There is no question over which 2 teams must place atop the U.S.A. TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Survey. Instead, the argument mores than which of this set deserves to be No. 1. Is it mighty Alabama, still unbeaten after

a 42-21 win versus No. 12 Mississippi that was a lot more leading than the score suggests?Or is it effective Georgia, which destroyed No. 11 Arkansas 37-0 as well as has the nation's best protection in nearly every major category?After one week of October, these 2 teams are absolutely at the front of the pack in the Football Bowl Class as well as miles in advance of the various other primary competitors for the University Football Playoff.Several groups that also flirted with No. 1 factor to consider, whether in the preseason or in the weeks given that, have actually either lost or stopped working to look the part of the best team in university football.Ohio State battled with Minnesota and lost to Oregon,

though the Buckeyes have played better in the past 3 weeks. Previously No. 3 in the Coaches Survey, the Ducks shed in overtime to Stanford as well as will certainly plunge down the positions. Oklahoma has actually remained unbeaten but has yet to resemble the groups that got to the playoff in three of the previous four periods. < img class="gnt_em_img_i"data-g-r="lazy "data-gl-src="https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2021/10/03/USAT/9a0a08fb-d1ae-4978-ba61-db91a1102f26-USATSI_16879733.jpg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp"data-gl-srcset="https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2021/10/03/USAT/9a0a08fb-d1ae-4978-ba61-db91a1102f26-USATSI_16879733.jpg?width=1320&height=880&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp 2x"decoding="async"alt="Georgia running back Zamir White commemorates after recuperating a blocked punt for a goal during the No. 2 Bulldogs'win versus the Arkansas Razorbacks."src="https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2021/10/03/USAT/9a0a08fb-d1ae-4978-ba61-db91a1102f26-USATSI_16879733.jpg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp"> CHAMPIONS, LOSERS: Kentucky, Tennessee shock; Wisconsin, Texas A&M lose once again VIEWPOINT: How Lane Kiffin blew it versus Alabama has actually been No. 1 because the preliminary Leading 25 and also hasn't always done anything to be eliminated from that perch, also if the commonly powerful running game struggled for much of

September as well as the Crimson Trendbarely ran away with a 31-29 win at Florida. With many losses from last year's crime, the Tide have leaned on sophomore quarterback Bryce Youthful, who has actually thrown 17 touchdowns against just 2 interceptions.Ranked 5th in the preseason poll, Georgia climbed to No. 2 behind a smothering performance in the opener against Clemson and a series of blowouts in SEC play. The Bulldogs have outscored Arkansas, Vanderbilt and also South Carolina by a rating of 143-13. It's the defense that makes Georgia so unsafe. This team has quit simply 23 points in five video games and also just a basket in eight quarters versus placed competition.Boiled down, these are the debates for putting each group No. 1: Alabama has

three success versus teams then ranked in the Top 25: Miami( Fla. ), Florida as well as Ole Miss. With Clemson faltering, the victory against the Gators is more outstanding than any type of among the Bulldogs'five victories. You can even make the debate that defeating Ole Miss is much more notable than topping Arkansas, but that would certainly ignore the Razorbacks'

  • wins against Texas and also Texas A&M. Georgia has four victories against Power Five competition to Alabama's three. The Bulldogs also have done so without a healthy JT Daniels, that has missed out on 2 video games to injury and also been limited also when in the lineup. Most of all, Georgia has the nation's most intimidating system in a defense that leads the FBS in yards per play, lawns per game and also factors per game. Also the regarded gap on offense between the Bulldogs and also Trend isn't rooted in reality: Alabama is averaging 6.8 and also Georgia 6.6 lawns per play. The only safe bet? That everyone else is chasing after the Bulldogs as well as Crimson Tide. Deciding which group deserves to be No. 1 may be impossible till they fulfill in the SEC championship game on the initial Saturday in December.Follow colleges reporter Paul Myerberg on Twitter @PaulMyerberg