Desmond Howard’s national champion pick fell flat at Northwestern and Arizona State’s high-powered offense had no answers for John Chavis’ new-look defense vs. Texas A&M.

The Aggies’ impressive neutral-site win over a squad some projected in the College Football Playoff featured Kyler Murray’s debut at quarterback along with true freshman Christian Kirk’s stellar outing in the national spotlight.

Had it not been for Vanderbilt’s two-point loss to Western Kentucky on Thursday, the SEC could’ve finished a sparkling 14-0 the first weekend in college football — but 12-1 (pending Mississippi State/Southern Miss and including LSU’s canceled opener) highlighted by two wins over ranked teams ain’t too shabby.

The SEC’s other notable wins were over 20th-ranked Wisconsin, Louisville and North Carolina. Alabama’s statement over the Badgers could be enough to push the Crimson Tide ahead of TCU, but not likely.

PROJECTING TUESDAY’S AP TOP 25

  1. Ohio State at Virginia Tech, Monday
  2. TCU def. Minnesota, 23-17, Thursday.
  3. Alabama def. No. 20 Wisconsin, 35-17.
  4. Baylor def. SMU, 56-21, Friday.
  5. Michigan State def. Central Michigan, 37-24, Friday.
  6. Auburn def. Louisville, 31-24.
  7. Oregon def. Eastern Washington, 61-42.
  8. Arkansas State vs. USC, late.
  9. Georgia def. Louisiana Monroe, 51-14.
  10. Florida State def. Texas State, late.
  11. Notre Dame def. Texas, 38-3.
  12. Clemson def. Wofford, 49-10.
  13. UCLA def. Virginia, 34-16.
  14. LSU vs. McNeese State, canceled.
  15. Georgia Tech def. Alcorn St., 69-6, Thursday.
  16. Ole Miss def. UT-Martin, 76-3.
  17. Arkansas def. UTEP, 48-13.
  18. Texas A&M def. No. 15 Arizona State, 38-17.
  19. Oklahoma def. Akron, 41-3.
  20. Arizona def. Texas-San Antonio, 42-32, Thursday.
  21. Boise State def. Washington, 16-13.
  22. Mizzou def. Southeast Missouri St., 34-3.
  23. Tennessee def. Bowling Green, 59-30.
  24. Oklahoma State def. Central Michigan, 24-13.
  25. No. 15 Arizona State lost to Texas A&M, 38-17.

Dropped out: No. 21 Stanford lost at Northwestern, 16-6; No. 20 Wisconsin lost to No. 3 Alabama, 35-17.