The first full week of the college football season hadn’t been complete and our first polling controversy (if you want to call it that) of the young season.

Does Colorado deserve to be ranked following their season-opening stunner on the road at TCU?

There’s a case to be made that they should, based on the fact they beat a ranked team (TCU) on the road in the first week of the season. There is also a case against the Buffaloes because it was week one and that shouldn’t mean anything, based on last season’s record. Finally, you can wait and see a week or two and maybe Colorado comes back to earth with a loss or validates what they’ve done just four quarters into 2023.

For the first AL.com Top 25 of the season, the Colorado Buffaloes slide in at the No. 25 spot. It is the rarest of occasions where you can’t use the results of last season and use that as a deterrent.

Why? Because nearly everybody in the football building at CU currently wasn’t around last season! A win vs. long-time rival Nebraska next week further validates the Deion Sanders-led turnaround, but for now let’s get in on the ground floor.

In addition to a top 25 ranking, we will also do a projection of what the top 12 teams look like in a 12-team playoff.

We’re all thinking about 2024, let’s just embrace it.

Here’s how the first initial ranking shakes out.

No. 25 Colorado (1-0): Best single-game debut by a new head coach in the college or pro ranks in a very long time! We’ll see how they handle the pressure and spotlight in week two.

No. 24 Arkansas (1-0): The Razorbacks did what they were supposed to do in the opening week, further tests lie ahead.

No. 23 Ole Miss (1-0): If you’re reading this, Ole Miss just scored again.

No. 22 Texas A&M (1-0): The Jimbo-Petrino brain trust gets an early test with a trip to Miami this Saturday.

No. 21 Iowa (1-0): Biggest question of 2023, can Iowa score enough points to keep OC Brian Ferentz?

No. 20 Wisconsin (1-0): The Luke Fickell era at Wisconsin kicked off with a solid win.

No. 19 Tulane (1-0): Impressive victory over South Alabama to open the season.

No. 18 North Carolina (1-0): Does UNC’s victory over South Carolina lead to the Heels making the ACC a three-team battle royal?

No. 17 Oregon State (1-0): I expect big things from the Beavers in 2023, this past week was a great start.

No. 16 Oklahoma (1-0): I might have to drop Oklahoma down if they make another coach cry.

No. 15 Kansas State (1-0): Remember Kansas State, the team won the Big 12 last season? It feels like people are forgetting, but this writer isn’t.

No. 14 Oregon (1-0): 81 points to open the season? That’s rad.

No. 13 Utah (1-0): Utah looked good in the opening week, lets countdown to the conference opener vs. UCLA on Sept. 23, shall we?

No. 12 Notre Dame (2-0): The field trip to Ireland and FCS games are out of the way, this week the season officially begins for Notre Dame.

No. 11 Texas (1-0): Speaking of seasons officially beginning, Texas heads to Alabama in a game that’s somewhat important.

No. 10 LSU (0-1): So, maybe we credit Florida State for being very good. However, LSU has a lot to think about in the next few weeks.

No. 9 Washington (1-0): I was impressed by the Huskies for dominating a decent Boise State side on Saturday.

No. 8 Tennessee (1-0): I know Virginia isn’t great, but I REALLY like how well Tennessee played in their home away from home.

No. 7 Penn State (1-0): Perhaps the biggest season for James Franklin in State College is off to a good start after beating West Virginia.

No. 6 USC (2-0): Caleb Williams looks good, but still worried about the defense out in Southern California.

No. 5 Ohio State (1-0): Perhaps the quietest of season openers goes to Ohio State, who blew out Indiana on Saturday.

No. 4 Florida State (1-0): The Noles look very good against LSU. Mark the date, Sept. 23 vs. Clemson. Perhaps our first CFP tipping point of the season.

No. 3 Michigan (1-0): The Wolverines loving tribute to political prisoner, head coach Jim Harbaugh overshadowed a snooze fest season opener.

No. 2 Alabama (1-0): Jalen Milroe may have ended any questions on who Alabama’s will be starting QB in 2023.

No. 1 Georgia (1-0): I mean, who else is gonna occupy the No. 1 spot?

Projected 12-team CFP seedings and matchups (The Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl are the semifinal sites this season)

No. 12 Tulane (Highest G5 team in rankings) at No. 5 Ohio State

No. 11 Texas at No. 6 USC

No. 10 LSU at No. 7 Penn State

No. 9 Washington at No. 8 Tennessee

Projected CFP Quarterfinals

Peach Bowl: No. 1 Georgia vs. No. 8 vs. No. 9 winner

Orange Bowl: No. 2 Alabama vs. No. 7 vs. No. 10 winner

Fiesta Bowl: No. 3 Michigan vs. No. 6 vs. No. 11 winner

Cotton Bowl: No. 4 Florida State vs. No. 5 vs. No. 12 winner