College Football Rankings 2021: Projected AP Top 25 for Week 2

Oklahoma opened the season at No. 2 in the preseason AP Top 25. Even though they won their season opener in Norman on Saturday, the Sooners will likely fall a few spots down the poll this week after they struggled to put away Tulane. The game, originally scheduled for New Orleans, was moved to Oklahoma’s campus due to Hurricane Ida. Even in front of a home crowd, though, Lincoln Riley’s team did not look as sharp as one might hope.

Spencer Rattler completed nearly three-quarters of his passes and threw for more than 300 yards on the day, but he also managed to generate only one touchdown through the air and tossed a pair of interceptions. The Oklahoma ground game averaged just three yards per carry. The defense generated three fumbles, but they also allowed nearly 400 yards of offense to the Green Wave.

Oklahoma walked away victors in the 40-35 battle, but the close call might turn off some voters this week. Look for the Sooners to remain somewhere among the top five teams in the country, though they will likely drop two to three spots in the process.

Because they survived Tulane in this relocated showdown, Oklahoma remains a threat for the College Football Playoff. But the shine of the preseason came off a little bit as the Sooners struggled against their AAC opponent. FCS Western Carolina comes to town next week, offering Oklahoma another chance to find their groove.