LSU, Wisconsin big risers in TV pilot-themed Power Rankings

It's difficult to tell much from a debut. Was the season opener an accurate representation of a team's ability? Or was it an anomaly -- for better or for worse?

In that way, season openers are very much like the pilots for new television series. Maybe a team hooks you right away and keeps you glued to the set. Maybe it starts slow and grows on you. Or maybe it starts strong and flounders in later episodes. So with not very much actual football to use as a guide, there were some wild swings in these rankings. And just like the ratings of the new shows that will debut this month, the rankings will level out as the viewers get more episodes to judge.

NCAA Football Power Rankings

Next five: Maryland, Utah, Notre Dame, Texas, BYU

Andy Staples' Power Rankings also serve as his ballot in the Associated Press Top 25 poll.