Race for the CFP Week 2: Mizzou Moves up a Spot

The first weekend of the College Football season saw some surprises and some teams struggling vs inferior competition. Let’s take a look at the “Race for the CFP” entering Week 2.

After Florida State’s 0-2 to start to the season, the Seminoles dropped from No. 10 all the way to unranked in the AP Top 25 poll, which also moved the Missouri Tigers up to No. 9 in the latest rankings.

That’s also where Mizzou ends up in our latest edition of the “Race for the CFP”. Let’s check in on the latest projections entering Week 2 of the College Football season.

Top Four Seeds (Conference Champions):

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1. Georgia (Projected SEC Champion): The Bulldogs dominated from start to finish and never trailed in a 34-3 over a ranked Clemson team in Atlanta.
2. Ohio State (Projected Big Ten Champion): After sleepwalking through the first half against Akron, the Buckeyes were able to run away with it in a 52-6 victory. Freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith scored two touchdowns in his debut.
3. Miami (Projected ACC Champion): It was a rough opening weekend for the ACC, but the Canes get a convincing road win at Florida in The Swamp 41-17. Cam Ward’s huge day (385 yards, 3 TDs) puts The U in a good position to be the conference favorite.
4. Utah (Projected Big 12 Champion): In Cam Rising’s return from injury, the Utes had no trouble in a 49-0 victory over FCS opponent Southern Utah. Let’s see how they look like in a Big 12 Conference battle against Baylor on Saturday at home.

Top Contenders (Seeds 5-8):

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5. Notre Dame: The Fighting Irish came away with a pivotal road win at Texas A&M in a 23-13 victory to start the season, moving them up two spots to No. 5 in the latest AP poll.

6. Texas: The Longhorns looked all the part in a College Football Playoff contender in a 52-0 win over Colorado State as Quinn Ewers was 20-27 with 260 yards and three touchdown passes. Steve Sarkisian’s club is favorited in Ann Arbor on Saturday.

7. Penn State: The Nittany Lions opened up the season with a convincing 34-12 road win over West Virginia. James Franklin’s club certainly showed that they’re playoff worthy in Week 1.

8. Alabama: Kaleb Deboer’s debut as the Crimson Tide head coach was all you could ask for as a Bama fan in a 63-0 win over Western Kentucky. Jalen Milroe was 7-9 with 200 yards and three touchdowns in the blowout victory to start his Heisman campaign.

Bubble Teams (IN):

Missouri defensive line coach Brian Early celebrates with defensive end Zion Young after a defensive stop in the first half of a game against Murray State on Thursday, August 30, 2024, at Faurot Field in Columbia. (Cal Tobias/Rock M Nation)

9. Missouri: It was a business-like performance for Mizzou in a 51-0 win over Murray State. For what it’s worth, the Tigers’ defense leads the entire country in yards per play. Obviously, tougher tests remain for this team to prove their ranking.

10. Oregon: It’s rare to drop a team five spots after a win, but that’s what the Ducks deserve after barely escaping a 24-14 win at home over FCS opponent Idaho. There’s still plenty of chances for the Ducks to prove that they’re a top tier team, but they didn’t look like it in Week 1.

11: Ole Miss: The Rebels certainly looked like a playoff contender in a 76-0 win over Furman to open the season. A huge day for Jaxson Dart, who was 22-27 with 445 yards and 6 touchdown passes.

Group of Five Team:

Richard Burkhart-Imagn Images

12. Boise State: I previously had Memphis here, but the Broncos had an eye-opening road win in a 56-45 victory over Georgia Southern. On 20 carries, running back Ashton Jeanty had 267 rushing yards and six touchdowns to put himself as an underrated Heisman finalist. After Oregon’s struggles against Idaho, the Broncos showed that they will certainly have a shot late Saturday night against the Ducks in Eugune.

Bubble Teams (Outside Looking IN)

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Michigan: The Wolverines didn’t exactly look great in a 30-10 win over Fresno State. They will have their work cut out for them against Texas on Saturday — coming in as 7.5-point underdogs at The Big House.

USC: Despite losing Caleb Williams to the NFL Draft, Miller Moss and the Trojans grabbed a huge win in Vegas on Sunday night against LSU.

Dark Horses/Sleepers:

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Iowa: We know they always have an elite defense, but do the Hawkeyes actually have a competent offense with Cade McNamara at quarterback? They beat Illinois State 40-0 in Week 1 and host Iowa State in the CyHawk on Saturday.

Arizona: Teitora McMillian showed why he is one of the best wide receivers in College Football, putting up monster numbers (10 receptions for 304 yards and four touchdowns) in a 61-39 win over New Mexico.

Georgia Tech: After a 2-0 start to the season, the Yellow Jackets have moved up to No. 23 in the AP poll. They’re at Syracuse on Saturday in a road ACC matchup.

Boston College: All of a sudden, Mizzou’s Week 3 opponent is looking like a real tough test for the Tigers. Bill O’Brien’s Eagles are now receiving votes in the latest AP poll after upsetting Florida State 28-13 on the road in Tallahassee.

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Here is my projected 12-team playoff entering Week 2 of the season:

1. Georgia
2. Ohio State
3. Miami
4. Utah.

5. Notre Dame vs 12. Boise State

6. Texas vs 11. Ole Miss

7. Penn State vs 10. Oregon

8. Alabama vs 9. Missouri

CFP Final Four: Texas vs Ohio State, Georgia vs Notre Dame

National Championship: Georgia vs Ohio State

National Champion: Georgia