College Football

FSU Football: 'Noles Jump To No. 2 In Latest Polls

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 7:27 p.m. ET

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Sep 10, 2016; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminole cheerleaders celebrate a first half score against Charleston Southern at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Beil-USA TODAY Sports

FSU football moved to 2-0 on the season with their win over Charleston Southern on Saturday. They jumped Clemson and moved into the No. 2 spot.

Saturday’s slate of games didn’t match the first week of the season on paper. However, that’s why they play the games as they say.

Several ranked teams almost lost to “cupcakes”, including No. 2 Clemson and No. 9 Georgia. Troy and Nichols State pushed both teams to the limit but came up a tad short.

Central Michigan used a hail mary play that shouldn’t have happened to beat No. 22 Oklahoma State.

What were the biggest takeaways from the newest Top 25 polls this week, and what does it mean for the coming week? Here’s the three things we found most important from the newest rankings.

Sep 10, 2016; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles running back Dalvin Cook (4) picks up a first down against Charleston Southern in the first half at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Beil-USA TODAY Sports

Big Showdown Next Week

Week 3 will feature a ACC top 10 matchup between No. 2 Florida State and No. 10 Louisville. FSU football scored a big come from behind win over then No. 11 Ole Miss in week one.

Then faced top FCS team Charleston Southern in week two to prepare for the Cardinals. The ‘Noles will travel to Kentucky and College Gameday could be in town.

The Louisville Cardinals have a ton of hype behind them and quarterback Lamar Jackson even though they haven’t played anyone of any significance.

The Cardinals beat up on Charlotte and Syracuse, but did look spectacular on offense in those two games.

The ‘Noles defeated the Cardinals 41-21 in 2015, but the Cardinals were leading 7-6 at the half in that contest.

The game has huge implications as it’s a conference divisional game with the winner being in prime position to take on Clemson later in the year.

Sep 6, 2014; Clemson, SC, USA; A general view of a yard marker with the ACC logo during the first quarter against the South Carolina State Bulldogs at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Tigers won 73-7. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports

ACC Power?

Did you know the ACC Conference has three teams ranked in the top 10? Yep, it’s true. FSU football is ranked No. 2 and received four first place votes behind Alabama.

Clemson is ranked at No. 5 (AP Poll)after falling from the No. 2 spot after a lackluster showing against Troy on Saturday. The Tigers are in the No. 3 spot in the Coaches Poll.

This could set up a potential top five matchup between Clemson/FSU or Clemson/Louisville if the teams take care of business.

As we mentioned, Louisville is ranked No. 10 after beating up Syracuse. A low and behold, Miami is ranked No. 25 after finally pulling away from Florida Atlantic on Saturday night.

Pittsburgh and North Carolina were in the also receiving votes category.

Oct 31, 2015; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminole fans react during the game against the Syracuse Orange at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Beil-USA TODAY Sports

Others In The Poll

The SEC only has two teams ranked in the top 15. Alabama is obviously No. 1, and Tennessee creeps into the No. 15 slot after overcoming a strong start by Virginia Tech.

Houston dismantled Lamar without starting quarterback Greg Ward Jr. and is in the No. 6 spot. They only challenge they have left on their schedule will be a showdown will Louisville later in the year.

The Big 10 has three teams in the top 10. However, Wisconsin should not be ranked that high at No. 9. Ohio State falls into the No. 3 spot.

The Big 12’s highest ranked team is Oklahoma at No. 14. Baylor comes in at No. 21 after being tied with SMU at half time on Saturday.

The Pac 12 has three teams in the top 25. Stanford holds down the No. 7 slot, and Washington is right behind them at No. 8. Oregon holds down the No. 22 spot after rocking lowly Virginia late Saturday night.

Stay tuned to Chop Chat this week as we provide coverage on the huge matchup between FSU football and Louisville.