College Football Top 25 Rankings (After Week 1)

Weekly college football top 25 rankings are a big part of every season, and Athlon Sports will update its top 25 following the games each weekend. The first weekend of the 2018 season featured its share of big matchups, including Auburn's win over Washington, Notre Dame's home victory against Michigan and Virginia Tech dominating Florida State in Tallahassee. As expected, Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State and Georgia won big in Week 1. With the first week of the 2018 season officially in the books, here are the top 25 teams in college football:

 

College Football Top 25 Rankings (After Week 1)

 

1. Alabama (1-0)

Week 1 Result: Defeated Louisville

 

The quarterback battle in Tuscaloosa should be over. Tua Tagovailoa is the best option for Nick Saban’s team in 2018.

 

2. Clemson (1-0)

Week 1 Result: Defeated Furman

 

As expected, the Tigers didn’t have much trouble against Furman. However, the quarterback battle between Kelly Bryant and Trevor Lawrence looks like it might continue deep into the season. The schedule gets tougher with a trip to Texas A&M up next.

 

3. Georgia (1-0)

Week 1 Result: Defeated Austin Peay

 

Bulldogs didn’t have to sweat much to beat Austin Peay, but the one-sided matchup allowed coach Kirby Smart to get a look at some promising playmakers, including quarterback Justin Fields and receiver Demetris Robertson.

 

4. Ohio State (1-0)

Week 1 Result: Defeated Oregon State

 

Dwayne Haskins had one of the top debuts by a new starting quarterback in 2018, but the defense has to tighten up after giving up a couple of big plays to Oregon State.

 

5. Auburn (1-0)

Week 1 Result: Defeated Washington

 

Defense comes up big in the red zone and late in the fourth quarter to give Auburn a huge non-conference victory over Washington on Saturday.

 

6. Oklahoma (1-0)

Week 1 Result: Defeated FAU

 

No Baker Mayfield? No problem for the Sooners on Saturday against FAU. Coach Lincoln Riley’s team recorded 63 points and 650 overall yards against the Owls.

 

7. Wisconsin (1-0)

Week 1 Result: Defeated WKU

 

Badgers’ rebuilt defense held WKU to just 4.8 yards a play and three points in Friday night’s 34-3 victory.

 

8. Notre Dame (1-0)

Week 1 Result: Defeated Michigan

 

Quarterback Brandon Wimbush (12 of 22 for 170 yards and 59 rushing yards) was against one of the top defenses in college football.

 

9. Washington (0-1)

Week 1 Result: Lost to Auburn

 

Washington’s struggles in the red zone and missed field goal loom large in close loss to Auburn.

 

10. Penn State (1-0)

Week 1 Result: Defeated Appalachian State

 

Appalachian State gave Penn State all it could handle on Saturday, but quarterback Trace McSorley delivered to avoid the upset loss.

 

11. Michigan State (1-0)

Week 1 Result: Defeated Utah State

 

Spartans’ defense stepped up with game on the line to survive upset-minded Utah State.

 

12. LSU (1-0)

Week 1 Result: Defeated Miami

 

LSU’s offense wasn’t overly prolific, but new quarterback Joe Burrow was poised and in control in his first start. And as usual, the Tigers look strong on defense once again.

 

13. Virginia Tech (1-0)

Week 1 Result: Defeated Florida State

 

Bud Foster’s rebuilt defense didn’t miss a beat in Monday night’s win over Florida State.

 

14. Mississippi State (1-0)

Week 1 Result: Defeated Stephen F. Austin

 

Quarterback Keytaon Thompson and running back Kylin Hill supplied big plays in an easy win for Mississippi State in coach Joe Moorhead’s debut.

 

15. Boise State (1-0)

Week 1 Result: Defeated Troy

 

Broncos quietly turned in impressive road win at Troy on Saturday afternoon.

 

16. Stanford (1-0)

Week 1 Result: Defeated San Diego State

 

A good sign for Stanford: Bryce Love only rushed for 29 yards on 18 carries, but the Cardinal defeated San Diego State by 21 points.

 

17. Michigan (0-1)

Week 1 Result: Lost to Notre Dame

 

Offensive line issues plague Wolverines in seven-point defeat to Fighting Irish.

 

18. UCF (1-0)

Week 1 Result: Defeated UConn

 

Quarterback McKenzie Milton and the Knights’ offense picked up where they left off in 2017 by scoring 56 points in the opener against UConn.

 

19. West Virginia (1-0)

Week 1 Result: Defeated Tennessee

 

West Virginia’s offense (and Will Grier’s Heisman campaign) in midseason form in 40-14 victory over Tennessee.

 

20. Miami (0-1)

Week 1 Result: Lost to LSU

 

LSU simply overwhelmed Miami at the line of scrimmage on Sunday night. Big question marks remain up front and with consistency at quarterback for coach Mark Richt.

 

21. Florida (1-0)

Week 1 Result: Defeated Charleston Southern

 

It’s only Charleston Southern, but there were encouraging signs for Florida’s offense on Saturday night.

 

22. USC (1-0)

Week 1 Result: Defeated UNLV

 

Freshman quarterback JT Daniels passed his first test. Up next? Stanford

 

23. Oregon (1-0)

Week 1 Result: Defeated Bowling Green

 

Ducks used a 30-point second quarter to cruise to 58-24 victory in the home debut of new coach Mario Cristobal.

 

24. TCU (1-0)

Week 1 Result: Defeated Southern

 

New quarterback Shawn Robinson accounted for five touchdowns in an easy win over Southern.

 

25. Texas A&M (1-0)

Week 1 Result: Defeated Northwestern State

 

Jimbo Fisher's tenure at Texas A&M is off to a good start after easy win over Northwestern State.