College football rankings from 1 to 136 for Week 3: Why SEC deserves so many top-25 teams after two weeks

Through two weeks, the SEC has had a few highly-magnified losses. 

Arch Manning struggled in his debut at Ohio State. Alabama lost at Florida State. Florida lost to South Florida. 

Knowing that, it's easy to scoff at the AP Top 25 – which has 11 SEC teams. Sporting News' latest 1-136 rankings does not have Auburn and Missouri in the top 25, but it's close. We have every SEC team inside the top 50 of those rankings. 

We can back it up, too. Through the first two weeks, the SEC has an 8-2 record in head-to-head games against the other Power 4 conferences. That included a 4-0 record in Week 2. 

If you're going to flame Alabama, then you have to recognize that Mississippi State beat defending Big 12 champion Arizona State 24-20 in Week 2. Oklahoma, Missouri and Vanderbilt also scored victories against Michigan, Kansas and Virginia Tech, respectively. 

The Big Ten is 5-3 against the Power 4 conferences. The Big 12 is 4-6, and the ACC is 2-8. 

Head-to-head record vs. Power 4 conferences in 2025 

The SEC has the stage in Week 3, too, with a few chances to improve on that standing. Alabama hosts Wisconsin, which will be the rubber match with the Big Ten. The Georgia-Tennessee and Florida-LSU matchups will draw huge ratings within the conference, and Texas A&M travels to Notre Dame. 

This is not "SEC bias." It's legit – at least through two weeks. 

Here is a look at our 1-136 rankings ahead of Week 2.

MORE: SN's Latest CFP projections has Iowa State, USF and South Carolina in

College football rankings 2025

Top 25 for Week 2

1. Ohio State (2-0) 

Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin leads all Power 4 quarterbacks with a 79.5 completion percentage through two starts. He finished 18 of 19 for 306 yards, four TDs and one interception in a 70-0 victory against Grambling. Receiver Jeremiah Smith (5-119, 2 TDs) was one of four Ohio State receivers who scored, and freshman Bo Jackson (9-108, TD) made an impression in the second half. Senior Caden Curry has 10 tackles and a sack through two games. Ohio State faces Ohio in Week 3. 

2. Penn State (2-0) 

The Nittany Lions beat FIU 34-0 — and they broke open a 10-point game at half with the help of Kayton Allen, who had 144 yards and a TD. Nick Singleton added 76 yards and a TD. Through two games, the tandem 1,000-yard rushers from last season have combined for 283 yards with four TDs on 6.3 yards per carry. That efficiency should continue in Week 3 against Villanova. 

3. Georgia (2-0) 

Georgia has allowed 2.1 yards per carry through two games, and linebackers Raylen Wilson and CJ Allen have combined for 25 tackles and five tackles for loss. The Bulldogs have that nasty look on defense again – and we'll see how real that is in Week 3 at Tennessee. The Bulldogs have won the last four meetings at Neyland Stadium by an average of 30.5 points per game. 

MORE: Picks against the spread for Week 3's Top 25 games

4. LSU (2-0) 

LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier is 54 of 79 (68.4%) with 469 yards, two TDs and one interception through two games. He's a high-volume passer with the protection of an emerging elite defense, and that will be tested against Florida in Week 3. Nussmeier had 47 passing attempts in a 27-16 loss to the Gators last season. 

5. Oregon (2-0) 

Are we sleeping on Oregon? The Ducks lit up Oklahoma State 69-3, and Dante Moore is 34 of 44 (77.3%) with 479 passing yards, six TDs and no interceptions through two games. Noah Whittingham (159 yards, 2 TDs) and Jayden Limar (107 yards, 2 TDs) each averaged more than 11 yards per carry. The Ducks open Big Ten play at Northwestern in Week 3. 

6. Miami, Fla. (2-0) 

Miami cruised through Bethune-Cookman 45-3, and Carson Beck has 472 passing yards, four TDs and no interceptions with a 77.8% completion percentage through two starts. Beck is 9 of 17 (52.9%) for 173 yards with all four TDs on passes of 10 yards or more. 

7. Texas (1-1) 

Arch Manning (19 of 30, 295 yards, 4 TDs, INT) bounced back, but he still called his effort "sloppy" in a 38-7 victory against San Jose State. The Longhorns' defense has forced four turnovers and has allowed 2.6 yards per rush attempt through two games. Safety Michael Taaffe has 17 tackles. Texas plays UTEP and Sam Houston the next two weeks.

MORE: Arch Manning explodes for four TD passes in five minutes

8. Notre Dame (0-1) 

The Irish had a bye week after the Week 1 loss to Miami. Jeremiyah Love will come into focus in Week 3 against Texas A&M. The sophomore running back had 10 carries for 33 yards in the opener. He had 14 carries for 91 yards and a TD in last year's 23-13 victory against the Aggies.

9. South Carolina (2-0) 

The Gamecocks start the second wave of SEC playoff contenders after a weather-delayed 38-10 victory against South Carolina State. Edge rusher Dylan Stewart has 10 tackles, four tackles for loss and two sacks through two games. The Gamecocks beat Vanderbilt 28-7 last season. Who wins the quarterback duel between LaNorris Sellers and Diego Pavia? 

10. Clemson (1-1) 

The Tigers dropped a few spots after a 27-16 victory against Troy that included a lengthy weather delay. The Tigers fell behind 16-0 in the first half before rallying for the victory. Sophomore receiver Bryant Wesco has 11 catches for 184 yards and two TDs, and Purdue transfer Will Heldt has two sacks. Was Clemson looking ahead to a Week 3 matchup at Georgia Tech? 

11. Illinois (2-0) 

The Illini took advantage of five Duke turnovers to pull out a 45-19 victory on the road, and veteran quarterback Luke Altmyer (22 of 31, 296 yards, 3 TDS) has six TDs and no interceptions through two games. Illinois faces Western Michigan in Week 3 before a huge Big Ten showdown against Indiana. When was the last time we said that?

12. Florida State (2-0) 

Florida State routed East Texas A&M 77-3 in a game where three quarterbacks threw TD passes and seven Seminoles scored a TD. That amounted to 729 total yards.  Running Gavin Sawchuck had 88 total yards (35 rush, 53 receiving) and three TDs. This is a far different start than last year's 0-2 mess, and Mike Norvell has Florida State in the ACC hunt. Florida State faces Kent State in Week 3. 

13. Oklahoma (2-0)

John Mateer for Heisman? He should be the new front-runner. There are some serious Baker Mayfield vibes here. Mateer (21 of 34, 270 yards, TD, INT) had 19 carries for 74 rushing yards and two TDs in a 24-13 victory against Michigan. He's doing the same things he did at Washington State on a larger stage for the SEC. Brent Venables' defense also showed up against the Wolverines. Oklahoma plays at Temple in Week 3. 

MORE: John Mateer comes up big in victory over Michigan

14. Ole Miss (2-0) 

Ole Miss beat Kentucky 30-23 in Week 2. Austin Simmons (13 of 24, 235 yards, 2 INTs) shook off two first-half turnovers, and Missouri transfer Kewan Lacey has a SEC-best 246 rushing yards and four TDs through two games. The Rebels face Arkansas in yet another tricky SEC matchup in Week 3. 

15. Iowa State (3-0) 

Iowa State's strong first month continued with a 16-13 victory against Iowa for the Cy-Hawk Trophy. That marked back-to-back wins in the rivalry for the first time since 2011. The Cyclones limited the Hawkeyes to just 214 total yards. Iowa State travels to Arkansas State in Week 4 before a well-deserved bye. 

16. Tennessee (2-0) 

Tennessee ranks second in the FBS with 605 yards per game. Guess who fits Josh Heupel's offense? UCLA transfer Joey Aguilar is 39 of 59 (66.1%) with 535 yards, five TDs and no interceptions through two starts. Receiver Chris Brazzell II (14-187, 2 TDs) is off to a hot start, and the Vols will try to break an eight-game losing streak to Georgia. Imagine Aguilar's popularity if Tennessee pulls out the victory. 

Troy Taormina/Imagn Images

17. Texas A&M (2-0)

Marcel Reed is emerging as an efficient quarterback with Mike Elko and offensive coordinator Collin Klein. Reed  has a 66.1% complete percentage and averages 254.5 passing yards with seven TDs and no interceptions through two games and he averages 53.5 rushing yards and one TD. That was against UTSA and Utah State. If Reed plays like that at Notre Dame in Week 3, then the conversation will start. 

18. Utah (2-0) 

Devon Dampier ranks second among Power 4 quarterbacks with a 79.2% completion percentage, and defensive end John Henry Daley – a BYU transfer – has three sacks and five tackles for loss. The Utes are gaining steam as a Big 12 championship contender under Kyle Whittingham. Utah faces Wyoming in Week 3 before the Big 12 opener against Texas Tech. 

19. Texas Tech (2-0) 

Texas Tech averaged 64.5 points through two weeks – and freshman Adam Hill had 16 carries for 127 yards in a 62-14 victory against Kent State. Hill has 205 rushing yards on 8.9 yards per carry and is an emerging complement to quarterback Behren Morton. The Red Raiders close out non-conference play against Oregon State in Week 3. 

20. Indiana (2-0) 

Indiana outscored Kennesaw State 35-3 in the second half of a 56-9 victory that looked more like the vintage Curt Cignetti blowouts from last season. Fernando Mendoza (18 of 25, 245 yards, 4 TDs) found a connection with Elijah Surratt (9-97, 3 TDs), and the defense compiled 14 tackles for loss. Indiana faces Indiana State in Week 3. 

21. Michigan (1-1) 

Michigan found out there is a learning curve with five-star freshman Bryce Underwood – who struggled in a 24-13 loss at Oklahoma. According to PFF,  Underwood is 7 of 19 (36.8%) for 216 yards on passes of 10 yards or more. It's a boom-or-bust passing game that needs refinement. Sherrone Moore's two-game suspension begins this week, and the Wolverines ironically play Central Michigan.

BENDER: Michigan must be patient with Bryce Underwood, but just how patient?

22. Georgia Tech (2-0) 

We are higher on Georgia Tech than most – and we will find out if that's for real in Week 3 against Clemson. Will Haynes King play? He missed the Week 2 matchup against Gardner-Webb with a lower body injury. Aaron Philo (21 of 28, 373 yards, TD, INT) led Georgia Tech to a 59-12 victory. King's status will be the topic of conversation for Brent Key, who is 6-6 against ranked opponents. 

23. South Florida (2-0)

The Bulls upset Florida 18-16 – and that means Alex Golesh will become the most-popular coach in the FBS. Golesh is known for the up-tempo offense with quarterback Byrum Brown, but the defense under veteran coordinator Todd Orlando has stood up through two weeks. Linebackers Jhalyn Shuler and Mac Harris have combined for 39 total tackles. Can South Florida keep this ride going against Miami? 

24. TCU (1-0)

The Horned Frogs moved up after a bye week following the Labor Day 48-14 blowout victory against North Carolina. Sonny Dykes has the pieces for another Big 12 championship run – starting with Josh Hoover – who had 284 yards, two TDs and an interception in the opener. Running back Kevorian Barnes (113 yards, TD) and an aggressive defense help. TCU plays SMU in Week 3 in a rematch of last year's 66-42 shootout the Horned Frogs lost. 

25. Alabama (1-1) 

The Crimson Tide are back in on a provisional basis. Ty Simpson (17 of 17, 263 yards, 3 TDs) had a perfect night in a 73-0 victory against UL-Monroe. Alabama responded after a disastrous Week 1 against Florida State, and that shows second-year coach Kalen DeBoer knows how to block out the noise. The Crimson Tide play Wisconsin in Week 3. 

College football 1-136 rankings: (1-25) 

A look at the top 25 teams in the FBS heading into Week 3:

Rest of FBS (26-136) 

Here is a look at the rest of the FBS heading into Week 3: