After two weeks, college football has firmly reestablished itself as one of the most thrilling spectacles in American sports. Steve Sarkisian secured the signature victory he has been seeking at Texas, while Michigan silenced its critics with a hard-fought upset win in the Big House against Oklahoma. As we look ahead, here are the most pressing questions facing the AP Top 25 following the second week of action.
The SEC is Back in the Driver’s Seat
While Oklahoma stumbled with an embarrassing road performance, the remainder of the top ten is heavily populated by SEC powerhouses. Texas delivered the biggest victory of the Sarkisian era, rallying from 20 points down to defeat the Buckeyes. Although Georgia has yet to face a formidable opponent, its offense has looked elite. Meanwhile, LSU, Ole Miss, Texas A&M, and Alabama have all secured impressive victories in what could have been potential trap games.
Beyond the SEC, the Big Ten has appeared wildly underwhelming. Ohio State once again collapsed defensively after building a substantial lead against a ranked opponent, a costly mistake for Ryan Day. Indiana failed to impress against the nation’s easiest non-conference schedule, and the rest of the conference has fallen far short of expectations.
Why is Oregon Ranked?
Speaking of overhyped Big Ten teams, the rationale behind Oregon’s ranking remains a mystery. While Boise State and Oklahoma State may ultimately finish the year in the top 25, their victories did not suggest that Oregon deserves to be ranked. Their loss to Oklahoma State was no fluke; the Ducks were thoroughly dominated on both sides of the ball.
Not only were they bullied, but they were bullied by an Oklahoma State squad that looked completely out of place against Tulsa the previous week. Preseason rankings should be discarded, as there is no logical justification for Oregon’s current standing outside of the prominent lettering on their new uniforms.
Virginia Controls Their Destiny in the ACC.
Miami remains the undisputed class of the ACC, but it is time to give Virginia a bit more respect. The Cavaliers were arguably the most underrated team in the conference a year ago, and their strong start has continued. They dominated a solid NC State squad and took care of business against Norfolk State.
Up next is an exciting matchup against West Virginia, followed by challenging games against Florida State, SMU, and Duke. While Beau Pribula and the offense could stumble in any of those contests, a clean sweep is entirely possible. If they reach the ACC Championship game with an 11-1 or 12-0 record, they will be a lock for the postseason by the end of the season.
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