While Week 2 of the 2025 college football season only brought one ranked matchup, there were plenty of surprising outcomes, leading to movement in our power rankings. There were also a handful of high-scoring blowouts, with the top teams in the nation flexing their muscles against undermanned squads. How did those games affect the power rankings?
Find out below, as we ranked all 136 teams in the country with a complete analysis of our top 25.
25) Baylor Bears
Result:Â W 48-45 vs. SMU (2OT)
The Bears’ impressive double overtime victory over the SMU Mustangs was thanks to standout performances from quarterback Sawyer Robertson (34/50, 440 yards, four touchdowns), running back Bryson Washington (31 carries, 115 yards, two touchdowns), and wide receiver Josh Cameron (nine catches, 151 yards, two touchdowns).
The defense, however, remains a significant question mark, having given up 38 and 45 points in Weeks 1 and 2, respectively.
24) Louisville Cardinals
Result:Â W 28-14 vs. James Madison
It may not have been pretty, but the Cardinals’ two-score win over James Madison made them 2-0 ahead of a matchup with Bowling Green next week. Transfer quarterback Miller Moss, formerly at USC, has been uneven starting the season, with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Running back Isaac Brown has been dynamic, leading the team.
23) Illinois Fighting Illini
Result: W 45-19 vs. Duke
The Fighting Illini finally woke up in the second half against Duke, outscoring them 31-6 after halftime. Once again, Luke Altmeyer showed out, throwing for 296 yards and three touchdowns. The defense stood tall against a solid Blue Devils rushing attack, holding them to just 82 rushing yards and a meager 3.4 yards per carry.
Illinois QB Luke Altmyer vs Duke:
🔶 22/31
🔶 301 YDS
🔶 3 TDS
🔶 0 INTS@IlliniFootball pic.twitter.com/kVzff03rT0— PFF College (@PFF_College) September 6, 2025
22) Alabama Crimson Tide
Result: W 73-0 vs. UL MonroeÂ
The Crimson Tide offense was firing on all cylinders, but perhaps more eye-opening was the defense. UL Monroe finished with just 148 total yards and turned the ball over three times, leading to scores for Alabama. A week after a shocking upset loss to Florida State, the Tide rebounded with a nice confidence-building win.
21) Indiana Hoosiers
Result: W 56-9 vs. Kennesaw State
Transfer quarterback Fernando Mendoza didn’t look quite settled into the Indiana offense last week, but what a difference one week made. In Week 2, he completed 18 of 25 passes for 245 yards and four touchdowns. Defensive lineman Kellan Wyatt had a day, totaling nine tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss as the anchor in the middle.
20) BYU Cougars
Result: W 27-3 vs. Stanford
The Cougars achieved their second win thanks to a fierce defensive effort in which they held the Cardinal to just three points, 161 total yards (including just 19 rushing yards), and forced three turnovers. They managed to ease true freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier into the game, as he played clean football and threw for 175 yards.
19) Texas A&M Aggies
Result: W 44-22 vs. Utah State
The Marcel Reed show continued in Week 2 against Utah State, as he threw for 220 yards and three touchdowns while adding 66 yards and another score with his legs. The Aggies cruised to a 22-point win ahead of next week’s matchup with a talented Notre Dame squad coming off a bye week.
18) Arizona State Sun Devils
Result: L 24-20 vs. Mississippi State
The Sun Devils sleptwalk early against Mississippi State, falling behind 17-0 before storming back and taking the lead on a late field goal. The only problem? They left too much time, as the Bulldogs threw a deep touchdown to upset Arizona State and put a dent in their College Football Playoff chances.
17) Oklahoma Sooners
Result: W 24-13 vs. Michigan
Oklahoma jumped out to a 14-0 lead at the half and held on for a key ranked victory in non-conference play. The Wolverines are physical — but the Sooners were more physical on Saturday night, as they out-rushed Michigan 270-142. Quarterback John Mateer was excellent for a second straight week, scoring three total touchdowns.
16) Texas Tech Red Raiders
Result: W 62-14 vs. Kent State
The Red Raiders again rolled the opposition, scoring 60-plus for the second consecutive week. It was a terrific all-around effort, as the defense held Kent State to just two of 14 on third down while quarterback Behren Morton once again showed himself a day, throwing for 258 yards and three scores.
15) Iowa State Cyclones
Result: W 16-13 vs. Iowa
“Gritty” is a perfect word for Iowa State’s tightly contested victory over in-state rival Iowa. They prevailed despite a physical, rugged contest. The secondary did its job in holding the Hawkeyes to just 83 yards passing and stymied a two-minute drill at the end of the game.
14) Florida State Seminoles
Result: W 77-3 vs. E Texas A&M
The train continued for Florida State following their upset victory over Alabama, as they dismantled East Texas A&M. It was a light day for quarterback Tommy Castellanos, who threw just 11 passes but finished with three touchdowns. Everyone got involved in the scoring, with two reserve quarterbacks also throwing touchdowns.
TOMMY CASTELLANOS UP TO 230 YDS AND 3 TD’S IN THE FIRST HALF 📈
(Via @accnetwork)pic.twitter.com/PA1WpaVx1F
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 6, 2025
13) Miami Hurricanes
Result: W 45-3 vs. Bethune
Coming off an emotional Sunday night victory over Notre Dame, Miami held off a Week 2 letdown with a 42-point win. Quarterback Carson Beck completed 22 of 24 passes, running back Mark Fletcher Jr. scored two touchdowns, and EDGE Reuben Bain Jr. registered a sack. It was a good day for the Hurricanes.
12) LSU Tigers
Result: W 23-7 vs. Louisiana Tech
The Tigers looked far from dynamic against an inferior opponent in Louisiana Tech, managing just 23 points. Much of that was due to sloppy play, as they turned the ball over and committed nine penalties for 77 yards. Red zone efficiency was also an issue, as LSU was forced to kick four field goals.
11) Ole Miss Rebels
Result: W 30-23 vs. Kentucky
Ole Miss withstood a rough outing for quarterback Austin Simmons in his second start, as he threw two interceptions and failed to throw a touchdown. Running back Kewan Lacy picked up the slack, rushing for 138 yards and a score. The defense wasn’t excellent, but it allowed the Rebels to put the game away with several key stops in the fourth quarter.
10) Tennessee Volunteers
Result: W 72-17 vs. ETSU
The Vols’ offense impressed again, scoring 72 points, including 24 by the end of the first quarter. It was an incredibly balanced effort, with a litany of players seeing time: 13 players caught a pass, and seven players recorded a rush. Tennessee is playing tremendous football ahead of a highly anticipated Week 3 meeting with Georgia.
9) Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Result: Bye
After a tough loss to Miami on Sunday night, the Fighting Irish had the week off. They likely spent the time preparing for Texas A&M, whom they’ll host next Saturday. An emphasis should be placed on increasing the touches for star running back Jeremiyah Love, who totaled just 10 carries for 33 yards against the Hurricanes.
8) South Carolina Gamecocks
Result: W 38-10 vs. SC State
The Gamecocks easily handled in-state South Carolina State, coming away with a 28-point win. However, quarterback LaNorris Sellers’s inefficiency has to be a concern, as he completed just 11 of 19 passes for 128 yards and a score. They also managed only 3.5 yards per carry, a concerning figure with SEC play on the horizon.
7) Utah Utes
Result: W 63-9 vs. Cal Poly
Devon Dampier upped his Heisman odds for a second straight week, as the former New Mexico quarterback completed 17 of 23 passes for 192 yards and three touchdowns for the Utes. He’s completely changed the vibe of this Utah program with his dynamic play. Utah should be considered a live player to make the CFP in the Big 12.
Through two games, Devon Dampier:
80% completion percentage
398 passing yards
5 passing touchdowns
0 interceptions
1 sack
112 rushing yards
1 rushing touchdownNot too shabby! pic.twitter.com/uJBe2tQ4Yb
— Andrew Crane (@craneandrew_) September 7, 2025
6) Georgia Bulldogs
Result: W 28-6 vs. Austin Peay
The Bulldogs’ effort wasn’t particularly refined, but they got the job done against FCS Austin Peay. Georgia pounded the rock, running for 190 yards and four scores while holding the opposition to just 45 yards on the ground. It’ll be intriguing to see if that can continue once SEC play begins.
5) Clemson Tigers
Result: W 27-16 vs. Troy
Troy nearly shocked the nation, as they held a 16-3 lead on Clemson at halftime. But something flipped in the third quarter, as the Tigers stormed back and scored 24 unanswered points to finish with a win. Quarterback Cade Klubnik was far from sharp, as he threw an interception for a second straight week after throwing just six all last season.
4) Penn State Nittany Lions
Result: W 34-0 vs. FIU
Though it took a bit, the Nittany Lions took care of FIU and didn’t come close to giving up a single point. Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton were excellent running backs, rushing for 144 and 76 yards, respectively, with a touchdown each. One more cupcake game against Villanova remains before Penn State takes on Oregon on September 27, 2025.
3) Texas Longhorns
Result:Â W 38-7 vs. San Jose State
Despite several poor throws and decisions, Arch Manning scored all five of Texas’s touchdowns in their bounce-back win over San Jose State. This team’s actual ceiling- which could only manage 4.8 yards per carry- is still to be determined, but improvement needs to occur quickly.
2) Oregon Ducks
Result: W 69-3 vs. Oklahoma State
It was a fun day for the Ducks at Autzen Stadium, as they trounced Oklahoma State by 66 points. They held Zane Flores to seven of 19 passing for 67 yards and two consecutive pick-sixes in the second half. Though the competition hasn’t been stout just yet, Oregon looks to be among the top teams in the nation and could push for the top spot soon enough.
Mighty Oregon. @OregonFootball defeats Oklahoma State 69-3. #GoDucks pic.twitter.com/1Z8nNxAPVp
— GoDucks (@GoDucks) September 6, 2025
1) Ohio State Buckeyes
Result:Â W 70-0 vs. Grambling
The Buckeyes, fresh off an emotional victory over Texas in Week 1, demolished Grambling. Quarterback Julian Sayin completed 18 of 19 passes for 306 yards and four touchdowns. The defense allowed just 166 total yards, as Ohio State jumped on them from the very beginning.
College Football Power Rankings | 26-136
26) Missouri Tigers
27) USC Trojans
28) Auburn Tigers
29) Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
30) SMU Mustangs
31) Minnesota Golden Gophers
32) Iowa Hawkeyes
33) Kansas State Wildcats
34) Washington Huskies
35) Michigan Wolverines
36) TCU Horned Frogs
37) Pitt Panthers
38) Syracuse Orange
39) Kansas Jayhawks
40) Vanderbilt Commodores
41) Arizona Wildcats
42) Boston College Eagles
43) Mississippi State Bulldogs
44) Nebraska Cornhuskers
45) Colorado Buffaloes
46) Duke Blue Devils
47) North Carolina State Wolfpack
48) Rutgers Scarlet Knights
49) Cal BearsÂ
50) Cincinnati Bearcats
51) Florida Gators
52) Wisconsin Badgers
53) Tulane Green Wave
54) UCF Knights
55) Boise State Broncos
56) Michigan State Spartans
57) Arkansas Razorbacks
58) Virginia Cavaliers
59) Virginia Tech Hokies
60) West Virginia Mountaineers
61) USF Bulls
62) Maryland Terrapins
63) Purdue Boilermakers
64) North Carolina Tar Heels
65) Houston Cougars
66) UNLV Rebels
67) Wake Forest Demon Deacons
68) Kentucky Wildcats
69) James Madison Dukes
70) Navy Midshipmen
71) Washington State Cougars
72) Oklahoma State Cowboys
73) Memphis Tigers
74) Toledo Rockets
75) South Alabama Jaguars
76) UCLA Bruins
77) Northwestern Wildcats
78) Utah State Aggies
79) Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
80) Army Black Knights
81) Fresno State Bulldogs
82) Ohio Bobcats
83) Oregon State Beavers
84) Texas State Bobcats
85) Miami OH Redhawks
86) North Texas Mean Green
87) New Mexico Lobos
88) App State Mountaineers
89) East Carolina Pirates
90) Bowling Green Falcons
91) Buffalo Bulls
92) Connecticut Huskies
93) Temple Owls
94) UTSA Roadrunners
95) Arkansas State Red Wolves
96) Jacksonville State Gamecocks
97) Old Dominion Monarchs
98) Troy Trojans
99) Hawaii Rainbow Warriors
100) Stanford Cardinal
101) Liberty Flames
102) Western Michigan Broncos
103) Central Michigan Chippewas
104) Georgia Southern Eagles
105) Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
106) Rice Owls
107) Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
108) Colorado State Rams
109) Northern Illinois Huskies
110) Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns
111) Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles
112) Florida Atlantic Owls
113) Air Force Falcons
114) San Diego State Aztecs
115) San Jose State Spartans
116) UL Monroe Warhawks
117) Wyoming Cowboys
118) UTEP Miners
119) FIU Panthers
120) Georgia State Panthers
121) Charlotte 49ers
122) New Mexico State Aggies
123) Nevada Wolfpack
124) Eastern Michigan Eagles
125) San Houston State Bearkats
126) Tulsa Golden Hurricane
127) UAB Blazers
128) Missouri State Bears
129) Ball State Cardinals
130) Kennesaw State Owls
131) Delaware Blue Hens
132) Akron Zips
133) Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders
134) UMass Minutemen
135) Kent State Golden Flashes
136) Marshall Thundering Herd
