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Coaches Poll Top 25 College Football Rankings released after Week 1

Stephen Samraby:Steve Samra09/03/24

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College football has officially returned, and with that, the USA Today Coaches Poll Top 25 rankings have been released following Week 1.

A myriad of fascinating games took place over the last couple of days. From Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes surviving North Dakota State, to Georgia and Notre Dame securing massive Week 1 victories, there was something for everyone with the sport’s grand homecoming.

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As we’ve learned over time, the Coaches Poll Top 25 is bound to change throughout the season, but here’s where we stand after Week 1. Check out the Top 25 below, and see where your favorite team stands.

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1. Georgia

Georgia
© Joshua L. Jones _ USA TODAY NETWORK

Georgia showcased why they’re the top ranked team in the nation in Week 1. Under the bright lights at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, the Bulldogs ravaged Clemson, defeating the Tigers by a score of 34-3.

Quarterback Carson Beck picked up right where he left off in 2023. He’s receiving immense hype as one of the top quarterbacks available for the 2025 NFL Draft, and his 278 yard, two touchdown performance on Saturday will help his cause.

2. Ohio State

Ohio State
© Adam Cairns_Columbus Dispatch _ USA TODAY NETWORK

Ohio State may have been down three at one point to Akron, but they laid down the boom after a slow start against the Zips. In the end, the Buckeyes came out of Week 1 with a 52-6 win.

It was the first game for quarterback Will Howard, after he joined Ohio State following some success with Kansas State. He passed for 228 yards and three touchdowns, and he’ll look to further workout any kinks in Ohio State’s Week 2 clash with Western Michigan.

3. Texas

Texas
© Mikala Compton_American-Statesman _ USA TODAY NETWORK

Texas took no prisoners in their first game as a member of the SEC. The Longhorns blasted Colorado State in Week 1, sending the Rams home with a 52-0. Hey, at least they got a trip to one of college football’s prestigious venues.

Now, the real fun begins for Steve Sarkisian’s team. Texas will travel to Ann Arbor to face the reigning, defending champions of the college football world in Michigan during Week 2.

4. Alabama

Alabama
© Will McLelland-usa today sports

The debut of Kalen DeBoer as Alabama’s leader went about as good as it could possibly go. With Nick Saban watching from the sidelines after his retirement and move to ESPN, the Crimson Tide picked up where they left off under the legendary coach, defeating Western Kentucky by a score of 63-0.

Over the next two weeks, Alabama will face USF and Wisconsin, and while they should be interesting clashes, the real drama begins in Week 4, when DeBoer will lead the Crimson Tide into battle against a Georgia team looking for revenge.

5. Ole Miss

Ole Miss
© petre thomas-usa today sports

Lane Kiffin has heard the whispers of Ole Miss being a sleeper College Football Playoff team, and he wanted to hit the world with an alarm clock. That’s what happened in the form of a 78-0 Week 1 win over Furman.

Jaxson Dart was phenomenal to start the season, passing for 418 yards and five touchdowns. He could raise his stock immensely over the course of 2024, and possibly become a Round 1 quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft.

6. Oregon

Oregon
© Ben Lonergan_The Register-Guard _ USA TODAY NETWORK

Oregon’s first clash as a member of the Big Ten didn’t go as scripted. While the Ducks were able to defeat Idaho, a 24-14 final score was far from what Dan Lanning expected in Week 1, even if the stats at the end of the game showed it wasn’t as close as the final score indicated.

In Week 2, a game against Boise State could be exactly what Oregon needs to sharpen their teeth. However, the Ducks will have to be mindful of Broncos’ star running back Ashton Jeanty, who scored six touchdowns in Week 1.

7. Notre Dame

Riley Leonard, Notre Dame
© maria lysaker-usa today sports

Marcus Freeman and Notre Dame captured arguably the most impressive Week 1 win. The Fighting Irish went into Kyle Field and left unscathed, defeating Texas A&M by ten in their opener.

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Mike Elko’s team didn’t make it easy, but Riley Leonard and company stood steadfast in the face of danger. They’ll look to keep the momentum going in Week 2, as Notre Dame returns to Indiana to take on Northern Illinois.

8. Penn State

Allar, Penn State
© ben queen-usa today sports

In a never-ending clash due to unfavorable weather, Penn State eventually defeated West Virginia after Mother Nature had her way in Morgantown. The Nittany Lions have the College Football Playoff on their minds in 2024, and the Mountaineers found that out the hard way over the weekend.

Drew Allar looked fantastic in the new-look Penn State offense. James Franklin was smiling as Allar passed for 216 yards and three touchdowns, and the Nittany Lions are hoping for a solid sequel in Week 2 against Bowling Green inside Beaver Stadium.

9. Michigan

Michigan
© Kimberly P. Mitchell _ USA TODAY NETWORK

In their first game under Sherrone Moore, Michigan was able to secure a victory in Ann Arbor. It certainly wasn’t pretty, but it doesn’t always need to be, as the Wolverines utilized a 17-point fourth quarter to defeat Fresno State 30-10 in Week 1.

The real question is at quarterback for Michigan moving forward. Davis Warren got the lion share of snaps over Alex Orji against the Bulldogs, but both will have to be ready, and play better, to defeat Texas in Week 2.

10. Missouri

Missouri
© denny medley-usa today sports

Missouri hasn’t had this type of hype behind them in quite some time. After an awesome 2023, the Tigers picked up right where they left off, starting 2024 with a 51-0 win over Murray State over the weekend.

A 28-point first quarter put the hurt on the Racers, and then the Tigers began to call off their dogs. Missouri might not be tested much over the first couple of weeks of the season, but their Week 3 clash with Boston College looks more interesting now than it did at this time last week.

Coaches Poll Top 25 College Football Rankings – No. 11 through No. 25:

11. Utah
12. Tennessee
13. Oklahoma
14. USC
15. Miami
16. Kansas State
17. Oklahoma State
18. Arizona
19. LSU
20. Kansas
21. Iowa
22. Clemson
23. NC State
24. Louisville
25. Washington 

Others Receiving Votes: Georgia Tech 86; Texas A&M 78; Memphis 43; Kentucky 23; Boise State 22; SMU 19; Auburn 13; Wisconsin 11; Iowa State 10; UNLV 9; Tulane 9; Maryland 9; Liberty 9; Nebraska 8; Boston College 7; South Florida 5; James Madison 4; Air Force 4; UTSA 3; North Carolina 3; Appalachian State 3; Texas State 2; Syracuse 1; Coastal Carolina 1

Week 2 brings some huge clashes that are sure to have an effect on the Coaches Poll Top 25 this time next week. Texas will travel to Ann Arbor to take on Michigan in the slate’s premier game.