College Football Rankings: Top 25 Teams That Are on Upset Alert Week 2

College football's opening week of scintillating action came to a close Monday night, and with that the Associated Press released a new batch of rankings on Tuesday. 

As always, there were some surprises. The biggest of which had to be Alabama capturing the No. 1 ranking despite the incumbent USC Trojans looking fantastic in their opening 49-10 victory over Hawaii.

Nevertheless, as we head into Week 2, it's time to stop focusing on the past and look at what lies ahead.

For some Top 25 teams, that means upset alert time. Whether it is because they looked shaky in their opening week matchups or simply because they're playing an underrated opponent, it's going to take a valiant effort for these teams to come out on top this week. 

With that in mind, here's a look at teams that should be on upset watch in Week 2. 

Oklahoma State Cowboys (AP Poll Rank: 18)

Teams that win 84-0 in Week 1 usually aren't on upset alert come the season's second week. Nevertheless, the Cowboys need to be careful as they descend into the Copper State to play the Arizona Wildcats.

Despite a too-close-for-comfort 24-17 win over Toledo last week, Arizona has the type of offensive firepower that could turn this game into a shootout. Senior quarterback Matt Scott has patiently waited for his opportunity to start for the Wildcats and looked great last week, throwing for 387 yards and two touchdowns.

In addition, this is still an Oklahoma State squad that's trying to replace two of the greatest players in school history—Brandon Weeden and Justin Blackmon aren't coming back.

And even if 84 points is jaw-dropping, that performance came against a completely overmatched Savannah State team.

The Cowboys' replacements may look great against an FCS school, but Saturday will be our first opportunity to see them against real competition. 

Wisconsin Badgers (AP Poll Rank: 13)

After what can only be deemed a questionable performance in last week's 26-21 victory over FCS school Northern Iowa, all eyes should be on the Badgers as they head into Corvallis to take on the Oregon State Beavers.

Due to Hurricane Isaac, the Beavers' opening-week contest against Nichols State was canceled, leaving much of what the team will do this season up in the air. The team returns sophomore quarterback Sean Mannion, who looked equal parts promising and unworthy last season.

If Mannion and the offense around him has improved, Beavers head coach Mike Reilly could have a sneaky-good squad this season. And with Wisconsin amassing just 387 total yards last week, there are a ton of unanswered riddles to be solved in Corvallis. 

It's possible that the Badgers' scare came last week and they will dominate on Saturday, but until that offense shows its true colors, it could be upset watch every week for the 13th-ranked team. 

Georgia Bulldogs (AP Poll Rank: 7)

After not exactly firing on all cylinders in last week's 45-23 victory over the Buffalo Bulls, Georgia takes a trip to Columbia to take on an underrated Missouri Tigers squad.

Led by quarterback James Franklin, Mizzou's offense looked SEC-ready in a 62-10 victory over Southeastern Louisiana State. The overall numbers weren't gaudy (Franklin threw for just 131 yards), but the Tigers made enough of a statement to garner votes in the AP poll this week.

With a 7:45 p.m. start and what's sure to be a raucous crowd, Columbia isn't exactly the ideal place for Georgia to open its SEC slate. Mizzou coach Gary Pinkel will undoubtedly stress the importance of this game—the school's first as a member of college football's greatest conference. 

A nighttime start, a sellout crowd full of voracious fans and motivated players? Sounds like the perfect recipe for an upset to me.

Georgia head coach Mark Richt will need to keep his players laser-focused to avoid an upset and an early conclusion to his team's BCS dreams.

Week 2 AP Rankings (First-Place Votes)

1. Alabama (45)

2. USC (11)

3. LSU (4)

4. Oregon

5. Oklahoma

6. Florida State

7. Georgia

8. Arkansas

T9. West Virginia

T9. South Carolina

11. Michigan State

12. Clemson

13. Wisconsin

14. Ohio State

15. Virginia Tech

16. Nebraska

17. Texas

18. Oklahoma State

19. Michigan

20. TCU

21. Kansas State

22. Notre Dame

23. Louisville

24. Florida

25. Stanford