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College Football Coaches Poll 2024: Complete Week 2 Rankings Released

Scott Polacek

Goodbye, preseason rankings based on projections and previous performances.

Hello, rankings based on one full weekend of games, many of which were blowouts against overmatched foes.

The latest edition of the Coaches Poll Top 25 was released Tuesday, and there was no surprise at the top. Georgia once again checks in at No. 1 following a blowout win over Clemson in one of the most impactful games of the season's opening weekend.

Here is a look at the rest of the rankings:

  1. Georgia
  2. Ohio State
  3. Texas
  4. Alabama
  5. Ole Miss
  6. Oregon
  7. Notre Dame
  8. Penn State
  9. Michigan
  10. Missouri
  11. Utah
  12. Tennessee
  13. Oklahoma
  14. USC
  15. Miami (FL)
  16. Kansas State
  17. Oklahoma State
  18. Arizona
  19. LSU
  20. Kansas
  21. Iowa
  22. Clemson
  23. NC State
  24. Louisville
  25. Washington

Much of the Week 1 slate included highly ranked teams such as Ohio State, Texas, Alabama, Ole Miss, and others steamrolling lower competition as something of a warm-up to the start of the campaign, but there were a few results that figure to factor into future College Football Playoff discussions.

Georgia's show of dominance in a 34-3 victory over Clemson headlines that list, as the Bulldogs sent a statement to the rest of the country that they are the team to beat. Dabo Swinney's program may have taken a step back in recent years, but the Tigers are still a formidable ACC team that looked like they had no chance against Georgia's stout defense throughout the contest.

Clemson looked awful in defeat, but managed to remain in the Top 25, dropping from 14th to 22nd.

Elsewhere, Notre Dame picked up a hard-fought road victory over Texas A&M thanks to Jeremiyah Love's go-ahead touchdown run in the final two minutes. The Fighting Irish may not face many challenges from a soft schedule and could already have an inside track on one of the 12 CFP spots.

They weren't the only road team to impress against a name-brand opponent, as Penn State and Miami went into West Virginia and Florida, respectively, and exited with decisive victories.

The Nittany Lions and Hurricanes are often overshadowed by other teams in their respective conferences, but they each looked capable of contending for one of the expanded 12 playoff spots this season.

So did USC in its first game as a member of the Big Ten.

The Trojans went into Las Vegas for a neutral-site game against LSU and emerged with a 27-20 win. Running back Woody Marks scored two touchdowns, including the winning one in the final 10 seconds, while quarterback Miller Moss threw for 378 yards and a score in an impressive showing.

Week 2 will have a similar feel with a handful of games standing out while most of the top teams face opponents they should handle with ease.

No game stands out more than the showdown between Texas and Michigan. The reigning national champions looked sluggish for most of their opening contest before pulling away from Fresno State late in the fourth quarter, and the Longhorns will be a far more daunting opponent.

Quinn Ewers could launch his Heisman campaign in full force if he picks up a road win over the Wolverines, and conference bragging rights will also be on the line in a matchup between top SEC and Big Ten contenders.

Games between Tennessee and NC State, Colorado and Nebraska, and Boise State and Oregon are also intriguing and could impact the early rankings, but it is the one between Texas and Michigan that may come to define the Week 3 rankings.

   

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