There will be a new No. 1 in this week’s US LBM Coaches Poll.
Georgia has an argument after rising to No. 2 heading into the weekend. Previously No. 4, Notre Dame blanked Rice and has won two games by a combined 80 points.
But the new top team should be Texas, which has every reason to climb from No. 4 after storming back to beat previous No. 1 Ohio State 24-23.
Texas might even be a unanimous No. 1 and pull away from the Georgia, Notre Dame and Indiana. More likely, however, Texas leaps ahead of Georgia and claims most but not all the first-place votes.
The Buckeyes will drop from No. 1 but should still land in this week’s top 10, especially after dominating the first three quarters. Two teams that won’t stay in this group are Oregon and Oklahoma.
Here’s how the top 10 of this week’s Coaches Poll should look:
1. Texas (2-0)
This might be a Heisman Trophy moment for Arch Manning, who rallied the Longhorns for three long scoring drives just as the Buckeyes seem poised to deliver a knockout blow.
2. Georgia (2-0)
The Bulldogs rolled over Western Kentucky 70-20, with almost all of the Hilltoppers’ damage coming against backup defenders in garbage time. It was a big day for Gunner Stockton, who went 13 and 16 and tied a school record with five touchdown passes.
3. Notre Dame (2-0)
Rice never had a chance. CJ Carr tossed three scores and the Irish were all over the Owls from the start, scoring three times in the first quarter and three more in the second. There will be more routs like this one ahead for Notre Dame.
4. Indiana (2-0)
Indiana’s baby-soft non-conference schedule turned to Howard, with predictable results. Wide receiver Charlie Becker had three touchdown grabs and the Hoosiers won 55-0. More of the same is ahead with Western Kentucky coming to town Saturday.
5. Miami (2-0)
Things will start getting a little bit more difficult for Miami on the heels of a 77-7 romp over Florida A&M. This is all relative: Next up is a Friday night trip to Wake Forest, which needed double overtime to beat Purdue.
6. LSU (2-0)
Louisiana Tech made LSU sweat more than Clemson in the opener. The Tigers did themselves no favors with four turnovers but still managed to rack up 526 yards of offense and 26 first downs in a 45-14 win.
7. Ohio State (1-1)
This feels like the right landing spot for OSU based on how voters will still place a lot of value on a road loss by a single point to the current No. 1. The Buckeyes could even end up one spot higher, pushing LSU back to No. 7.
8. Texas A&M (2-0)
Overlooked during Oklahoma’s loss to Michigan, the Aggies scored a pair of defensive touchdowns in the fourth quarter and pulled away from Arizona State for a 48-20 win. That and just one penalty for five yards helped A&M overcome just 92 rushing yards on 35 carries and 6.5 yards per pass attempt.
9. Mississippi (2-0)
The Rebels had no problems with Charlotte after needing a late field goal to beat Louisville in the season opener. Up next is the big one: Lane Kiffin comes back to town with LSU.
10. Alabama (2-0)
Things started very poorly with a Kentucky pick-six early in the first quarter, one of three Alabama turnovers on the day. And the 45-17 final is a little misleading given the Tide trailed 17-13 at halftime and didn’t take the lead for good until three minutes were left in the third quarter. But Alabama has the best argument for rounding out the top 10.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Texas or Georgia at No. 1? College football rankings projection for US LBM Coaches Poll
