Updated
Updated · CBS Sports · Sep 13
Texas Projected to Claim No. 1 After 21-Point Rally, as Oregon Falls to No. 21
Updated
Updated · CBS Sports · Sep 13

Texas Projected to Claim No. 1 After 21-Point Rally, as Oregon Falls to No. 21

3 articles · Updated · CBS Sports · Sep 13

Summary

  • Texas is projected to rise from No. 4 to No. 1 after erasing a deficit with 21 fourth-quarter points to beat top-ranked Ohio State in Week 2.
  • Ohio State is expected to limit the damage and land at No. 7, while Georgia stays No. 2 and Notre Dame No. 3 after lopsided wins that kept pressure on the new frontrunner.
  • Oregon faces the sharpest drop among elite teams, sliding from No. 6 to a projected No. 21 after a loss at Oklahoma State that likely ends its run inside the AP top eight since October 2023.
  • Michigan is projected to reenter at No. 17 after beating No. 11 Oklahoma 17-10, while Boise State joins at No. 25 and Oklahoma and Washington are forecast to fall out.
  • Week 2 upsets left voters weighing early results against preseason expectations, making this one of the season's toughest ballots beyond Texas' expected move to the top.

Insights

Will Oregon's shocking upset completely shatter the illusion of preseason rankings, or do early expectations still secretly manipulate the polls?
How will Ohio State recover mentally after blowing a massive 20-point fourth-quarter lead to the new number one team?
With a brutal schedule ahead, can an 0-2 Oklahoma salvage their season before facing a gauntlet of SEC powerhouses?