There's one very important distinction in the CFN rankings: these
are based on how good the teams are and NOT how they're going to finish.
Some teams have easier schedules than others, some get tougher road
games and some will need a little bit of time to jell meaning they might
be better than their final record might indicate.
Rankings Coaches
| CFN
Preseason |
Week 1
| Week 2
1. LSU
(2-0)
W, Virginia
Tech 48-7
next game: Middle Tennessee
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... you could put Oklahoma or
USC in this spot and you might not be wrong. The defense’s domination of
Virginia Tech was no big deal, but the offensive explosion on one of the
nation’s best defenses puts the Tigers on top … for this week.
2.
Oklahoma
(2-0)
W, Miami
51-13
next game: Utah State
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … that wasn’t North Texas or
Utah State the Sooner just obliterated. Yeah, Miami isn’t the same Miami
of a few years ago, but this is still a talented defense that couldn’t
handle the Sooner attack.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... it shouldn’t be. There’s no
reasonable argument against OU being No. 1 right now.
3.
USC (1-0)
Didn’t
Play This Week
next game:
at
Nebraska
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … it was number one last
week and didn’t play. Relax Trojan fans, here’s the deal. LSU and
Oklahoma were unbelievable in their huge games against top teams, and
since the rankings are based on RIGHT NOW, they moved up. However, if
USC is impressive at Nebraska, it probably goes right back up to the top
spot.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ...if the team that showed up
against Idaho plays that way at Nebraska, it’ll be in for a stunner.
4.
Florida (2-0)
W, Troy 59-31
next game: Tennessee
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … it’s not like the team has
skipped a beat. You can talk all you want about the replacements needing
to shine right away, but the reality is that the defending national
champion is playing even better than it did early last year.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... Western Kentucky and Troy
aren’t exactly big tests. While the team has gotten a few nice tune-up
games, we still don’t know what it can do when the lights go on.
5. Georgia
Tech
(2-0)
W, Samford
69-3
next game: Boston College
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … this could be the nation’s
most confident team. When you have great line play, you can beat just
about anyone, and right now, outside of Oklahoma and LSU, no one is
playing better on both sides of the line. However …
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... beating Notre Dame and
Samford is nothing to get too excited about. This really is that good a
team, but we’ll know more in a big hurry with a showdown against Boston
College this week and three road trips in four week.
6. Wisconsin
(2-0)
W, at UNLV
20-13
next game: The Citadel
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … Wisconsin does this every
year. It struggles against a team it shouldn’t early on, pulls it out of
the fire, and then goes on to win ten games.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... UNLV isn’t good, but it
dominated defensively. A top ten-caliber team should’ve been able to
blow past the Rebels in a walk, so put the Badgers on double-secret
probation when it comes to this high spot.
7. Texas
(2-0)
W, TCU 34-13
next game: at UCF
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … Texas put down a strong
TCU team that was playing like its BCS life depended on it, which it
did. The defense stopped the Horned Frogs cold, but …
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... the TCU offense didn’t
exactly have any weapons. The offense was fine, but nothing special, and
this is still a team in desperate need of proving itself. Yeah, the win
over TCU was nice, but there are plenty of pieces that appear to be
missing.
8. Nebraska
(2-0)
W, at Wake
Forest 20-17
next game: USC
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … if you believe the Huskers
are going to actually pull off the upset over USC, then you have to put
them higher. This is the program’s biggest game since getting blasted by
Miami in the national championship (yes, bigger than last year’s Big 12
title game), and if it can pull it off, it’s time to talk national
title.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... Nebraska struggled a bit too
much against an overmatched Wake Forest. The Demon Deacons didn’t have
their starting quarterback and still had plenty of chances late to pull
it out.
9. West
Virginia
(2-0)
W, at Marshall 48-23
next game: at Maryland
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … the Mountaineers are
making all the right second half adjustments. They’ve come out of the
lockerroom crushing and killing over the last two weeks. Unfortunately …
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... … they’ve sort of had to
after getting down early. Both Western Michigan and Marshall shut down
the West Virginia tack for an extended stretch. Could a great defense
get the job done for a full sixty minutes?
10. Penn
State
(2-0)
W, Notre Dame
31-10
next game: Buffalo
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … the defense really is that
good. If the special teams are working, like they did against Notre
Dame, and the running game is rumbling, like it did against Notre Dame,
then this is a nasty team to beat.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... beating Notre Dame isn’t any
big deal. The Nittany Lion offense has yet to be pushed, and it won’t be
this week by Buffalo. The offensive line won’t dominate the good
defenses like it did against the Irish.
11. California
(2-0)
W, at
Colorado State 34-28
next game: Louisiana Tech
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … no top 25 team has had two
better tests. Beating Tennessee is impressive no matter how you cut it,
and winning at Colorado State is better than you think.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... apparently, you could rumble
for 100 yards on the Cal defense. The Bear offense had better be ready
to crank out shootouts week after week, because the defense isn’t going
to shut anyone of substance down.
12. Louisville
(2-0)
W, Middle
Tennessee 58-42
next game: at Kentucky
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … the offense is
unstoppable. You already knew that, but Brian Brohm is playing every bit
like the star NFL quarterback he should be right now. The Kansas City
Chiefs have to be drooling right now.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... the defense is an
embarrassment. Middle Tennessee shouldn’t score 42 points with 555 yards
on a junior high defense, but the Cardinals missed tackles, weren’t in
position, and looked a step out of place throughout the shootout. Now
we’ll se what they can do against Kentucky.
13. UCLA
(2-0)
W, BYU 27-17
next game: at Utah
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … the offensive balance is
there, and the defense started to crank things up a notch against BYU.
That’s a good Cougar team the Bruins were able to put down. The running
game should only get better and better as the year goes on.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... Ben Olsen doesn’t appear to
be quite there yet. He threw for a ton of touchdowns against Stanford,
but he didn’t look polished against BYU. He has to keep progressing for
the Bruins to have an honest shot against the high-octane Pac 10 teams.
14.
Ohio State
(2-0)
W, Akron 20-2
next game: at Washington
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … the defense is stifling.
Fine, so beating up Youngstown State and Akron isn’t like stopping
Florida, but the D really does appear to be strong. RB Chris Wells found
his groove against the Zips.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... Todd Boeckman isn’t Troy
Smith. Can he handle the noise and the funk Washington’s going to bring
this Saturday? The Huskies are going to do everything possible to stop
Wells, so it’s Boeckman or bust.
15.
Rutgers
(2-0)
W, Navy 41-24
next game: Norfolk State
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … the passing game stayed
sharp for a second week in a row. As long as Mike Teel is playing well,
and as long as Ray Rice is Ray Rice, this might be a top ten team.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... it took way too long to put
Navy away. The D did a decent job of slowing down the great Midshipmen
ground game, but the Scarlet Knights needed to get a late Rice score to
finally put the nail in the coffin. No, they weren’t running it up.
16.
Clemson
(2-0)
W, UL Monroe
49-26
next game: Furman
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … Cullen Harper can throw.
Don’t discount how vital it is for the Tigers to at least give the
impression of having a passing game. Even if it came against UL Monroe,
Harper’s five touchdown passes were impressive.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... the Tigers have to show
they can bring it week in and week out. Yeah, there won’t be any
problems when it’s a really big game, but can they handle the midrange
ACC teams? Consistency has never been a forte for Tommy Bowden teams.
17. South
Carolina
(2-0)
W, at Georgia 16-12
next game: South Carolina State
The
Ranking Should Be Higher Because …
it you can beat Georgia in Athens, you’re doing something right. The
defense stuffed the young, but talented Bulldog offense and held tough
when it had to.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... the offense still needs
work. Yeah, the Georgia defense has quickly reloaded, but it still
would’ve been nice if the Gamecock offense had done a little bit more.
The South Carolina State game will be vital to tune up.
18. South
Florida
(2-0)
W, at Auburn
26-23 OT
next game: North Carolina (Sept. 22)
The
Ranking Should Be Higher Because …
beating Auburn at Auburn is one of the most impressive victories by
anyone this season. The Tiger offense might not be anything special, but
the defense is tremendous and USF still pulled out the plays it had to
have in the clutch to get the win.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... it shouldn’t be. You
could make a case that this deserves to be ranked among the top Big East
teams and close to the top ten at the moment. Maybe Auburn isn’t that
great. After all, Kansas State also almost pulled off the upset the week
before.
19.
Arizona State
(2-0)
W, Colorado
33-13
next game: San Diego State
The
Ranking Should Be Higher Because …
Dennis Erickson’s team has dominated in its first two games. Blowing
away San Jose State is one thing, but it toyed with Colorado. This is a
physical team with a frightening array of athletes.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... we’ve seen Arizona State do
this all before. It might be a new coaching staff and a new attitude,
but the Sun Devils have to prove they can avoid the big clunker.
20.
Missouri
(2-0)
W, at Ole
Miss 38-25
next game: Western Michigan
The
Ranking Should Be Higher Because …
Chase Daniel is a legitimate star. He has the offense humming and he’s
making all the big plays. There might not be a more dangerous offense in
the Big 12, but …
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... … the defense isn’t
anything special, and once again, the team almost blew it late. It had
to hang on against Illinois after building up a big early lead, and it
had a lousy fourth quarter against the Rebels. Can the Tigers close
against a good team? That remains to be seen.
21.
Virginia Tech
(1-1)
L, LSU 48-7
next game: Ohio
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … getting blasted by LSU in
Death Valley is nothing to be ashamed of. The Tigers are going to do
that against a lot of teams. Give the Hokies a week or two before
assuming they aren’t an elite team.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... now it has to go with a new
quarterback. Is Sean Glennon going to be back at the helm, or should
Tyrod Taylor get the full-time gig? Either way, no one’s worried about
the passing game, or the offense.
22.
Boston
College
(2-0)
W, NC State
37-17
next game: at Georgia Tech
The
Ranking Should Be Higher Because …
the defense appears to be among the best in the ACC, or at least among
the most hawkish. The Eagles have been great at forcing turnovers and
should win a few games on its own, like it did against NC State.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... it shouldn’t be. Right
now, this might be one of the 15 best teams in America. Everything’s
starting to click, and if it beats Georgia Tech in Atlanta, it’ll mean
it deserves to be a fringe top five team.
23. Oregon
(2-0)
W, at
Michigan 39-7
next game: Fresno State
The
Ranking Should Be Higher Because …
the offense has been dominant. The loss of offensive coordinator Gary
Crowton has actually turned into a plus. There isn’t a hotter
quarterback than Dennis Dixon.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... beating Michigan at Michigan
isn’t anything to chirp about at the moment. Remember, Oregon beat
Oklahoma last year (keep your instant replay comments to yourself) and
looked fantastic early. Let’s see what happens over the second half of
the season.
24.
Alabama
(2-0)
W, at
Vanderbilt 24-10
next game: Arkansas
The
Ranking Should Be Higher Because …
the running game, which was such a sore spot last year, has been a
strength with Terry Grant quickly becoming one of the SEC’s new stars.
Nick Saban has molded his team the way he wants it to be after only a
few games.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... there’s still a question
mark about the ground game actually working against a top defense. The
Arkansas game will shed some light on just how good Grant the Tide
attack is.
25.
Georgia
(1-1)
L, South
Carolina 16-12
next game: Western Carolina
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … this is a talented team
that’ll only get better as the year goes on. The South Carolina loss was
a setback, but on the plus side, the defense was terrific.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... inconsistency is going to be
the problem for a while. The receiving corps didn’t do much against
South Carolina, and the running back corps is banged up. Again, give it
a few weeks and Georgia will be an SEC contender again.
26.
Cincinnati (2-0)
27. Texas A&M (2-0)
28. Washington (2-0)
29. Arkansas (1-0)
30. Texas Tech (2-0)
31. Oregon State (1-1)
32. Kentucky (2-0)
33. Michigan State (2-0)
34. Auburn (1-1)
35.
TCU
(1-1)
36. Tennessee (1-1)
37. Kansas (2-0)
38. Florida State (1-1)
39. Miami (1-1)
40. Maryland (2-0)
41. Oklahoma State (1-1)
42. Kansas State (1-1)
43. BYU (1-1)
44. Purdue (2-0)
45. Boise State (1-1)
46. Iowa (2-0)
47. Wake Forest (0-2)
48. Fresno State (1-1)
49. Michigan (0-2)
50. Washington State (0-1)
51. Illinois (1-1)
52. Colorado (1-1)
53. Colorado State (0-2)
54. Indiana (2-0)
55. Wyoming (2-0)
56. Notre Dame (0-2)
57. Vanderbilt (1-1)
58. Pitt (2-0)
59. Hawaii (2-0)
60. Arizona (1-1)
61. Ole Miss (1-1)
62. Southern Miss (1-1)
63. Mississippi State (1-1)
64. Northwestern (2-0)
65. Nevada (0-2)
66. Stanford (0-1)
67. Connecticut (2-0)
68. Bowling Green (1-1)
69. UTEP (1-1)
70. Central Michigan (1-1)
71. New Mexico (1-1)
72. Virginia (1-1)
73. Baylor (1-1)
74. Tulsa (1-0)
75. Houston (0-1)
76. East Carolina (1-1)
77. Minnesota (1-1)
78. UCF (1-0)
79. North Carolina (1-1)
80. Navy (1-1)
81. Air Force (2-0)
82. SMU (1-1)
83. Syracuse (0-2)
84. Memphis (0-1)
85. Utah (0-2)
86. UNLV (1-1)
87. Western Michigan (0-2)
88. Louisiana Tech (1-1)
89. UAB (0-2)
90. NC State (0-2)
91. Marshall (0-2)
92. Toledo (0-2)
93. San Jose State (0-2)
94. San Diego State (0-1)
95. Kent State (1-1)
96. Ohio (2-0)
97. Miami University (1-1)
98. Akron (1-1)
99. Duke (0-2)
100. Arkansas State (0-1)
101. Ball State (1-1)
102. Troy (0-2)
103. New Mexico State (1-0)
104. UL Monroe (0-2)
105. Florida Atlantic (1-1)
106. Middle Tennessee (0-2)
107. Iowa State (0-2)
108. Idaho (1-1)
109. UL Lafayette (0-2)
110. Tulane (0-1)
111. Buffalo (1-1)
112. Northern Illinois (0-2)
113. Utah State (0-2)
114. Army (1-1)
115. North Texas (0-2)
116. Rice (0-2)
117. Eastern Michigan (0-2)
118. Temple (0-2)
119. FIU (0-2)