Week 2 of the college football season is in the books, and with it came the biggest game of the young season: Alabama-Texas. The Longhorns' road upset — one that was a year in the making for Quinn Ewers after his injury sidelined him in last year's contest — created major shakeups across college football.
Texas is firmly and officially back...for now. In our power rankings, you'll find Texas making a legitimate case for the No. 1 spot and Alabama sliding down to No. 8. But where should the Deion Sanders-powered Colorado Buffaloes rank among the elite teams? And does Georgia deserve to stay atop the list despite playing two cupcake teams to open the season?
The slate of games for Week 3 doesn't quite generate the excitement next weekend will, but that just means many of these teams could be on #UpsetAlert.
1. Georgia Bulldogs (2-0)
Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images
The back-to-back defending champions haven't played anybody relevant through the first two weeks but have handled business, outscoring their opponents 93-14. Georgia gets its first test of the season this Saturday as it plays host to the South Carolina Gamecocks.
2. Texas Longhorns (2-0)
Roll your eyes all you want, but the Longhorns are coming off their biggest win under Steve Sarkisian, beating Alabama on the road this past Saturday. The offense and defense for the Longhorns both played well and backed up all the preseason hype.
3. Florida State Seminoles (2-0)
After opening 2023 with a top 5 win over the LSU Tigers, the Seminoles had a field day against Southern Miss, beating the Golden Eagles 66-13. The Seminoles could be heading into a potential trap game Saturday against Boston College, with the Clemson Tigers on deck in Week 4.
4. Michigan Wolverines (2-0)
The Wolverines' cupcake non-conference schedule keeps them in the top 5 as they enter Week 3, the final week of Jim Harbaugh's suspension.
5. USC Trojans (3-0)
USC has scored 56 points or more in its first three games as quarterback Caleb Williams and the Trojans enter an early-season bye week. Five of the Trojans' remaining nine games are against currently ranked opponents.
6. Penn State Nittany Lions (2-0)
Following their Week 1 win over West Virginia, the Nittany Lions played a pickup game against Delaware, winning 63-7. The offense and defense have been dominant thus far but face a tough road test this Saturday as they take on Illinois.
7. Ohio State Buckeyes (2-0)
The Buckeyes were not overly impressive in their season opener but used Youngstown State as a punching bag to iron some things out. Ohio State gets one more tuneup game before taking on Notre Dame in South Bend in Week 4.
8. Alabama Crimson Tide (1-1)
Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images
Alabama had opportunities to avoid the upset loss to the Longhorns. The Tide's biggest issue is quarterback play; and while Jalen Milroe showed flashes Saturday, it is evident that there could be a change at QB1 at some point this season.
9. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (3-0)
Sam Hartman has thrown 10 touchdowns and zero interceptions in Notre Dame's first three games and has the Irish offense rolling, averaging 47.6 points per game to open the season. The Irish take on Central Michigan this week before welcoming Ohio State into town in Week 4.
10. Washington Huskies (2-0)
Michael Penix Jr. and the Huskies have played well through the first two weeks but get a good road test this Saturday as they travel to East Lansing to play the Michigan State Spartans. A win over the Spartans could buy the Huskies an affordable conference loss for their playoff resume?.
11. Utah Utes (2-0)
No Cam Rising, no problem. The Utes have started 2-0 without their star quarterback, but their Week 2 win over Baylor wasn't pretty — and that type of play will not fare well come conference schedule time. Following Weber State this Saturday, Utah plays UCLA, Oregon State, USC and Oregon in four of their next five games.
12. Tennessee Volunteers (2-0)
The Vols used their first two weeks to prep for their next stretch of games as they take on Florida, University of Texas at San Antonio, and South Carolina before entering their midseason bye week.
13. Oregon Ducks (2-0)
The Ducks dropped 81 points to open the season, but Week 2's win did not come as easily. Down 27-18 at the end of the third quarter, Oregon would go on to outscore Texas Tech 20-3 in the fourth quarter to avoid the upset in Lubbock.
14. North Carolina Tar Heels (2-0)
The Tar Heels looked good following their Week 1 win over the Gamecocks but found themselves in another multi-overtime game against Appalachian State in Week 2, escaping with a win. The most notable stat to the start of the Tar Heels' season is Drake Maye only throwing two touchdowns thus far.
15. Colorado Buffalos (2-0)
Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images
The biggest storyline of the offseason was the Colorado Buffaloes, and the Buffs are still being talked about after two really good wins to kick off the 2023 season. Shedeur Sanders has been very impressive, throwing for 903 yards and six touchdowns in their first two games.
16. Ole Miss Rebels (2-0)
The Rebels did not have it easy this past Saturday as they came away with a win over ranked Tulane in a game that was closer than what the final score said. And things are not about to get easier, as the Rebels play Georgia Tech, Alabama, LSU and Arkansas over the next four weeks.
17. Oregon State Beavers (2-0)
The Beavers were missing out on good quarterback play in 2022, but DJ Uiagalelei has fixed that issue, and the Beavers look to be a serious contender in the Pac-12 in 2023.
18. Kansas State Wildcats (2-0)
The defending Big 12 champs did not play anyone noteworthy through the first two weeks but go on the road to take on Missouri this Saturday before kicking off conference play.
19. LSU Tigers (1-1)
The Tigers' season did not get off to the start they wanted after losing to Florida State. But they kick off conference play this Saturday and look to get back into the playoff conversation over their next three games against Mississippi State, Arkansas and Ole Miss.
20. Duke Blue Devils (2-0)
The Blue Devils did not get caught sleeping following their season-opening win over the Clemson Tigers, beating Lafayette 42-7. The Blue Devils should win their next two games to enter their Week 5 matchup against Notre Dame with an undefeated record.
