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
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Week 3
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Week 4
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Week 9
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Week
10
1. LSU
(9-1)
W, Louisiana Tech 5-10
next game: at Ole Miss
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... there are several one-loss
teams deserving of being in the mix. LSU is has the best résumé of the
bunch, and has the top team if it puts it all together, but it’s hard to
ignore all the close calls. Maybe the SEC isn’t really that great, and
the wins over Auburn and Alabama don’t look nearly as strong now.
2. Oklahoma (9-1)
W, Baylor 52-21
next game: at Texas Tech
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … when all the parts are
working, this could be the best team in America. There’s breathtaking
speed at the skill positions, the defense is flying all over the place,
and Sam Bradford looks like one of the nation’s premier quarterbacks.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... when all the parts aren’t
working, the potential is there for a disastrous letdown. Even Baylor,
who throws the ball a ton but can’t get anything deep, was able to get
the ball down the field on the OU secondary. Forget about beating the
Sooners at home, but something strange happens to this group on the
road.
3. Missouri (9-1)
W, Texas A&M 40-26
next game: Kansas State
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … on a neutral site, this
might be a better team than Oklahoma. The one loss came in Norman with
top RB Tony Temple out. The Tigers might get their chance at the rematch
in the Big 12 title game. The opening day win over Illinois looks
fantastic now.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... … the defense is hardly
anything special. It’s fine, and came through with a brilliant day
against Texas Tech a few weeks ago, but the secondary can be bombed on.
The offense has been able to keep up in shootouts so far, but the pass
defense could be the Achilles’ heel.
4. Oregon (8-1)
Didn’t Play This Week
next game: at Arizona
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … the defensive line might
not have a slew of household names, but it’s among the best in America
at getting into the backfield. The combination of a high-octane offense
and timely, playmaking defense has been deadly.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... the secondary gives up
yards in bunches. Considering the pressure generated from the defensive
front, there’s no excuse for the secondary to not be a bit better.
Against a killer offensive line (that’s not banged up like USC’s was),
the Oregon D could have major problems.
5. West Virginia (9-1)
W, Louisville 38-31
next game: at Cincinnati
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … Pat White is playing like
Pat White. As he showed against Louisville, when he’s on, this is the
nation’s most dangerous rushing attack (at least outside of Arkansas).
The offensive line is playing at a ridiculously high level.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... the defensive stats that
were so amazing over the first eight games are a big misleading, as
Louisville and Brian Brohm where able to move the ball way too easily.
Jarrett Brown is a fantastic quarterback prospect, but right now, this
isn’t the same team when White is out. It seems like he’s taking more
and more huge shots.
6. Ohio State (10-1)
L, Illinois 28-21
next game: at Michigan
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … this is still a terrific
team that had an off game. No, the defense didn’t get exposed, and no,
the loss to Illinois didn’t go to show that the Buckeyes were overrated
all along. Talent-wise, this is still one of the nation’s best defenses,
and all the way around, this is still one of the nation’s most complete
teams. However …
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... … it might not seem that
was after playing Michigan. The trip to Ann Arbor is the make or break
moment for the Buckeyes. Win handily, and the Illinois game was an
aberration. Lose, and then the doubters that have been there ever since
halftime of the BCS Championship game will have more ammo. With Chad
Henne and Mike Hart expected to be back, the Wolverines are good enough
to pull off the win.
7. Kansas (10-0)
W, at Oklahoma State 43-28
next game: Iowa State
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … the offense is a machine.
No attack in America is executing as well, with Todd Reesing conducting
a symphony. This team does everything right. It’s No. 1 in the nation in
kickoff returns. No. 1 in turnover margin. And, oh yeah, it just so
happens to be the only unbeaten BCS team left.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... the defense is extremely
suspect. The offense might always have an answer, but the D, even though
it’s No. 1 in the Big 12 in yards and scoring, and No. 2 in the nation
in scoring D, gave up yards in chunks over the last two weeks after it
finally faced a couple of offenses with life. The test will come against
Missouri in two weeks.
8. Arizona State (9-1)
W, at UCLA, 24-20
next game: USC (Nov. 22)
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … the defense is the real
deal. From a strong secondary to a more physical run defense than it’s
been given credit for, this group has been great against everyone but
the Oregon teams. The offense might not be at peak efficiency right now,
but it’s been good enough.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... the offensive line that’s
been so great for the running game hasn’t done anything in pass
protection. Oregon and UCLA did whatever they wanted to when it came to
getting to Rudy Carpenter, and now USC is on tap. Uh oh.
9. Georgia (8-2)
W, Auburn 45-20
next game: Kentucky
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … the young team appears to be
all grown up, 42 points on Florida. 44 on Troy, and 45 on Auburn shows
how the offense has quickly become something special thanks to the
emergence of RB Knowshon Moreno. This is a different team than the one
that got blasted by Tennessee over a month ago.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... it shouldn’t be. Right
now this might be one of the five best teams in America. That’s a killer
Auburn defense the Dawgs just ripped to shreds. This might be one of the
nation’s most confident teams, and when it has a little bit of momentum,
it’s over.
10. Florida
(7-3)
W, at South Carolina 51-31
next game: Florida Atlantic
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … with Andre Caldwell
humming after returning from injury a few weeks ago, and with the way
Tim Tebow is playing, the offense is putting up points in bunches. For
all the concerns on defense, it’s doing a great job against the run.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... the secondary is going to
be an issue for the rest of the year. It did a good job against South
Carolina, but the Gators have to pray they don’t get a high-octane
passing team in their bowl game. The offense is still too
one-dimensional. Take Tebow out and the team goes nowhere.
11. Texas (9-2)
W, Texas Tech 59-43
next game: at Texas A&M (Nov. 23)
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … this might be the best team
that doesn’t have a prayer of being in a BCS game. For all the issues
and all the criticism, the Horns are 9-2, on a five-game winning streak,
and almost certain to finish with a double-digit win season. No one’s
running better right now than Jamaal Charles.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... the secondary is
mediocre, and that’s being kind. Texas Tech throws the ball on everyone,
but Graham Harrell would’ve put up 600 yards on this group if his
defense had been able to come up with a stop. Don’t forget that it took
two epic fourth quarters to get by Oklahoma State and Nebraska.
12. Tennessee (7-3)
W, Arkansas 34-13
next game: Vanderbilt
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … it answered every test
with flying colors. Just when the world thinks the Vols are going to get
drilled by someone like Georgia or Arkansas, they come up with a
brilliant performance. No one has been able to turn up the intensity
like this crew.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... the defense played out of
its mind against Arkansas; it’s not really as good as it showed. There’s
no pass rush, little production from the secondary, and not enough plays
made against the run. 6-0 at home and 1-3 on the road, there’s still a
question mark about how good the team is away from Neyland.
13. USC (8-2)
W, at California 24-17
next game: at Arizona State
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … the running game is
starting to come around. Chauncey Washington has emerged as a dangerous
playmaker to carry the attack. The defense might not have had its best
day against the Cal running game, but it’s playing well for the most
part.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... this still isn’t USC. The
passing attack just isn’t there, averaging a mere 222 yards per game.
It’s not scaring anyone. The wide receivers aren’t consistent, the
quarterback play is spotty, and the points aren’t rolling. The Trojans
have only scored more than 27 points once in the last seven games, and
that was against Notre Dame.
14. Michigan (8-3)
L, at Wisconsin, 37-21
next game: Ohio State
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … it’s not fair to Wisconsin
to say that Michigan went through the motions, but it didn’t exactly
bring the A game knowing that the Ohio State showdown is all that
matters. This will be a far, far different team this week with Chad
Henne and Mike Hart returning.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... the Badgers were more
banged up. Michigan can’t really use the injury excuse when Wisconsin
was without its top running back, top tailback, top defensive tackle and
number two corner. Technically, Michigan, since it has the same record
as the Badgers, should be lower than them.
15. Illinois (8-3)
W, at Ohio State 28-21
next game: Northwestern
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … other than Stanford’s win
over USC, there might not be a better win by any team this year than the
Illini’s upset over Ohio State. That was in Columbus, while Oklahoma and
LSU lost their games on the road. As the nation saw, Illinois is more
than just Juice Williams and Rashard Mendenhall. The lines are
fantastic.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... overall, there’s still
that question about the loss to Iowa. That game showed how the entire
team shuts down if the spread isn’t on. The secondary hits like a ton of
bricks, but it also covers like it.
16.
Virginia Tech
(8-2)
W, Florida State 40-21
next game: Miami
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … the Hokies now have an
offense to match its D. With great quarterback play over the last few
weeks from Sean Glennon and Tyrod Taylor, this isn’t just a caretaker
attack anymore. This is growing into a living, breathing complete team.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... the offensive line gives
up way too many sacks and the offense, while improved, is still a work
in progress. Do you trust Glennon and/or Taylor to rock and roll on a
consistent basis?
17. Clemson (8-2)
W, Wake Forest 44-10
next game: Boston College
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … there might not be anyone
playing better right now. The Tigers have been on a roll since losing
Virginia Tech with a four game winning streak averaging 47.75 points per
game. Cullen Harper, not Matt Ryan, is the best quarterback in the ACC
this season.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... it shouldn’t be. The
Tigers are rolling on both sides of the ball and should probably be in
the top ten at the moment. If it blows out Boston College next week, it
might be. The only knock is the offensive line that’s allowing too many
sacks, but that’s about it.
18. Auburn (7-4)
L, at Georgia, 45-20
next game: Alabama (Nov. 24)
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … the defense is better than
it showed against Georgia. This is still a defense capable of shutting
down a top attack, just ask Arkansas, and if the offense doesn’t make
mistakes, .the team can play with anyone in America. If LSU is the
clear-cut number one team, then Auburn deserves credit for almost coming
up with the win in Baton Rouge.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... if the Tigers lose to
Alabama, this could become a 7-6 season after the bowls. The offense is
wildly inconsistent, and downright stagnant at times, while the defense,
as good as it is, isn’t generating nearly enough pressure into the
backfield considering the quickness and talent up front.
19. Virginia (9-2)
W, at Miami 48-0
next game: Virginia Tech (Nov. 24)
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … if you were waiting for
the Cavaliers to finally do something impressive, then shutting down and
shutting out Miami in the final game in the Orange Bowl might be it. The
defense dominated the Canes from the start, while the offense was
ultra-efficient.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... it probably can’t be.
Yeah, there might have been a bunch of close calls so far, but the two
losses came on the road. Of course, the real test comes against Virginia
Tech in two weeks. Win that, go to the ACC title game, and become this
year’s Wake Forest.
20. Kentucky (7-3)
W, at Vanderbilt 27-20
next game: at Georgia
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because …it shouldn’t be. At the
moment the Wildcats aren’t playing like anything special. They’re
struggling way too much to get the offense rolling again, while the
defense has been merely average.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... it could be argued that
Mississippi State deserves to be higher than the Wildcats. The record
might not be the same, but the Bulldogs are playing better and are only
two weeks removed from a 31-14 blowout in Lexington.
21. Cincinnati (8-2)
W, Connecticut
27-3
next game: West Virginia
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … the Bearcats could end up
winning the Big East. All they need to do is beat West Virginia and
Syracuse, and hope UConn loses once more, they’re the champs. If the
defense plays like it did against the Huskies, the Mountaineers will be
in big trouble.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... the secondary shut down
the anemic UConn passing attack, but it can still be bombed on. West
Virginia and Syracuse won’t take advantage of the Bearcats, but in a
bowl, watch out if the matchup is against a team that can throw.
22. Penn State (8-3)
W, at Temple 31-0
next game: at Michigan State
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … you know what you’re
getting, The defense is great, the offense is good enough, and with a
win over Michigan State next week, a ten-win season is still possible.
The three losses came against Michigan, Illinois and Ohio State. That’s
not bad.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... the offense is fine, but
it’s not going to light anyone up. This isn’t nearly the explosive
attack it should be with all the receiving weapons, and even now,
there’s a question mark about Anthony Morelli in a big game.
23. Wisconsin
(8-3)
W, Michigan 37-21
next game: at Minnesota
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … Wisconsin has the same
record as Michigan, so technically, it should be ranked higher right
now, even if Chad Henne and Mike Hart weren’t playing. If everyone was
healthy, this might be one of the 15 best teams in America.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... the injuries are
significant. RB P.J. Hill, DT Jason Chapman and CB Allen Langford are
significant losses, even if Hill is scheduled to be back soon. The
ranking is about where it should be.
24. Boston College (8-2)
L, at Maryland, 42-35
next game: at Clemson
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … there’s still Matt Ryan
and there’s still enough talent on both sides of the ball to battle with
anyone in the ACC, and BC will get its shot next week at Clemson to show
that it’s still a top team. The ACC title is still there for the taking.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... the pass defense has
become abysmal, and the offense too reliant on Ryan. There used to be a
running game, but it’s not there at the moment. Any passing game with a
pulse can throw on the Eagles right now. Clemson’s passing attack has a
strong heartbeat.
25. California (6-4)
L, USC 24-17
next game: at Washington
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … it shouldn’t be. This is
sort of a gift for a team that’s lost four of its last five games with
the one win coming at home by three over Washington State. Talent-wise,
the offense should be far, far better.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... it’s just not happening.
The team isn’t getting the clutch play when needed, the defense isn’t
getting any big stops, and the offense is severely underachieving.
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26 |
Mississippi State (6-4) |
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27 |
Alabama (6-4) |
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28 |
Arkansas (6-4) |
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29 |
Connecticut (8-2) |
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30 |
South Carolina (6-5) |
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31 |
Wake Forest (6-4) |
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32 |
Rutgers (6-4) |
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33 |
Texas Tech (7-4) |
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34 |
South Florida (7-3) |
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35 |
Boise State (9-1) |
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36 |
BYU (7-2) |
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37 |
Florida State (6-4) |
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38 |
Maryland (5-5) |
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39 |
Georgia Tech (6-4) |
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40 |
Colorado (5-6) |
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41 |
Hawaii (9-0) |
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42 |
Oregon State (6-4) |
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43 |
Michigan State (6-5) |
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44 |
Texas A&M (6-5) |
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45 |
Oklahoma State (5-5) |
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46 |
Purdue (7-4) |
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47 |
Arizona (4-6) |
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48 |
UCLA (5-5) |
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49 |
Air Force (8-3) |
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50 |
Utah (7-3) |
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51 |
Iowa (6-5) |
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52 |
NC State (5-5) |
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53 |
Northwestern (6-5) |
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54 |
North Carolina (3-7) |
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55 |
Indiana (6-5) |
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56 |
Miami (5-5) |
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57 |
Louisville (5-5) |
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58 |
Washington State (4-6) |
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59 |
UCF (7-3) |
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60 |
Vanderbilt (5-5) |
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61 |
TCU (5-5) |
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62 |
New Mexico (7-3) |
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63 |
Tulsa (7-3) |
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64 |
Fresno State (6-4) |
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65 |
Nebraska (5-6) |
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66 |
Pitt (4-5) |
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67 |
San Diego State (4-5) |
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68 |
Troy (7-3) |
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69 |
Kansas State (5-5) |
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70 |
Iowa State (3-8) |
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71 |
Houston (5-4) |
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72 |
Washington (3-7) |
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73 |
Navy (6-4) |
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74 |
Stanford (3-7) |
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75 |
East Carolina (6-5) |
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76 |
Nevada (5-4) |
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77 |
Central Michigan (6-4) |
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78 |
Southern Miss (5-5) |
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79 |
Ball State (5-5) |
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80 |
Ole Miss (3-6) |
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81 |
Notre Dame (1-9) |
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82 |
Baylor (3-8) |
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83 |
Colorado State (1-9) |
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84 |
Memphis (5-5) |
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85 |
Wyoming (5-5) |
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86 |
UNLV (2-8) |
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87 |
Bowling Green (6-4) |
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88 |
Western Michigan (3-7) |
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89 |
San Jose State (4-6) |
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90 |
Miami University (5-5) |
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91 |
Duke (1-9) |
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92 |
UL Monroe (4-6) |
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93 |
Florida Atlantic (5-4) |
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94 |
Toledo (5-5) |
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95 |
Syracuse (2-8) |
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96 |
Louisiana Tech (4-6) |
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97 |
Minnesota (1-10) |
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98 |
Ohio (5-6) |
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99 |
UAB (2-8) |
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100 |
Tulane (3-7) |
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101 |
UTEP (5-5) |
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102 |
New Mexico State (4-7) |
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103 |
Buffalo (4-6) |
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104 |
Temple (3-7) |
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105 |
Eastern Michigan (3-8) |
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106 |
Rice (3-7) |
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107 |
Army (3-7) |
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108 |
Akron (4-6) |
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109 |
UL Lafayette (2-8) |
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110 |
Middle Tennessee (5-6) |
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111 |
Northern Illinois (2-8) |
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112 |
Arkansas State (4-6) |
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113 |
Marshall (2-8) |
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114 |
Kent State (3-7) |
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115 |
North Texas (1-8) |
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116 |
SMU (1-9) |
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117 |
Idaho (1-9) |
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118 |
Utah State (0-10) |
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119 |
FIU (0-9) |