Arkansas Razorbacks
Woodshed Top 20 college football rankings: Week 2
Arkansas Razorbacks

Woodshed Top 20 college football rankings: Week 2

Published Sep. 12, 2016 2:30 p.m. ET

If you thought week two of the college football season was going to be a Debbie Downer, boy were you wrong. It actually taught us a few things about the game of football.

First and foremost, I believe everybody now knows that teams CAN throw the ball out of bounds from the pocket to run out the clock. That's a lesson learned from the Oklahoma State-Central Michigan game in which both conference officiating crews were suspended for adding an untimed down giving the Chippewas a final Hail Mary pass for the ages.

Somehow someway, I keep playing Tom Cruise in the movie "The Firm" in my head.

"How in the hell did you ever come up with mail fraud?"

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"It was on the bar exam. They made me study like hell for it."

Even though there is an astererisk next to the loss for the Cowboys, that could hold up as the play of the year.

What else did we learn?

You know, if you hand the ball to the referee in the end zone, that will curb the opportunity to be token dunce in uniform during your TD celebrations. Just ask TCU and Clemson fans.

And my personal favorite. Sure over 150,000 fans at a race track to watch a football game is a spectacle. But on television it was as exciting as watching Evil Knievel, cliff diving or a basketball game on an aircraft carrier. You just don't feel the action.

OK, it's time to take some teams to the Woodshed. Here's who I think the top 20 teams are today:

1. ALABAMA

To be the champ, you have to beat the champ. I mean, a 28-point victory over Western Kentucky is OK I guess. To me, the most exciting part was seeing Lane Kiffin get screamed at by the boss, Nick Saban. My Zika fearing friend at work will be happy that everything is worked out. I'm sure they were arguing over where they were going to eat after the game.

2. FLORIDA STATE

I'm sure they spent all week preparing for Louisville right? I mean, Charleston Southern, who doesn't exactly make one quiver in their boots when they step onto the field, had 32 suspensions leading into the game. The 14 players that sat out the beating from FSU will be fine, in case any of you were wondering. All eyes will be watching how the Seminoles play on the road in Louisville. Let's hope the War Party doesn't stop to bet on the ponies. The ACC race just got interesting.

3. OHIO STATE

I'm reluctant to rank the Buckeyes this high so early. But then I watch everybody else. The Buckeyes battled stormy conditions this past Saturday as they breezed by the Golden Hurricane of Tulsa. Even though the 48-3 score doesn't say so, this game was closer than indicated. Two defensive interceptions to end the first half was icing on the cake. I'm suspect about the OSU defensive line. The Buckeyes lost defensive tackle Tracey Sprinkle in week one, leaving Urban Meyer a little thin at the position. It's the only position Meyer hasn't stocked up on five- and four-star recruits. I hope he whispers in defensive coordinator Luke Fickell's ear to get Nick Bosa on the field more. He will be needed if the Buckeyes want to stuff Oklahoma's running attack this week in Norman.

4. MICHIGAN

Did everybody see the Spalding kid pick his nose and eat it too? Even Jim Harbaugh should laugh about that. The Wolverines can play, right now they have not been tested. Wilton Speight seems to be settling into his role at quarterback -- 312 yards passing and four touchdowns is a great day on offense. On defense, the Blue gave up over 275 yards rushing... to UCF. Things that make you go hmmmm. Colorado Buffaloes are coming to Ann Arbor. Where is Kordell Stewart when you need him?

5. LOUISVILLE

And the September Heisman goes to (drum roll, please)... Lamar Jackson! The Cardinals QB added another 610 yards of offense on Saturday and has 13 TDs overall through two games. The Cards averaged 10 yards per play last week vs. Syracuse. I'm guessing the Seminoles will eat into those numbers a bit this week when the No. 2 team in the nation comes to your house. Why does that sound like an Under Armour commercial? Protect this house!

6. HOUSTON

It doesn't take a genius to figure out that Houston is coached by a genius. OK, perhaps Lamar wasn't going to give an additional measurement of the Big 12 wannabes. They will get a national audience this Thursday when they head to Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati. I think the Cougars are playing really well right now. All they have to do is win, win, win to go up in the rankings.

7. CLEMSON

If you watched the game vs. Troy, you'd understand why I have dropped them a bit. Yes, they are a very dangerous team. But like everybody else, they have issues. Clemson struggled in the red zone, settling for field goals. I'm still shaking my head at the players who taunted as they walked into the end zone, one with the ball, the other who dropped it at the one.

8. WASHINGTON

We will find out real quick who the leader in the Pac-12 is these next few weeks. Stanford was off this week, so I'm giving the Huskies some love. Besides, I think they have the best coach in the Pac-12 in Chris Peterson. Quarterback Jake Browning is playing well -- eight TDs with only one turnover. Washington has a couple weeks till they see the Cardinal at home to end September.

9. OKLAHOMA

Sure the Sooners lost in week one to Houston. But they still have Baker Mayfield at the helm along with a couple of really nice running backs in Joe Mixon and Samaje Perine. Mixon is averaging almost 8 yards a carry. If Oklahoma doesn't want add another loss this week, they'll have to attack the center of Ohio State's defense. The Buckeyes looked rusty on offense last week despite a blowout victory, though I'm guessing they've studied the blueprint that Houston's Tom Herman laid out for them. I still like the Sooners a bunch, but if they lose at home to Ohio State, I'm pretty much going to write off the rest of the Big 12 this year. Although I will keep an eye on Texas.

10. STANFORD

The Cardinal were idle this week, giving them two weeks to prepare for USC. The Pac-12 race will heat up in the next few weeks. Who will be the last man standing. Christian McCaffrey is still really, really good.

11. IOWA

The Hawkeyes aren't sexy, but they are on a roll. They are better than Wisconsin, who is getting all kinds of love because the SEC team they beat was way over ranked. I guess everybody on Iowa State's team now knows that there is more than one team in the Big Ten. Trash talk is for the birds. Iowa State should show up if it's going to run its mouth.

12. MICHIGAN STATE

Sparty took the week off last week to prepare for its clash with the Catholics in South Bend. Mark Dantonio is one of my favorite coaches. Have the Irish figured it out at quarterback yet? I think Mean Green is down this year, but never ever count out a Dantonio-coached squad.

13. TEXAS A&M

I don't know why the Aggies aren't getting more love. They have one of the best defensive players in the nation and a dangerous air game. What's not to like? TAMU heads to Auburn this week, but I'm rolling with the visiting team for one more week.

14. GEORGIA

The Bulldogs made every mistake in the book vs. Nicholls State. I know, I know, I'm being stubborn on my pick here. I still think they are better than Tennessee, who is better than Florida, right now. Nick Chubb didn't have much running room, but he did share a lot of carries with two other ball carriers. Georgia heads to Missouri for another victory and gives true freshman QB Jacob Eason another opportunity to gain experience before the competition truly stiffens.

15. WISCONSIN

The Badgers are not the ninth best team in the country, but they are pretty good. This is a good place for them in the Woodshed rankings. They will come down to earth in a couple weeks with a gauntlet of Michigan State, Michigan, Ohio State, Iowa and Nebraska.

16. TENNESSEE

Congrats Vols fans, you took care of business vs Virginia Tech. I still need to see more of you to move you up in the rankings. I needed my binoculars for my TV to make out what you guys were doing on defense. Arkansas and Florida are breathing down your neck.

17. NOTRE DAME

I know, Texas fans think they should be here. I still think the Irish are better and would prove that on a neutral field. I'll take a lot of heat on this, bit I'm suspect on the Longhorns thus far. I like Charlie Strong, but I need to see more tape. DeShone Kizer is the man in South Bend. I'm putting the Irish on upset alert, even though MSU is ranked higher. Yes, I'm prepared to sleep on the couch because my wife won't like to read that news.

18. TEXAS

There isn't any defense in the Big 12. I know, I know... you beat Notre Dame at home 50-47. I'm aware of the fact. I don't think you are better than Oklahoma. Sorry, if you want respect, go earn it by winning the rest of your games.

19. ARKANSAS

Who loves Bret Bielema? "Woo Pig Sooie!" I thought the Razorbacks would beat TCU and I was correct. I'm sure Kenny Hill learned his lesson about his post TD celebrations. It took a 2- point conversion and overtime to beat the Horned Frogs, but it happened and it was fabulous.

20. FLORIDA

I caved. The Gators fans in the office promise me that there is an influx of talent added this past week. I've been suspect on the Gainesville guys and for good reason. Florida smoked Kentucky, but is that really a true test? There are a lot of third-tiered teams in the SEC. Florida is right smack in the middle of them. LSU and Tennessee are in the way if you want to earn respect.

To tell Matt how much you love (or despise) his rankings, e-mail him at Matt.Shedenhelm@Foxsports.net or on Twitter @themediashed.

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