CFN Rankings - No. 1 to 119 - Week 13

There have been some wild movements in our rankings this week, but everyone's still chasing safety Will Hill and Florida. Based on how good the teams are at the moment, here's the latest CFN ranking of all 119 teams.

2008 CFN Rankings - Week 13

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 | Week 6 | Week 7
Week 8 | Week 9 | Week 10 | Week 11 | Week 12

1. Florida (10-1)  Last Week: 1
W, Citadel 70-19
next game: Florida State
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because … the SEC sucks. Florida is blowing up a slew of bad teams and Citadel. Even so, it's still looking like the best team in the country in all three phases. Now that home loss to Ole Miss doesn't seem like that big a gaffe.

2. Texas (10-1)  Last Week: 3
Didn't Play This Week
next game: Texas A&M
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … Texas 45 - Oklahoma 35. Repeat.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... Oklahoma did obliterate the one team Texas lost to. However, if you're going to give credit to Oklahoma, then, again, you have to give credit to Texas for actually beating the Sooners by double digits. Would Texas beat OU in a rematch? Who cares? ... 45-35.

3. Oklahoma (10-1)   Last Week: 4
W, Texas Tech 65-21
next game: at Oklahoma State
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … yeeeeeeeesh! The domination of Texas Tech was breathtaking, swift, and complete. If you really believed that Texas Tech was the top two team in the nation, then you could make a case that the Sooners really are the nation's second best team. Or even No. 1.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... Oklahoma actually lost a game by double digits. Alabama hasn't lost yet. However, it's hard to watch the dismantling of Texas Tech and think OU belongs out of the top three.

4. Alabama (11-0)  Last Week: 5
Didn't Play This Week
next game: Auburn 
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … being the lone unbeaten BCS conference team has to count for something. If it's so easy, then how come no one else has been able to sidestep all the landmines? While everyone is assuming the Gators will be playing for the national championship (guilty as charged), would it really be a shock if Bama wins the SEC title and goes on to be 14-0? That would end any and all controversy this year.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... the SEC is awful. That overtime win over LSU really seems a bit scary now. The one good win was over Georgia. If you don't believe in Ole Miss, then Bama really hasn't done all that much compared to other top teams.

5. USC (9-1)  Last Week: 6
Didn't Play This Week
next game: Notre Dame
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … that defense really does appear to be the real deal. The Pac 10 might be awful, but just by the eyeball test, the talent is breathtaking. In a big game, a really, really big game, would you feel comfortable taking anyone in the top four over the Trojans?
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... that offense really does appear to be no big deal. The running game is erratic, the passing game is all over the place, and the defense is carrying the team. USC is in this spot on talent and potential, but it actually deserves to be several spots lower when compared to Penn State and Utah.

6. Texas Tech (10-1)  Last Week: 2
L, at Oklahoma 65-21
next game: Baylor
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … let's not get too carried away here. Roughly 115 other teams would've gotten blasted by Oklahoma in Norman. There's no shame in getting blown out against a team that good.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... if Oklahoma's defense could get to Graham Harrell, what would Penn State's D do? The Nittany Lions might deserve to be in this spot. It might be hard for the pollsters to forget about what just happened; the destruction was too thorough.

7. Oklahoma State (9-2)  Last Week: 7
Didn't Play This Week
next game: Oklahoma 
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … it can't be, at least at the moment. Don't forget that Texas Tech blew out Oklahoma State. However, are you going to sleep well if you pick Oklahoma to beat the Cowboys in Stillwater?
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... this really might be the right slot. OSU has to be ahead of Missouri at this point and the two losses are to Texas and Texas Tech. Wait and see what happens against OU and then we might get a better handle on the team.

8. Missouri (9-2)  Last Week: 8
Didn't Play This Week
next game: Kansas (in KC) 
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … the team is rested, the coach is rich, and there appears to be peace and harmony in Columbia. The offense has been good enough to keep up with anyone this year, but ...
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... the team's best win, now, appears to over Nebraska. There hasn't been a truly elite win to hang the hat on, but the Tigers will get their chance in the Big 12 title game. The defense is still suspect, as is Chase Daniel in a really big moment in a really big game.

9. Penn State (11-1)  Last Week: 9
W, Michigan State 49-18
next game: BOWL GAME
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … Penn State showed off the defense, the offensive athleticism, and the toughness that should make it a nasty bowl team. Penn State blew away Oregon State and beat Ohio State in Columbus, while USC lost to Oregon State and beat Ohio State at home. Why do the Trojans deserve to be higher?
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... while the loss to Iowa might not be all that bad, the struggles early against Indiana and Michigan are concerning. The question still hasn't been answered, can Daryll Clark throw a key pass and come through late in a tight game? Could this offense really work against USC? We might not find out, and instead, we'll get a rematch against Oregon State.

10. Utah (12-0)  Last Week: 11
W, BYU 48-24
next game: BOWL GAME
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … Utah beat Oregon State and is unbeaten. USC lost to Oregon State. The Mountain West is 6-1 against the Pac 10. On the deserve scale, the Utes need to be higher. They came through with a stomping of BYU when all the pressure was on.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... it can't be. Utah proved it could battle against a tough defensive team like TCU, and it blew out BYU by coming up with a stellar defensive effort when it needed to. This is a tough, physical, veteran team that plays with supreme confidence. It'll be interesting to see what it does in the BCS.

11. Ohio State (10-2)  Last Week: 10
W, Michigan 42-7
next game: BOWL GAME
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … this actually might be one of the seven best teams in the country. The athleticism matches up well against anyone in the Big 12, while Terrelle Pryor is starting to play like the superstar he was expected to be. He's not a freshman anymore (at least in the way he plays).
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... the defensive line will get ripped up by anyone with a decent O line. It's just not playing all that well. The best wins this year came against Michigan State and Northwestern. Yippee.

12. Georgia (9-2) Last Week: 13
Didn't Play This Week
next game: Georgia Tech
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because …the two losses are to Florida and Alabama. Theoretically, Georgia could be the third best team in America. The offense has the stars and there's enough athleticism on defense to play with anyone, even if the production isn't quite there.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... if you're not a believer in the SEC, then the Bulldogs haven't done much this year. There was a big blowout win over Central Michigan and the Arizona State win was easy, but that's been the non-conference slate to hang the hat on. However, if Georgia is able to blast Georgia Tech, then it's time to bring the love.

13. TCU (10-2)  Last Week: 14
W, at Air Force 44-10
next game: Bowl Game
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … fine, so TCU lost in the last second to Utah, but this still might be the Mountain West's best team. If the Utes had to come to Fort Worth, set the line at TCU -10. The defense is simply incredible.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... it can't be. There's no shame in getting blown out at Oklahoma, and the one other loss came on the greatest drive in Utah history. This is probably a top ten team.

14. Michigan State (9-3)  Last Week: 12
L, at Penn State 49-18
next game: BOWL GAME
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … considering the season-opening loss to Cal was a lifetime ago, the other two losses to Ohio State and Penn State really aren't that bad. The Spartans have been resilient, tough, and good outside of those two big blowouts.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... if you're not a believer in the Big Ten, then you're less than impressed by anything the Spartans have done. The team doesn't do any one thing well and is hardly flashy. It'll have problems in the bowl against anyone with an offense.

15. Boston College (8-3)  Last Week: 18
W, at Wake Forest 24-21
next game: Maryland
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … the Eagles keep on winning when they have to, and now all they need to do is beat Maryland and they're going back to the ACC title game. The defense is the absolute real deal; the DTs, Ron Brace and B.J. Raji, might be the best in America.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... the offense was hardly a machine before, and now QB Chris Crane is hurt. BC is just good enough to beat anyone, and just flawed enough to lose to anyone. Five games have been decided by seven points or fewer.

16. Florida State (8-3)  Last Week: 19
W, at Maryland 37-3
next game: Florida
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … when everyone's actually on the field and available, and not suspended, the team has the potential to be the best in the ACC by far. The offense scores points in bunches, and the defense is athletic and stingy. It's a few bad breaks away from having a truly special season.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... can the young team really find some consistency? There's no telling what the passing game will do from one game to the next, and there's no telling if the team will play up to its talent and potential each week. Even so, watch out. This is a dangerous team that could give Florida a world of problems.

17. Georgia Tech (8-3)  Last Week: 26
W, Miami 41-23
next game: at Georgia
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … now that's how the thing is supposed to work. The running offense was deadly precise, efficient, and unstoppable, even by the athletic and talented Miami defense. And to think that the Paul Johnson era is just getting started and the right pieces aren't in place yet.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... there's still the matter of getting blown out by a North Carolina team that isn't playing well enough to blow anyone out, and there's also the home loss to a Virginia team that's probably not going bowling.

18. Boise State (11-0)  Last Week: 15
W, at Nevada 41-34
next game: Fresno State
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … the Broncos beat a tough Nevada team on the road and dropped?! The problems closing were a bit scary, but this should probably be a top 15 ranked team. It's tough, sharp, and better on defense than it showed at times in Reno.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... would you feel comfortable picking the Broncos to beat Iowa, Oregon State or Cincinnati? This is a good team with nice numbers, but there might not be the overall firepower to beat a top team with an efficeint offense.

19. Iowa (8-4)  Last Week: 22
W, at Minnesota 55-0
next game: BOWL GAME
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … Minnesota might be struggling, but 55-0?! Iowa closed out strong winning five of its last six games, and there's still tha tmatter of the stunning win over Penn State.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... technically, Northwestern should be here. The Wildcats finishd with a better record and it beat the Hawkeyes. The loss to Illinois isn't a prize.

20. Oregon State (8-3)  Last Week: 29
W, at Arizona 19-17
next game: Oregon
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … the team has found its stride winning six straight. It's one win against Oregon away from playing in the Rose Bowl. If you can get past the season opening loss to Stanford, the other two losses, to Penn State and Utah, are more than acceptable.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... the Pac 10 stinks. Beating Cal and Arizona might seem nice, but it might not be that big a deal. There's still the batter of the 45-14 loss to the Nittany Lions, which would make for a Rose Bowl rematch less-than-anticipated.

21.  Cincinnati (9-2)  Last Week: 23
W, Pitt 28-21
next game: Syracuse
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … beat Syracuse, get into the BCS as the Big East champion. It's that simple. The Bearcats have found their stride on offense and are playing just well enough on the defensive line and special teams to battle with anyone.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... there have been too many close calls against too many bad teams. A two-point win over Akron, an eight-point battle against Louisville, and a three-point win over a then-struggling Rutgers are just three of the five games decided by eight points or fewer.

22. Maryland (7-4)  Last Week: 16
L, Florida State, 37-3
next game: at Boston College
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … it can't be. this is actually a bit of a gift. The blowout loss to Florida State was truly ugly, and there's still the 31-0 loss on the résumé to a suddenly mediocre Virginia team
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... it shouldn't be. This is about right if you want North Carolina in the top 25. The Terps are just good enough to hang with anyone ranked around 15 and lower, but they're also just flaky enough to lose to anyone on a given day if the offense isn't working quite right.

23. North Carolina (7-3)  Last Week: 17
L, NC State 41-10
next game: at Duke
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … they can't be. The Tar Heels should probably be well into the 30s, and maybe the high 40s, with the way they played over the last two weeks against Maryland and NC State. However, they did beat Boston College and Georgia Tech just a few weeks ago.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because .. NC State 41 - North Carolina 10. NC State really isn't that great. It's better than it was earlier in the year, but it's not 41-10 better.

24. Virginia Tech (7-4)  Last Week: 24
W, Duke 14-3
next game: Virginia
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … the defense remains a rock, allowing just 32 points over the last three weeks. The offense might not be any good, but the Hokies will be in a position to play for the ACC title by beating Virginia next week.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... the offense really is lousy. Scoring 14 against Miami is one thing, but only being able to scrounge up 14 against Duke is another story. The five turnovers against Duke can't happen against Virginia or in the ACC title game, if the Hokies get the chance.

25. Ole Miss (7-4)  Last Week: 52
W, at LSU 31-13
next game: Mississippi State
The Ranking Should Be Higher Because … the Rebels are now on a four-game winning streak coming off a dominant performance at LSU. While there might be losses to Wake Forest and Vanderbilt on the résumé, the win over Florida more than makes up for it.
The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... is this really the SEC's fifth best team? Technically, South Carolina should probably be here considering the Gamecocks have there same record and they beat the Rebels in Oxford. However, Ole Miss has gotten sharper tins then, especially on defense.

26	Miami (7-4)
27	Pitt (7-3)
28	Nebraska (7-4)
29	West Virginia (7-3)
30	BYU (10-2)
31	Northwestern (9-3)
32	South Carolina (7-4)
33	California (7-4)
34	Kansas (6-5)
35	Oregon (8-3)
36	Ball State (11-0)
37	Wisconsin (7-5)
38	Connecticut (6-3)
39	Wake Forest (6-5)
40	Arizona (6-5)
41	LSU (7-4)
42	Central Michigan (8-3)
43	Western Michigan (9-2)
44	Rutgers (6-5)
45	Kentucky (6-5)
46	Clemson (5-6)
47	South Florida (6-4)
48	Auburn (5-6)
49	Mississippi State (4-7)
50	Virginia (5-6)
51	Minnesota (7-5)
52	Illinois (5-7)
53	Vanderbilt (6-5)
54	Arkansas (4-7)
55	Houston (7-4)
56	Tulsa (9-2)
57	Notre Dame (6-5)
58	Navy (6-4)
59	Air Force (8-4)
60	Louisville (5-6)
61	Kansas State (5-7)
62	Rice (8-3)
63	Louisiana Tech (7-4)
64	Arizona State (4-6)
65	Baylor (4-7)
66	NC State (5-6)
67	Texas A&M (4-7)
68	Colorado (5-6)
69	Southern Miss (5-6)
70	East Carolina (7-4)
71	UCLA (4-6)
72	Stanford (5-7)
73	Purdue (4-8)
74	Colorado State (6-6)
75	Nevada (6-5)
76	Tennessee (4-7)
77	Troy (7-4)
78	Michigan (3-9)
79	Wyoming (4-8)
80	UNLV (5-7)
81	Duke (4-7)
82	Northern Illinois (6-5)
83	Indiana (3-9)
84	New Mexico (4-8)
85	Memphis (5-6)
86	UTEP (5-6)
87	Buffalo (7-4)
88	Fresno State (7-4)
89	Iowa State (2-10)
90	Bowling Green (5-6)
91	Syracuse (3-8)
92	San Jose State (6-6)
93	Army (3-8)
94	UCF (4-7)
95	UAB (3-8)
96	Marshall (4-7)
97	UL Monroe (3-9)
98	Toledo (3-8)
99	Ohio (3-8)
100	Akron (5-6)
101	Florida Atlantic (5-6)
102	UL Lafayette (5-6)
103	Utah State (2-9)
104	Hawaii (6-5)
105	FIU (4-6)
106	Kent State (3-8)
107	Middle Tennessee (5-6)
108	Arkansas State (5-5)
109	Temple (4-7)
110	Washington State (2-10)
111	San Diego State (2-10)
112	Washington (0-11)
113	New Mexico State (3-8)
114	Miami Univ. (2-9)
115	Eastern Michigan (2-9)
116	Tulane (2-9)
117	Idaho (2-10)
118	SMU (1-10)
119	North Texas (1-10)