AP ballot response: What’s subsequent for every Prime 25 staff
ESPN workers
The brand new AP Prime 25 ballot is out, and here is what it is advisable find out about each staff within the rankings, from No. 1 Clemson to No. 25 Virginia.
New AP Prime 25
No. 1 Clemson
Sooner or later, Clemson goes to have one other shut sport once more. However regardless of a number of hiccups on offense, the Tigers had been a late landing away from successful their 12th straight sport by 20 or extra factors in a 24-10 victory over No. 12 Texas A&M. One factor that is clear: Even with out a number of key defenders who at the moment are taking part in within the NFL, Brent Venables’ protection remains to be loads ok and disruptive sufficient to hold this Clemson staff again to nationwide championship rivalry. — Chris Low
No. 2 Alabama
Tua Tagovailoa continues to function with preposterous effectivity, and the Tide offense retains rolling, hanging 38 factors on New Mexico State earlier than intermission. However here is one of the best information if you happen to’re Nick Saban: You might need lastly discovered a kicker. Alabama has been tormented by poor place-kicking in recent times, however freshman Will Reichard’s efficiency on Saturday could be step one in rewriting that narrative, as he was an ideal 2-2 on area purpose makes an attempt from 48 and 49 yards. — Alex Scarborough
No. Three Georgia
Jake Fromm and the Bulldogs carry on buzzing alongside, making fast work of Murray State as they inch nearer to a big-time dwelling sport in two weeks towards Notre Dame. For those who’re a Georgia fan, although, it’s a must to like what you have seen from the protection, which has a brand new coordinator and changed 5 starters from final season, and had 4 sacks earlier than halftime on Saturday — double the entire it had through the season opener towards Vanderbilt. — Scarborough
No. four LSU
The Tigers’ new-look offense is for actual, and much more shocking, their teaching workers appears dedicated to opening up the passing sport. LSU quarterback Joe Burrow accomplished 31 of 39 passes for 471 yards with 4 touchdowns and one interception in a 45-38 victory at Texas. Burrow is the primary LSU quarterback to throw greater than 400 passing yards towards an AP-ranked opponent since Rohan Davey towards Illinois within the 2002 Sugar Bowl. For the primary time in class historical past, the Tigers had three 100-yard receivers (Justin Jefferson had 9 catches for 163 yards, JaMarr Chase had eight for 147 and Terrance Marshall Jr. had six for 123). One massive concern: LSU’s protection surrendered 409 passing yards and 38 factors. — Mark Schlabach
No. 5 Oklahoma
It is troublesome to glean a lot from dominating an overmatched staff — the best way the Sooners did South Dakota — however Alex Grinch’s protection continues to point out encouraging indicators. They play quick, they’re bodily and so they compelled three turnovers. By means of two video games, OU’s D seems to be like a much-improved outfit and if that continues to ring true — coupled with their explosive offense — that reinforces the Sooners’ nationwide title hopes considerably. — Sam Khan Jr.
No. 6 Ohio State
Ohio State’s protection has seemed dominant in its first two video games, particularly towards the run. The unit struggled final season with massive performs however has seemed a lot improved. Perhaps extra importantly for the remainder of the season, quarterback Justin Fields, who has 9 TDs in his first two video games, confirmed improved decision-making whereas below stress. — Tom VanHaaren
No. 7 Notre Dame
The Preventing Irish loved every week off after their season-opening Monday evening win over Louisville. After internet hosting New Mexico this week, Brian Kelly’s crew will get its first actual check when it travels to Athens to tackle No. Three Georgia in Week four. After that sport, we’ll have quite a bit higher sense of Notre Dame’s playoff possibilities.
No. eight Auburn
The Tigers prevented a letdown after such an enormous season-opening win towards Oregon final week, taking good care of enterprise at dwelling vs. Tulane. However if you happen to’re Gus Malzahn, you have to work out the best way to get the offense operating on all cylinders. The bottom sport, led by JaTarvious Whitlow, continues to battle early in video games, and though freshman quarterback Bo Nix is 2-Zero because the starter, his 47.05 completion share is not going to chop it over the course of the season. — Alex Scarborough
No. 9 Florida
Feleipe Franks wanted a bounce-back sport after his up-and-down efficiency towards Miami within the Week Zero opener — and he acquired it towards UT Martin. He was environment friendly, finishing 25 of 27 passes, and he was cautious with the soccer, committing no turnovers. And if he continues to try this, this offense will thrive and the Gators can win a bunch of ball video games, beginning with the SEC opener subsequent Saturday at Kentucky. — Alex Scarborough
No. 10 Michigan
Michigan’s goals of a breakthrough season below fifth-year coach Jim Harbaugh grew to become a bit dimmer Saturday. Its revamped offense below new coordinator Josh Gattis could not get out of its personal approach, or Military’s approach, as an energetic Black Knights protection principally bottled up Shea Patterson and his teammates. Even after Military opened the door with a uncommon Kelvin Hopkins Jr. interception close to the Michigan purpose line, Harbaugh’s staff could not totally capitalize. If Michigan cannot persistently convert short-yardage conditions towards Military, how will it fare towards Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Ohio State and others? The Wolverines have quite a bit to repair of their open week. Happily for them, they are going to achieve this after a win. — Adam Rittenberg
No. 11 Utah
The Utes won’t solely be the Pac-12’s finest staff, however the staff with the simplest street to the convention title with Stanford and Oregon on the schedule. After successful the division final yr, Utah has loads of causes to consider that is the yr it takes the following step and wins the convention for the primary time. That was the assumption all through the offseason, and nothing by two comparatively straightforward wins has modified that. The convention opener towards USC on Sept. 20 looms massive. — Kyle Bonagura
No. 12 Texas
OK, so perhaps the Longhorns aren’t all the best way again but. After boasting that Texas was the actual “DBU,” the Longhorns had been victimized by LSU quarterback Joe Burrow and his receivers in a 45-38 loss at dwelling. Whereas Burrow made some troublesome throws and took some hits, LSU’s receivers had been operating open on too many different performs. The excellent news is Texas’ offense moved the ball at will towards LSU’s protection, too. Quarterback Sam Ehlinger threw for 401 yards with 4 touchdowns and ran 19 occasions for 60 yards with one rating. — Mark Schlabach
No. 13 Penn State
We’re used to James Franklin groups thumping mid-major competitors, so it was a shock to see the Nittany Lions getting drastically outgained and trailing Buffalo by a 10-7 halftime margin. However a John Reid pick-six kick began a 28-point third quarter, and two Pat Freiermuth landing catches put the sport away. They ended up overlaying, and it in all probability wasn’t a nasty factor for PSU to need to work up a sweat heading into Pitt Week. — Invoice Connelly
No. 14 Wisconsin
The Badgers continued their dominant begin with a 61-Zero shutout of Central Michigan on Saturday. Mixed with final week’s 49-Zero rout of South Florida, Wisconsin has scored 110 factors with out permitting a degree, which is the second highest such whole by a Large Ten program within the AP Ballot period. Illinois scored 113 factors with out surrendering a degree within the first two video games of 1942. Much more necessary, quarterback Jack Coan continued to play effectively, finishing 26 of 33 passes for 363 yards with three touchdowns. The Badgers had 400 passing yards for under the third time in class historical past. — Mark Schlabach
No. 15 Oregon
It was honest to marvel about how Oregon may reply to final week’s heartbreaking loss to Auburn, however the hangover mainly lasted 10 minutes. After a wobbly begin, the Geese completely dominated a Nevada staff which may not be too dangerous, happening a 70-Zero run (!!!) and cruising. After a tune-up vs. Montana, the convention race begins with a visit to Palo Alto to play the Stanford staff that handed them final yr’s most heartbreaking loss. — Connelly
No. 16 Texas A&M
As is the case with most quarterbacks after a loss, Texas A&M’s Kellen Mond goes to get a ton of blame for the setback to Clemson. He struggled along with his accuracy and held on to it too lengthy at occasions, however he additionally acquired hit approach an excessive amount of and spent a lot of the sport below duress. The operating sport additionally disappeared. If the Aggies are going to contend within the SEC West, your entire passing sport might want to enhance, and they’ll additionally want to seek out extra stability on offense. — Low
No. 17 UCF
Freshman Dillon Gabriel acquired the beginning towards FAU, taking up for Brandon Wimbush, and combined some shaky throws with some brilliance. He accomplished simply 7 of 19 passes, however he hit receivers for positive aspects of 57, 45, 21, 74 and 32. He tossed two TDs and ran for one more, displaying a stage of explosiveness UCF followers may rightly have anxious would disappear this season with out McKenzie Milton. It was the 28 straight time UCF has scored at the very least 30. The previous 5 have include 4 completely different beginning QBs, however the Knights might need discovered their full-time man transferring ahead. — David M. Hale
No. 18 Michigan State
The final time Michigan State scored 50 factors, the Spartans made the Faculty Soccer Playoff. Granted, the Spartans did it towards Penn State and Indiana then, not WMU, however Brian Lewerke going 23-for-32 for 314 yards was an unimaginable improvement, and Elijah Collins (17 carries, 192 yards) gave State one thing it hasn’t seen in years: massive performs within the run sport. An MSU that may really rating some factors is a scary MSU. Now do it once more. — Connelly
No. 19 Iowa
Nate Stanley tossed three touchdowns and not using a decide for the second straight sport. Certain, it got here towards Rutgers, but it surely’s nonetheless an encouraging be aware for the Hawkeyes. The final time Iowa had consecutive video games with three TD passes and no picks was approach again in 2010. Stanley has lengthy been thought-about an NFL prospect, and his numbers have matched the pedigree up to now this season. — David M. Hale
No. 20 Washington State
Wins over New Mexico State and Northern Colorado aren’t precisely résumé builders, however they’ve allowed the Cougars to interrupt in new quarterback Anthony Gordon with encouraging outcomes. The fifth-year senior’s time within the system has proved helpful: He has thrown for almost 900 yards already with 9 touchdowns passes and only one decide. And the Cougars’ back-to-back 50-point outings symbolize simply the sixth time they’ve reached the half-century mark in consecutive video games since 1936. — Kyle Bonagura
No. 21 Maryland
Are the Terps for actual? Certain, final week’s 79-Zero win over Howard did not show something, however then they hung 63 on then-No. 21 Syracuse. Mike Locksley’s crew is rolling early and if it takes care of enterprise towards Temple this week, may have a showdown with Penn State in Week four, and may very well be a sleeper within the Large Ten.
No. 22 Boise State
With the win towards Florida State in its again pocket, Boise State gave itself an excellent alternative to take an undefeated file deep into the season. ESPN’s Soccer Energy Index initiatives the Broncos to be favorites in each sport the remainder of the best way and heavy favorites generally. They hope to wrap up the nonconference towards Portland State earlier than beginning Mountain West play, eyeing a run to a New 12 months’s Six bowl. — Kyle Bonagura
No. 23 Washington
Ready by a three-hour climate delay solely to lose to Cal for a second straight yr is not precisely what Washington anticipated to undergo Saturday (and effectively into Sunday) and now the Huskies’ playoff aspirations are on life assist. The Huskies have the expertise and the teaching to bounce again, however their margin for error within the Pac-12 is paper-thin. They will have Hawaii and BYU earlier than re-entering convention play towards USC on September 28. — Kyle Bonagura
No. 24 USC
Perhaps a special freshman quarterback will save Clay Helton’s job. The Trojans appeared all however accomplished after quarterback JT Daniels suffered a torn ACL in final week’s opener towards Fresno State, which can sideline him for the remainder of the season. However Kedon Slovis, an 18-year-old freshman from Arizona, had a debut to recollect, finishing 28 of 33 passes for 377 yards with three touchdowns in a 45-20 upset of Stanford on Saturday. Slovis’ 377 passing yards are essentially the most by a USC freshman in a single sport. — Mark Schlabach
No. 25 Virginia
By means of two video games, the Cavaliers have proven precisely why they had been the preseason option to win the Coastal Division within the ACC. This previous week in a win over William & Mary, Virginia scored on offense, protection and particular groups. Bryce Perkins continues to get higher within the passing sport, and the customarily underrated protection ought to get way more discover. Virginia has not allowed an offensive landing in 10 of the final 12 quarters it has performed. On Saturday, Virginia hosts Florida State with an opportunity to begin Three-Zero for the primary time since 2005. — Andrea Adelson
Dropped out
Syracuse
It isn’t going to get any simpler for Syracuse, which was simply run over by the Terps and may seemingly fall out of the following AP Prime 25. After surrendering 354 speeding yards and 6 speeding touchdowns to Maryland, Syracuse faces Clemson subsequent week. As a substitute of coming into the sport as a CFP spoiler, as they’ve threatened previously, the Orange needs to be involved about discovering a technique to at the very least decelerate Clemson operating again Travis Etienne. — Heather Dinich
Stanford 20
The Cardinal may use an FCS opponent on the schedule subsequent week to get better from its surprising blowout loss at USC. As a substitute, Stanford will journey throughout the nation to play at No. 18 UCF as a prelude to its sport towards No. 16 Oregon the next week. The schedule was at all times a priority — and that was earlier than the Cardinal had been shredded by a real freshman quarterback making his first begin. — Bonagura
McConaughey … Bingo!
Matthew McConaughey is aware of the best way to make an entrance. Phil Ellsworth/ESPN Photos
Faculty GameDay visitor picker McConaughey did a little bit singing and lots of choosing. He picked his beloved Longhorns, no shock there. However right here had been the remainder of his picks and outcomes up to now:
South Florida over Georgia Tech (LOSS!)
BYU over Tennessee (WIN!)
Ohio State over Cincinnati (WIN!)
Michigan over Military (WIN!)
Maryland over Syracuse (WIN!)
Colorado over Nebraska (WIN!)
UCF over FAU (WIN!)
North Carolina over Miami (WIN!)
Clemson over Texas A&M (WIN!)
USC over Stanford (WIN!)
And the person certain is aware of the best way to make an entrance.
Alright alright alright …
That is the way you make an entrance, @McConaughey 🤘🚘 pic.twitter.com/pyLkX6Hh0r
— Faculty GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) September 7, 2019
And the best way to get the folks going.
“HOOK ‘EM BABY”@McConaughey has a message for @TexasFootball followers. pic.twitter.com/CLLETPlKlZ
— ESPN (@espn) September 7, 2019
LSU QB Joe Burrow’s dad disagrees, nonetheless.
Joe Burrow’s dad is each LSU fan 😂 pic.twitter.com/StMuIQmSG5
— SEC Community (@SECNetwork) September eight, 2019
Saturday’s finest: What we’ll bear in mind from Week 2
Dancing Coach of the Week
Zero:40
BYU head coach Kalani Sitake celebrates with some dance strikes after the Cougars’ win towards Tennessee.
Shoo!
Zero:22
BYU’s Zac Dawe tackles Jarrett Guarantano, after which takes his shoe and tosses it off the sphere into Tennessee’s bench.
We’re No. 2!
Akron made a powerful entrance into the sideline-object scene with an outsized writing implement.
Zero:42
Jordyn Riley rises as much as intercept UAB QB Tyler Johnston III’s cross, he returns it 15 yards to the Akron 42.
Monmouth beat Lafayette, 24-21, and this unimaginable interception helped make that distinction.
Zero:25
Monmouth DB Anthony Budd leaps into the tip zone to rob Lafayette of a landing.
Undertaker taking up
An Oklahoma fan introduced a pro-Sooners signal (and a few Horns Down) to the GameDay set in Austin, and The Undertaker, an enormous Longhorns fan, took care of issues.
Zero:25
Texas fan The Undertaker finds an Oklahoma signal within the crowd and rips it in half on the Faculty GameDay set.
North Dakota soccer is wild
Minot State acquired the week began off proper with a little bit misdirection was completely on function. Sadly, these had been the one factors the Beavers scored in a 52-7 loss on the street at Minnesota Duluth.
Zero:46
Minot State’s Cory Carignan fumbles on the kickoff, breaks tackles in his personal finish zone, then goes 104 yards the opposite approach for a landing.
On the College of North Dakota in Grand Forks, they’ve a special set of practice-field challenges than they do at Alabama.
#MooseUpdate: The moose is laying down taking its typical noon faculty nap. We’re nonetheless asking everybody to keep away from the world in order that the moose would not grow to be burdened or panicked. #BestCopsAround #MooseWatch2019 pic.twitter.com/SsSs5p3BE2
— College of North Dakota Police (@UNDPoliceDept) September Three, 2019
Mike vs. Bevo
The true bragging rights within the Texas-LSU matchup: Which mascot is healthier?
2:14
Gene Wojciechowski examines the battle between Bevo and Mike the Tiger earlier than Texas and LSU’s matchup.
Prepared for takeoff
Air Drive is honoring the C-17 Globemaster III plane in its newest excellent alternate uniform. The unis are designed to appear like the plane and have a number of completely different nameplate kinds on the again that pay homage to Air Drive bases across the nation.
Rise up for sport day
Prepared for some soccer? If not, New Mexico’s weight room will make it easier to get within the temper.
Attempt for this man’s power day by day 😤 #TBT (through @UNMLoboFB) pic.twitter.com/dQhaRnk4Ko
— ESPN (@espn) September 5, 2019