NCAA College Football Power Rankings: Week 1

College Football Power Rankings - Week 1
according to www.espn.com
1 Florida (15) 1-0 375 Florida's charitable offering to Charleston Southern -- in which the Bucs graciously offered the Gators a 62-3 tuneup -- offered few new insights into the top-ranked team as UF strolled to its 20th straight season-opening win.
2 Texas 1-0 357 Like Florida, Texas enjoyed a glorified scrimmage in its season opener -- a 59-20 win against Louisiana-Monroe. WR-turned-RB D.J. Monroe rushed for 64 yards and scored on an 89-yard kickoff return.
3 USC 1-0 345 Turns out the frosh QB had some bite ... against San Jose State, at least. Matt Barkley threw for 233 yards and a TD in the Trojans' 56-3 win. Freshman orientation is over, however, with a trip to Columbus looming.
4 Alabama 1-0 332 It wasn't pretty at times but Alabama made the plays it needed to against Virginia Tech in the Georgia Dome, as Mark Ingram gave the Tide the spark they needed in the fourth quarter with two TDs.
5 Oklahoma State 1-0 302 Georgia's opening scoring drive aside, OSU dispelled some of the criticism leveled at Big 12 defenses with an impressive victory over the Bulldogs in Stillwater. Dez Bryant wasn't too bad on the offensive side as well.
6 Penn State 1-0 290 Joe Pa returning to the sidelines might have been the most compelling story line in PSU's dominating win over Akron. Though a combined 13 receptions for 203 yards from a couple of sophomore WRs -- Chaz Powell and Derek Moye -- was a welcome sight for PSU.
7 California 1-0 262 Last season against Maryland, Jahvid Best scattered pieces of his breakfast, lunch and perhaps the previous night's dinner on the field. This season he left helpless Terps defenders scattered in his wake, rushing for 137 yards and two TDs.
8 Brigham Young 1-0 243 The image many will take from BYU's win over OU is that of the defending Heisman winner crumpled on the Cowboys Stadium turf. But Sam Bradford's shoulder injury won't take away from what was one of the most important victories in BYU's history.
9 Mississippi 1-0 241 Jevan Snead didn't look like the player expected to make Ole Miss a challenger in the SEC West in the first half. Second-half Jevan Snead sure did, though, as he drove the Rebels past Memphis with two fourth-quarter TDs, overcoming a shaky start.
Ohio State 1-0 241 Navy made OSU regret extending it an invitation to the Horseshoe, especially after coming within a 2-point conversion of tying the game late in the fourth quarter. The Buckeyes will have to be sharper with USC in town this weekend.
11 LSU 1-0 225 LSU will be pleased to return from its longest-ever road trip with a win against Washington. The Tigers will be less pleased with the fact that going round trip from Baton Rouge to Seattle seemed easier than getting their defense off the field against UW.
12 Boise State 1-0 214 The season opener will be remembered more for the postgame punch that ended LeGarrette Blount's career, but it shouldn't be forgotten that the Broncos cleared the most imposing hurdle between them and an undefeated season with a 19-8 win over the Ducks.
13 Oklahoma 0-1 189 Uh oh. Oklahoma's bite from the injury bug went from bad (Jermaine Gresham) to catastrophic. With Sam Bradford's shoulder injury keeping him out 2-4 weeks, it remains to be seen how the Sooners will cope in his absence.
14 Georgia Tech 1-0 172 Sloppiness aside, Georgia Tech really needed only a few moments of brilliance from Josh Nesbitt and Jonathan Dwyer to brush aside Jacksonville State. The Yellow Jackets know they'll need to sharpen up soon with a visit from Clemson on Thursday night.
15 Virginia Tech 0-1 162 The ACC favorite was hailed as a possible title contender. There's no reason to think the former is no longer true, but the chances for the latter coming to fruition took a serious blow in a loss to Alabama.
16 Notre Dame 1-0 148 Notre Dame versus Michigan at the Big House probably didn't need any extra window dressing. But just in case the casual fan forgot about the rivalry, Jimmy Clausen and Michael Floyd provided some with their passing exhibition in a win over Nevada.
17 Miami (FL) 1-0 129 Jacory Harris was calm, cool and collected on the field (and on the sidelines) as the Canes passed their first test. But the four-week gauntlet continues as Georgia Tech visits on Sept. 17, followed by a trip to Virginia Tech on Sept. 26.
18 TCU 0-0 127 The Horned Frogs get things started with a visit to Virginia on Saturday (ESPNU, 3:30 ET). Yes, that's the same Cavs team which lost to William & Mary.
19 Nebraska 1-0 83 QB Zac Lee was solid, but it was RB Roy Helu who stole the show (152 yards, 3 TDs) against Florida Atlantic as the Huskers won their nation-best 24th straight season opener.
20 Georgia 0-1 69 The disappointment of giving up an early lead against OSU was made worse by the news that Georgia will lose OT Trinton Sturdivant for the remainder of the season with a knee injury.
21 Cincinnati 1-0 67 The team to beat in the Big East? Tough to argue now. There were those who slept on Cincy this year, but not after an impressive opening performance by the Bearcats who, led by Tony Pike, were too much for Rutgers.
22 Utah 1-0 65 Lost in the din of BYU sidelining a Heisman winner and Boise State's postgame fisticuffs was Utah -- the nation's reigning BCS buster -- extending the nation's longest winning streak to 15 games with a win over Utah State.
23 North Carolina 1-0 58 Sure, it was against The Citadel, but North Carolina can smile about its 260 yards rushing in its season-opening win, including Shaun Draughn's 118 yards.
24 Florida State 0-1 53 It was a tough way to start the season, but the Noles should rebound and pick up their first win against Jacksonville State this weekend before visiting BYU on Sept. 19.
25 Kansas 1-0 32 No surprise. The Jayhawks made it look easy against Northern Colorado. A trip to UTEP on Saturday to face an explosive offense should provide a stiffer test for Todd Reesing & Co.
Others receiving votes: Missouri (28), Oregon (14), Oregon State (11), Clemson (11), Iowa (9), Michigan State (5), UCLA (5), Arkansas (4), Michigan (3), Baylor (2), South Carolina (2)




NCAA Football Power Rankings
according to www.si.com

1 Last Week: 1 Florida Gators (1-0)
One more preseason game, then we get to see what the Gators can really do when Tennessee comes to town.
Last game: Beat Charleston Southern, 62-3
Next game: Saturday vs. Troy

2 Last Week: 2 Texas Longhorns (1-0)
Like the Gators, the Longhorns play two preseason games before a huge vengeance game. Texas will thump Wyoming while tuning up for Texas Tech.
Last game: Beat Louisiana-Monroe, 59-20
Next game: Saturday vs. Wyoming

3 Last Week: 10 Alabama Crimson Tide (1-0)
The big question for the Crimson Tide was the revamped offensive line. With 268 rushing yards against Virginia Tech last weekend, guard Mike Johnson & Co. answered that question. Alabama's defense is excellent, and its offense is better than the one that helped the Tide to a 12-0 start last season.
Last game: Beat Virginia Tech, 34-24
Next game: Saturday vs. Florida International

4 Last Week: 4 USC Trojans (1-0)
The Trojans ran all over San Jose State, allowing freshman quarterback Matt Barkley to get comfortable in his debut. Expect more smashmouth running against Ohio State, which struggled against Navy.
Last game: Beat San Jose State, 56-3
Next game: Saturday at Ohio State

5 Last Week: 7 Oklahoma State Cowboys (1-0)
If the Cowboys' defense can play every game like it did against Georgia, the Pokes can compete for a national title. If the Cowboys' offense can avoid playing the way it did against Georgia for the remainder of the season, the Pokes can compete for the national title.
Last game: Beat Georgia, 24-10
Next game: Saturday vs. Houston

6 Last Week: -- Brigham Young Cougars (1-0)
Call me reactionary for putting the Cougars here, but it sure looked like they were destined for a victory even before Sam Bradford got hurt. If the BCS cronies don't want a major debate, they'll have to hope Florida State (Sept. 19), TCU (Oct. 24) or Utah (Nov. 28) knocks off BYU.
Last game: Beat Oklahoma, 14-13
Next game: Saturday at Tulane

7 Last Week: 5 Ohio State Buckeyes (1-0)
Yes, Navy's flexbone offense is tricky, and yes, the Buckeyes had a pretty good reason to look past the Midshipmen, but top five teams should not have such trouble dispatching a service academy. Fortunately for Ohio State, a win Saturday would slingshot the Buckeyes back into the top five.
Last game: Beat Navy, 31-27
Next game: Saturday vs. USC

8 Last Week: 8 Ole Miss Rebels (1-0)
The Rebels looked pretty shaky in the first half against Memphis. They won't have that luxury against SEC opponents. The Rebels are off this week before facing Southeastern Louisiana on Sept. 19. Then they'll play at South Carolina on just five days rest.
Last game: Beat Memphis, 45-14
Next game: Sept. 19 vs. Southeastern Louisiana

9 Last Week: 18 California Golden Bears (1-0)
The Golden Bears looked awesome against Maryland. I had them way underrated. I apologize to Counting Crows lead singer Adam Duritz and the rest of Cal's fans for the slight. Hope I didn't harsh the buzz in Berkeley.
Last game: Beat Maryland, 52-13
Next game: Saturday vs. Eastern Washington

10 Last Week: 9 LSU Tigers (1-0)
Sorry Tigers, but you must fall a spot after giving up 478 yards to a team that finished 0-12 last season. I have a sneaking suspicion new Washington coach Steve Sarkisian and a rejuvenated Tim Tebow of the Pacific Northwest (Jake Locker) had a lot to do with that, but we'll have to see how the teams develop.
Last game: Beat Washington, 31-23
Next game: Saturday vs. Vanderbilt

11 Last Week: 11 TCU Horned Frogs (0-0)
The Horned Frogs have had all summer to prepare for a team that lost its opener to William and Mary. That's bad news for the school Thomas Jefferson founded.
Last game: Idle
Next game: Saturday at Virginia

12 Last Week: 12 Boise State Broncos (1-0)
The Broncos beat an Oregon team that was far worse than advertised. Now begins the cavalcade of creampuffs. Unless something dramatic happens, expect to see Boise State in this slot for the remainder of the season.
Last game: Beat Oregon, 19-8
Next game: Saturday vs. Miami (Ohio)

13 Last Week: 6 Virginia Tech Hokies (0-1)
The Hokies' defense got overwhelmed by an Alabama offense that may just be a juggernaut. The good news? Tailback Ryan Williams is a stud, and there isn't a team in the ACC that can steamroll like the Crimson Tide.
Last game: Lost to Alabama, 34-24
Next game: Saturday vs. Marshall

14 Last Week: 14 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (1-0)
Woe unto Clemson's Kevin Steele, who faces every defensive coordinator's worst nightmare Thursday. With just five days to prepare, the Tigers will have to stop Georgia Tech's flexbone. Good luck with that.
Last game: Beat Jacksonville State, 37-17
Next game: Thursday vs. Clemson

15 Last Week: 3 Oklahoma Sooners (0-1)
It isn't a total nightmare scenario for the Sooners. According to coach Bob Stoops, quarterback Sam Bradford could be back in two to four weeks, meaning he might be ready as early as the Oct. 3 game at Miami. At that point, the Sooners still won't have played a Big 12 game. Backup quarterback Landry Jones and his mustache should be adequate for now.
Last game: Lost to BYU, 14-13
Next game: Saturday vs. Idaho State

16 Last Week: 16 Penn State Nittany Lions (1-0)
The Nittany Lions looked strong against Akron on Saturday, and if they can guard Greg Paulus out to the three-point line this week, they should roll to 2-0. Whoops, wrong sport. On Saturday, Paulus will get a true welcome back to football from a different breed of Big Ten team than the one he faced last week.
Last game: Beat Akron, 31-7
Next game: Saturday vs. Syracuse

17 Last Week: 22 Cincinnati Bearcats (1-0)
Bearcats coach Brian Kelly has always wondered what might happen if he had a returning starting quarterback. On Monday against Rutgers, he found out. Tony Pike threw for 362 yards and three touchdowns, and Cincy crushed the Scarlet Knights.
Last game: Beat Rutgers, 47-15
Next game: Saturday vs. Southeast Missouri State

18 Last Week: 25 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (1-0)
The Fighting Irish looked fantastic against Nevada. Judging by Michigan's season-opening improvement, Notre Dame will be tested on Saturday. I've harped on the fact the Irish aren't as deep as some of the elite teams, but one thought struck me while watching highlights from the Nevada win. How many teams in the country have a pair of receivers as good as Michael Floyd and Golden Tate? Not many.
Last game: Beat Nevada, 35-0
Next game: Saturday at Michigan

19 Last Week: 19 Oregon State Beavers (1-0)
Beating Portland State didn't prove much, but it did prove the Rodgers brothers (James and Jacquizz) have returned healthy after an offseason spent rehabilitating injuries. Things in Corvallis should get interesting in the next few weeks when Lyle Moevao, last season's starting quarterback, finally gets healthy. Will Sean Canfield keep the starting job?
Last game: Beat Portland State, 34-7
Next game: at UNLV

20 Last Week: 20 Utah Utes (1-0)
The Utes can't afford to give up too many 96-yard runs like the one Utah State's Robert Turpin ripped off last Thursday. Still, junior college transfer Terrance Cain looked comfortable leading the offense. He'll get another tune-up against San Jose State before Utah travels to Eugene to face Oregon in an attempt to bolster its BCS-buster credentials.
Last game: Beat Utah State, 35-17
Next game: Saturday at San Jose State

21

Last Week: --
Missouri Tigers (1-0)
The Tigers were supposed to fall off after losing Chase Daniel, Jeremy Maclin and Chase Coffman. Against Illinois, they didn't look like they'd missed a beat.
Last game: Beat Illinois, 37-9
Next game: Saturday vs. Bowling Green 22

Last Week: --
Miami (Fla.) Hurricanes (1-0)
Quarterback Jacory Harris was the breakout star of Monday's win at Florida State, throwing for 396 yards. If the Hurricanes can develop a pass rush, they could be very dangerous.
Last game: Beat Florida State, 38-34
Next game: Sept. 17 vs. Georgia Tech 23

Last Week: 23
Texas Tech Red Raiders (1-0)
Quarterback Taylor Potts and company might set some records this week when they face a Rice team that gave up 516 yards to Alabama-Birmingham.
Last game: Beat North Dakota, 38-13
Next game: Saturday vs. Rice
24 Last Week: 24 Nebraska Cornhuskers (1-0)
The Blackshirts held Florida Atlantic to 236 passing yards and picked off two passes. That's excellent practice for the pass-happy offenses Nebraska will see in the Big 12.
Last game: Beat Florida Atlantic, 49-3
Next game: Saturday vs. Arkansas State

25 Last Week: 15 Georgia Bulldogs (0-1)
The Bulldogs' defense shined against Oklahoma State. Unfortunately, Georgia's offense stopped after a brilliant opening drive. With left tackle Trinton Sturdivant out for a second consecutive season with a torn ACL, the Bulldogs will have to adjust on the fly again as they prepare to open SEC play this week.
Last game: Lost to Oklahoma State, 24-10
Next game: Saturday vs. South Carolina