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SALT LAKE CITY — It's great to have college football back in action.
And the first full weekend of action did not disappoint — unless you're Florida or Florida State — even as most FBS teams around the country played teams from the FCS in a tune-up game. And yet, some of those tune-up games didn't turn out so easy — here's looking at you Oregon!
Also, there were a few great matchups that featured two teams from the Power Four playing each other. And while we'll undoubtedly overreact to one week of football, there's still some things we learned about each team.
As such, my rankings reflect some of what we learned — moving some teams around — while mostly looking the same as the preseason. In reality, we're just scratching the surface on what we know about each of these teams.
The following is the ballot I submitted to the Associated Press that will be counted in the consensus rankings that will be released Tuesday afternoon.
1. Georgia
Georgia is unfair ... and inevitable ... and smothering. The Bulldogs lull you in, making you believe you can actually hang, while slowly circling around you like a snake to lay the trap. And once Georgia decides to engage, it's already too late and there's no getting out of its grasp.
Sure, Clemson isn't what it used to be, but Georgia's dismantling of the Tigers was something to behold. Georgia is a team that remains unstoppable ... at least until someone mounts an actual challenge. Last weekend was not that chance.
Week 1 appeared to just be the appetizer, though. Look out for more in the weeks to come.
2. Ohio State
The debate about Ohio State being No. 1 before the season may still have merit after Week 1 action, but it's difficult to put the Buckeyes in the same class as Georgia ... so far. Yes, Ohio State has the roster that can likely contend with Georgia — and how about Jeremiah Smith?! — but right now the advantage seems pretty easily with the Bulldogs.
The Buckeyes, too, are going to be dangerous this season, but they're not quite as inevitable as Georgia seems.
3. Texas
Texas held nothing back against an outclassed Colorado State team that was supposed to put up a little more of a fight than what showed up in Week 1 — even as 35-point dogs.
But the Longhorns showed they're not ready to take a backseat to anybody — and that they continue to be back. Quinn Ewers threw his first interception of the season, but was mostly efficient en route to a 52-0 shutout win.
His backup, Arch Manning, added to the fun, finishing with 95 passing yards and a touchdown on 5-of-6 passing in his first action of the season.
4. Ole Miss
What in the Jaxson Dart? The former Corner Canyon High star had Ole Miss humming amid a 76-0 shutout win over Furman. Dart threw for 418 yards and five touchdowns on 22-of-27 passing — he added a rushing touchdown, as well — by halftime.
He's the first QB in the SEC to throw for over 350 yards in a half since Joe Burrow in 2019.
It's only Furman, but Dart showed why he's a true contender for the Heisman Trophy this year. Ole Miss will certainly face much more difficult opponents in the SEC, but Week 1 was a reminder that Dart is ready for the spotlight. Oh ... and the team, as a whole, is pretty good, too.
5. Alabama
Post Nick Saban life looks pretty good so far. Western Kentucky isn't some major measuring stick, but Alabama looked good in Kalen DeBoer's debut in Tuscaloosa. The road gets far more challenging in the coming weeks, but it's always good to start out strong with a lopsided win.
Jalen Milroe remains a threat at QB — he threw an efficient 200 yards and three touchdowns on 7-of-9 passing — and completed a touchdown pass on almost every other completion in a short night.
6. Oregon
I don't tend to overreact to Week 1 action, but I'm making an exception with Oregon. I bought the hype and was left disappointed. I fully believe Week 1 was an anomaly and not truly indicative of what this Ducks team is capable of in their first season in the Big Ten, but it was also a bit concerning, too.
Still, Oregon has everything in front of it, even if they got caught overlooking Idaho. The Ducks remain one of the best teams in the country, but other teams simply look better after one week, so I dropped Oregon a few spots.
Uncle Phil buying recruits can only go so far; the talent actually has to show up on the field and deliver a good product.
7. Penn State
In a game that sustained a long weather delay, Penn State remained composed and the better team in a hostile Morgantown. Drew Allar looked closer to the quarterback many expected him to be, and the Nittany Lions showed some great potential as one of the top teams in the Big Ten.
Most impressive, though, is that Penn State didn't look vanilla in their season-opener — a common calling card for the Nittany Lions — and actually brought some excitement to the Week 1 matchup.
8. Notre Dame
In a tight battle in hostile territory, Notre Dame looked the part. Quarterback Riley Leonard didn't pass for a touchdown and only threw for 158 yards on 18-of-30 passing, but the Fighting Irish managed 17 points in the second half to top a seemingly improved Texas A&M team.
The schedule lays out well for the Irish, so a win in Week 1 becomes a big confidence builder, but there's not a lot more chances to really see how tough Notre Dame can be this season. Maybe it's a little fool's gold, but we'll take the bait this week.
9. Miami
I've had Miami ranked much higher than the consensus rankings, and I stand by it. The Hurricanes looked really solid against a down Florida team and disrupted the Gators' long-time season-opening win streak at The Swamp — a tough place to get a win.
Cam Ward looked the part at quarterback, and Miami has a strong case to be the leader of the ACC this year. We'll see if they can sustain it, but so far I like what I've seen from Miami.
10. Utah
Utah looked the part in Cam Rising and Brant Kuithe's return to the field. The two connected three times for touchdowns, and Rising threw for two more touchdowns in a career night for the veteran signal caller. The defense, too, looked strong.
A dominant shutout win over an FCS team doesn't predict future success, but Utah looked the part as the projected favorite out of the Big 12. A Week 2 nonconference test against a conference opponent should provide a better look, though.
Dropping out: Florida State, NC State
Checking in: Arizona, Nebraska
In consideration (alphabetical): Arkansas, Memphis, NC State, SMU, UCF, Wisconsin
If you can't see my full ballot below, click here.
