UK & Ireland College Football Media Top 25 Rankings: Week 1
By Simon Carroll
If the AP or CFP committe can’t get it right, then perhaps we can!
Since the start of the 2022 season, some of the UK & Ireland’s most talented writers, content creators and students of the college game have combined to deliver their own weekly set of college football rankings. The UK & Ireland CFB Media Top 25 is announced every Tuesday evening, and today (a day late thanks to the Monday game) we can bring you the standings after Week 1. Buckle up – there’s a surprise or two!
2024 - Week 1
- GEORGIA BULLDOGS (1-0, =)
- OHIO STATE BUCKEYES (1-0, ↑1)
- TEXAS LONGHORNS (1-0, ↑1)
- NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH (1-0, ↑2)
- ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE (1-0, =)
- PENN STATE NITTANY LIONS (1-0, ↑4)
- OLE MISS REBELS (1-0, ↑1)
- OREGON DUCKS (1-0, ↓6)
- MIAMI HURRICANES (1-0, ↑8)
- USC TROJANS (1-0, ↑12)
- MISSOURI TIGERS (1-0, =)
- MICHIGAN WOLVERINES (1-0, ↓5)
- UTAH UTES (1-0, =)
- TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS (1-0, =)
- OKLAHOMA SOONERS (1-0, ↑3)
- OKLAHOMA STATE COWBOYS (1-0, =)
- ARIZONA WILDCATS (1-0, ↑3)
- KANSAS STATE WILDCATS (1-0, ↑1)
- GEORGIA TECH YELLOW JACKETS (2-0, NE)
- IOWA HAWKEYES (1-0, NE)
- LSU TIGERS (0-1, ↓9)
- KANSAS JAYHAWKS (1-0, ↑2)
- LOUISVILLE CARDINALS (1-0, NE)
- UNLV REBELS (1-0, NE)
- NC STATE WOLFPACK (1-0, ↓2)
*NE – New Entrant. Teams dropping out: Florida State, Clemson, Texas A&M, Washington
TAKEAWAYS
No Sympathy For Big Losses
Week 1, for most, is a tune-up, with the blue blood programs scheduling an FCS in-state minnow to ease their way into the season. But in a world where TV ratings rule, there is now always a handful of contests between heavyweights to get fans excited.
The risk-reward of these matchups are stark; win, and it gives you confidence for the rest of the year. Lose, and you’re already fighting fires and looking for the next big game to right the ship. In 2024, three teams fell into this latter category – and only one of them remains ranked by the UK & Ireland media…
Clemson were officially embarassed in Atlanta; a perfect storm of Dabo Swinney promising a good performance and coming up against the best team in the nation. Georgia toyed with their prey after the half, and the 34-3 scoreline did not flatter the ‘Dawgs one bit. The Tigers will be looking forward to conference play safe in the knowledge this loss could become irrelevant by the end of the year, but a performance like that won’t get you ranked.
A similar scenario befell Texas A&M, although their loss to Notre Dame wasn’t so drastic. As for LSU, they stay in the Top 25, presumably an acknowledgement of how close their contest with USC actually was.
Week 1 Corrections See Big Jumps - Up And Down
The UK & Ireland panel aren’t afraid to admit when they’re wrong – and let’s face it, EVERYONE is wrong about something in preseason. Well that something appeared to be not giving USC or Miami enough credit; the Trojans & Hurricanes have often been the butt of jokes for never living up to their vast means, but QB’s Cam Ward & Miller Moss, along with all the talents at their disposal, ensured 2024 started off with a bang. These two programs fly into the top ten, and rightly so – Notre Dame aside, no other teams enjoyed wins as big as theirs.
Similarly, The Irish looked very strong in an intimidating atmosphere in Kyle Field and duly had a modest bounce – they were already admired by the panel, in what is a prove-it year for Marcus Freeman. It wasn’t the easiest start for Notre Dame, and the schedule has other road bumps, but 1-0 is 1-0. A playoff game in South Bend beckons.
And whilst we’ve mentioned two big names to fall out of the rankings altogether, the panel were also comfortable in demoting big teams supposedly full of promise that flattered to deceive in week 1 – despite getting the win. Last year’s champions Michigan, who were a modest six points ahead of Fresno State in the fourth quarter and required a quite spectacular pick-six from Will Johnson to seal the deal drop five spots to 12. And Oregon – the biggest losing winners of the week – tumble six spots to 8 after an odd, unusually limp display against lowly Idaho.
Group of Five Breakthrough
Absolutely love to see Catalon balling out at UNLV. He's had some bad luck with injuries since he was voted First Team All-SEC in 2020 - hope he stays healthy this season because he's so fun to watch!pic.twitter.com/vQn4eJJbMp
— Jack Brentnall (@Jack_Brentnall) September 1, 2024
The rankings begin, each year, as you would expect – the big programs are assumed to be all-conquering, whilst those with lesser means will presumably struggle to compete. But of course, college football does not work that way, and the game is all better for it. A Cinderella story is waiting to be written, reminiscent of Tulane two years ago and their Cotton Bowl win – or even Cincinnati making the playoffs in 2020. Really, we’re all just waiting to see who it could be.
The first team to throw their hat into the ring appear to be UNLV, who took apart the Big 12’s Houston in their own back yard on Saturday night. The Cougars were down 27-0 before a consolation touchdown with a minute left on the clock avoided the shutout – but this was a statement win for the Rebels. Coach Odom has that program going in the right direction, and it was recognised by the panel, who moved them into the 24 spot – the first team outside of the P4 (Notre Dame excluded) to make the rankings in 2024.
Whilst they didn’t make the cut, some media members did give votes to Memphis, Liberty and Boise State – who must be considered a threat with the talented Ashton Jeanty in the backfield. Perhaps more Group Of Five teams will be in the reckoning next week!
Players Of The Week:
Offense: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
Defense: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
