College Football Rankings 2017: Projected AP Top 25 after Week 1
By Zach Bigalke
LSU could jump a spot in the AP Top 25 this week if enough pollsters perceive the Tigers’ win against BYU as a stronger victory than Auburn’s win over Georgia Southern. Both SEC West schools won in their home state (the Tigers’ opener against BYU was moved due to Hurricane Harvey), but LSU pitched a shutout against a Cougars team that had already won in Week 0 to start its season.
The Bayou Bengals got 122 yards and two touchdowns on the ground from running back Derrius Guice. LSU’s defense was especially formidable, holding Tanner Mangum to 102 passing yards and an interception in the air. Squally Canada had just eight yards on the ground, leading a BYU team that finished with negative rushing yardage on the day.
It was a quality win against a strong independent to start the year for Ed Orgeron’s team. FCS Chattanooga will offer a chance to open up the offense a bit more, and it is possible that the defense could notch a second straight shutout ahead of the start of SEC play.