College Football Rankings 2014: Last-Minute Look at Week 2 Polls
Catch the Week 2 college football polls while you still can.
With games like Michigan State at Oregon, USC at Stanford and Virginia Tech at Ohio State on tap, there are sure to be plenty of significant changes in the polls between now and Week 3. With that in mind, here is a look at the Week 2 polls before the games officially kick off.
| 1 | Florida State | 1,541 |
| 2 | Alabama | 1,432 |
| 3 | Oklahoma | 1,407 |
| 4 | Oregon | 1,358 |
| 5 | Auburn | 1,289 |
| 6 | Michigan State | 1,141 |
| 7 | Ohio State | 1,114 |
| 8 | Georgia | 1,108 |
| 9 | Baylor | 1,018 |
| 10 | Stanford | 999 |
| 11 | UCLA | 964 |
| 12 | LSU | 912 |
| 13 | Texas A&M | 895 |
| 14 | USC | 713 |
| 15 | Notre Dame | 605 |
| 16 | Arizona State | 502 |
| 17 | Ole Miss | 438 |
| 18 | Nebraska | 384 |
| 19 | Wisconsin | 373 |
| 20 | Kansas State | 370 |
| 21 | South Carolina | 272 |
| 22 | Missouri | 189 |
| 23 | North Carolina | 168 |
| 24 | Clemson | 155 |
| 25 | Texas | 150 |
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
| 1 | Florida State | 1,456 |
| 2 | Alabama | 1,317 |
| 3 | Oregon | 1,314 |
| 4 | Oklahoma | 1,283 |
| 5 | Auburn | 1,186 |
| 6 | Georgia | 1,114 |
| 7 | Michigan State | 1,093 |
| 8 | Ohio State | 982 |
| 9 | Texas A&M | 978 |
| 10 | Baylor | 962 |
| 11 | UCLA | 944 |
| 12 | LSU | 926 |
| 13 | Stanford | 886 |
| 14 | USC | 729 |
| 15 | Ole Miss | 525 |
| 16 | Notre Dame | 519 |
| 17 | Arizona State | 431 |
| 18 | Wisconsin | 364 |
| 19 | Nebraska | 352 |
| 20 | Kansas State | 325 |
| 21 | South Carolina | 196 |
| 22 | North Carolina | 196 |
| 23 | Clemson | 164 |
| 24 | Missouri | 147 |
| 25 | Louisville | 141 |
Most Important Week 2 Game for the Polls: Michigan State at Oregon
There is a lot at stake in the showdown between Michigan State and Oregon.
The winner will get a coveted, marquee nonconference victory in the first season of the College Football Playoff when strength of schedule is likely to be very important to the selection committee.
Plus, there is the general assumption that the SEC is the best league, so every other conference is trying to pick up head-turning victories to improve their reputation. Along those fronts, Michigan State already beat Stanford in the Rose Bowl last season, so there is an opportunity for the Spartans to be a real thorn in the Pac-12’s side.
Jon Wilner of the San Jose Mercury News discussed the significance of this game from the conference angle:
"The matchup is loaded with significance for both participants and both conferences.
The winning team has a star on its resume to show the playoff selection committee, while the loser likely enters run-the-table mode. The losing conference could have trouble in the committee room, as well.
Officially, there are four playoff berths. Realistically, two are already taken — by the SEC champ and Florida State.
In the only Pac-12/Big Ten matchup of elite teams this season … and given the significance of head-to-head results … the losing conference could be left behind in the playoff race.
"
Michigan State’s offense should be strong this season with the return of Connor Cook at quarterback and Jeremy Langford at running back. What’s more, the Spartans have plenty of experience in raucous atmospheres, as head coach Mark Dantonio suggested, via Joe Rexrode of the Detroit Free Press:
“We don’t really worry about that. We’ve played big games and won in every stadium in this conference. ... I’m more concerned about getting the job done. I don’t think we’re gonna go in there and be intimidated.”
Still, defense is the king for Michigan State, thanks to the pedigrees of Dantonio and defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi, but it is breaking in seven new defensive starters. Oregon’s fast-tempo offense is not exactly the ideal opponent to face early in the season with a young and inexperienced defense leading the way.
The thought here is that Michigan State eventually bounces back from a loss to challenge for a postseason spot with Cook and Langford on offense and the young defense developing over the course of the year under Narduzzi. It also helps that showdowns against Ohio State, Michigan and Nebraska are all at home.
That strong finish for the Spartans would be critical for Oregon as well because its victory would look more impressive.
It would be easy to get a bit macro with this and point out that the Ducks have lost to physically imposing defenses like Stanford, LSU, Ohio State and others over the past few years. However, Marcus Mariota’s presence alone will be enough to win this contest against the physical Spartans.
Mariota may just be the Heisman front-runner for the time being after Jameis Winston threw multiple interceptions in the season opener and can beat defenses with his arm and legs. He will find any weaknesses on the Michigan State side and exploit them constantly.
The Oregon up-tempo attack is about more than just Mariota, though.
Royce Freeman rushed for two touchdowns in the opener, but it was Byron Marshall who put on a show. Marshall averaged 11.3 yards a carry on his 90 rushing yards and exploded in the passing game for 138 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
Oregon had 11 people with a reception, so look for Mariota to spread the ball around yet again. It will be enough to beat a Michigan State squad that will be much better in November than it is now.
Prediction: Oregon 31, Michigan State 20
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