Clemson falls, USC jumps in college football rankings for Week 2

In a long opening weekend to kick off the 2024 college football season, some teams proved they are worthy of contention in the expanded playoff, while others proved they aren’t ready for primetime or are starting to actively regress from their previously lofty position. (We’re looking at you, Clemson and Florida State.) Now with Week 1 wrapped in a bow, the new AP top 25 rankings are live.

So where does that leave things in the view of the pollsters? Here’s your look at the latest AP top 25 rankings heading into the Week 2 slate of games.

First-place votes in parentheses

1. Georgia (57)
2. Ohio State (5)
3. Texas
4. Alabama
5. Notre Dame
6. Ole Miss
7. Oregon
8. Penn State
9. Missouri
10. Michigan
11. Utah
12. Miami
13. USC
14. Tennessee
15. Oklahoma
16. Oklahoma State
17. Kansas State
18. LSU
19. Kansas
20. Arizona
21. Iowa
22. Louisville
23. Georgia Tech
24. NC State
25. Clemson

Where we left off: Last week’s AP top 25 rankings

These teams got votes, but not enough to qualify for the top 25

Texas A&M 97, Boston College 49, Boise State 47, Iowa State 32, Memphis 27, Nebraska 27, SMU 23, Washington 20, Liberty 12, Vanderbilt 8, Wisconsin 8, Auburn 8, Tulane 4, North Carolina 4, UTSA 3, Appalachian State 3, Kentucky 2, West Virginia 2, Arkansas 2, UNLV 1, Colorado 1.

Florida State (unranked). Back to the drawing board for the former No. 10 Seminoles, the one-time ACC favorite that plunged to an 0-2 start after losses to Georgia Tech and Boston College.

Oregon (Down 4). A close win over FCS opponent Idaho had voters take a step back from the Ducks.

USC (Up 10). Some redemption for Lincoln Riley as the Trojans played better defense and took down a ranked LSU in a statement win.

LSU (Down 5). The other side of that result as Brian Kelly looking for answers.

Clemson (Down 11). Dabo Swinney needs to re-think some things as his Tigers are already in trouble.

Iowa (Up 4). The Hawkeyes’ offense looked better than a year ago. How could it not?

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