2009 CFN Rankings
Week 2, Sept. 13
- 2009 CFN Preseason
Rankings
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2009
Coaches' Poll
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Scoreboard & Game Recaps
- CFN Rankings
Week 1
1. Florida 2-0
Last Week: W, Troy 56-6
Why this is too high: As easy as the first
two wins have been, Tim Tebow hasn't been
razor-sharp. He has been good, and the Gators are
third in the nation in passing and third in passing
efficiency, but there have been some misfires. Also,
he was rocked by Troy; he tool some big-time shots.
Up next: Tennessee
2. USC 2-0
Last Week: W, at Ohio State 18-15
Why this is too high: The offense wasn't
exactly crisp against the Buckeyes. If you don't
believe that Ohio State is that great, then you
don't believe in the Trojans.
Why this is too low: Other than one big
pass play, the D stuffed the Buckeyes. Now the team
knows it has a leader in Matt Barkley to count on.
Up next: At Washington
3. Texas 2-0
Last Week: W, at Wyoming 41-10
Why this is too high: Beating up ULM and
Wyoming isn't anything to chirp about. The defense
ahs been surprisingly soft, and it's not just
because the WarHawks and Cowboys were in comeback
mode.
Why this is too low: 100-30. Texas was
pushed for a few seconds by Wyoming, but everything
is clicking going into the Texas Tech game. The
offense is rolling with several different rushing
options to take the pressure off of Colt McCoy.
Up next: Texas Tech
4. Alabama 2-0
Last Week: W, FIU 40-14
Why this is too high: The line has been a
killer for the ground game, but it has hardly been
special in pass protection. That's nitpicking,
though. The Tide is humming and is playing like a
true national title contender.
Why this is too low: Very quickly, Bama has
the best backfield in the nation. There are too many
productive, talented backs to keep happy. Trent
Richardson was the star this week after Mark Ingram
rumbled over Virginia Tech.
Up next: North Texas
5. California 2-0
Last Week: W, Eastern Washington 59-7
Why this is too high: The secondary has been
beaten a bit too much. While Maryland and Eastern
Washington were bombing away to try to keep up,
Cal's pass defense wasn't exactly a brick wall.
Why this is too low: Jahvid Best. In two
games, the junior running back has rushed for 287
yards and three touchdowns, averaging more than ten
yards per carry, and he has caught four passes for
42 yards and a score. He's the key part of an
offense that's destroying everything in its path.
Up next: at Minnesota
6. Penn State 2-0
Last Week: W, Syracuse 28-7
Why this is too high: The offensive line
isn't playing up to Penn State snuff. The Syracuse
run defense isn't bad, thanks to tackle Arthur
Jones, but the Nittany Lions should be be better at
pounding the ball. At the moment, Penn State is last
in the Big Ten and 94th in the nation in rushing.
Why this is too low: The defense is back to
form. The tune-ups against Akron and Syracuse
sharpened up the slightly rebuilding D, while Daryll
Clark and the passing game have been fantastic.
There's yet another scrimmage, Temple, before
dealing with Iowa.
Up next: Temple
7. Ohio State 1-1
Last Week: L, USC 18-15
Why this is too high: The offense still
hasn't shown anything. Not producing against USC
isn't anything to be upset about, but the Buckeyes
couldn't move the ball on Navy.
Why this is too low: Losing to USC is no
reason to be punished. If USC is a top three team,
Ohio State might be No. 4.
Up next: Toledo
8. Virginia Tech 1-1
Last Week: W, Marshall 52-10
Why this is too high: Oh yeah, the running
game. The Hokies did whatever they wanted to against
Marshall on the way to 444 yards. There's no reason
to punish Tech for losing to Alabama.
Why this is too low: There's no passing
game whatsoever. There's a chance that Nebraska
stuffs the run next week and there won't be anything
that Tyrod Taylor and the Hokie O can do about it.
Up next: Nebraska
9. BYU 2-0
Last Week: W, at Tulane, 54-3
Why this is too high: Should the Cougars be
given full and total credit for beating Oklahoma
without Sam Bradford for a half? That's going to be
one of the big questions all year.
Why this is too low: That's exactly what
you do if you're BYU. If you're trying to prove the
Oklahoma win wasn't a fluke, then you destroy a bad
Tulane team on the road.
Up next: Florida State
10. Oklahoma 1-1
Last Week: W, Idaho State 64-0
Why this is too high: Oooooohhhh. Idaho
State. Biiiiig man. QB Landry Jones still ahs to
prove he can play, while the O line needs to be able
pave the for the backs on the goal line.
Why this is too low: It's holding pattern
time. Bradford is expected to be back in a few
weeks, and then this might be the No. 2 team in
America. However, that might take a few weeks and
Miami is looming.
Up next: Tulsa
11. Auburn 2-0
Last Week: W, Mississippi State 49-24
Why this is too high: The jury is still out
on whether or not the team really is any good, and
the passing game is a serious question mark after
the win over Mississippi State, but ...
Why this is too low: ... the Gus Malzahn
offense is rolling on the ground. Louisiana Tech and
Miss State have decent run defenses, and Auburn
ripped off 691 yards in the first two games. Ben
Tate is seventh in the nation in rushing and Onterio
McCalebb is ninth.
Up next: West Virginia
12. Ole Miss 1-0
Last Week: Didn't Play
Why this is too high: The Rebels were awful
in the opening week, even though they beat Memphis
45-14. The shaky performance wasn't an indicator of
the final score, and that was to a team that got
whacked by Middle Tennessee.
Why this is too low: The team might have
simply had an off week. The Rebels weren't great and
still won in a blowout. They get another tune-up
game before diving into SEC play at South Carolina.
Up next: SE Louisiana
13. Michigan 2-0
Last Week: W, Notre Dame 38-34
Why this is too high: It's possible that
beating Notre Dame isn't that big a deal. The
defense didn't exactly slow down the Irish offense;
the secondary was a disaster.
Why this is too low: With Tate Forcier at
the helm, the Wolverine offense all of a sudden has
a major spark and looks far, far different than it
ever did last season. The expectations are now
jacked through the roof ... and rightly so.
Up next: Eastern Michigan
14. Cincinnati 2-0
Last Week: W, SE Missouri State
Why this is too high: Rutgers might be awful
and SE Missouri State isn't exactly going to
challenge Florida as the nation's most dominant
team. Next week, the Bearcats will have to play
someone decent, Oregon State, to earn this spot.
Why this is too low: The offense has yet to
be stopped, or even slowed down. UC is No. 1 in the
nation in passing efficiency, fifth in total
offense, and sixth in scoring offense. The defense
has taken it away seven times, and there has been
just one turnover.
Up next: at Oregon State
15. Missouri 2-0
Last Week: W, Bowling Green 27-20
Why this is too high: Growing pains, growing
pains, growing pains. The Tigers were fantastic in
week one in the blowout over Illinois, and wildly
inconsistent against Bowling Green. Call this a
wait-and-see ranking.
Why this is too low: On talent and
athleticism, the Tigers have the playmakers to do
some big things in the Big 12. Once QB Blaine
Gabbert and the offense settles in, this could be a
more dangerous team than the past two North winners.
Up next: Furman
16. LSU 2-0
Last Week: W, Vanderbilt 23-9
Why this is too high: The Tigers haven't
shown anything yet to suggest that they're back to
national title-level form. The offense continues to
putter along, even though Washington and Vanderbilt
are Washington and Vanderbilt, while the defense has
hardly been dominant. LSU has been fine, but nothing
special.
Why this is too low: On talent and
athleticism, the team should be better. At some
point, the offensive line will show up and the
defensive front will start to play like an LSU
defensive front. At least that's the hope around
Baton Rouge.
Up next: Louisiana-Lafayette
17. Houston 2-0
Last Week: W, at Oklahoma State 45-35
Why this is too high: Name recognition.
Houston doesn't have the brand to be a top
20-caliber team, even if the players are in place
and the offense is hot enough to be ranked even
higher. The defensive line has yet to show up in the
first two games.
Why this is too low: If you believe
Oklahoma State was a top five-caliber team, then you
have to give the Cougars more respect. Case Keenum
and the offense will hang up 400 passing yards per
game every game.
Up next: Texas Tech (Sept. 26)
18. Oklahoma State 1-1
Last Week: L, Houston 45-35
Why this is too high: Something doesn't seem
quite right. The offense hasn't been in sync, RB
Kendall Hunter is hurt, and QB Zac Robinson has been
stunningly mediocre. OSU is tenth in the Big 12 and
68th in the nation in total offense?!
Why this is too low: Beating Georgia is
still impressive, even if the Dawgs aren't as good
as originally expected. The offensive talent is
still there to get it all together and start
rolling. This still could turn out to be the Big 12
South champion ... with a lot of work.
Up next: Rice
19. Georgia 1-1
Last Week: W, South Carolina 41-37
Why this is too high: The Dawgs couldn't
generate any offense against Oklahoma State, and
couldn't come up with any defense against South
Carolina. This is an uneven team that could be in
for a long year.
Why this is too low: At least the offense
works ... sort of. Georgia isn't exactly rolling,
with no real running game to speak of and the last
ranked SEC offense, but there might be an easy fix
if the defense can start to force turnovers and if
the line can get into the backfield.
Up next: at Arkansas
20. Miami 1-0
Last Week: Didn't Play This Week
Why this is too high: Beating Florida State
doesn't seem like that big a deal now after
Jacksonville State almost tagged the Noles. Miami
will need to show some rushing offense and the
defense will have to quickly emerge.
Why this is too low: This is a rested and
ready team that has has two weeks to prepare for
Georgia Tech. With the Yellow Jackets this week and
Virginia Tech to follow, the Canes might not see a
forward pass until the Oklahoma showdown.
Up next: Georgia Tech
21. Georgia Tech 2-0
Last Week: W, Clemson 30-27
Why this is too high: The Yellow Jacket
passing game wasn't just abysmal against Clemson, it
was a disaster. They got away with the win on a few
big Josh Nesbitt throws, but they won't be that
fortunate if someone else has success at stopping
the ground game.
Why this is too low: When the running
attack is humming, Tech can beat anyone in the
country. The O line is playing extremely well and
the punt return game is fantastic, averaging 43
yards per try with two scores.
Up next: at Miami
22. Notre Dame 1-1
Last Week: L, at Michigan 38-34
Why this is too high: The run defense has
been good, but not great. If you don't think
Michigan is the real deal, then you don't believe
that the Irish really are back among the living.
Why this is too low: It's not like anyone
has stopped the passing game yet. Jimmy Clausen has
been beyond terrific, currently ranking third in the
nation in passing efficiency and leading an
unstoppable passing game. At least it has mostly
been unstoppable.
Up next: Michigan State
23. Nebraska 2-0
Last Week: W, Arkansas State 38-9
Why this is too high: It's not. This might be
a glaring mistake for a team that's a great matchup
for a much higher ranked Virginia Tech team.
However, the tour of the Sun Belt, beating Florida
Atlantic and Arkansas State at home, isn't a reason
to book tickets to Pasadena.
Why this is too low: Arkansas State will
end up having one of the nation's best statistical
ground games, and the Huskers shut it down. If
Virginia Tech can't throw a little bit, the Huskers
will pull off the upset in Blacksburg. Offensively,
QB Zac Lee is finding his stride at the right
time.
Up next: at Virginia Tech
24. Boise State 2-0
Last Week: W, Miami University 48-0
Why this is too high: Beating Oregon doesn't
appear to be that big a deal now. Beating Miami
University isn't a big deal. As good as the results
have been, the pass rush has been mediocre and the
ground game has been average.
Why this is too low: At home, Boise State
would beat most of the teams ranked higher. The run
defense has been fantastic and QB Kellen Moore has
been nearly flawless.
Up next: at Fresno State
25. Kansas 2-0
Last Week: W, UTEP 34-7
Why this is too high: Considering the first
two games were against Northern Colorado and a
horrible UTEP team, only winning by a total of 83-10
doesn't seem that impressive. The special teams have
been mediocre, at best, while the secondary has
given up a few too many yards. But ...
Why this is too low: ... whatever. Todd
Reesing and the passing game have been on fire, the
offensive balance has been nearly perfect, and there
are three more tune-ups against Duke, Southern Miss,
and Iowa State before going on the road to face ...
Colorado?! KU will start out 6-0 before hosting
Oklahoma.
Up next: Duke
26. West Virginia 2-0
27. TCU 1-0
28. Wisconsin 2-0
29. Pitt 2-0
30. Arizona 2-0
31. Texas Tech 2-0
32. South Carolina 1-1
33. Florida State 1-1
34. Oregon State 2-0
35. Clemson 1-1
36. North Carolina 2-0
37. Arkansas 1-0
38. Iowa 2-0
39. Utah 2-0
40. UCLA 2-0
41. Central Michigan 1-1
42. Michigan State 1-1
43. Fresno State 1-1
44. Arizona State 1-0
45. Tennessee 1-1
46. South Florida 2-0
47. NC State 1-1
48. Oregon 1-1
49. Purdue 1-1
50. Connecticut 1-1
51. Baylor 1-0
52. Boston College 2-0
53. Wake Forest 1-1
54. East Carolina 1-0
55. Kentucky 1-0
56. Rutgers 1-1
57. Stanford 1-1
58. Vanderbilt 1-1
59. Illinois 1-1
60. Minnesota 2-0
61. Bowling Green 1-1
62. Air Force 1-1
63. Northwestern 2-0
64. Texas A&M 1-0
65. Colorado State 2-0
66. Mississippi State 1-1
67. Washington 1-1
68. Navy 1-1
69. Louisville 1-0
70. Southern Miss 2-0
71. Northern Illinois 1-1
72. Toledo 1-1
73. Nevada 0-1
74. Iowa State 1-1
75. Colorado 0-2
76. Maryland 1-1
77. Indiana 2-0
78. Arkansas State 1-1
79. UNLV 1-1
80. Syracuse 0-2
81. San Jose State 0-2
82. Louisiana Tech 0-2
83. Western Michigan 0-2
84. Ohio 1-1
85. UCF 1-1
86. Wyoming 1-1
87. Troy 0-2
88. Tulsa 2-0
89. Buffalo 1-1
90. Army 1-1
91. Duke 1-1
92. Marshall 1-1
93. Akron 1-1
94. North Texas 1-1
95. San Diego State 1-1
96. SMU 2-0
97. Louisiana-Lafayette 2-0
98. Florida Atlantic 0-1
99. Middle Tennessee 1-1
100. Memphis 0-2
101. Kent State 1-1
102. Kansas State 1-1
103. UAB 1-1
104. UTEP 0-2
105. Eastern Michigan 0-2
106. Utah State 0-1
107. Hawaii 2-0
108. Virginia 0-2
109. Washington State 0-2
110. FIU 0-1
111. Rice 0-2
112. ULM 1-1
113. New Mexico 0-2
114. Idaho 1-1
115. Miami Univ. 0-2
116. Temple 0-1
117. Tulane 0-2
118. Ball State 0-2
119. Western Kentucky 0-2
120. New Mexico State 1-1