2008
CFN Rankings - Week 6
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 |
Week 4 |
Week 5
1. Oklahoma
(5-0)
W, at Baylor 49-17
next game: Texas
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... it can't be. The Sooners are
rolling through everyone, including good Cincinnati and TCU teams. Now
they have a chance to solidify themselves the the team to beat with a
big win over Texas.
2.
Alabama
(6-0)
W, Kentucky 17-14
next game: Ole Miss (Oct. 18)
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … in a big game, a
really big game, would you take Oklahoma, or a team like Alabama that
has come through huge against Clemson and Georgia? This might be the
team that rises to the occasion, but ...
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because .. ... struggles during the off
weeks. It took too much to beat Tulane, and there were way too many
problems in the tight win over Kentucky. If the O line holds like it did
against UK, and if the passing game is mediocre, Bama can lose to anyone
in the SEC (other than Arkansas).
3. LSU
(4-0)
Didn't Play This Week
next game: at Florida
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … the Bama game is
coming. If The Tide plays like it did against Kentucky, LSU will win in
a walk.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because .. the close call against Auburn
doesn't look so impressive now. Even though the team hasn't quite
clicked, if it wins impressively at Florida, a top two spot might be in
order.
4.
Texas
(5-0)
W, at Colorado 38-14
next game: Oklahoma
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because …Texas went into a
trap game at Colorado and won in a walk. The pass rush is the best in
America, and no one is playing better than Colt McCoy.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because .. the team might not have
really played anyone yet? Colorado? Whoopee. However, a win over
Oklahoma would mean the number one spot. Texas is playing good enough to
do it.
5.
Missouri
(5-0)
W, at Nebraska 52-17
next game: Oklahoma State
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … that was homecoming
for Nebraska. Mizzou's offense isn't going to be stopped. Nebraska
didn't have a prayer, and at the moment, it looks like it'll blow
through everyone in the Big 12 North no matter how many points a Kansas
or Kansas State might put up.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because .. Oklahoma State could walk
into Columbia and pull off the win. The Mizzou defense did a nice job
against the Huskers, and even came through with several big plays, but
it remains to be seen what it can do in a tight game. It also remains to
be seen with the offense can do against a good defense.
6.
Penn
State
(6-0)
W, at Purdue 20-6
next game: at Wisconsin
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … the lines are
playing extremely well. The wins over Oregon State and Illinois are
strong, and while it wasn't an impressive performance at Purdue, it was
a two touchdown win in a lookahead game before Wisconsin.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because .. the offense was a bit sloppy
against Purdue. The team is playing well overall, and the defense is a
killer. If the team can be impressive in Madison, it's really time to
start talking about national title potential.
7.
Florida
(4-1)
W, at Arkansas 38-7
next game: LSU
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … if the Gators didn't
blow it late against Ole Miss, they'd probably be ranked in the top
four. If they can beat LSU, it's time to ramp up the national title talk
again. The offense got moving against Arkansas, but ...
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... ... it took way too long to
put the Hogs away. Yeah, it was an easy 38-7 win, but it was still a bit
of a battle until the offense took over in the fourth quarter.
8.
Georgia
(4-1)
Didn't Play This Week
next game: Tennessee
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … it can't be at the
moment. The talent is still there, but there need to be a few good wins
to get back in everyone's good graces.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... Alabama looked awfully
mediocre in the win over Kentucky. The Dawgs had better blast a bad
Tennessee team or the ranking will drop.
9.
USC (3-1)
W, Oregon, 44-10
next game: Arizona State
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … that's the
USC we all know and love. It blew away a better Oregon team than it
might appear, and it once again showed that when all the parts are
working, this still might be America's best team.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... Oregon State. Oregon State
lost to Stanford, got blasted by Penn State and lost to Utah. No, USC,
you don't. You just don't.
10.
Oklahoma State
(5-0)
W, Texas A&M 56-28
next game: at Missouri
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … the offense is
unbelievable. Everything's working, including Dez Bryant, who's playing
better than any wide receiver in America. This team is more than good
enough to go to Columbia and pull off the huge win over Missouri.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because .. finally, OSU will play
someone with a pulse. The offense has been amazing and explosive, but
there's a problem when Troy is your best win.
11.
Ohio State
(4-1)
W, at Wisconsin 20-17
next game: Purdue
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … Beanie Wells is
running like the Beanie Wells everyone has been waiting to see, while
Terrelle Pryor plays in Madison like a big-time veteran. As long as
these two are healthy and playing up to their talent level, Ohio State
can play with anyone (and that includes USC).
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ...the defensive tackles got
blown off the ball late in the Wisconsin game when it really mattered.
There won't be any problems against the Purdue running game, but the D
line has to play better to keep moving up the rankings.
12.
BYU
(5-0)
W, at Utah State 34-14
next game: New Mexico
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … the Cougars blasted
Utah State but moved down? It's going to be hard to get too much respect
unless there's a dominant win over TCU and a good performance over Utah
late in the year.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... the best win this year has
been over ... UCLA? That's not going to cut it. Washington, Wyoming and
Utah State are among the worst teams in America. Those are the other FBS
wins.
13.
California
(4-1)
W, Arizona State 24-14
next game: at Arizona (Oct. 18)
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … shhhhhhhh. The Bears
are creeping up on everyone. The win over Arizona State was shockingly
easy, and very soon, there will be higher profile games to make some big
noise.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... Virginia 31, Maryland 0. It
might have been a clunker for the Terps, but the Bears will have to
answer for that road loss as the season goes on.
14.
Texas
Tech
(5-0)
W, at Kansas State 58-28
next game: Nebraska
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … how many out there
were tapping the trip to Kansas State as an upset special? Whatever. The
offense is just now starting to hum on all cylinders. Tech put up 58
points on Kansas State and still might not have hit its stride yet.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... it really can't be. The
schedule hasn't been all that great, but no one has any interest in
facing this offense right now.
15. Illinois
(3-2)
W, at Michigan 45-20
next game: Toledo
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … losing to Missouri
and Penn State are nothing to sneeze at. So what? That might mean
Illinois is still among the ten best teams in the country. All of a
sudden, the team's young playmakers are starting to blow up.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... there's still that question
mark about the close calls against Eastern Illinois and UL Lafayette.
This might be a tad high overall based on one blowout over a mediocre
Michigan team, and if there's even the slightest hiccup against a
miserable Toledo, the fall will be swift.
16.
Wisconsin
(3-2)
L, Ohio State 20-17
next game: Penn State
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … it can't be.
Coffee's for closers only. The choke to Michigan really does appear to
be an aberration, but when the team needed to come up with a stop to
beat Ohio State, it couldn't do it.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because .. ... the Fresno State win that
appeared to be such a big deal a few weeks ago really doesn't matter
anymore. The Bulldogs are awful now. This is a team with national
title-caliber experience and just enough talent to have beaten Michigan
and Ohio State. However, a true top 15 team could've pulled off wins
against those two.
17. Vanderbilt
(5-0)
W, Auburn 14-13
next game: at Mississippi State
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … the team finds a way
to get the job done. If you give respect to LSU for beating Auburn, then
you have to give the same love to Vandy. The secondary really is good
enough to compete with anyone in America.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because .. the offense is still
mediocre. Could the Commodores keep up with a team with a decent
offense? The best offense Vandy has faced is ... Rice?! We're still not
going to learn much after a trip to Mississippi State.
18.
Utah
(6-0)
W, Oregon State 31-28
next game: Wyoming
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … while everyone's in
love with BYU, Utah has actually beaten someone. The wins over Michigan,
Air Force and Oregon State are far better than anything the Cougars have
come up with.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... it shouldn't be. Utah beat
the confident Oregon State team that beat USC.
19.
Kansas
(4-1)
W, at Iowa State 35-33
next game: Colorado
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … the team that blew
past Iowa State in the second half is good enough to hang around with
anyone in the Big 12, but ...
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because .. ... the team that struggled
in the first half against the Cyclones would be down by 40 to a Missouri
or Oklahoma. The team just isn't playing consistently enough to be moved
up any higher.
20.
Boise State
(4-0)
W, Louisiana Tech 38-3
next game: at Southern Miss
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … it really is playing
well. Kellen Moore has turned into the type of quarterback who can grow
into a WAC superstar.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because .. Louisiana Tech ... yawwwwwwn.
Fine, so the win at Oregon was nice, but there's no one, absolutely no
one, who'll be able to challenge Boise State if all the parts are
working. The schedule is going to be too poor to move the Broncos up.
21.
Michigan State
(5-1)
W, Iowa 16-13
next game: at Northwestern
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … the team is finding
ways to win. Iowa gave MSU its best shot and had a chance to come
through late, but couldn't. The defense is starting to come through with
big plays now.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because .. Iowa isn't any good. The best
win so far is over Notre Dame. Unless you think the Irish is the real
deal, you probably don't thing MSU is all that great.
22.
Virginia Tech
(5-1)
W, Western Kentucky 27-13
next game: at Boston College (Oct. 18)
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … the offense is
slowly but surely starting to come around. This might not be a
world-beater of a team, but it's 4-1 with two weeks off to prepare for
Boston College.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... it took a bit too much to
get by Western Kentucky. This is a good Virginia Tech team, but it's not
a great one. That win at Nebraska probably isn't that big a deal.
23. Georgia Tech
(4-1)
W, Duke 27-0
next game: Gardner-Webb
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … the defensive line
showed against Duke that it can come out and dominate. The offense is
getting by no matter who's at quarterback. Fine, so beating Duke isn't
that big a deal, but it was still a dominant game. No one wants to deal
with a Paul Johnson coached team.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... the offense needs to find a
few more playmakers. The passing game, as expected, is almost
non-existent outside of
Demaryius
Thomas, who caught all nine completions against the Blue Devils.
24. TCU
(5-1)
W, San Diego State 41-7
next game: at Colorado State
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … TCU's lone blemish
is a loss at Oklahoma. Boo hoo. 117 other teams would probably lose in
Norman. This really might turn out to be a better team than BYU and
Utah, and the chances will come soon.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ...the best win was over
Stanford. There's still the prove-it factor with this bunch. The defense
might be crushing and killing, but the offense, outside of the blowout
over San Diego State, isn't anything special.
25. North Carolina
(4-1)
W, Connecticut 38-12
next game: Notre Dame
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … there's explosion,
speed, and athleticism. If you believe that Connecticut is strong, then
the blowout win this week should be given more respect. There's a lot of
future NFL talent on this team.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ...it shouldn't be. This is a
top 20-caliber team whose lone loss is a nail-biter to Virginia Tech.
|
26 |
Boston College (4-1) |
|
27 |
Pitt (4-1) |
|
28 |
Auburn (4-2) |
|
29 |
South Florida (5-1) |
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30 |
Clemson (3-2) |
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31 |
Kentucky (4-1) |
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32 |
Wake Forest (3-1) |
|
33 |
Tulsa (5-0) |
|
34 |
Florida State (4-1) |
|
35 |
Notre Dame (4-1) |
|
36 |
Michigan (2-3) |
|
37 |
Cincinnati (4-1) |
|
38 |
South Carolina (4-2) |
|
39 |
Oregon (4-2) |
|
40 |
Arizona State (2-3) |
|
41 |
Oregon State (2-3) |
|
42 |
Connecticut (5-1) |
|
43 |
Miami (2-3) |
|
44 |
Ole Miss (2-3) |
|
45 |
Tennessee (2-3) |
|
46 |
Maryland (4-2) |
|
47 |
Colorado (3-2) |
|
48 |
East Carolina (3-2) |
|
49 |
Arizona (4-1) |
|
50 |
Nebraska (3-2) |
|
51 |
Louisville (2-2) |
|
52 |
Northwestern (5-0) |
|
53 |
Ball State (6-0) |
|
54 |
West Virginia (3-2) |
|
55 |
Kansas State (3-2) |
|
56 |
Navy (4-2) |
|
57 |
Air Force (3-2) |
|
58 |
Purdue (2-3) |
|
59 |
Minnesota (5-1) |
|
60 |
Mississippi State (1-4) |
|
61 |
NC State (2-4) |
|
62 |
UCLA (2-3) |
|
63 |
Iowa (3-3) |
|
64 |
Fresno State (3-2) |
|
65 |
Baylor (2-3) |
|
66 |
Louisiana Tech (2-2) |
|
67 |
Indiana (2-3) |
|
68 |
Central Michigan (3-2) |
|
69 |
Duke (3-2) |
|
70 |
Houston (2-3) |
|
71 |
Nevada (3-2) |
|
72 |
Marshall (3-3) |
|
73 |
Iowa State (2-3) |
|
74 |
New Mexico (3-3) |
|
75 |
Stanford (3-3) |
|
76 |
Arkansas (2-3) |
|
77 |
Virginia (2-3) |
|
78 |
Rutgers (1-4) |
|
79 |
Troy (2-2) |
|
80 |
Washington (0-5) |
|
81 |
Colorado State (3-2) |
|
82 |
Hawaii (2-3) |
|
83 |
UNLV (3-3) |
|
84 |
Bowling Green (2-3) |
|
85 |
UTEP (2-3) |
|
86 |
Southern Miss (2-3) |
|
87 |
Rice (3-3) |
|
88 |
Memphis (3-3) |
|
89 |
Arkansas State (3-2) |
|
90 |
Western Michigan (5-1) |
|
91 |
Middle Tennessee (2-3) |
|
92 |
Northern Illinois (3-2) |
|
93 |
Texas A&M (2-3) |
|
94 |
Buffalo (2-3) |
|
95 |
Temple (2-4) |
|
96 |
Ohio (1-5) |
|
97 |
Florida Atlantic (1-4) |
|
98 |
San Jose State (3-2) |
|
99 |
Miami Univ. (1-4) |
|
100 |
Wyoming (2-4) |
|
101 |
Akron (3-3) |
|
102 |
Syracuse (1-4) |
|
103 |
Washington State (1-5) |
|
104 |
New Mexico State (2-2) |
|
105 |
UCF (2-3) |
|
106 |
UL Lafayette (2-3) |
|
107 |
Eastern Michigan (2-4) |
|
108 |
UL Monroe (1-4) |
|
109 |
UAB (0-5) |
|
110 |
FIU (2-3) |
|
111 |
Toledo (1-4) |
|
112 |
San Diego State (1-4) |
|
113 |
Kent State (1-5) |
|
114 |
Army (1-4) |
|
115 |
Tulane (2-3) |
|
116 |
Utah State (1-4) |
|
117 |
SMU (1-5) |
|
118 |
Idaho (1-5) |
|
119 |
North Texas (0-5) |