CFN Rankings No. 1 to 119 - Week Four

There might not be many changes at the top, but A.J. Green and Georgia, along with fellow SECers Florida and LSU, are breathing down USC's neck. There are big changes throughout with some of the non-BCS teams making big moves. Check out week four of the CFN Ranking of all 119 teams.

2008 CFN Rankings - Week 4

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. 

Click on the teams for the recaps and thoughts on every game or click here for the team pages.

Rankings CFN Preseason | Coaches
Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3

1. USC (2-0)
Didn't Play This Week
next game: at Oregon State 
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because .. the win over Ohio State might not have been that big a deal. Without Beanie, the Buckeye offense is stagnant, struggling to get past Ohio and Troy. The world has jumped all over USC for the two dominant performances, but there can't be any close games or any slip-ups in an awful Pac 10.

2. Oklahoma (3-0)
Didn't Play This Week
next game: TCU
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … the Sooners have every bit as dominant as USC, but it doesn't have the big Ohio State-like win. A great performance against TCU could change everything.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... a case could be made for Georgia, Florida, or LSU in this spot. There's still the question mark about how well Oklahoma can maintain its consistency after the struggles the past few years to always play up to the talent level.

3. Georgia (4-0)
W, at Arizona State 27-10
next game: Alabama
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … the defense is crushing and killing, while the offense is doing what it needs to. As A.J. Green gets more involved in the offense, the passing game will get that much stronger and Knowshon Moreno could have that much more room to move.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... the South Carolina win was a bit too much of a struggle. It's not like beating Arizona State is like winning at Auburn. A big win over Alabama is a must to hold off Florida or LSU from this spot.

4. Florida (3-0)
W, at Tennessee 30-6
next game: Ole Miss 
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … the defense is dominating. Tennessee didn't exactly look sharp, but Florida had a lot to do with that.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... uhhhhhhh, the offense? Can Mr. Tebow and company just flip on the switch at any time? That's two straight games (Tennessee and Miami) when the attack was less then scintillating.

5. LSU (3-0)
W, at Auburn 26-21
next game: Mississippi State
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … a strong case could be made that this is the nation's No. 1 team. Does anyone have a better win than at Auburn?
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because .. Jarrett Lee has to prove he can do that on a regular basis. If he's the main man under center, he has to prove he can be the second half against Auburn Lee and not the one who threw an awful pick at the end of the first half.

6. Missouri (4-0)
W, Buffalo 42-21
next game: at Nebraska (Oct. 4)
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … the warm-ups are out of the way, and after four games, no one is throwing the ball better than Chase Daniel. He has the machine running perfectly.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because .. the Illinois win might not be that big a deal. Buffalo was able to throw the ball a bit on the Mizzou secondary, and the memories of Juice Williams bombing away are still fresh.

7. Texas (3-0)
W, Rice 52-10
next game: Arkansas
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because …Colt McCoy is running the attack to perfection. If it's possible for Texas to be a national title sleeper, it's happening.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because .. Florida Atlantic, UTEP and Rice. Yuck. It's not like Arkansas is much better. Texas is still one of the great unknowns because it hasn't played anyone.

8. Wisconsin (3-0)
Didn't Play This Week
next game: at Michigan 
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … the week off will give a banged up team that much more time to heal up. Still smarting from last year, this is far from a fully-operational team, but it should be as healthy as it's been since last year at this time when it goes to Ann Arbor.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because .. either Fresno State suffered a major letdown on the trip to Toledo or that win over the Bulldogs really wasn't anything to get excited about. Considering the problems the Big Ten has had, Wisconsin still has to prove it belongs among the big boys.

9. Penn State (4-0)
W, Temple 45-3
next game: Illinois
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … no one outside of Oklahoma has been as perfect as Penn State has been. Through suspensions and a variety of issues, the Nittany Lions keep rolling on thanks to its dominant offensive line.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because .. Coastal Carolina, Oregon State, Syracuse and Temple. Penn State had better blast Illinois this week to prove that the first month was for real.

10. Auburn (3-1)
L, LSU 26-21
next game: Tennessee
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … there's no reason whatsoever to punish Auburn for the loss to LSU. That was a tremendous battle of titans that could've gone either way.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... the offense was better against LSU than it was against Mississippi State, but there are still consistency issues. Georgia Tech tore through the MSU defense, while Auburn barely registered a blip.

11. BYU (4-0)
W, Wyoming 44-0
next game: at Utah State (Oct. 3)
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … 103-0 over the last two weeks. Talk about humming on all cylinders, everything has gone right for the BYU offense ever since it went on its game-winning drive against Washington.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... BYU needed a game-winning drive against Washington. How can BYU be in the same discussion with Oklahoma after the Cougars had so many problems with the Huskies and after the Sooners beat the UW in a rout?

12. Alabama (4-0)
W, at Arkansas 49-14
next game: at Georgia
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … the lines are rocking and rolling. The offensive line destroyed Arkansas, and the big plays followed. If the Tide pulls off the win at Georgia, it should be time to talk top three.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ...the passing game hasn't exactly been consistent, but that's nitpicking. Bama is playing well enough to be in the top ten.

13. Ohio State (3-1)
W, Troy 28-10
next game: Minnesota
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … if you really believe USC is the No. 1 team in America, then you can't dog the loss too much. The team might not be playing well, but it's without Beanie and is still winning by double-digits.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ...there are way, way too many problems on offense. Things just aren't clicking and mediocre teams like Ohio and Troy are hanging around way too long.

14. Texas Tech (4-0)
W, Massachusetts 56-14
next game: at Kansas State (Oct. 4)
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … it can't be quite yet. There hasn't even been the slightest big of a test to know if this team is any good or not.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... Eastern Washington, at Nevada, SMU and UMass. With the way Kansas State lost at Louisville, anything less than a double-digit Red Raider win two weeks from now in Manhattan will be unacceptable.

15. South Florida (4-0)
W, at FIU 17-9
next game: at NC State
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … when the team is playing at its full capability, the talent, speed and athleticism is there to hang with anyone, but ...
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... ... it took too much in the bag to beat UCF and FIU. Any team truly worthy of the top 15 should've throttled those two. The Bulls are going to live off the late win at Kansas for a while.

16. Kansas (3-1)
W, Sam Houston State 38-14
next game: at Iowa State (Oct. 4)
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … the game against Sam Houston State got things back on track. Has Todd Reesing not thrown that bad late interception against South Florida, the Jayhawks would probably be in the top ten.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because .. Reesing did throw that bad late interception against South Florida. It might take a few Big 12 games for KU to earn its way into top ten discussion. That chance comes on October 18 at Oklahoma.

17. Oklahoma State (3-0)
Didn't Play This Week
next game: Troy  
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … the offense crushed and killed over the first few weeks, and now the team is fully rested after two weeks off and with another tune-up against Troy ahead.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because .. Washington State stinks, Houston is struggling, and Missouri State is Missouri State. Considering Texas A&M is the Big 12 opener, there won't be a real, live battle against a decent team until October 11th against Missouri.

18. Boise State (3-0)
W, at Oregon 37-32
next game: Louisiana Tech (Oct. 1)
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … yeah, Oregon might be down to its 19th string quarterback, but that doesn't excuse the Duck defense that got ripped to shreds by Boise State. That was the first road win ever over a BCS conference team.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because .. it'll be tough to get any respect from here on. That win in Autzen was fantastic, but that's it. There's nothing, nothing left on the schedule that'll get anyone excited with the possible exception of the regular season ender against Fresno State.

19. California (2-1)
Didn't Play This Week
next game: Colorado State
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … the win over Michigan State is impressive, and yeah, Cal is getting a break for failing to wake up early on against Maryland. Call this a double secret probation slot.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... the Pac 10 isn't exactly setting the world on fire, and Cal contributed to that. The Bears have to prove over the next few weeks that they belong in the discussion of the top 20 teams.

20. Nebraska (3-0)
Didn't Play This Week
next game: Virginia Tech 
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … the Huskers have been fantastic so far, and now they get their shot to show that they're the real deal. If the offense rolls against Virginia Tech, then it'll be time to get fired up.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... Western Michigan, San Jose State and New Mexico State aren't exactly beating down the door of the BCS. That's fine. Virginia Tech, Missouri, and at Texas Tech will give the Huskers a shot to prove they're for real.

21. Utah (4-0)
W, at Air Force 30-23
next game: Weber State
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … the win over Air Force is far better than it appears. The Utes took a few shots in the mouth and came through strong. That 42-21 win over UNLV now looks terrific.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... there shouldn't be another real test until the TCU game in early November. Anything less than big blowouts over the next five weeks will be unacceptable, and that included the Oregon State game.

22. Clemson (3-1)
W, South Carolina State 54-0
next game: Maryland
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … getting blasted by Alabama on opening day isn't really that bad anymore. That was August. Now the Tigers have a few chances to show they can play with Maryland, at Wake Forest and Georgia Tech up next.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... even with a 54-0 win, that wasn't exactly a scintillating performance against South Carolina State, at least by Cullen Harper. James Davis and the running game were fine, but Harper has yet to be the Harper of last year.

23. TCU (4-0)
W, at SMU 48-7
next game: at Oklahoma
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … shhhhhhh, this is the real BCS buster no one's talking about. There might not be any flash, but head coach Gary Patterson has his team humming going into the showdown at Oklahoma.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ...the Sooners have a funny way of slapping teams back into reality. TCU doesn't have the offense to keep up with OU, but neither do roughly 110 other teams.

24. Wake Forest (3-0)
W, at Florida State 12-3
next game: Navy
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … the Demon Deacons aren't pretty, but they're winning. The defense has been fantastic. The 41-13 opening day win over Baylor in Waco looks a heck of a lot more impressive now.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... the offense isn't exactly humming on all cylinders. Sam Swank missed three field goals against Florida State. If he starts to struggle, this fun run could end in a hurry.

25. Illinois (2-1)
Didn't Play This Week
next game: at Penn State
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … the battle with Missouri in that fantastic shootout now makes Illinois look even more impressive. The team needed a week to rest with several big injuries, especially on the defensive side, and now the coaching staff has had time to do some patching.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... the Illinois weren't exactly strong against Eastern Illinois and UL Lafayette. The Penn State game will show whether or not the team is for real.

26	Michigan State (3-1)
27	Oregon (3-1)
28	Cincinnati (2-1)
29	Vanderbilt (4-0)
30	East Carolina (3-1)
31	Virginia Tech (3-1)
32	Georgia Tech (3-1)
33	Boston College (2-1)
34	Tennessee (1-2)
35	Miami (2-1)
36	Tulsa (3-0)
37	Purdue (2-1)
38	Kentucky (3-0)
39	Maryland (3-1)
40	Air Force (3-1)
41	Arizona State (2-2)
42	Colorado (3-0)
43	Fresno State (2-1)
44	North Carolina (2-1)
45	Louisville (2-1)
46	West Virginia (1-2)
47	Arizona (3-1)
48	UNLV (3-1)
49	South Carolina (2-2)
50	NC State (2-2)
51	Ole Miss (1-2)
52	Pitt (2-1)
53	Iowa (3-1)
54	Northwestern (4-0)
55	Notre Dame (2-1)
56	Connecticut (4-0)
57	Kansas State (2-1)
58	Ball State (4-0)
59	Michigan (1-2)
60	Indiana (2-1)
61	Mississippi State (1-3)
62	UCLA (1-2)
63	Florida State (2-1)
64	Louisiana Tech (2-1)
65	Baylor (2-2)
66	Navy (2-2)
67	Minnesota (4-0)
68	Central Michigan (2-2)
69	Bowling Green (1-2)
70	UCF (1-2)
71	Arkansas State (3-1)
72	Toledo (1-2)
73	Arkansas (2-1)
74	Marshall (3-1)
75	Southern Miss (2-2)
76	Iowa State (2-2)
77	Texas A&M (1-2)
78	New Mexico (1-3)
79	Washington (0-3)
80	Stanford (2-2)
81	Oregon State (1-2)
82	Duke (2-1)
83	Middle Tennessee (1-3)
84	Nevada (1-2)
85	Virginia (1-2)
86	Rutgers (0-3)
87	Troy (2-1)
88	Colorado State (2-1)
89	Houston (1-3)
90	San Jose State (2-2)
91	Ohio (0-4)
92	Western Michigan (3-1)
93	Northern Illinois (1-2)
94	Buffalo (2-2)
95	Temple (1-3)
96	Wyoming (2-2)
97	Florida Atlantic (1-3)
98	Tulane (1-2)
99	Rice (2-2)
100	Washington State (1-3)
101	Memphis (2-2)
102	Miami Univ. (1-3)
103	Hawaii (1-1)
104	Akron (2-2)
105	Syracuse (1-3)
106	UL Lafayette (1-2)
107	Kent State (1-3)
108	UL Monroe (0-4)
109	Eastern Michigan (1-3)
110	UAB (0-3)
111	New Mexico State (1-1)
112	San Diego State (0-3)
113	UTEP (0-3)
114	Utah State (1-3)
115	SMU (1-3)
116	North Texas (0-3)
117	Army (0-3)
118	FIU (0-3)
119	Idaho (1-3)