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College Football Playoff rankings projection looking at how the initial rankings would slot out if released prior to Week 3 of the season.

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After two weeks of the season, things are slowly starting to crystalize. We understand what some teams are – Texas Tech still has no defense, LSU still has no offense – while other question marks remain – has Charlie Strong turned the corner, and can all this young quarterback play hold up?

Although the College Football Playoff committee won’t release its initial rankings until Nov. 1, it’s never too early to speculate what the Top 25 might look like.

College Football Playoff Projections

25. USC

Are the Trojans back after the Utah State rout? This week’s trip to The Farm will be an important measuring stick.

24. Utah

The Utes logged an emotional win over BYU, but offensive problems persist.

23. Florida

The Gators rebounded from slow start against UMass to pound Kentucky.

22. Oregon

The Ducks get their first chance of the year to make a splash in Lincoln against Nebraska.

21. Notre Dame

The Fighting Irish get their first chance of 2016 to notch a signature win with this week’s Michigan State visit.

20. Arkansas

We’ve already seen both sides of the Hogs, which nearly lost to La Tech and then rebounded to beat TCU in Fort Worth.

19. LSU

That loss to Wisconsin could haunt the Tigers deep into the SEC schedule.

18. Baylor

As always, it’s impossible to gauge the potential of the Bears based on non-conference schedule.

17. Georgia

Will the real Dawgs please stand up? Georgia upended North Carolina and then darn near lost to FCS Nicholls State.

16. Texas A&M

There’s still plenty to prove, but Aggies do have an impressive win over UCLA.

15. Michigan State

What’s the story with the Spartans? No one will really know until after this week’s game with Notre Dame.

14. Iowa

While the Hawkeyes have faced soft opponents, this team looks every bit as solid as last year’s edition.

13. Oklahoma

The Sooners are the highest ranked one-loss team, with a shot to soar north this weekend against Ohio State.

12. Louisville

Cards get their big opportunity to fly up the rankings this week against Florida State.

11. Washington

The Huskies own two blowout wins, but beating Rutgers and Idaho was expected.

10. Tennessee

Knock the Vols if necessary, but that Week 2 performance against Va Tech was an indication of this program’s potential.

9. Stanford

The Cardinal come off an early bye week with a key Pac-12 game against USC.

8. Texas

The College Football Playoff committee will be impressed by the Horns’ fast start.

7. Wisconsin

Badgers need LSU to get hot for that opening day win at Lambeau to carry maximum weight.

6. Houston

The Cougars can point to the upset of Oklahoma for as long they remain unbeaten.

5. Michigan

This is a terrific squad, but who have the Wolverines played so far?

4. Clemson

Yeah, the Tigers had a close call against Troy, but win at Auburn should impress the committee.

3. Ohio State

Buckeyes get chance to prove their potential this week at Oklahoma.

2. Florida State

One phenomenal half of football against Ole Miss has the Noles on the brink of the top spot.

1. Alabama

The Crimson Tide owns nation’s best win, the opening day rout of USC.

MORE: Complete College Football Bowl Projections – Week 3