Sporting News break down the College Football Playoff picture, with the four teams we think are in and the field behind them. Bowl projections are coming back in Week 3, so be ready for that.
MORE: Biggest Week 1 overreactions
It’s not too early for Playoff talk. Dec. 2 — when the pairing are announced — will be here before you know it. With that mind, here are the four teams in, the first two out and four to watch heading into Week 2.
1. Alabama
Tua Tagovailoa is the starter, and Jalen Hurts will play. This shouldn’t shock anyone. Alabama’s defense — despite several departures — looked as fast and as sound as any other unit. The coordinator switches haven’t slowed down Nick Saban’s machine, and “The Process” is beginning anew again. That’s a good thing because the SEC West looks a lot more competitive now.
2. Clemson
There’s drama with Kelly Bryant and Trevor Lawrence at quarterback, but the Tigers remain a balanced, efficient machine. The first real chance to show that is in Week 2 at Texas A&M. Dabo Swinney and Jimbo Fisher reunite, but Clemson has a decided advantage in the trenches with its incredible defensive line.
3. Ohio State
The turmoil around Urban Meyer didn’t affect this super-talented team on the field at all. Ohio State dumped 77 points on Oregon State. Quarterback Dwayne Haskins and defensive end Nick Bosa both played like Heisman Trophy candidates (we’re serious), and Ryan Day opened up the offense in every direction. What’s more, the other top Big Ten East contenders (Michigan, Michigan State and Penn State) didn’t look nearly as good.
4. Oklahoma
The Sooners averaged 10 yards per play, derailing the “Lane Train” with an early knockout 63-14 of FAU. Now, Oklahoma will get UCLA and first-year coach Chip Kelly. Lincoln Riley hasn’t missed a beat as a playcaller, and Kyler Murray and Rodney Anderson will continue to put up big numbers.
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5. Georgia
The Bulldogs didn’t do anything wrong in a Week 1 win against Austin Peay. Jake Fromm and Justin Fields, and the Bulldogs look like a well-balanced team that still has the inside track in the SEC East. They can prove it against South Carolina at Williams-Brice Stadium on Saturday.
6. Auburn
The Tigers gutted out a hard-fought win against Washington, and that was much needed given the challenges that lie ahead on the schedule. Quarterback Jarrett Stidham continues to get better, and a Week 3 matchup against LSU is even more enticing now. The winner will be the team dubbed most ready to challenge Alabama in the regular season.
Four to watch
Wisconsin will continue to cruise in the Big Ten West. Jonathan Taylor will pad his stats this week against New Mexico, but we’re still watching Alex Hornibrook’s development. Penn State survived the upset big against Appalachian State. We’ll hang on to the Nittany Lions, but we need to see them make a statement at Pitt on Saturday. Notre Dame is back in the conversation after a win against Michigan. We know this happens every year, but the Irish have the offensive and defensive lines now. That helps. West Virginia’s offense can score 40 on anybody with Will Grier. The Vols were simply the first team in line.
title: “Week 2 College Football Playoff Picture Four In Two Out And Four To Watch” ShowToc: true date: “2022-12-27” author: “Donna Howe”
Well, we’re still 14 weeks away from the unveiling of the four playoff teams, but Sporting News will keep you updated each week with our Playoff Picture. In Week 2, games between Texas A&M and Clemson and LSU and Texas should help shake up that outlook. Those games will resonate in November.
MORE: Overreactions from Week 1
Here is Sporting News with four in, two out and four to watch:
Four in
1. Clemson (1-0)
Travis Etienne reminded everyone the Tigers have two Heisman Trophy candidates in the backfield with 205 rushing yards and three TDs in a 52-14 romp against Georgia Tech. Texas A&M visits Death Valley this week. Lawrence played behind Kelly Bryant in that game last year; one in which Kellen Mond had 430 passing yards and three TDs.
2. Alabama (1-0)
The Crimson Tide took a quarter to get going, but Tua Tagovailoa is the Heisman front-runner again after hitting 26 of 31 passing for 336 yards and four TDs. The Tuscaloosa airwaves will bemoan the running game all week, but the defense did not look bad without Dylan Moses. Look for Alabama to re-establish the running game against New Mexico State.
3. Georgia (1-0)
The Bulldog rolled through a road SEC opener with a 30-6 victory and Vanderbilt, and that came with 323 rushing yards on 8.1 yards per carry. Jake Fromm still needs to find a go-to receiver, and Kirby Smart will lament the 10 penalties for 115 yards, but Georgia can simply overwhelm teams behind that offensive line. Why is it playing Murray State this week?
4. Texas (1-0)
We picked Texas to make the College Football Playoff this offseason, and it was with this moment in mind. Sam Ehlinger, who passed for 276 yards and four TDs in a 45-14 victory against Louisiana Tech, gets the big stage against a SEC opponent this week. The Longhorns also averaged 5.1 yards per carry and forced three turnovers. Their opponent is next on the list.
Two out
5. LSU (1-0)
LSU-Texas promises to be epic, and even more if the Tigers let Joe Burrow air it out in the new-look offense that turned heads in Week 1. Burrow threw for 278 yards and five TDs in a 55-3 romp of Georgia Southern, and the Tigers can get a huge piece of the Playoff puzzle with a victory in Austin.
6. Oklahoma (1-0)
Jalen Hurts totaled 508 yards of offense and six TDs in a spectacular debut, and the Sooners once again have an offense that can score on anybody. The defense was improved but still gave up 31 points to Houston in the opener. Hurts’ impact was more than expected, but keep monitoring the defense to see if Oklahoma can take the next step.
Four to watch
7. Ohio State (1-0)
Justin Fields got the headlines after a 28-0 first quarter against FAU, but the Buckeyes throttled down afterward in a 45-21 moment. It wasn’t a complete performance, but the good news is the defense appears to be better around Chase Young and Malik Harrison. The Owls had 33 rushing attempts for 22 yards. The in-state rivalry with Cincinnati and former Ohio State coach Luke Fickell will be more intriguing.
8. Michigan (1-0)
The Wolverines were sloppy at time in a 40-21 victory against Middle Tennessee State, but Jim Harbaugh seems committed to the new-look offense with offensive coordinator Josh Gattis. Shea Patterson hit three different receivers for TDs, and Zach Charbonnet could be the long-awaited answer at tailback. Don Brown’s defense can still get after it, but they will be tested by Army’s triple-option on Saturday.
9. Notre Dame (1-0)
The Irish took a while to click on both sides in the opener against Louisville, but the rushing attack is still dominant. Ian Book should improve on the bye week. The defense will need to be better against the run in future road tests. The Irish will not be in action after tonight’s game until Sept. 14 against New Mexico.
10. Washington (1-0)
Oregon lost, so now it’s on Washington to carry the Pac-12 banner after a 47-14 victory against Eastern Washington. Jacob Eason impressed with 349 passing yards and four TDs in his first start, and this might be the most-physically gifted arm talent Chris Petersen has ever coached. Washington trusts its system, and that will keep the team here for a while. The Huskies begin Pac-12 play Saturday against Cal.
