2008
CFN Rankings - Week 2
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.
Rankings CFN
Preseason | Coaches
Week 1
1. Ohio State
(2-0)
W, Ohio 26-14
next game: at USC
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ...uhhhhhhh, letdown/lookahead
or not, that was an awful performance against Ohio. The No. 1 spot is
held for one more week as a placeholder. Beat USC and there's no
problem. Lose, and then the debate begins.
2. USC
(1-0)
Didn't Play This Week
next game: Ohio State
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … Ohio State looked
awful against Ohio and the USC blowout over Virginia keeps seeming more
and more complete and devastating a week after. That was an awesome
performance.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ..
Virginia stinks. That's not really that
great a win considering how bad the ACC is this season and how much the
Cavaliers struggled with Richmond in a 16-0 win.
3. Oklahoma
(2-0)
W, Cincinnati 52-26
next game: at Washington
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … the offense is
working. Blasting Cincinnati is far better than it looks. The Sooner
attack showed balance, explosion and the type of firepower to hang with
anyone in America.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ...
let's see what the Sooners can do
outside of the Oklahoma. This wasn't a consistent road team, and while a
win at Washington is likely a given for a team this good, let's see if
it's a dominant performance.
4.
Georgia
(2-0)
W, Central Michigan 56-17
next game: at South Carolina
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … the offense opened
things up and played up to its full capability in the win over Central
Michigan. Being knocked out of the No. 1 spot in the polls is the best
thing that could've happened to the Dawgs.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... what will the Dawgs do
against a real defense? It'll be interesting to see what happens against
a fired up South Carolina defense coming off a tough loss.
5.
Florida
(2-0)
W, Miami 26-3
next game: at Tennessee (Sept. 20)
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … the defense was
dominant against Miami. Fine, so it's not like the Canes have Vinny
Testaverde and Willis McGahee, but it was still a dominant game from the
Gator D that's been under the spotlight after a mediocre 2007.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... uhhhhhh, the running backs?
For all the talk about more work for the backs and for all the work
given this off-season to the other options, when the offense sputtered
it was more of the same: Tebow and Harvin.
6.
LSU
(1-0)
Games vs. Troy Postponed
next game: North Texas
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … the extra time off
isn't a bad thing. A rest this early in the season should make the team
fully functional for North Texas, and with the bigger games ahead.
However ...
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because .. there was a bit of a
distraction this week. Gustav wreaked havoc with the Baton Rouge area
and it wasn't like the Tigers got a true week off to rest and relax. It
was as stressful as it gets.
7.
Missouri
(2-0)
W, SE Missouri State 52-3
next game: Nevada
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … the offense looks
unbelievable. Sure, SE Missouri State is hardly a fair test for the
Tiger attack, but Chase Daniel and the crew got the true equivalent of a
preseason game. .
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because .. the defense is still a
question mark. The secondary will soon be tested, and it'll have to
prove it can come through against a top passing game.
8.
Texas
(2-0)
W, at UTEP 42-13
next game: Arkansas
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … the passing game is
finding the weapons. Colt McCoy is getting the time and he's making his
receivers better. As crazy as this might seem, the Longhorns could be
the Big 12's big sleeper for the title.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because .. whoopee. The wins have come
against Florida Atlantic and UTEP. If Texas really is good, it blows
past a lousy Arkansas team.
9.
Wisconsin
(2-0)
W, Marshall 51-14
next game: at Fresno State
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … QB Allan Evridge
showed up against Marshall. He threw well when he had time, when he was
under intense pressure, and everything in between.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because .. the Badgers turned it on
against Akron and Marshall, but it took a while to get the machine
going. If they struggle early against Fresno State, it'll be uh-oh time.
10.
Auburn
(2-0)
W, Southern Miss 27-13
next game: at Mississippi State
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … the run defense has
been unbelievable. Stopping UL Lafayette is one thing, but keeping
Southern Miss star Damion Fletcher under wraps is another.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... the offense isn't quite
humming on all cylinders. It was fine, but there were a few balls on the
turf against Southern Miss and not enough consistency.
11.
Oregon
(2-0)
W, Utah State 66-24
next game: at Purdue
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … everything is
working. It doesn't matter who the Ducks plug in, the offense hums. This
is a deep attack with several great options.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... the offensive explosions
have come against a miserable Washington State and a lousy Utah State.
If the Ducks are the real deal, they waltz out of West Lafayette with a
double-digit win.
12.
California
(2-0)
W, at Washington State 66-3
next game: at Maryland
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … the offense has been
phenomenal. Yeah, Washington State stinks, but the Michigan State win is
going to look better and better as the year goes on.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... the Bears are relying on
relatively untested players to shine on offense. They're playing well,
but will the consistency be there? Blowing up Maryland might not even
prove much considering how bad the Terps are.
13.
Penn
State
(2-0)
W, Oregon State 45-14
next game: at Syracuse
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … the suspensions
didn't matter. The run defense stuffed Oregon State, while the offense
was flawless. The Beavers might be reeling, but it was still as tight a
game as the Nittany Lions could ask for.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because .. Coastal Carolina and Oregon
State. Everything is working, but the test hasn't come yet. It won't
happen at Syracuse, either. Penn State is playing like a top ten team,
but it's still an unknown.
14.
Texas
Tech
(2-0)
W, at Nevada 35-19
next game: SMU
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … the win at Nevada is
strong. That's a good Wolf Pack team that's going to challenge for the
WAC title, and while everything didn't work perfectly, it was still a
double-digit road win.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... the Red Raiders were way too
reliant on the big play against Nevada. There wasn't much in the way of
consistency, and while it's not a bad thing to get an 82-yard Michael
Crabtree touchdown and a 86-yard Eric Morris punt return for a score,
it's not good for Graham Harrell to have an off-game so early on.
15.
Alabama
(2-0)
W, Tulane
20-6
next game: Western Kentucky
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … Clemson really is
good. Really. That win should carry the Tide in the reputation
department for a long time. When the Tide is jacked up, it showed it
could beat anyone, but ...
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... the fire didn't appear to be
there against Tulane and the offense stunk. The team went through the
motions and won, but there has to be some consistency that won't be
there for a young team.
16.
Kansas
(2-0)
W, Louisiana
Tech 29-0
next game: at South Florida
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … they're doing it
again. Louisiana Tech is a veteran, good team and Kansas ripped through
it without much problem. This might not be the juggernaut of last year,
but 29-0 is 29-0.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because .. now we'll know. Beating FIU
and Louisiana Tech won't matter if the Jayhawks lose to South Florida.
The nationally televised game will be for respect.
17. East Carolina
(2-0)
W, West Virginia 24-3
next game: at Tulane
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … there's a very good
chance Virginia Tech and West Virginia will win their respective
conferences and be in the BCS. ECU is only going to be better with more
and more confidence.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because .. it shouldn't be. The wins
over the Hokies and Mountaineers are more impressive than anything
anyone else has done so far.
18.
Arizona
State
(2-0)
W, Stanford
41-15
next game: UNLV
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … the offense is
working ... again. Stanford showed against Oregon State that it has a
dangerous offense and a good enough team overall to make some Pac 10
noise, and the Sun Devils won without a problem.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... the Sun Devils did this last
year. Beating the mediocre is nice, but eventually a win will have to
come against a player.
19. UCLA
(1-0)
Didn't Play This Week
next game: at BYU
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … Tennessee should be
in the SEC title hunt all season long. It could be argued that no one
has a better win so far than UCLA's shocker over the Vols.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because .... how much of that was for
real? Will we get the first half Kevin Craft against BYU or the fourth
quarter Kevin Craft? The date in Provo is prove-it time.
20. Tennessee (0-1)
Didn't Play This Week
next game: UAB
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … the Vols will only
be better as the season goes on. The loss to UCLA came in a charged up
atmosphere when the Bruin coaching staff pitched a perfect second half.
This really is a top-ten caliber Tennessee squad.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because .. it shouldn't be. At the
moment, UCLA can't be ranked too much higher, and technically, Tennessee
can't be ranked higher than UCLA.
21. South Florida (2-0)
W, at UCF
31-24 OT
next game: Kansas
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … this might be the
type of quirky athletic team that comes out and blasts good teams when
the proper motivation is there. Despite the clunker of a game in the
overtime win over UCF, the Bulls might be a whole bunch better and could
show it against Kansas.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... flaky. Yeah, South Florida
seems like it can beat anyone on the right day, but it also could lose
to a mediocre team if the wind is blowing the wrong way. USF didn't take
the game seriously, at least it seemed that way, UCF did, and there was
almost a big upset.
22. Illinois
(1-1)
W, Eastern Illinois 47-21
next game: UL Lafayette
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … oh yeah, the running
game. The Illini showed it could run the ball like last year against
Eastern Illinois. Of course ....
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... it was Eastern Illinois. The
team has become way too reliant on Juice Williams. He was the offense
throwing the ball against Missouri, and running it against EIU. The
defense needs to get better in a hurry.
23.
Utah
(2-0)
W, UNLV 42-21
next game: at Utah State
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … it was a letdown
game against UNLV and the Utes regrouped and made it a rout. It took a
little while but after beating Michigan, Utah still got the job done.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... Michigan isn't very good and
it took too long to put away UNLV. You can only beat who's on the
schedule, but the Utes might not be a finished product yet.
24.
Clemson
(1-1)
W, Citadel 45-17
next game: NC State
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … the offense showed
what it can do against Citadel. The running game was working well and
the team looked like the one everyone has been expecting.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... it was a good win over
Citadel, but it was against Citadel. It's going to be a while before the
Tigers get their street cred back.
25. Georgia Tech
(2-0)
W, at Boston College 19-16
next game: at Virginia Tech
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … beating Boston
College at BC is better than it looks. It was an awful matchup against
the good Eagle run defense, and the Yellow Jackets still found a way to
win.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... the
offense isn't all that sharp. GT could just as easily get stonewalled by
Virginia Tech as it could come up with a win ... this is still an X
factor of an ACC contender.
|
26 |
West Virginia (1-1) |
|
27 |
Oklahoma State (2-0) |
|
28 |
Nebraska (2-0) |
|
29 |
Michigan State (1-1) |
|
30 |
Kansas State (2-0) |
|
31 |
Fresno State (1-0) |
|
32 |
Boston College (1-1) |
|
33 |
Iowa (2-0) |
|
34 |
Cincinnati (1-1) |
|
35 |
Wake Forest (2-0) |
|
36 |
BYU (2-0) |
|
37 |
Vanderbilt (2-0) |
|
38 |
South Carolina (1-1) |
|
39 |
TCU (2-0) |
|
40 |
Arizona (2-0) |
|
41 |
Virginia Tech (1-1) |
|
42 |
Rutgers (0-1) |
|
43 |
Boise State (1-0) |
|
44 |
Purdue (1-0) |
|
45 |
Miami (1-1) |
|
46 |
Kentucky (1-0) |
|
47 |
Michigan (1-1) |
|
48 |
Ole Miss (1-1) |
|
49 |
Air Force (2-0) |
|
50 |
Northwestern (2-0) |
|
51 |
Indiana (2-0) |
|
52 |
Southern Miss (1-1) |
|
53 |
Florida State (1-0) |
|
54 |
Connecticut (2-0) |
|
55 |
Colorado (2-0) |
|
56 |
Louisiana Tech (1-1) |
|
57 |
Arkansas (2-0) |
|
58 |
Mississippi State (1-1) |
|
59 |
Virginia (1-1) |
|
60 |
Iowa State (2-0) |
|
61 |
Tulsa (2-0) |
|
62 |
North Carolina (1-0) |
|
63 |
Louisville (1-1) |
|
64 |
Ball State (2-0) |
|
65 |
Minnesota (2-0) |
|
66 |
Navy (1-1) |
|
67 |
Central Michigan (1-1) |
|
68 |
Bowling Green (1-1) |
|
69 |
Pitt (1-1) |
|
70 |
UCF (1-1) |
|
71 |
Nevada (1-1) |
|
72 |
Arkansas State (2-0) |
|
73 |
Texas A&M (1-1) |
|
74 |
Stanford (1-1) |
|
75 |
Houston (1-1) |
|
76 |
Washington (0-2) |
|
77 |
Oregon State (0-2) |
|
78 |
New Mexico (0-2) |
|
79 |
NC State (1-1) |
|
80 |
Wyoming (1-1) |
|
81 |
Toledo (0-1) |
|
82 |
Ohio (0-2) |
|
83 |
Notre Dame (1-0) |
|
84 |
Florida Atlantic (1-1) |
|
85 |
Washington State (0-2) |
|
86 |
Troy (1-0) |
|
87 |
Colorado State (1-1) |
|
88 |
Middle Tennessee (1-1) |
|
89 |
Maryland (1-1) |
|
90 |
Duke (1-1) |
|
91 |
Baylor (1-1) |
|
92 |
Hawaii (0-1) |
|
93 |
UNLV (1-1) |
|
94 |
San Jose State (1-1) |
|
95 |
Western Michigan (1-1) |
|
96 |
Northern Illinois (0-2) |
|
97 |
Buffalo (1-1) |
|
98 |
Temple (1-1) |
|
99 |
UL Monroe (0-2) |
|
100 |
Marshall (1-1) |
|
101 |
Rice (2-0) |
|
102 |
Kent State (0-2) |
|
103 |
Memphis (0-2) |
|
104 |
Miami Univ. (0-2) |
|
105 |
Akron (1-1) |
|
106 |
Tulane (0-1) |
|
107 |
UTEP (0-2) |
|
108 |
Syracuse (0-2) |
|
109 |
Eastern Michigan (1-1) |
|
110 |
UAB (0-2) |
|
111 |
New Mexico State (0-0) |
|
112 |
SMU (1-1) |
|
113 |
San Diego State (0-2) |
|
114 |
North Texas (0-2) |
|
115 |
Utah State (0-2) |
|
116 |
UL Lafayette (0-1) |
|
117 |
Idaho (1-1) |
|
118 |
Army (0-2) |
|
119 |
FIU (0-2) |