College Football Power Rankings for Week 2 of the 2015-16 NCAA Season

Week 1 of the new college football season is in the books. All of the big guns more or less took care of business as expected, while others – Notre Dame and UCLA – did so in such a convincing fashion which warranted their inclusion in this week’s power rankings. Speaking of, let’s take a look at this week’s new top 10 to see how they fared through one game and what awaits them this weekend.

For more Week 2 action from teams just outside of these power rankings, check out our previews of Oklahoma vs. Tennessee and LSU vs. Mississippi State.

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Week 2 NCAA College Football Power Rankings

1. Ohio State Buckeyes – 1-0 (0-0)

Last Week: 1

Next Game: vs. Hawaii

[sc:NCAA240banner ]So apparently, losing the consensus top defensive player in the country and three key contributors on offense can’t slow down Ohio State. Neither did losing two Heisman candidate quarterbacks last season.

They’re so talented that one of those quarterbacks, Braxton Miller, could be a Heisman candidate while playing an entirely new position judging by his incredible debut (140 total yards, two touchdowns) against one of the country’s top defenses.

The Buckeyes’ road to a perfect season – and a successful title defense – has begun with a bang.

Writer’s Prediction: The Buckeyes win without breaking a sweat.

2. Alabama Crimson Tide – 1-0 (0-0)

Last Week: 2

Next Game: vs. Middle Tennessee

Remember when everyone was fretting about Alabama’s offense? Well, about that… Jake Coker started at quarterback and looked quite competent; Robert Foster has the makings of the next great Bama receiver; and Derrick Henry and Kenyan Drake (23 carries, 224 rushing yards, four touchdowns vs. Wisconsin) are running through/over/past people.

So yeah, the Tide are going to be alright on offense. Oh, and the front seven on defense is outstanding again, because it’s Alabama.

Writer’s Prediction: Alabama cruises to an easy win.

3. Baylor Bears – 1-0 (0-0)

Last Week: 4

Next Game: vs. Lamar

56 points and 723 yards of total offense on the road? Yup, Baylor’s offense is going to be just fine with Seth Russell. And even better news for the Bears is that they get defensive stud Shawn Oakman back following his one-game suspension just in time for their home opener against Lamar.

Writer’s Prediction: Baylor puts 60 on the board in another big win.

4. TCU Horned Frogs – 1-0 (0-0)

Last Week: 3

Next Game: vs. Stephen F. Austin

So TCU, which was ranked No. 2 in the AP poll, dropped a bit of a stinky “number two” in Week 1 at Minnesota. Trevone Boykin had 338 total yards and accounted for a couple of touchdowns, but it was a far cry from last season’s impressive numbers. The question now is whether TCU is overrated or Minnesota is just a really plucky underdog.

The true answer might lie somewhere in between, but with TCU’s very easy schedule, there might not be a clear answer until its next significant test, which could come in over a month’s time.

Writer’s Prediction: The TCU offense bounces back for a more convincing victory.

5. Auburn Tigers – 1-0 (0-0)

Last Week: 5

Next Game: vs. Jacksonville State

The new-look Auburn defense looked quite promising in Will Muschamp’s very first game in charge despite dropping off a bit in the second half. Surprisingly, though, the Tigers’ more pressing concern might be on offense, as Jeremy Johnson tossed three picks and looked mighty shaky against Louisville.

Writer’s Prediction: Johnson redeems himself with a big game and a home win.

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6. Michigan State Spartans – 1-0 (0-0)

Last Week: 6

Next Game: vs. Oregon

Michigan State’s line play – offensive and defensive – was as good as advertised in Week 1 against Western Michigan. The D-line, in particular, looked dominant as it recorded seven sacks and limited the Broncos to 18 yards on the ground. Whether it’s actually good enough to lead the Spartans to a national title will be determined in a couple days’ time when they host the team directly below them in these rankings: Oregon.

Writer’s Prediction: The Spartans sink the Ducks at home.

7. Oregon Ducks – 1-0 (0-0)

Last Week: 7

Next Game: at Michigan State

Marcus who? The Oregon offensive machine rolled along just fine without Mariota with 61 points and 731 total yards against Eastern Washington. However, the Ducks’ downfall this season could be their young and inexperienced secondary, which was ominously carved up for 438 passing yards at home by an FCS team.

Writer’s Prediction: Oregon fails to deal with Sparty’s physicality and falls on the road.

8. Notre Dame Fighting Irish – 1-0

Last Week: N/A

Next Game: at Virginia

In a few weeks, everyone might look at Notre Dame’s big 38-3 win more as Texas being really bad than the Irish being really good. But right now, there’s a lot to be excited about in South Bend. Malik Zaire (19 of 22, 313 yards, three TDs), in particular, looked mighty impressive. Tarean Folston’s season-ending injury is a bummer, but it shouldn’t slow down the Irish too much, at least not in the short term.

Writer’s Prediction: Notre Dame wins convincingly at Virginia.

9. USC Trojans – 1-0 (0-0)

Last Week: 8

Next Game: vs. Idaho

Another non-conference game, another four-touchdown game for Cody Kessler. That’s now four-straight games Kessler has thrown for at least four scores against teams outside the Pac-12 (excluding their bowl win over Nebraska). Apart from Adoree Jackson’s injury (which is apparently not serious), their 55-6 win over Arkansas State was a great start for the Trojans hype train.

Writer’s Prediction: USC drops another 50-plus points on poor Idaho.

10. UCLA Bruins – 1-0 (0-0)

Last Week: N/A

Next Game: at UNLV

The one big question that probably prevented UCLA’s vastly experienced squad from coming into this season as a top 10 team was at quarterback. Well, true freshman Josh Rosen went some way to answering said questions with a spectacular debut against Virginia (351 passing yards, three touchdowns). Five-star running back Soso Jamobo (nine carries, 79 yards) was solid in his debut as well. Beware of these Bruins.

Writer’s Prediction: Rosen falls down to earth on the road, but the Bruins still come away with the win in Vegas.
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