Texas lastly appears like a program that may compete for a Huge 12 title.
That was Joel Klatt's take after watching the Longhorns go toe-to-toe with No. 1-ranked Alabama this previous weekend.
Steve Sarkisian's staff entered the matchup as a 21.5-point underdog however held a 19-17 lead with lower than two minutes remaining within the sport. It took a near-flawless drive, engineered by Alabama QB Bryce Younger, to place the Tide in field-goal vary and depart Austin with a 20-19 victory.
Klatt left the sport feeling far more optimistic concerning the Longhorns transferring ahead, and with some severe questions on an Alabama staff that was thought of by many to be one of the biggest favorites to win the nationwide championship in current reminiscence.
This prompted Klatt to maneuver Alabama all the way down to No. 3 in his most up-to-date set of high 10 rankings, trailing each Georgia and Ohio State. In the meantime, he positioned Texas at No. 10, claiming the Longhorns are essentially the most spectacular Huge 12 staff he is seen up up to now within the season.
Klatt defined his choice through the newest episode of his new podcast, "The Joel Klatt Show," which is able to characteristic three episodes per week and provide distinctive takes and evaluation of the most important video games and storylines all through the school soccer universe.
Alabama's scare vs. Texas opens up considerations
After Alabama narrowly escaped Austin with a win over unranked Texas, Joel Klatt discusses the key considerations that the Crimson Tide have transferring ahead.
"If I am a Texas fan, I really feel fairly rattling good about my staff transferring ahead," Klatt defined. "The underside line is that Texas ought to have received the sport. Even Bama followers comprehend it. If they've a wholesome quarterback, they in all probability win."
Texas' beginning QB Quinn Ewers left the sport with an injured shoulder after a tough hit on the finish of the primary quarter. Ewers had his left arm in a sling after halftime and is predicted to overlook 4-6 weeks with a sprained clavicle.
"If he (Ewers) stays wholesome, they in all probability win as a result of he was far too dynamic throwing the ball in that first quarter," Klatt defined. "He was taking photographs essential to get behind that Bama protection and I felt like they had been going to have the ability to run the ball extra profitable due to the photographs they had been going to take.
"I nonetheless assume that this staff, as soon as they get wholesome on the quarterback place, goes to be a staff that may compete for and possibly win the Huge 12."
Here's a have a look at Klatt’s up to date high 10 rankings following Week 2 of the school soccer season.
1. Georgia (Earlier rating: 2)
Week 2 consequence: Defeated Samford, 33-0
Why they're ranked right here: Georgia has been nothing wanting dominant by the primary two weeks of the season, outscoring opponents 82-3. The Bulldogs misplaced a ton of expertise on the defensive aspect of the ball, however you wouldn’t comprehend it by watching this staff play. And at last, it’s time to offer Stetson Bennett the eye he deserves as one of many nation’s high signal-callers.
Key stat: Georgia’s 33-0 win over Samford marked the ninth shutout victory for the Bulldogs since Kirby Good took over as this system’s head coach. That's the highest whole within the FBS throughout that interval.
What's subsequent?: Georgia (2-0) takes on SEC rival South Carolina (1-1) in a much-anticipated Week 3 conflict (Saturday, 12 p.m. ET).
2. Ohio State (Earlier rating: 3)
Week 2 consequence: Defeated Arkansas State, 45-12
Why they're ranked right here: Regardless of being with out two of their high receiving weapons in Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Julian Fleming, the Buckeyes cruised to a powerful win over Arkansas State whereas totaling 538 yards of offense. Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka had been each unstoppable, combining for 11 catches for 302 yards and 4 touchdowns. It’s scary to assume how good this offense might be when absolutely wholesome.
Key stat: Ohio State has now scored 20 or extra factors in 63 consecutive video games, transferring right into a tie for second place in FBS historical past with USC (2002-2006). Oklahoma holds the report with 69 video games.
What's subsequent?: The Buckeyes (2-0) will host Toledo (2-0) in a Week 2 non-conference tilt (Saturday, 7 p.m. ET on FOX).
3. Alabama (Earlier rating: 1)
Week 2 consequence: Defeated Texas, 20-19
Why they're ranked right here: Alabama trailed unranked Texas with lower than two minutes remaining within the sport, and it took a masterful remaining drive to place the Tide in subject objective vary and depart Austin with a victory. Alabama didn’t appear like the highest staff within the nation final weekend, and the Tide received’t possible get examined once more till their journey to Arkansas in early October.
Key stat: With final weekend's victory over Texas, Alabama now owns a 54-game successful streak vs. non-conference opponents within the common season. This system's final non-conference loss within the common season got here again in 2007, Nick Saban's first 12 months because the staff's head coach.
What's subsequent?: Alabama (2-0) takes on UL Monroe (1-1) at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Week 3 (Saturday, 4 p.m. ET).
Klatt's bonus ideas: "Bama didn’t play that nicely, and so they didn’t look superb for a big portion of the sport. However the backside line is Bama did win, and that’s what nice packages and nice gamers do."
Bryce Younger is likely one of the finest QBs Joel Klatt has ever seen
Joel Klatt breaks down what Alabama quarterback Bryce Younger so nice.
4. Michigan (Earlier rating: 5)
Week 2 consequence: Defeated Hawaii, 56-10
Why they're ranked right here: The energy of schedule hasn't been overly spectacular, however the Wolverines have walloped their first two opponents by a mixed rating of 107-17. It appears just like the QB battle has been settled as J.J. McCarthy will take the reins and attempt to lead this program to back-to-back convention titles.
Key stat: Heading into Week 3, Michigan is tied for the biggest level differential of any Energy 5 program within the nation at +90. That's the highest level differential for the Wolverines by two video games since 2016 and the second-highest since 2000.
What's subsequent?: The Wolverines (2-0) host Connecticut (1-2) on the Huge Home (Saturday, 12 p.m. ET).
Associated: Michigan QB tracker: J.J. McCarthy makes assertion in Week 2
5. USC (Earlier rating: 8)
Week 2 consequence: Defeated Stanford, 41-28
Why they're ranked right here: Caleb Williams appears like a legit Heisman Trophy contender. The previous Oklahoma signal-caller accomplished 20 of 27 passes for 341 yards and 4 touchdowns (with no interceptions) vs. Stanford. This staff ought to cruise by the following month earlier than heading to Utah for a showdown with the Utes in mid-October.
Key stat: Lincoln Riley's offense has been unstoppable by two weeks, particularly within the first half of video games. Solely North Carolina (77) has scored extra first-half factors than USC (66).
What's subsequent?: Williams and the Trojans (2-0) tackle Fresno State (1-1) at dwelling in Week 3 (Saturday, 10:30 p.m. ET on FOX).
6. Clemson (Earlier rating: 4)
Week 2 consequence: Defeated Furman, 35-12
Why they're ranked right here: Very like Michigan, the Tigers have not been challenged a lot by the primary two weeks of the season. Nonetheless, DJ Uiagalelei appears a lot improved. The protection is spectacular, however Uiagalelei will in the end be the figuring out issue of how far this staff can go this 12 months.
Key stat: The Tigers dominated Furman on Saturday, extending their FBS-leading home-winning streak to 35 video games.
What's subsequent?: The Tigers (2-0) are aiming for his or her ninth-straight victory after they tackle Louisiana Tech (1-1) in Week 3 (Saturday, 5 p.m. ET).
7. Oklahoma (Earlier rating: 7)
Week 2 consequence: Defeated Kent State, 33-3
Why they're ranked right here: The Brent Venables period is off to a terrific begin because the Sooners are getting it accomplished on either side of the ball. It is a program that has put up large offensive numbers over the previous decade however has had loads of struggles on protection. It is going to be fascinating to see how this protection responds when it faces a very good Kansas State staff on Sept. 24.
Key stat: Oklahoma's protection has solely allowed one landing by two video games this season. It's the first time for the reason that 2013 season the Sooners have allowed just one TD over any two-game span.
What's subsequent?: The Sooners (2-0) will look to construct off their spectacular Week 2 win after they battle Nebraska (1-2) on Saturday (12 p.m. ET on FOX).
Associated: Scott Frost fired at Nebraska: Teaching candidates to steer Huskers
8. Michigan State (Earlier rating: None)
Week 2 consequence: Defeated Akron, 52-0
Why they're ranked right here: There have been questions surrounding how Mel Tucker's staff would look this season following the lack of All-American operating again Kenneth Walker. Via two video games, the Spartans have racked up 457 yards and 7 scores on the bottom. Jalen Berger and Jarek Broussard, referred to as "The Killer B's," appear like the most effective operating again tandems within the nation. The protection has additionally been excellent, led by UNLV switch Jacoby Windmon, who has already totaled 5.5 sacks and 4 compelled fumbles in two video games.
Key stat: The Spartans' 52-0 win over Akron was the biggest shutout victory for a Michigan State staff since 1957, after they blanked Indiana, 54-0.
What's subsequent?: The Spartans (2-0) are up towards the Pac-12's main offense in Washington (2-0) in Week 3 (Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET).
9. Oklahoma State (Earlier rating: None)
Week 2 consequence: Defeated Arizona State, 34-17
Why they're ranked right here: The Cowboys confirmed off a balanced offensive assault in a powerful win over Arizona State, throwing for 268 yards by the air and piling up 197 yards on the bottom. All eyes will likely be on this staff's Week 5 matchup towards Baylor.
Key stat: Oklahoma State's protection held the Solar Devils to only 17 factors on Saturday, which prolonged OSU's 80-game win streak when holding its opponent to fewer than 20 factors. That streak dates again to Sept. 13, 2003 and is the longest energetic stretch within the FBS.
What's subsequent?: Oklahoma State (2-0) will play host to Arkansas-Pine Bluff (2-0) in Week 3 (Saturday, 7 p.m. ET).
10. Texas (Earlier rating: None)
Week 2 consequence: Misplaced to Alabama, 20-19
Why they're ranked right here: One could make the argument that Saturday's Alabama-Texas sport was extra concerning the progress proven by the Longhorns than it was concerning the precise results of the sport itself. It is a nice protection and an offense that has loads of star energy, highlighted by preseason All-American operating again Bijan Robinson. The Longhorns definitely have the expertise to compete for a Huge 12 title this season.
Key stat: This was simply the fifth time in 28 video games {that a} former Saban assistant both received or was inside one rating of his former boss.
What's subsequent?: The Longhorns (1-1) will face neighbor UTSA (1-1) in Week 3 (Saturday, 8 p.m. ET).
Associated: The Enterprise of Bijan: Robinson's rising stardom is a household affair
Klatt's bonus ideas: "If I am a Texas fan, I’d really feel fairly rattling good about my staff transferring ahead."
Texas' takeaways from loss to No. 1 Alabama
Joel Klatt offers his takeaways from the Longhorns' shut loss to the Crimson Tide.
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