ESPN predicts College Football Playoff Committee Top 12 after Week 2
Week 2 of the 2024 college football season appears to have had major implications on the outlook of the College Football Playoffs.
Not only did a top-10 ranked Notre Dame team fall at home to Northern Illinois in South Bend, but a top-10 battle between Texas and Michigan ensued in Ann Arbor. The Longhorns emerged victorious with a statement 31-12 victory over the reigning national champions, further shaking up the field of 12.
Here’s how ESPN is predicting the College Football Playoff field after an exciting Week 2 of action:
1. Georgia Bulldogs
Georgia has appeared to be the most dominant team in college football through two weeks, dominating both Clemson and Tennessee Tech on both sides of the ball in their early season matchups.
Carson Beck has been a strong leader under center, completing 70.7 percent of his passes for seven touchdowns and no interceptions. On the other side of the ball, the defense has given up 161 total yards on average during the first two games. Against a Kentucky team that struggled to find any identity against South Carolina over the weekend, there’s no reason to believe the Bulldogs’ dominance stops here.
2. Texas Longhorns
Quinn Ewers said that he lives for the big moments after defeating Michigan in the Big House 31-12 on Saturday. He now has road wins at Michigan and at Alabama during his career, and as expected, it appears as though the Longhorns will be a major player in the playoff race this season.
Texas hosts Georgia on Oct. 19 in a game between two of the strongest teams in college football this season. However, they’ll have to play Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry the week prior before they can think about the Bulldogs.
3. Ohio State Buckeyes
Ohio State will be idle in Week 3, enjoying a bye week after outscoring Western Michigan and Akron a combined 108-6 during the first two games this season.
Buckeyes transfer quarterback Will Howard has appeared to settle in under center as they boast one of the most explosive backfields in the country featuring Ole Miss transfer Quinshon Judkins and veteran tailback TreVeyon Henderson. Together they have two five touchdowns to their credit this season.
4. Ole Miss Rebels
While Ole Miss has been criticized for their strength of schedule during the first two weeks of the season, there’s not much more the Rebels could have done with those opportunities.
They totaled 655 yards offensively against Middle Tennesse during Week 2, and a strong showing against Wake Forest this weekend could go a long way in seperating themselves from Ohio State for that third spot before both teams begin conference play.
5. Miami Hurricanes
Mario Cristobal has appeared to turn Miami‘s fortunes around in year three of his tenure in Coral Gables. Securing a commitment from quarterback Cam Ward out of the transfer portal this offseason has gone a long way in helping in that effort.
Against FAMU in Week 2, Ward led the offense to 549 yards, never punting the ball or allowing a touchdown on defense. Blowing out Florida on the road the week prior only adds to Miami’s resume with Group of 5 teams like Ball State and South Florida — who gave the Crimson Tide a run for their money on Saturday — coming up before beginning ACC play against Virginia Tech on Sept. 27.
6. USC Trojans
Many expected USC to regress following the departure of former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Caleb Williams to the NFL. Instead, Lincoln Riley has turned longtime backup Miller Moss into a player who looks like he’s a four-year starter. He’s accurate with a 72.7 completion percentage and has not turned the ball over while throwing two touchdown passes this season.
Defensively, the Trojans gave up 20 points to the LSU Tigers in the season opener while pitching a 48-point shutout against Utah State in Week 2. After a Week 3 layoff, they will travel to Ann Arbor to battle a Michigan team coming off its worse loss in more than two years to kickstart their run in the Big Ten.
7. Oregon Ducks
Oregon is an uncomfortable 2-0 after defeating Idaho and Boise State by a 6.5-point average during the first two weeks of the regular season. The Ducks survived their Week 2 battle against the Broncos thanks to a last-second, game-winning field goal, keeping them in the early mix for playoff consideration.
However, an early season version of the Civil War against Oregon State in Week 3 provides one last non-conference challenge before the Ducks begin their first Big Ten schedule that features matchups against Ohio State and at Michigan.
8. Penn State Nittany Lions
Penn State avoided disaster after trailing Bowling Green 24-20 at halfitme of their Week 2 matchup. They came back to win 34-27 as their defense nearly pitched a second half shutout.
Questions surround the Nittany Lions’ defensive unit as they struggled against the Falcons after defeating West Virginia by multiple scores in the season opener the week before. Still, they survived and have a couple of opportunities later in the season against ranked opponents to prove that their ranking is justified.
9. Alabama Crimson Tide
Alabama is glad to be finished with USF after an early scare against the Bulls on Saturday. One week after bouncing Western Kentucky 63-0, it calls into question the consistancy of the the Crimson Tide heading into a pivotal non-conference matchup on the road against Wisconsin in Week 3 despite the final score being so lopsided.
Quarterback Jalen Milroe combined for four touchdowns through the air and on the ground during the matchup, and has proven himself to be one of the most dynamic players in the country in the early portion of this season. The Crimson Tide continues to roll under new head coach Kalen DeBoer as he seeks a playoff appearance in his first season in Tuscaloosa.
10. Tennessee Volunteers
Tennessee has outscored their opposition by 107 points, and the Vols have pieced together 1,188 yards of offense compared to the defensive allowing just 370. That includes giving up 143 yards while giving up just 39 rushing yards to a ranked NC State team during the team’s 51-10 win on Saturday.
Defensively, they haven’t allowed a touchdown, either. Not to mention they’ve scored 120 points offensively in two games behind the arm of redshirt freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava this season. High expectations have been set for the rest of the season in Knoxville as a potential playoff berth looms.
11. Missouri Tigers
Eli Drinkwitz may have one of the most complete teams in college football this season. With a defensive unit that has been dominant and a much hyped offense looking as advertised through two weeks — the Missouri Tigers appear to be in the mix in the SEC this season, not to mention a potential playoff berth.
According to ESPN’s analytics, Missouri is favored in every game except for their road trip to Alabama on Oct. 26. If that comes into fruition, the Tigers will be well on their way to their first-ever playoff.
12. Oklahoma State Cowboys
Ollie Gordon has been given a heavy workload early this season, taking 45 touches out of the backfield for 175 yards and four touchdowns. The good news for Oklahoma State — they have more than just Gordon to keep opposing defenses on their toes.
The passing game has been solid for the Cowboys. Quarterback Alan Bowman has been able to distribute the ball fairly well with Oklahoma State having three wide receivers with over 100 yards to their credit so far this season. If their offense can continue their strong start to the new year, they’re legitimate contenders to compete the Big 12 this season.