College Football Rankings: Top 25 Heading into Week 2

This is when the first college football polls should come out. Some teams (like the LSU Tigers) proved themselves to be contenders, while others (like the Georgia Bulldogs) revealed that they're pretenders.

Even though most started with easy opponents, every team got on the field and showed us something.

With that in mind, here are the Top 25 teams in college football for Week 2 of the 2011 season. Rankings are based on last year's work, as well as the small sample size we have for this season.

25. Auburn Tigers

The Auburn Tigers are lucky to still be in this ranking, as they had to pull a rabbit out of their hat Saturday to escape a loss to the inept Utah State Aggies.

Utah State had (and still has) never beaten a ranked team on the road, and they haven't been to a bowl game since 1997.

Gene Chizik's Auburn team was mediocre before Cam Newton, and there's no reason to think it won't be mediocre again now that he's gone (and Nick Fairley along with him).

The Tigers are still in this ranking for one reason: they're the defending national champions, and they haven't lost yet. I see Auburn at about 7-6 this season.

24. Arizona State Sun Devils

I debated between the Arizona State Sun Devils and Missouri Tigers for this spot, but then I realized that they are playing each other this weekend, so subsequently they will decide who deserves it.

For now, Arizona State gets it because it was sharp in its victory over the UC Davis Aggies, and Missouri struggled mightily with the Miami (Ohio) RedHawks.

Sun Devils quarterback Brock Osweiler was 19-of-26 for 262 yards, and the Arizona State defense shut the Aggies out for three quarters.

Arizona State was just 6-6 last season, but it lost four games by a combined nine points. They Sun Devils should be better this season, and they need to start with a win at home against Missouri this Friday.

23. South Florida Bulls

Skip Holtz's South Florida Bulls provided one of the biggest surprises of the weekend, coming in to South Bend and knocking off Notre Dame.

While the Bulls were out-gained 508-254, the defense came up with turnovers in big situations and quarterback B.J. Daniels managed the game well, finishing 18-of-30 for 128 yards and a touchdown.

South Florida has a very easy schedule ahead, with the season finale against West Virginia looking like the only game left against a ranked opponent.

If Daniels continues to play well, there's no reason the Bulls can't challenge for the Big East championship.

22. Baylor Bears

I think teams should be rewarded for starting with good opponents, and that's exactly what happened to the Baylor Bears when they faced the Rose Bowl champion TCU Horned Frogs.

Quarterback Robert Griffin III looked like Michael Vick against the Washington Redskins, dropping in deep ball after deep ball in perfect stride. Wide receiver Kendall Wright caught two touchdowns and threw for a third, while running back Terrance Ganaway added 124 yards on the ground.

The Baylor defense will have to improve after giving up 466 yards to the Horned Frogs, but with Griffin throwing for 359 yards and five touchdowns against the top defense in the nation a year ago, his team deserves to be in the top 25.

21. Penn State Nittany Lions

The Penn State Nittany Lions' stay in the top 25 might be short, as the Alabama Crimson Tide come to town this Saturday.

The Crimson Tide dominated the Nittany Lions a year ago, forcing four turnovers in a 24-3 runaway victory. Penn State has the advantage of playing the rematch at home, but I'm not sure that is enough. Alabama looks like it might be the best team in the country.

Penn State looked good in its opening game against the Indiana State Sycamores, with Silas Redd rushing for 104 yards and two touchdowns. Matt McGloin and Rob Bolden split time at quarterback, with neither throwing a touchdown or interception.

If Penn State shocks Alabama, the schedule really opens up, before a deadly three-game stretch against the Nebraska Cornhuskers, Ohio State Buckeyes (away) and Wisconsin Badgers (also away) to close the regular season.

20. Texas Longhorns

Mack Brown and the Texas Longhorns took a beating from just about everyone in the media after last season's shocking 5-7 debacle.

But one season does not a program make. Garrett Gilbert attempted to bounce back from his rough debut season with a solid performance Saturday against the Rice Owls. Gilbert was 13-of-23 for 239 yards and a touchdown.

With 14 starters returning, and the fact that they were serious underachievers last season, the Longhorns should be much better. A lot is riding on Gilbert and the defense, which, though returning eight starters, is now without Will Muschamp to lead it.

19. West Virginia Mountaineers

The West Virginia Mountaineers continued their dominance over their fellow "friend of coal," defeating the Marshall Thundering Herd 34-13 on Sunday.

Geno Smith had a very productive day, completing 26-of-35 passes for 249 yards and two touchdowns, and converting more third-and-longs than I thought humanly possible.

The West Virginia defense had a solid day, holding their in-state rivals to just 189 yards. This is encouraging, considering the Mountaineers defense lost eight starters from the 2010 unit.

With offensive weapons Noel Devine and Jock Sanders also gone, Geno Smith will have to find new playmakers to help him out. Still, other than a trip to the Maryland Terrapins in 11 days and the big home game against the LSU Tigers the next week, the Mountaineers have a very easy schedule.

If they can somehow surprise LSU (which I don't see happening), the road would be clear ahead.

18. Florida Gators

The Will Muschamp era got off to a successful start with the Florida Gators' 41-3 victory over the Florida Atlantic Owls.

The lightning-fast Gators defense held the Owls to just 137 yards of offense, while Charlie Weis' crew ground out 468 yards.

The big question mark is still John Brantley, who threw two interceptions. Brantley was 21-of-30 for 229 yards, but you can't turn the ball over, especially against weak opponents.

The Gators offense is equipped with playmakers as usual, with Jeff Demps going over 100 rushing yards on Saturday, and Chris Rainey opening his Heisman campaign by scoring three different ways and combining for 146 yards of offense.

As long as Brantley can manage the game and get the ball to his numerous playmakers, the stout defense could allow Florida to retake the SEC East from the South Carolina Gamecocks.

17. Mississippi State Bulldogs

The Mississippi State Bulldogs started off their season right Saturday, declawing the Memphis Tigers.

Quarterback Chris Relf threw for 202 yards and two touchdowns, and running back Vick Ballard earned the right to the name Vick with 166 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.

Mississippi State returns 14 starters from the team that finished 9-4 in 2010. Unfortunately, the Bulldogs have the pleasure of playing in the best division in football. Mississippi State has to travel to face the Auburn Tigers on Saturday, then host the LSU Tigers the next week.

While complaining about their hard schedule, Bulldogs fans can console themselves with the fact that they might be the first college football team in history to start all three games against teams with the nickname "Tigers."

16. Ohio State Buckeyes

With Terrelle Pryor gone, the Ohio State Buckeyes and several tattoo parlors in Columbus took a serious hit.

The Buckeyes also will be without star tailback Dan "Boom" Herron and receiver DeVier Posey for the first five games, which include a trip to the Miami Hurricanes and a matchup at home against the Michigan State Spartans.

Ohio State has to replace Cameron Heyward and three other starters on defense, but the new unit looked good in the shutout of the Akron Zips Saturday, holding them to just 97 yards of offense.

Joe Bauserman also looked sharp, going 12-of-16 for 163 yards and three touchdowns. New coach Luke Fickell will probably see his Buckeyes drop off this season, but I'm not sure how much. If they can escape the first five games without Herron and Posey, they might be okay.

With Wisconsin replacing several starters as well, I don't think there are any Big Ten teams the Buckeyes can't beat.

15. Michigan State Spartans

The Michigan State Spartans have their main weapons returning, with quarterback Kirk Cousins and tailbacks Le'Veon Bell and Edwin Baker all back.

The main thing for the Spartans will be trying to forget that horrible beating the Alabama Crimson Tide put on them in the Capital One Bowl.

Michigan State opened the 2011 campaign with a 28-6 win over the Youngstown State Penguins. Cousins was 18-of-22 for 222 yards and two touchdowns, while Baker added 91 yards on the ground and Bell ran for two touchdowns.

The Spartans have an easy schedule aside from the month of October, when they play all four of their toughest games. We may not find out how good they are until then.

14. Arkansas Razorbacks

The Arkansas Razorbacks will be hampered by the loss of running back Knile Davis this season. The Heisman contender would have provided some much-needed balance to the Razorbacks offense.

Arkansas made short work of the Missouri State Bears Saturday. Tyler Wilson threw for 260 yards and two touchdowns, and his backup, Brandon Mitchell, threw for 104 yards. However, the running game only provided 102 yards on 33 carries.

With the defense returning eight starters, Arkansas could have a great season. Tyler Wilson is supposed to be as good as Ryan Mallett, and the defense will almost certainly be better. The big question is whether anyone can fill in for Davis. If not, the Razorbacks will be painfully one-dimensional.

The schedule doesn't provide any breaks either, with a not-so-neutral-site game against the Texas A&M Aggies and trips to face the Alabama Crimson Tide and LSU Tigers.

13. Nebraska Cornhuskers

While Nebraska followed a solid 2009 season with a good opening in 2010, it faltered significantly at the end of last season. The offense ground to a halt in big games, and the Cornhuskers were outplayed in the Holiday Bowl by a Washington Huskies team that came into the game at just 6-6.

With Roy Helu Jr. departing to the NFL, the best weapon was taken from an offense that was inept for the better part of the season anyway. The defense will still be solid, but losing Prince Amukamara and Eric Hagg from the secondary will hurt.

I love Bo Pelini, and I think he's bringing Nebraska back, but I don't think they're a top-10 team this season.

Taylor Martinez had a phenomenal game (116 passing yards and 135 rushing yards) against the Chattanooga Mocs on Saturday, but if it's anything like last season, the offense will dominate weaker opponents and fall apart against better defenses.

12. Wisconsin Badgers

I think the pollsters might be overrating the Wisconsin Badgers at this point in the season.

The Badgers lost quarterback Scott Tolzien, Outland Trophy winner Gabe Carimi, John Moffitt, tailback John Clay and five starters on defense.

I can't see the Badgers not experiencing a drop-off, as they integrate so many new players into the starting lineup. They pummeled the UNLV Rebels Saturday, but UNLV only won two games last season.

The crux of the Wisconsin schedule comes in October, when it faces the new members, the Nebraska Cornhuskers, and then travels to face the Michigan State Spartans and Ohio State Buckeyes in consecutive weeks. We'll find out how good the Badgers are then.

11. South Carolina Gamecocks

The South Carolina Gamecocks put their fans through a wild ride Saturday, falling behind the East Carolina Pirates by 17 points before rallying to a 19-point victory.

I think Stephen Garcia proved he deserved the starting role, as he was 7-of-15 passing for 110 yards and a touchdown, with 56 yards and two touchdowns added on the ground.

I've been a detractor of Garcia's in the past, but his poise coming off the bench in a tough situation was impressive.

With two unbelievable weapons in receiver Alshon Jeffery and tailback Marcus Lattimore, I see no reason why the Gamecocks won't win the weaker half of the SEC again.

10. Oregon Ducks

The Oregon Ducks can at least console themselves with the fact that they out-gained the LSU Tigers on Saturday. While most pundits are describing the loss in terms such as "beatdown," I don't see it that way.

Les Miles' crew was the beneficiary of a Kenjon Barner fumbled punt, and two fumbles from freshman De'Anthony Thomas, who was thrust into the game when Barner and LaMichael James were both sidelined with cramps.

I'm not so sure that Oregon wouldn't win this game more times than not in a 10-game series.

The Ducks have a fairly easy run before they face the USC Trojans and Stanford Cardinal in consecutive weeks in November. I wouldn't be surprised to see them come back into the BCS title race if things get 2007-style crazy.

9. Virginia Tech Hokies

The Virginia Tech Hokies seem certain to be undefeated heading into the 2011 ACC Championship Game.

The current slate is the easiest schedule the Hokies have had in over a decade, which should give new quarterback Logan Thomas ample time to develop.

Though they played FCS Appalachian State, the Hokies were still impressive in their dismantling of the Mountaineers. The defense looks very fast and dominated the Mountaineers the way an SEC defense would.

Thomas has a veritable clown car of seasoned receivers to throw to, and lightning-fast David Wilson in the backfield. Virginia Tech travels to face the East Carolina Pirates this weekend, which will be the hardest game it plays until October.

8. Texas A&M Aggies

The Texas A&M Aggies struggled with the Southern Methodist University Mustangs for a quarter on Saturday before pulling away with a comfortable 46-14 victory.

It's an impressive drubbing of a bowl team from a year ago, and a solid start to the 2011 campaign. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill was sharp, going 21-of-26 for 246 yards and two touchdowns.

The Aggies have 19 returning starters this season, which is something that cannot be overlooked. Texas A&M has another important factor working in its favor, as it gets the Oklahoma State Cowboys, Arkansas Razorbacks, Baylor Bears, Missouri Tigers and Texas Longhorns at home.

A 9-4 team from a season ago with almost every starter back and the majority of its big games at home (where it gets to play with a 12th man) is a recipe for success.

7. Oklahoma State Cowboys

Mike Gundy is a man, he's 40 (44 now) and he's ready to take his Oklahoma State Cowboys team to the next level.

Under Gundy the Cowboys have shown steady and unwavering improvement each and every season. They now look to build off an 11-2 season and top 10 finish.

Uber-talented receiver Justin Blackmon returned in style Saturday, catching eight passes for 144 yards. Quarterback Brandon Weeden's 2011 debut was a mixed bag, as he threw three interceptions along with his three touchdowns.

Despite the fact that there are six new starters on defense, I have a good feeling about this Oklahoma State team. The Cowboys were just a touchdown away from the Big 12 championship game last year. The big test comes in three weeks when they travel to face the Texas A&M Aggies.

6. Boise State Broncos

Yes, the Boise State Broncos were dominant against the Georgia Bulldogs on Saturday. But how good is Georgia, really?

For some reason, Georgia was the recipient of an overwhelming amount of preseason hype this summer, despite the fact that the Bulldogs were 6-7 last season and lost their best player (A.J. Green) to the NFL.

Kellen Moore and Boise State are good, but without Titus Young and Austin Pettis, I don't think the Broncos are as good as they were last year.

Boise State has a solid chance to go undefeated, as the only thing really standing in its way is a TCU Horned Frogs team that didn't look too good in their opener. The Broncos will really need Georgia to bounce back (like Virginia Tech did a year ago) in order to have any shot at the BCS championship.

5. Stanford Cardinal

The Stanford Cardinal still have Andrew Luck, and that's good enough for me.

There are obvious concerns about the Cardinal this season, as head coach Jim Harbaugh has migrated south to the San Francisco 49ers, and three of the starters from 2010's stalwart offensive line are now gone.

But the experts are all comparing Luck to Peyton Manning, and Manning keeps winning no matter what coach, offensive line or receivers he's playing with.

There are other things to like about this Stanford team besides its T-square-wielding quarterback. Seven starters return on defense, and they get the Oregon Ducks at home.

This Stanford team could be as good or better than the one that pummeled Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl. Obviously there's not much to be learned from the whipping of the San Jose State Spartans. Back-to-back trips to face the Duke Blue Devils and Arizona Wildcats will be more telling.

4. Florida State Seminoles

It seems like 2011 might be the season the Florida State Seminoles finally return to powerhouse status.

Jimbo Fisher's squad won 10 games a season ago, culminating in a solid 26-17 victory over the SEC East champion South Carolina Gamecocks.

Eighteen starters return, and although Christian Ponder is gone, E.J. Manuel has extensive playing experience and looked good in the ACC championship game and Chick-fil-A Bowl. Manuel had a pretty good opener against the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks, going 22-of-34 for 252 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.

The entire season hinges on the showdown with the Oklahoma Sooners in two weeks. If the Seminoles win that one, they will be in the driver's seat in the BCS championship race.

3. Louisiana State University Tigers

Les Miles' LSU Tigers won yet another big game for him Saturday against the No. 3 Oregon Ducks. Miles' recruiting skills seem to outweigh his lack of acumen in game management.

The loss of Jordan Jefferson did not seem to hurt the Tigers, as Jarrett Lee successfully handed the ball off to Michael Ford and Spencer Ware time and time again, and completed a handful of passes along the way.

I'm not completely sold on this team. The defense is phenomenal, but I don't think you can successfully traverse the SEC without a balanced offensive attack. Either Lee or Jefferson (if he returns) needs to lead an improvement of the passing game. There are several SEC teams with better defenses than Oregon, and they will stymie the run and force LSU to pass.

2. Alabama Crimson Tide

The Alabama Crimson Tide faced the Kent State Golden Flashes on Saturday, and in a flash, Alabama was up 21-0 and Kent State was wishing it were back in Ohio (which rarely happens to anyone).

I don't know where to stand on Alabama. After seeing the Tide thrash the Michigan State Spartans in the Capital One Bowl, I thought they were the best team in the country. But they lost Mark Ingram, Julio Jones, Greg McElroy and Marcell Dareus, so this really isn't the same team.

At the same time, Alabama regularly recruits better players than the Carolina Panthers have, and it still has Trent Richardson, Marquis Maze and most of the defense.

For now, Alabama stays at No. 2. It can move up if the Oklahoma Sooners lose, or if it wins back-to-back games against the Arkansas Razorbacks and Florida Gators in a few weeks.

1. Oklahoma Sooners

The Oklahoma Sooners took care of business Saturday, dismantling the Tulsa Golden Hurricane 47-17. While Tulsa is certainly not a powerhouse, the Golden Hurricane won 10 games a season ago.

Bob Stoops' crew seems like the best team in the land, and they certainly didn't do anything to diminish that impression in their opening game.

Landry Jones threw for 375 yards (158 of which went to Ryan Broyles), and the defense forced three turnovers.

The Sooners now have a week off before having to travel to Tallahassee to face the Florida State Seminoles in a game that will likely determine the BCS championship front-runner.