Danny Kanell has released his personal power rankings after Week 1.
Kanell’s top 12 starts off with 4 teams who earned impressive victories away from home on Saturday: Georgia, Miami, Notre Dame and Penn State. The Bulldogs and Fighting Irish earned ranked wins, while Miami and Penn State went into hostile environments against power-conference opposition and came away with victories.
After that top 4, Kanell turned to a number of top contenders who won in dominant fashion on Saturday: Ohio State, Texas, Alabama, Michigan, Tennessee and Ole Miss. Those 6 teams won in Week 1 by a combined score of 342-19.
Then, to round out the top 12, Kanell chose a pair of former Pac-12 schools in Oregon and Utah. The Ducks struggled more than most expected vs. Idaho, winning 24-14. Utah won 49-0 over Southern Utah in Cam Rising’s return to action.
Here’s a look at the full top 12.
First #DKtop12 of the season!! Earned – not gifted.
1. Georgia
2. Miami
3. Notre Dame
4. Penn State
5. Ohio State
6. Texas
7. Bama
8. Michigan
9. Tenn
10. Ole Miss
11. Oregon
12. Utah— Danny Kanell (@dannykanell) September 1, 2024
The SEC led the way with 5 teams included in Kanell’s top 5. The Big Ten wasn’t far behind with 4 teams. The ACC and Big 12 were represented by 1 team each.
Kanell’s top 12 doesn’t include a number of ranked teams who were impressive in Week 1, including Missouri and Oklahoma. The Tigers and Sooners both won their Week 1 matchups in blowout fashion to start the year.
USC and LSU are 2 teams who could be in the mix for a top-12 mention from Kanell next week, but have yet to play in Week 1. They will face off on Sunday night at 7:30 p.m. ET. Florida State and Boston College will wrap up the weekend on Monday evening.
Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.
