game, as local weather in Eugene is calling for potential storms that could favor a heavy run game.