Heres SI's (by Stewart Mandel):
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="552"> <tbody><tr><td class="cnnPWRank">1</td> <td class="cnnPWLW">1</td> <td class="cnnPWLogo" align="center">
</td> <td class="cnnPWTeam" valign="top">
USC Trojans (1-0)
Pete Carroll has said all along that his team's biggest challenge this season would be maintaining its focus, and we're guessing he may have a hard time getting his USC players to focus on an Arkansas team that just lost to Vanderbilt. Not that the Trojans shouldn't still win by 30.
Next game: Saturday vs. Arkansas. </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="cnnPWRank">2</td> <td class="cnnPWLW">3</td> <td class="cnnPWLogo" align="center">
</td> <td class="cnnPWTeam" valign="top">
Texas Longhorns (2-0)
Enough about
Vince Young and the 'Horns' offense. How about the performance of Texas' defense against Ohio State? Showing off impressive speed, DE
Tim Crowder got great pressure on the Buckeyes' quarterbacks, and the 'Horns' veteran secondary completely shut down
Ted Ginn Jr.
Next game: Saturday vs. Rice.</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="cnnPWRank">3</td> <td class="cnnPWLW">4</td> <td class="cnnPWLogo" align="center">
</td> <td class="cnnPWTeam" valign="top">
Virginia Tech Hokies (2-0)
It was only Duke, but Virginia Tech's defense allowed just 35 yards of offense the entire game in a 45-0 victory. That's absurd! The Hokies have gone 9-1 in conference play since joining the ACC. No wonder the other ACC schools didn't originally want to invite them.
Next game: Saturday vs. Ohio.</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="cnnPWRank">4</td> <td class="cnnPWLW">11</td> <td class="cnnPWLogo" align="center">
</td> <td class="cnnPWTeam" valign="top">
LSU Tigers (1-0)
Under normal circumstances, I would temper my reaction to the Tigers' impressive win at Arizona State with alarm over the fact their defense allowed a staggering 560 yards, but considering LSU spent much of the prior two weeks housing and caring for Katrina evacuees, they get a mulligan.
Next game: Sept. 24 vs. Tennessee.</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="cnnPWRank">5</td> <td class="cnnPWLW">6</td> <td class="cnnPWLogo" align="center">
</td> <td class="cnnPWTeam" valign="top">
Florida Gators (2-0)
It's judgment week for
Urban Meyer. The Gators' offense has been impressive enough against Wyoming and Louisiana Tech (443 yards per game), but is it really ready for Tennessee? Meyer is either playing it coy or is extremely nervous. "We better be on our game," the coach said.
Next game: Saturday vs. Tennessee.</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="cnnPWRank">6</td> <td class="cnnPWLW">5</td> <td class="cnnPWLogo" align="center">
</td> <td class="cnnPWTeam" valign="top">
Georgia Bulldogs (2-0)
What a difference a week -- and a step up to an SEC defense -- made for
D.J. Shockley. The Dawgs' QB was just 8-of-17 passing for 112 yards and two interceptions. No need to hit the panic button just yet -- for whatever reason, Georgia
always struggles against South Carolina.
Next game: Saturday vs. Louisiana-Monroe.</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="cnnPWRank">7</td> <td class="cnnPWLW">7</td> <td class="cnnPWLogo" align="center">
</td> <td class="cnnPWTeam" valign="top">
Notre Dame Fighting Irish (2-0)
You'd think after opening with Pittsburgh and Michigan, there would be a Ball State or Temple coming to town this week. Not at Notre Dame.
Charlie Weis' team can't exactly afford a letdown against
Drew Stanton and Michigan State, whose offense is averaging 592 yards per game.
Next game: Saturday vs. Michigan State.</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="cnnPWRank">8</td> <td class="cnnPWLW">2</td> <td class="cnnPWLogo" align="center">
</td> <td class="cnnPWTeam" valign="top">
Ohio St. Buckeyes (1-1)
Saturday night had to be a harsh blow for
Jim Tressel. His team excelled at the two areas he values most, defense (with the exception of Texas' last drive) and special teams, yet still lost. It's time for Tressel to stick with one QB, and to make sure Ginn never has another two-catch game.
Next game: Saturday vs. San Diego State.</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="cnnPWRank">9</td> <td class="cnnPWLW">9</td> <td class="cnnPWLogo" align="center">
</td> <td class="cnnPWTeam" valign="top">
Tennessee Volunteers (1-0)
Two weeks from now, after they've played Florida and LSU, the Vols' shaky opener against UAB could seem like a distant memory. The same thing could happen, however, to Tennessee's national-title aspirations. It all depends on whether the Vols' veteran defense plays as advertised.
Next game: Saturday at Florida.</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="cnnPWRank">10</td> <td class="cnnPWLW">11</td> <td class="cnnPWLogo" align="center">
</td> <td class="cnnPWTeam" valign="top">
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (2-0)
Reggie Ball has officially reached the next level. The third-year QB threw for 320 yards and two touchdowns and ran nine yards for another score in the Jackets' win over North Carolina. And he's no longer trying to force passes to
Calvin Johnson, either. Former QB
Damarius Bilbo had eight catches for 131 yards.
Next game: Saturday vs. Connecticut.</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="cnnPWRank">11</td> <td class="cnnPWLW">16</td> <td class="cnnPWLogo" align="center">
</td> <td class="cnnPWTeam" valign="top">
Purdue Boilermakers (1-0)
No, the Boilers did not move up five spots for whipping Akron. A whole bunch of teams ahead of them lost. Nonetheless, Purdue got off to a decent-enough start, with QB
Brandon Kirsch looking efficient (22-of-34 passing, 252 yards, two TDs, no INTs) and the running game producing 211 yards.
Next game: Saturday at Arizona.</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="cnnPWRank">12</td> <td class="cnnPWLW">7</td> <td class="cnnPWLogo" align="center">
</td> <td class="cnnPWTeam" valign="top">
Michigan Wolverines (1-1)
Lloyd Carr's defensive changes seemed to work -- the Wolverines allowed Notre Dame just 224 yards -- but now he has an offensive mess on his hands. Injuries to RB
Michael Hart, TE
Tim Massaquoi and two offensive linemen, if serious, could turn QB
Chad Henne into a sitting target.
Next game: Saturday vs. Eastern Michigan.</td></tr></tbody> </table>