2009 CFN Rankings
Week 1, Sept. 6
- 2009 CFN Preseason
Rankings
-
2009
Coaches' Poll
-
Scoreboard & Game Recapsl
1. Florida 1-0
Last Week: W, Charleston Southern 62-3
Why this is too high: It was Charleston Southern. As
the season goes on, there will be many who'll point
to this waste of a game as a reason why the Gators
might not be as mighty as they'll appear.
Up next: Troy
2. USC 11-0
Last Week: W, San Jose State, 56-3
Why this is too high: San Jose State doesn't have
the best running game while the defense was helpless
to stop the Trojans. The real test comes this week.
Why this is too low: The team might be better than
past years with Matt Barkley under center. It could
be a steadier, more complete team since the
quarterback won't be asked to carry the load.
Up next: at Ohio State
3. Texas 11-0
Last Week: W, ULM, 59-20
Why this is too high: There's still a question mark
about the secondary and ULM is rebuilding. A
superior team shouldn't give away 20 points to a
team this mediocre.
Why this is too low: There might be a running game
now to take the heat off of Colt McCoy. It's only
one game, but the Longhorns really do appear to have
more answers.
Up next: at Wyoming
4. Alabama 11-0
Last Week: W, Virginia Tech, 34-24
Why this is too high: Even though the Tide dominated
the Hokies, it took too long to put the game away.
Can Bama beat a good team when everything isn't
going well with the ground game?
Why this is too low: The run defense stopped
Virginia Tech cold, and if possible, the offensive
line, retooled though it might be, appears to be
better for the ground game than last year.
Up next: FIU
5. Oklahoma State 11-0
Last Week: W, Georgia, 24-10
Why this is too high: The vaunted offense looked
extremely pedestrian. Zac Robinson was mediocre,
Kendall Hunter was held in check, OT Russell Okung
got dinged up, and Dez Bryant, two touchdown grabs
and all, got rattled by the Dawg secondary.
Why this is too low: The team didn't play its best
and it still beat a team the caliber of Georgia by
two touchdowns. The defense found a pass rush.
Up next: Houston
6. California 1-0
Last Week: W, Maryland 52-13
Why this is too high: It's California. Let's just
wait to see when the bizarre distraction game comes.
Why this is too low: The team really is this good.
With a veteran passer in Kevin Riley, a superstar in
RB Jahvid Best, and with a defense that's possibly
the best in the Jeff Tedford era, this is the clear
No. 2 team, and possibly the No. 1, in the Pac 10.
Up next: Eastern Washington
7. Penn State 1-0
Last Week: W, Akron, 31-0
Why this is too high: The Nittany Lions aren't
exactly going to be tested, so it'll be tough to
gauge just how good they are. The team might get
plenty of scrimmages, but will it be battle-ready?
Why this is too low: The receiving corps, the big
question coming into the season, blew through the
Zip secondary like it wasn't there. Penn State
quickly reloaded.
Up next: Syracuse.
8. Missouri 1-0
Last Week: W, Illinois, 37-9
Why this is too high: This might be a bit
ambitious off of one win, but the Tigers were every
bit as impressive, if not more so, than the teams
over the last few years. The reloading might be
done.
Why this is too low: There's more speed and
talent than the last few years. The defense stuffed
the high-end Illinois offense, while QB Blaine
Gabbert looked like the real deal and a future
all-star.
Up next: Bowling Green
9. BYU 1-0
Last Week: W, Oklahoma, 14-13
Why this is too high: It's not like the
Cougars destroyed OU. The Sooners were zombies after
the loss of Sam Bradford, but ...
Why this is too low: ... that's no excuse.
BYU's retooled O line held up against the Sooner
defensive front, and Max Hall came up with the drive
he had to have. This wasn't a cheap win in any way.
Up next: at Tulane
10. Ohio State 1-0
Last Week: W, 31-27
Why this is too high: Yeeeeesh. Ohio State
needed a tremendous play to finally put away Navy.
Any team looking to play for the national title
can't have that many problems with a service
academy.
Why this is too low: Ohio State does this
every year. There are always close calls, but they
always turn out to be in Ohio State's favor. There
are no real expectations for the USC game, so the
team can be loose.
Up next: USC
11. Georgia 0-1
Last Week: L, at Oklahoma State, 24-10
Why this is too high: The Dawgs really do
miss their playmakers. They were supposed to reload,
but not having Matthew Stafford and Knowshon Moreno
killed the offense against Oklahoma State. Now the
line is without Trinton Sturdivant to a knee injury.
Why this is too low: The defense kept the
high-powered Cowboy offense in check and stuffed the
running game. If the offense can come around, this
could quickly become a dangerous team that makes a
ton of noise in SEC play.
Up next: South Carolina
12. LSU 1-0
Last Week: W, at Washington, 31-23
Why this is too high: Washington hasn't won a
game since 2007, and new era or not, this is a team
that a top team has to put away without a problem.
Even though LSU played well, it was still a fight to
get the W.
Why this is too low: The parts were working.
Even with RB Charles Scott held in check, the
passing game came through. There weren't a slew of
mistakes and getting out of the longest road trip
ever with a win is a plus no matter what.
Up next: Vanderbilt
13. Oklahoma 0-1
Last Week: L, BYU, 14-13
Why this is too high: This doesn't appear to
be the same team without Sam Bradford. There was
little energy and not enough crisp execution without
its Heisman winner under center, and this might not
be Oklahoma without him.
Why this is too low: This really still might
be Oklahoma. Bradford might not be there
for a few weeks, but there's still an NFL-caliber
running game and the best defensive line in the
country. Watch how the rest of the team steps up for
a few weeks.
Up next: Idaho State
14. Virginia Tech 0-1
Last Week: L, Alabama 34-24
Why this is too high: Where's the run
defense? Alabama might be fantastic, but the Hokies
were supposed to be a rock up front and got shoved
all over the place.
Why this is too low: Even though they didn't
have anything going their way, and even though the
offense sputtered and the defense was flattened,
they found a way to stay alive until late.
Up next: Marshall
15. Miami 1-0
Last Week: W, at Florida State, 38-34
Why this is too high: Where was the defense?
Oh sure, it was fantastic in the final moments when
it had to hold firm, but it got torched way too
often by the FSU passing game. If QB Jacory Harris
gets hurt, it's over.
Why this is too low: There's a ton of speed
and athleticism. It still might take a full year for
all the young players to figure out what they're
doing, but once again, Miami can fly and can beat
almost anyone on raw talent alone.
Up next: Georgia Tech (Sept. 17)
16. Ole Miss 1-0
Last Week: W, at Memphis, 45-14
Why this is too high: Don't be fooled by the
final score. Ole Miss was in a dogfight until late
thanks to sloppy play from Jevan Snead and the
offense. However ...
Why this is too low: ... when you play on the
road against a rival, struggle, and still win by 31
points, it shows how much fight there is. This
looked like a team in need of some cupcake, tune-out
games. That comes. That'll come next against SE
Louisiana.
Up next: Southeast Louisiana
17. Georgia Tech 1-0
Last Week: W, Jacksonville State, 37-17
Why this is too high: The defense was fine
against Jacksonville State, but it didn't dominate.
It didn't have to, but it would've been nice if
there weren't 17 points allowed (it's nitpicking).
Why this is too low: Look out. Jonathan Dwyer
and the running game appear to be in midseason form,
and now there's an even more efficient passing
attack. After one week, Georgia Tech is ninth in
passing efficiency to go long with its 335 rushing
yards.
Up next: Clemson
18. Florida State 0-1
Last Week: L, Miami 38-34
Why this is too high: Where was the defense?
Where was the running game? For all the good things
Christian Ponder and the offense did, it was an
incomplete game in the classic loss to the Canes.
There needs to be a better balance.
Why this is too low: If Jarmon Forston makes
the catch, Florida State might be in top ten, or at
least in the top 15. There are playmakers and there
appears to be a ton of talent and athleticism, but
it all needs to come together. When it does, this
could still be the class of the ACC.
Up next: Jacksonville State
19. Notre Dame 1-0
Last Week: W, Nevada, 35-0
Why this is too high: Nevada's pass defense
was the worst in America last year and it wasn't
supposed to be any better coming into the season.
All the big passing numbers might have been a
mirage.
Why this is too low: Nevada might have a
lousy secondary, but the stars from last year's
tremendous pass rush were back and the Irish did a
great job of keeping Jimmy Clausen clean. The
Michigan game will be the test, but the team really
does appear to be close to complete.
Up next: at Michigan
20. Cincinnati 1-0
Last Week: Q, at Rutgers, 47-15
Why this is too high: Maybe beating Rutgers
isn't that big a deal. Cincinnati is still
rebuilding and retooling a bit and might need a few
games to be what it's supposed to be. The Bearcats
had a problem with the Scarlet Knight power game,
but it had to be abandoned once the score got out of
hand.
Why this is too low: Tony Pike was
magnificent. He was in total command of an offense
that, outside of an interception, was nearly perfect
with the midrange passing game. The backs were
making plays, the receiving corps got the work
spread around, and the defense did its part to keep
it from being ashootout.
Up next: SE Missouri State
21. Boise State 1-0
Last Week: W, Oregon, 19-8
Why this is too high: The win was at home and
was talked about as the program's BCS Championship.
It was a dominant performance, but Oregon was
clearly not itself compared to last year. Wait and
see if Oregon really does turn out to be good.
Why this is too low: The defense stopped the
Ducks cold, while the offense did what it had to do
against a D that's coming into the season thinking
it could lead the way to a sleeper run for the Pac
10 title. All Boise State can do is play the teams
on the schedule, and it's one down, one dominant
statement win.
Up next: C
22. Kansas 1-0
Last Week: W, Northern Colorado, 49-3
Why this is too high: The defense isn't going
to be anything special. It held Northern Colorado to
three points, but it gave up some yards in the
process.
Why this is too low: Todd Reesing and company
might have the best Big 12 offense outside of
Stillwater. The Jayhawks are going to be able to
throw on anyone, but they were able to run wild this
week with 328 yards.
Up next: UTEP
23. West Virginia 1-0
Last Week: Liberty 33-20
Why this is too high: Final score, West
Virginia 33, Liberty 20. Liberty. There was a little
bit of work needing to be done late to ensure the
win and the offense wasn't consistent. There might
not be that luxury over the next few weeks against
East Carolina, Auburn, and Colorado.
Why this is too low: It's not like the
Mountaineers were in any real danger. There might
not be a Steve Slaton or a Pat White around, but
there are plenty of good playmakers who appear ready
to have big seasons. Noel Devine is a star in the
making, while Jarrett Brown ran extremely well as
the full-time starter.
Up next: East Carolina
24. TCU 0-0
Last Week: Didn't Play This Week
Why this is too high: Will the offense be
rolling right out of the gate? It might not have to
with Virginia and Texas State up first.
Why this is too low: The Mountain West has
proven itself so far with a few really nice wins;
TCU might be the best team in the lot. Remember,
this is the team that beat Boise State in Poinsettia
Bowl.
Up next: at Virginia
25. Wisconsin 1-0
Last Week: W, Northern Illinois
Why this is too high: Can the Badgers put
together a complete game? They let Northern Illinois
back in it late and had to restart the engine to
finally come away with the win. The defense wasn't
nearly as tight as it should've been.
Why this is too low: Don't be fooled by the
final score; Wisconsin owned this game. This appears
to be the Badger team everyone was waiting for last
year, except with much, much better quarterbacks.
Scott Tolzien was terrific through the air, while
backup, Curt Phillips, showed the extra element with
a ground game. Wisconsin threw for 281 yards and ran
for 152. Wisconsin.
Up next: Fresno State
26. Nebraska 1-0
27. Oregon State 1-0
28. Auburn 1-0
29. Pitt 1-0
30. Clemson 1-0
31. Michigan State 1-0
32. Arizona 1-0
33. North Carolina 1-0
34. Tennessee 1-0
35. Texas Tech 1-0
36. Arkansas 1-0
37. Oregon 0-1
38. Iowa 1-0
39. Utah 1-0
40. Michigan 1-0
41. Illinois 0-1
42. Arizona State 1-0
43. South Carolina 1-0
44. Colorado State 0-1
45. South Florida 1-0
46. NC State 0-1
47. Connecticut 1-0
48. Colorado 0-1
49. Baylor 1-0
50. Boston College 1-0
51. Northwestern 1-0
52. East Carolina 1-0
53. Kentucky 1-0
54. UCLA 1-0
55. Rutgers 0-1
56. Stanford 1-0
57. Vanderbilt 1-0
58. Fresno State 1-0
59. Minnesota 1-0
60. Purdue 1-0
61. Texas A&M 1-0
62. Wake Forest 0-1
63. Maryland 0-1
64. Mississippi State 1-0
65. Washington 0-1
66. Navy 0-1
67. Louisville 1-0
68. Houston 1-0
69. Southern Miss 1-0
70. Air Force 1-0
71. Syracuse 0-1
72. Northern Illinois 0-1
73. Nevada 0-1
74. Kansas State 1-0
75. Iowa State 1-0
76. Bowling Green 1-0
77. Indiana 1-0
78. Arkansas State 1-0
79. UNLV 1-0
80. San Jose State 0-1
81. Toledo 0-1
82. Memphis 0-1
83. Central Michigan 0-1
84. Louisiana Tech 0-1
85. Western Michigan 0-1
86. Ohio 0-1
87. Virginia 0-1
88. Wyoming 1-0
89. Troy 0-1
90. Tulsa 1-0
91. Buffalo 1-0
92. Army 1-0
93. Duke 0-1
94. Marshall 1-0
95. Washington State 0-1
96. Akron 0-1
97. North Texas 1-0
98. New Mexico 0-1
99. San Diego State 0-1
100. Kent State 1-0
101. Ball State 0-1
102. Florida Atlantic 0-1
103. Middle Tennessee 0-1
104. UAB 1-0
105. UTEP 0-1
106. Eastern Michigan 0-1
107. UCF 1-0
108. Utah State 0-1
109. Hawaii 1-0
110. Miami Univ. 0-1
111. Louisiana-Lafayette 1-0
112. FIU 0-0
113. Rice 0-1
114. Tulane 0-1
115. SMU 1-0
116. ULM 0-1
117. Idaho 1-0
118. Temple 0-1
119. Western Kentucky 0-1
120. New Mexico State 0-1
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