Week 2 of the college season is done, and there is some movement in Sporting News’ College Football Playoff picture.
No. 1 Clemson scored a 24-10 victory against No. 12 Texas A&M. No. 6 LSU beat No. 9 Texas 45-38 in the first top-10 showdown of the season. Those were two big pieces of the puzzle, and there is a clear separation between the top six teams and everybody else through two weeks.
Who are those teams? Here is Sporting News' take on that picture with four in, two out and four to watch:
MORE: Results, updates from Week 2 top-25 games
College Football Playoff: Four in
1. Clemson (2-0)
Clemson battled with Texas A&M, and the defense was the difference in limiting the Aggies to 53 rushing yards in a 24-10 victory. Trevor Lawrence's numbers (436 yards, two touchdowns, three interceptions) haven't been other-worldly to this point, but there's time for that against a schedule that's super-friendly the rest of the way. Syracuse will be in backs-against-the-wall-mode at the Carrier Dome on Saturday, but that shouldn't make a difference.
2. Alabama (2-0)
Alabama had 170 rushing yards and averaged 10 yards per carry by halftime in building a 38-0 lead against New Mexico State. That was before coasting to a 62-10 victory. The Crimson Tide rolled up 318 rushing yards around Tua Tagovailoa, and now face their first road test in Week 3 at South Carolina. The Crimson Tide lost their last visit there in 2010, and the Gamecocks scored 72 points against Charleston Southern. Hey, we're trying to drum up some drama.
3. Georgia (2-0)
Georgia won a body-bag game against Murray State that was 42-7 by halftime, and we haven't learned much about the offense other than the ground game is relentless and Jake Fromm is his usual efficient self. There are four elite running backs to choose from. Georgia stays home for Arkansas State before the big-money showdown with Notre Dame on Sept. 21.
4. Ohio State (2-0)
Justin Fields passed for 224 yards, rushed for 42 yards and added four total touchdowns in a 42-0 drubbing of in-state Cincinnati on Saturday. The run defense is allowing just 2.5 yards per carry. The Buckeyes have not missed a beat so far under Ryan Day, and they are more under the radar than they should be. It’s an elite team. The Buckeyes start Big Ten play at Indiana in Week 3.
MORE: With Joe Burrow, LSU gives SEC real shot at two Playoff teams
College Football Playoff: First two out
5. LSU (2-0)
The Tigers beat Texas in a 45-38 thriller, but we can't put three SEC teams in the Playoff yet. Joe Burrow (749 yards, nine touchdowns, one interception) continues to work toward the Heisman discussion, and his growth in the new-look offense will continue to be a theme this season. The Tigers play Northwestern State in Week 3, which should be a workman-like victory.
6. Oklahoma (2-0)
Jalen Hurts finished 14 of 18 for 259 yards and three touchdowns, adding another 47 yards on the ground to make him an early Heisman front runner. In all, Oklahoma cruised with 733 total yards in a 70-14 blowout against South Dakota. The road show continues against UCLA in Week 3. With Texas' loss to LSU, Oklahoma becomes the best bet to reach the Playoff from the Big 12. We should have known better.
College Football Playoff: Four to watch
7. Notre Dame (1-0)
The Irish had a bye week, and they did not lose any ground after a Monday night victory against Louisville. Now, Ian Book will look to be sharper in Week 3 against New Mexico before the next marquee top-10 showdown against Georgia on Sept. 21.
8. Auburn (2-0)
The Tigers will bump up a few spots in the top 10 after a 24-6 victory against Tulane, a natural letdown after an emotional victory against Oregon in Week 1. Bo Nix (19 of 37, 207 yards) needs to become a more efficient passer as his freshman year progresses, but the Tigers will get a shot at the other three SEC contenders on this list. Auburn has work to do, but the Tigers are in the mix.
9. Utah (2-0)
Oregon, Washington and Stanford already have losses, so it might be on the Utes to live up to expectations and carry the Pac-12 banner in 2019. Tyler Huntley and Zach Moss continue to lead an efficient offense, and the defense tightened up in the second half of a 35-17 victory against Northern Illinois. Colorado, Arizona State and USC are also undefeated in the Pac-12 South.
10. Michigan (2-0)
Michigan survived with a 24-21 double-overtime victory against Army, a nailbiter most saw coming in the offseason. Shea Patterson lost two of Michigan’s fumbles, and the offense has serious kinks to work out before a road game at Wisconsin on Sept. 21 where the Wolverines might be underdogs. That’s one of those road games the Wolverines must win, given the remaining beef on their schedule. The bye week comes at the right time.
