The Big Ten's chances of having a representative in the first College Football Playoff likely crashed in a heap of non-conference defeats on Saturday. Instead, the top four teams continue to lead the race toward the College Football Playoff. While Oregon got the best of Michigan State, Florida State, Alabama and Oklahoma had the luxury of beating up on much weaker opponents.
1. Florida State
Points: 173 (5 first-place votes)
W-L: 2-0
Previous ranking: 1
The skinny: The Seminoles had a rather desultory performance against The Citadel. Now comes a week off before a game with Clemson.
Remaining schedule: Saturday, Sept. 20 -- vs. Clemson; Saturday, Sept. 27 -- at North Carolina State; Saturday, Oct. 4 -- vs. Wake Forest; Saturday, Oct. 11 -- at Syracuse; Saturday, Oct. 18 -- vs. Notre Dame; Thursday, Oct. 30 -- at Louisville; Saturday, Nov. 8 -- vs. Virginia; Saturday, Nov. 15 -- at Miami (Fla.); Saturday, Nov. 22 -- vs. Boston College; Saturday, Nov. 29 -- vs. Florida
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: 3 (Clemson, Notre Dame, Louisville)
2. Oregon
Points: 167 (2 first-place votes)
W-L: 2-0
Previous ranking: 2
Skinny The Ducks' offense wasn't smooth throughout against Michigan State, but it was revving at a high level in the first and fourth quarters and that was enough.
Remaining schedule: Saturday, Sept. 13 -- vs. Wyoming; Saturday, Sept, 20 -- at Washington State; Thursday, Oct. 2 -- vs. Arizona; Saturday, Oct. 11 -- at UCLA; Saturday, Oct. 18 -- vs. Washington; Friday, Oct. 24 -- at California; Saturday, Nov. 1 -- vs. Stanford; Saturday, Nov. 8 -- at Utah; Saturday, Nov. 22 -- vs. Colorado; Saturday, Nov. 29 -- at Oregon State
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: 2 (UCLA, Stanford)
3. Oklahoma
Points: 156
W-L: 2-0
Previous ranking: 4
The skinny: After whipping Louisiana Tech and Tulsa in the first two games, the Sooners get Tennessee next week.
Remaining schedule: Saturday, Sept. 13 -- vs. Tennessee; Saturday, Sept. 20 -- at West Virginia; Saturday, Oct. 4 -- at TCU; Saturday, Oct. 11 -- vs. Texas; Saturday, Oct. 18 -- vs. Kansas State; Saturday, Nov. 1 -- at Iowa State; Saturday, Nov. 8 -- vs. Baylor; Saturday, Nov. 15 -- at Texas Tech; Saturday, Nov. 22 -- vs. Kansas; Saturday, Dec. 6 -- vs. Oklahoma State
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: 2 (Kansas State, Baylor)
4. Alabama
Points: 155
W-L: 2-0
Previous ranking: 3
The skinny: > You know who's really happy Lane Kiffin is in Tuscaloosa? Wide receiver Amari Cooper, that's who.
Remaining schedule: Saturday, Sept. 13 -- vs. Southern Miss; Saturday, Sept. 20 -- vs. Florida; Saturday, Oct. 4 -- at Ole Miss; Saturday, Oct. 11 -- at Arkansas; Saturday, Oct. 18 -- vs. Texas A&M; Saturday, Oct. 25 -- at Tennessee; Saturday, Nov. 8 -- at LSU; Saturday, Nov. 15 -- vs. Mississippi State; Saturday, Nov. 22 -- vs. Western Carolina; Saturday, Nov. 29 -- vs. Auburn
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: 5 (Ole Miss, Texas A&M, LSU, Auburn)
5. Auburn
Points: 144
W-L: 2-0
Previous ranking: 5
The skinny: The next game, a Sept. 18 trip to Kansas State, has some intrigue. The defense, for sure, is going to be tested.
Remaining schedule: Thursday, Sept. 18 -- at Kansas State; Saturday, Sept. 27 -- vs. Louisiana Tech; Saturday, Oct. 4 -- vs. LSU; Saturday, Oct. 11 -- at Mississippi State; Saturday, Oct. 25 -- vs. South Carolina; Saturday, Nov. 1 -- at Ole Miss; Saturday, Nov. 8 -- vs. Texas A&M; Saturday, Nov. 15 -- at Georgia; Saturday, Nov. 22 -- vs. Samford; Saturday, Nov. 29 -- at Alabama
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: 5 (Kansas State, LSU, Ole Miss, Georgia, Alabama)
6. Baylor
Points: 133
W-L: 2-0
Previous ranking: 8
The skinny: No Bryce Petty or Antwan Goodley? Who cares? The Bears still rolled up 720 total yards in eviscerating outmanned FCS opponent Northwestern State (La.).
Remaining schedule: Friday, Sept. 12 -- at Buffalo; Saturday, Sept. 27 -- at Iowa State; Saturday, Oct. 4 -- at Texas; Saturday, Oct. 11 -- vs. TCU; Saturday, Oct. 18 -- at West Virginia; Saturday, Nov. 1 -- vs. Kansas; Saturday, Nov. 8 -- at Oklahoma; Saturday, Nov. 22 -- vs. Oklahoma State; Saturday, Nov. 29 -- vs. Texas Tech; Saturday, Dec. 6 -- vs. Kansas State
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: 2 (Oklahoma, Kansas State)
7. Georgia
Points: 130
W-L: 1-0
Previous ranking: 7
The skinny: Todd Gurley and the Bulldogs took the weekend off. They travel to play South Carolina in a big early-season SEC game next week.
Remaining schedule: Saturday, Sept. 13 -- at South Carolina; Saturday, Sept. 20 -- vs. Troy; Saturday, Sept. 27 -- vs. Tennessee; Saturday, Oct. 4 -- vs. Vanderbilt; Saturday, Oct. 11 -- at Missouri; Saturday, Oct. 18 -- at Arkansas; Saturday, Nov. 1 -- vs. Florida; Saturday, Nov. 8 -- at Kentucky; Saturday, Nov. 15 -- vs. Auburn; Saturday, Nov. 22 -- vs. Charleston Southern; Saturday, Nov. 29 -- vs. Georgia Tech
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: 3 (Misouri, Clemson, Auburn)
8 (tie). Texas A&M
Points: 125
W-L: 2-0
Previous ranking: T-11
The skinny: The Aggies brushed aside Lamar this week. Next week, it's Larry. (Actually, it's Rice, but you get the idea.)
Remaining schedule: Saturday, Sept. 13 -- vs. Rice; Saturday, Sept. 20 -- at SMU; Saturday, Sept. 27 -- vs. Arkansas; Saturday, Oct. 4 -- at Mississippi State; Saturday, Oct. 11 -- vs. Ole Miss; Saturday, Oct. 18 -- at Alabama; Saturday, Nov. 1 -- vs. Louisiana-Monroe; Saturday, Nov. 8 -- at Auburn; Saturday, Nov. 15 -- vs. Missouri; Thursday, Nov. 27 -- vs. LSU
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: 4 (Ole Miss, Alabama, Auburn, LSU)
8 (tie). USC
Points: 125
W-L: 2-0
Previous ranking: 13
The skinny: All of a sudden, the Trojans look to be the best team in the Pac-12 South -- and Oregon's biggest challenger in the league as a whole.
Remaining schedule: Saturday, Sept. 13 -- at Boston College; Saturday, Sept. 27 -- vs. Oregon State; Saturday, Oct. 4 -- vs. Arizona State; Saturday, Oct. 11 -- at Arizona; Saturday, Oct. 18 -- vs. Colorado; Saturday, Oct. 25 -- at Utah; Saturday, Nov. 1 -- at Washington State; Thursday, Nov. 13 -- vs. California; Saturday, Nov. 22 -- at UCLA; Saturday, Nov. 29 -- vs. Notre Dame
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: 3 (Arizona State, UCLA, Notre Dame)
10. LSU
Points: 115
W-L: 2-0
Previous ranking: 14
The skinny: LSU dominated Sam Houston State, which is a solid FCS program. There was one embarrassing moment, though: True freshman TB Leonard Fournette striking the Heisman pose after his first college TD.
Remaining schedule: Saturday, Sept. 13 -- vs. Louisiana-Monroe; Saturday, Sept. 20 -- vs. Mississippi State; Saturday, Sept. 27 -- vs. New Mexico State; Saturday, Oct. 4 -- at Auburn; Saturday, Oct. 11 -- at Florida; Saturday, Oct. 18 -- vs. Kentucky; Saturday, Oct. 25 -- vs. Ole Miss; Saturday, Nov. 8 -- vs. Alabama; Saturday, Nov. 15 -- at Arkansas; Thursday, Nov. 27 -- at Texas A&M
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: 4 (Auburn, Ole Miss, Alabama, Texas A&M)
11. Notre Dame
Points: 101
W-L: 2-0
Previous ranking: 15
The skinny: QB Everett Golson looks sharp after two weeks. And so does the Irish defense.
Remaining schedule: Saturday, Sept. 13 -- vs. Purdue; Saturday, Sept. 27 -- at Syracuse; Saturday, Oct. 4 -- vs. Stanford; Saturday, Oct. 11 -- vs. North Carolina; Saturday, Oct. 18 -- at Florida State; Saturday, Nov. 1 -- at Navy; Saturday, Nov. 8 -- at Arizona State; Saturday, Nov. 15 -- vs. Northwestern; Saturday, Nov. 22 -- vs. Louisville; Saturday, Nov. 29 -- at USC
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: 5 (Stanford, Florida State, Arizona State, Louisville, USC)
12 (tie). Michigan State
Points: 85
W-L: 1-1
Previous ranking: 6
The skinny: The Spartans appeared to have control against Oregon. Alas, in seemingly the blink of an eye, the Ducks regained control and cruised to the win.
Remaining schedule: Saturday, Sept. 20 -- vs. Eastern Michigan; Saturday, Sept. 27 -- vs. Wyoming; Saturday, Oct. 4 -- vs. Nebraska; Saturday, Oct. 11 -- at Purdue; Saturday, Oct. 18 -- at Indiana; Saturday, Oct. 25 -- vs. Michigan; Saturday, Nov. 8 -- vs. Ohio State; Saturday, Nov. 15 -- at Maryland; Saturday, Nov. 22 -- vs. Rutgers; Saturday, Nov. 29 -- at Penn State
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: 3 (Oregon, Nebraska, Ohio State)
12 (tie). Ole Miss
Points: 85
W-L: 2-0
Previous ranking: 16
The skinny: The defense has given up just six points (two field goals) through the first two games. The offense rolled up 34 points in crunching Vandy on Saturday.
Remaining schedule: Saturday, Sept. 13 -- vs. Louisiana-Lafayette; Saturday, Sept. 27 -- vs. Memphis; Saturday, Oct. 4 -- vs. Alabama; Saturday, Oct. 11 -- at Texas A&M; Saturday, Oct. 18 -- vs. Tennessee; Saturday, Oct. 25 -- at LSU; Saturday, Nov. 1 -- vs. Auburn; Saturday, Nov. 8 -- vs. Presbyterian; Saturday, Nov. 22 -- at Arkansas; Saturday, Nov. 29 -- vs. Mississippi State
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: 4 (Alabama, Texas A&M, LSU, Auburn)
12 (tie). UCLA
Points: 85
W-L: 2-0
Previous ranking: 9
The skinny: Two weeks, two unimpressive wins. What's going on with the Bruins?
Remaining schedule: Saturday, Sept. 13 -- at Texas; Thursday, Sept. 25 -- at Arizona State; Saturday, Oct. 4 -- vs. Utah; Saturday, Oct. 11 -- vs. Oregon; Saturday, Oct. 18 -- at California; Saturday, Oct. 25 -- at Colorado; Saturday, Nov. 1 -- vs. Arizona; Saturday, Nov. 8 -- at Washington; Saturday, Nov. 22 -- vs. USC; Friday, Nov. 28 -- vs. Stanford
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: 4 (Arizona State, Oregon, USC, Stanford)
15. Stanford
Points: 76
W-L: 1-1
Previous ranking: 10
The skinny: How in the world do you score only 10 points when you move inside the opponent's 30 nine times? Hey, David Shaw: You need to coach to win instead of coaching not to lose.
Remaining schedule: Saturday, Sept. 13 -- vs. Army; Saturday, Sept. 27 -- at Washington; Saturday, Oct. 4 -- at Notre Dame; Friday, Oct. 10 -- vs. Washington State; Saturday, Oct. 18 -- at Arizona State; Saturday, Oct. 25 -- vs. Oregon State; Saturday, Nov. 1 -- at Oregon; Saturday, Nov. 15 -- vs. Utah; Saturday, Nov. 22 -- at California; Friday, Nov. 28 -- at UCLA
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: 4 (Notre Dame, Arizona State, Oregon, UCLA)
16. Arizona State
Points: 74
W-L: 2-0
Previous ranking: 17
The skinny: Arizona State might be the third-best team in the Pac-12. We'll find out soon: The Sun Devils get UCLA, USC and Stanford in a row starting Sept. 25.
Remaining schedule: Saturday, Sept. 13 -- at Colorado; Thur., Sept. 25 -- vs. UCLA; Saturday, Oct. 4 -- at USC; Saturday, Oct. 18 -- vs. Stanford; Saturday, Oct. 25 -- at Washington; Saturday, Nov. 1 -- vs. Utah; Saturday, Nov. 8 -- vs. Notre Dame; Saturday, Nov. 15 -- at Oregon State; Saturday, Nov. 22 -- vs. Washington State; Friday, Nov. 28 -- at Arizona
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: 4 (UCLA, USC, Stanford, Notre Dame)
17. Wisconsin
Points: 43
W-L: 1-1
Previous ranking: 20
The skinny: The Badgers awoke in the second half and cruised past FCS foe Western Illinois. But what's the deal with TB Melvin Gordon?
Remaining schedule: Saturday, Sept. 20 -- vs. Bowling Green; Saturday, Sept. 27 -- vs. South Florida; Saturday, Oct. 4 -- at Northwestern; Saturday, Oct. 11 -- vs. Illinois; Saturday, Oct. 25 -- vs. Maryland; Saturday, Nov. 1 -- at Rutgers; Saturday, Nov. 8 -- at Purdue; Saturday, Nov. 15 -- vs. Nebraska; Saturday, Nov. 22 -- at Iowa; Saturday, Nov. 29 -- vs. Minnesota
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: 1 (Nebraska)
18. Ohio State
Points: 101
W-L: 1-1
Previous ranking: T-11
The skinny: Poor J.T. Barrett - - the Buckeyes; redshirt freshman quarterback is going to have nightmares about Virginia Tech's various blitzes. Still, a 10-win season is a distinct possibility.
Remaining schedule: Saturday, Sept. 13 -- vs. Kent State; Saturday, Sept. 27 -- vs. Cincinnati; Saturday, Oct. 4 -- at Maryland; Saturday, Oct. 18 -- vs. Rutgers; Saturday, Oct. 25 -- at Penn State; Saturday, Nov. 1 -- vs. Illinois; Saturday, Nov. 8 -- at Michigan State; Saturday, Nov. 15 -- at Minnesota; Saturday, Nov. 22 -- vs. Indiana; Saturday, Nov. 29 -- vs. Michigan
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: 1 (Michigan State)
19 (tie). Louisville
Points: 35
W-L: 2-0
Previous ranking: T-24
The skinny: The new kid on the ACC block had an impressive league opener last week, then crushed FCS foe Murray State this week. The Cardinals play four of their next five on the road.
Remaining schedule: Saturday, Sept. 13 -- at Virginia; Saturday, Sept. 20 -- at FIU; Saturday, Sept. 27 -- vs. Wake Forest; Friday, Oct. 3 -- at Syracuse; Saturday, Oct. 11 -- at Clemson; Saturday, Oct. 18 -- vs. North Carolina State; Thursday, Oct. 30 -- vs. Florida State; Saturday, Nov. 8 -- at Boston College; Saturday, Nov. 22 -- at Notre Dame; Saturday, Nov. 29 -- vs. Kentucky
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: 3 (Clemson, Florida State, Notre Dame)
19 (tie). Virginia Tech
Points: 35
W-L: 2-0
Previous ranking: NR
The skinny: Defensive coordinator Bud Foster once again wore his "genius" hat against Ohio State. Virginia Tech seemingly sent guys from everywhere -- on every play.
Remaining schedule: Saturday, Sept. 13 -- East Carolina; Saturday, Sept. 20 -- Georgia Tech; Saturday, Sept. 27 -- Western Michigan; Saturday, Oct. 4 -- at North Carolina; Thursday, Oct. 16 -- vs. Pittsburgh; Thursday, Oct. 23 -- Miami (Fla.); Saturday, Nov. 1 -- vs. Boston College; Saturday, Nov. 15 -- at Duke; Saturday, Nov. 22 -- at Wake Forest; Friday, Nov. 28 -- vs. Virginia
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: None
21. BYU
Points: 33
W-L: 2-0
Previous ranking: NR
The skinny: We know what you're thinking: "Too bad the Cougars can't play Texas every week." The schedule is tough but not overly taxing, and a 10-win season looks like a lock.
Remaining schedule: Thursday, Sept. 11 -- vs. Houston; Saturday, Sept. 20 -- vs Virginia; Friday, Oct. 3 -- vs. Utah State; Thursday, Oct. 91 -- vs. Central Florida; Saturday, Oct. 18 -- vs. Nevada; Frida, Oct. 24 -- vs. Boise State; Saturday, Nov. 1 -- vs. Middle Tennessee; Saturday, Saturday, Nov. 15 -- vs. UNLV; Saturday, Nov. 22 -- vs. Savannah State; Saturday, Nov. 29 -- vs. California
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: None
22. Kansas State
Points: 27
W-L: 2-0
Previous ranking: 19
The skinny: K-State flirted with disaster, but rallied late to win at Iowa State. The Wildcats get Auburn next, on Sept. 18.
Remaining schedule: Thursday, Sept. 18 -- vs. Auburn; Saturday, Sept. 27 -- vs. UTEP; Saturday, Oct. 4 -- vs. Texas Tech; Saturday, Oct. 18 -- at Oklahoma; Saturday, Oct. 25 -- vs. Texas; Saturday, Nov. 1 -- vs. Oklahoma State; Saturday, Nov. 8 -- at TCU; Thursday, Nov. 20 -- at West Virginia; Saturday, Nov. 29 -- vs. Kansas; Saturday, Dec. 6 -- at Baylor
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: 3 (Auburn, Oklahoma, Baylor)
23 (tie). Clemson
Points: 19
W-L: 2-0
Previous ranking: T-24
The skinny: The Tigers took out their Week 1 frustrations on FCS opponent South Carolina State. They now get a week off to try to figure out a way to upset Florida State on Sept. 20.
Remaining schedule: Saturday, Sept. 20 -- at Florida State; Saturday, Sept. 27 -- vs. North Carolina; Saturday, Oct. 4 -- vs. North Carolina State; Saturday, Oct. 11 -- vs. Louisville; Saturday, Oct. 18 -- at Boston College; Saturday, Oct. 25 -- vs. Syracuse; Thursday, Nov. 6 -- at Wake Forest; Saturday, Nov. 15 -- at Georgia Tech; Saturday, Nov. 22 -- vs. Georgia State; Saturday, Nov. 29 -- vs. South Carolina
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: 2 (Georgia, Florida State)
23 (tie). Missouri
Points: 19
W-L: 2-0
Previous ranking: NR
The skinny: Maty Mauk sliced and diced Toledo's secondary Saturday in a surprisingly easy victory. He and the Tigers face a tough UCF team next week.
Remaining schedule: Saturday, Sept. 13 -- vs. Central Florida; Saturday, Sept. 20 -- vs. Indiana; Saturday, Sept. 27 -- at South Carolina; Saturday, Oct. 11 -- vs. Georgia; Saturday, Oct. 18 -- at Florida; Thursday, Oct. 25 -- vs. Vanderbilt; Wednesday, Nov. 1 -- vs. Kentucky; Wednesday, Nov. 15 -- at Texas A&M; Saturday, Nov. 22 -- at Tennessee; Friday, Nov. 28 -- vs. Arkansas
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: 2 (Georgia, Texas A&M)
25. Nebraska
Points: 18
W-L: 2-0
Previous ranking: 18
The skinny: The Huskies barely escaped with a win over FCS foe McNeese State. Yes, the Cowboys are a top FCS team this season, but it should have been easier.
Remaining schedule: Saturday, Sept. 13 -- at Fresno State; Saturday, Sept. 20 -- vs. Miami (Fla.); Saturday, Sept. 27 -- vs. Illinois; Saturday, Oct. 4 -- at Michigan State; Saturday, Oct. 18 -- at Northwestern; Saturday, Oct. 25 -- vs. Rutgers; Saturday, Nov. 1 -- vs. Purdue; Saturday, Nov. 15 -- at Wisconsin; Saturday, Nov. 22 -- vs. Minnesota; Friday, Nov. 28 -- at Iowa
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: 3 (Michigan State, Wisconsin, Iowa)
Others receiving votes:
Florida 16, South Carolina 13, Oklahoma State 13, North Carolina 12, Mississippi State 10, North Dakota State 7, Duke 4, Marshall 4, Arizona 3, Boise State 1.
Voters in the College Football 24/7 Top 25 Power Rankings include: NFL Media analysts Gil Brandt, Bucky Brooks, Charles Davis and Daniel Jeremiah, and CFB 24/7 writers Bryan Fischer, Chase Goodbread and Mike Huguenin.
Follow College Football 24/7 on Twitter _@NFLCFB_.
