2009 CFN Rankings
Week 6, Oct. 11
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2009
Harris Poll
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2009
Coaches' Poll
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2009
AP Poll
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Week 5
1. Alabama 6-0
Last Week: W, at Ole Miss 22-3
This Week: South Carolina
Why the ranking is too high: For the first
time, the passing game showed a few holes. Greg
McElroy wasn't razor-sharp against Ole Miss and the
offense had to settle for too many field goals. It
didn't matter in the easy win, but now isn't the
time to start slipping in any way. It's nitpicking,
though. Bama is playing better than anyone in
America.
2. Florida 5-0
Last Week: W, at LSU 13-3
This Week: Arkansas
Why the ranking is too high: This might sound
crazy for an offense that's among the top five in
the nation in scoring, yards, rushing, and
efficiency, but does Florida really have
what it takes to keep up the pace in a true
shootout? The best offense the Gators have faces
this is ... Tennessee?! Arkansas might have a
puncher's chance to pull off the upset.
Why the ranking is too low: Defense and the
lines. The offensive and defensive fronts manhandled
LSU, and while the offense might not have the
wideouts or quite enough explosiveness through the
air, it has dominant lines. Hog QB Ryan Mallett
should be under pressure all game long.
3. Texas 5-0
Last Week: W, Colorado 38-14
This Week: Oklahoma
Why the ranking is too high: That was a way
too shaky start against Colorado. The Buffs were
driving when a pick-six turned the game around.
Chalk up to a lack of focus with next week's huge
game looming, but this isn't the same Texas team as
last year. At least not at the moment; there was no
running game against CU. Colt McCoy
has been fine, and he was accurate against Colorado, but
he's not playing at a Heisman level.
Why the ranking is too low: Boo-hoo. The
running game might not be firing on all cylinders
and that was way too shaky a performance against
Colorado, but the Longhorns have won every game by
double digits and have found ways to make the close
games into blowouts in a blink of an eye. The
defense is playing better than it has in years.
4. Virginia Tech 5-1
Last Week: W, Boston College 48-14
This Week: at Georgia Tech
Why the ranking is too high: The Hokies were
way too close to losing to Nebraska a few weeks ago,
and might have lost that game if it was in Lincoln,
while the Duke win was a big too tight for a team
ranked this high. The passing game rocked against
Boston College, but it's going to be mediocre all
season long.
Why the ranking is too low: The defense,
when it wants to be, is stifling. Boston College QB
Dave Shinskie completed just 1-of-12 passes for four
yards with two interceptions. If you buy the belief
that Alabama is the No. 1 team in the country,
Virginia Tech might be No. 2.
5. Nebraska 4-1
Last Week: W, at Missouri 27-12
This Week: Texas Tech
Why the ranking is too high: The offense took
a while to show up against Missouri. So far, that's
the only win of note, and while it's a good one, for
about three quarters this looked like a team that
didn't belong anywhere near the top ten. There's
still more to prove, but that chance likely won't
come until the Oklahoma game on November 7th.
Why the ranking is too low: The Husker
defense has become special. It was special to start
the season, but after what Ndamukong Suh and the D
did to Missouri, now it looks Big 12 title good. If
the Big 12's No. 1 pass defense stops Texas Tech
next week, then the Huskers might be a lock for the
Big 12 Championship. Would a 12-1 champion have a
shot at Pasadena? It's not too early to think big
for a team with a D this good.
6. Miami 4-1
Last Week: W, Florida A&M 48-16
This Week: at UCF
Why the ranking is too high: The offense has
been merely average. While Jacory Harris has been
efficient, the running game hasn't been consistent.
There are way too many turnovers and the run defense
has been fine, but nothing special. The Oklahoma win
might be overrated since No. 14 wasn't slinging it
for the other side.
Why the ranking is too low: It's not. The
Canes will have a great record because of the
schedule, and the Georgia Tech win will look better
and better as the season goes on, but this isn't a
top five team right now.
7. USC 4-1
Last Week: Didn't Play This Week
This Week: at Notre Dame
Why the ranking is too high: Notre Dame might
win in South Bend. If that gets into any sort of a
shootout, can USC keep up? The passing game hasn't
exactly exploded. The Washington loss is an issue
that will cost the team all season long.
Why the ranking is too low: The defense has
been fantastic. The Ohio State win is looking better
and better, and with the time off, the offense might
be stronger with Matt Barkley getting time to heal
up. Winning the last two games by a combined score
of 57 to 9 isn't bad.
8. Ohio State 5-1
Last Week: W, Wisconsin 31-13
This Week: at Purdue
Why the ranking is too high: Uhhhhh, the
offense? Terrelle Pryor was awful against Wisconsin
and the passing game has gone bye-bye. Can the
Buckeyes keep up if anyone, like Purdue, gets up
early? The offense is tenth in the Big Ten.
Why the ranking is too low: The defense is
special. That's a very, very good Wisconsin team
that the D kept out of the end zone, while Ohio
State proved to be Ohio State yet again with a kick
return for a score and two defensive touchdowns. The
Buckeyes found a way. The defensive line has been
fantastic.
9. Iowa 6-0
Last Week: W, Michigan 30-28
This Week: at Wisconsin
Why the ranking is too high: The Hawkeyes are
probably going to lose at Wisconsin. The offense
finally showed up in the win over Michigan, but it's
hardly a consistent attack and the running game is
mediocre at best. As good as the defense has been at
times, there isn't any pressure being generated
while the run defense got rumbled on a bit by the
Wolverines.
Why the ranking is too low: With a ten-game
winning streak, the Hawkeyes have been doing
something right. The defense makes the big plays
when needed while Ricky Stanzi is doing a nice job
with the offense to capitalize on mistakes. However,
this is about as high as the team can be considering
the problems with Northern Iowa and Arkansas State.
10. Oklahoma 3-2
Last Week: W, Baylor 33-7
This Week: Texas
Why the ranking is too high: The best win so
far was against ... Tulsa? Yeah, the two losses were
by a total of two points, but the defense, as good
as the stats might be, hasn't shown it can come up
clutch. Texas should be able to hit on big plays
down the middle of the field as much as it wants to.
Why the ranking is too low: No. 14 is back.
He might have thrown a slew of incompletions against
Baylor, but he looked great and the receivers were
the main problem with too many drops. It's not fair
to do this, but yeah, OU might be at least two
points better if Sam Bradford had been healthy all
season.
11. Georgia Tech 5-1
Last Week: W, at Florida State 49-44
This Week: Virginia Tech
Why the ranking is too high: The defense has
been surprisingly bad. Florida State's Christian
Ponder threw the ball at will against one of the
nation's worst pass defenses. There isn't enough
pressure into the backfield to give Virginia Tech's
Tyrod Taylor any problems last week.
Why the ranking is too low: If you really
believe in Miami, then Georgia Tech might be a top
ten ranked team with an offense that no one appears
to have a prayer of stopping at the moment. The
Virginia Tech game will be the big test. If the
ground game rolls for close to 300 this week, then
it's look out time for everyone else on the
schedule.
12. Wisconsin 5-1
Last Week: L, at Ohio State 31-13
This Week: Iowa
Why the ranking is too high: Uhhhhh, didn't
the Badgers just get whacked by Ohio State by 18
points? While the Badgers might have dominated
throughout the year, they have had a bad time
playing a full 60 minutes with too many
foot-shooting incidents. They gave up two pick sixes
and a kickoff return for a score in Columbus, but
...
Why the ranking is too low: ... they
thoroughly outplayed OSU outside of the three
miscues. Actually, the OSU defensive line played
pinball with UW QB Scott Tolzien, but the offense
kept moving and was able to get it deep time and
again. There weren't any offensive touchdowns, but
it was a better performance than the final score
indicates.
13. Boise State 5-0
Last Week: Didn't Play This Week
This Week: at Tulsa
Why the ranking is too high: That was a far
different Oregon team that the Broncos beat on
opening day. That's not necessarily fair when
ranking BSU, but considering that's the only game to
go by this year, it's important to note just how
much crisper and better the Ducks are. After the UC
Davis performance, anything less than a blasting of
Tulsa will hurt.
Why the ranking is too low: Isn't it
possible the team really is good and is simply
playing bad teams? Boise State will get to the BCS
if it goes unbeaten, but it's going to be hard to
get too much respect without winning every game by
four touchdowns. The WAC is awful, and there
shouldn't be a real test until the Nevada game in
late November.
14. Oregon 5-1
Last Week: W, at UCLA 24-10
This Week: at Washington (Oct. 24)
Why the ranking is too high: This isn't quite
the same team with Jeremiah Masoli hurting. The
passing game is non-existent and it was a bit too
much of a struggle to get past UCLA, but that's
nitpicking. The Ducks are playing as well as anyone
in the Pac 10 and has USC coming to Autzen in a few
weeks.
Why the ranking is too low: Would you take
Oregon or Boise State on a neutral field right now?
It might be a coin flip, but Oregon lost when it had
its chance to start the season and blew it. The
running game has been dominate and the special teams
have been excellent.
15. Cincinnati 5-0
Last Week: Didn't Play This Week
This Week: at South Florida
Why the ranking is too high: The Bearcats
have to be sharper than they were against Fresno
State and Miami University. They couldn't go on many
long drives and have been a disaster in time of
possession. The team is way overdue for a clunker,
and it could be walking into a buzzsaw in a
nationally televised game at South Florida.
Why the ranking is too low: The win at
Oregon State is looking better and better. The
Bearcats lead the nation in sacks and tackles for
loss, and they're third in scoring offense. They're
really good, and they need to show it off this week
to show a skeptical nation what they can do.
16. LSU 5-1
Last Week: L, Florida 13-3
This Week: Auburn
Why the ranking is too high: The offense
wasn't just bad against Florida because Florida is
fantastic; the offense was bad because it's bad. The
Tigers are last in the SEC in total offense, which
is tough to do in a conference with Vanderbilt,
while the defensive line hasn't been anything to
write home about. LSU ... LSU ... is last
in the SEC in sacks and tackles for loss.
Why the ranking is too low: The athletes
are there and the talent is there to do far more.
Yeah, the Florida game could've been played for 25
quarters and LSU probably wouldn't have scored more
than three points, but the defense held the Gators
to just 13 points. The defense, despite the shoddy
play on the line, is doing a decent job overall.
17. Arkansas 3-2
Last Week: W, Auburn 44-23
This Week: at Florida
Why the ranking is too high: The defense
isn't going to stop anyone all year. Turnovers were
the only reason the Hogs kept the Auburn attack
under wraps, and they're going to have a nightmare
of a time with the efficient Florida passing game.
The offense will bog down at times when Ryan Mallett
is under pressure. Alabama proved that.
Why the ranking is too low: But if the
offense is moving, it has a puncher's chance against
anyone. Mallett might be the best pro QB prospect in
the SEC, while the running game got going against
Auburn with Michael Smith coming up with a big day.
The win over Auburn was better than you think.
18. TCU 5-0
Last Week: W, at Air Force 20-17
This Week: Colorado State
Why the ranking is too high: To be considered
among the best teams in America, you have to do
better than 20-17 against Air Force. The Horned Frog
offense has been fine, but it hasn't exactly faced a
slew of killer defenses, while Clemson might have
the best offense the defense has faced. Basically,
it's time to see more.
Why the ranking is too low: Do you want to
face this defense? When it's time to turn it on,
this ultra-aggressive group can annoy anyone in
America. The 4-2-5 is almost perfect to stop the
spread, and it's going to get its chance to shine
against BYU in a few weeks and with Utah in
mid-November.
19. Auburn 5-1
Last Week: L, at Arkansas, 44-23
This Week: Kentucky
Why the ranking is too high: This is still a
work in progress. The Tigers looked terrific over
the first five games of the season, but the
turnovers started coming and Arkansas took
advantage. There's still a question mark about the
team's consistency after the loss, and the run
defense could use some work.
Why the ranking is too low: The win at
Tennessee looks a lot better now. The Arkansas
offense is going to do bad things to a lot of teams,
and there's plenty of time to make amends with a
trip to LSU coming up and the Alabama game to end
the season. The offense really is good ... when it's
not turning the ball over. Auburn is still 15th in
the nation in turnover margin after fumbling it away
three times.
20. Kansas 5-0
Last Week: W, Iowa State 41-36
This Week: at Colorado
Why the ranking is too high: Uhhhhhhh, 41-36
at home against Iowa State? Is it really time to
start taking KU seriously after struggling so much
with a mediocre Cyclone team? The secondary has been
lousy even though there's been a strong pass rush,
and uh oh, Oklahoma and Texas Tech are coming up
soon.
Why the ranking is too low: As strange as
this might sound, the Duke win is looking a whole
bunch better. The offense is humming averaging 519
yards per game with Todd Reesing in total command.
Kerry Meier caught 16 passes, while Dezmon Briscoe
caught 12.
21. South Florida 5-0
Last Week: Didn't Play This Week
This Week: Cincinnati
Why the ranking is too high: Is the team
ready for primetime? The win over Florida State
doesn't appear to be the program-changer it did at
the time, while there's still a lot of proving to do
with a mediocre rest of the schedule. The offense
had better be perfect with Cincinnati coming to town
for a huge Thursday night game.
Why the ranking is too low: The offensive
line has been terrific, the offense keeps on humming
with B.J. Daniels at the helm, and it seems like the
team is just scratching the surface. If the Bulls
beat Cincinnati, then a top ten ranking isn't out of
the question.
22. Penn State 5-1
Last Week: W, Eastern Illinois, 52-3
This Week: Minnesota
Why the ranking is too high: Ooooooh. Eastern
Illinois ... ooooooh. Penn State is still trying to
do damage control after the loss to Iowa, and so
far, the best win is over, um, uh, ahhh, ummmmm,
Temple? It's time the Nittany Lions show they can
produce against someone with a pulse.
Why the ranking is too low: Yeah, the team
is playing a lot of lightweights, but it's getting
chances to tune things up. The offensive line needs
the time, and the passing game got in some good work
against Eastern Illinois. The defense really is
good.
23. West Virginia 4-1
Last Week: W, at Syracuse, 34-13
This Week: Marshall
Why the ranking is too high: The Colorado win
doesn't appear to be any big deal now, and with East
Carolina stinking it up, the best win so far might
be against Syracuse. The defense is fine, but it's
giving up too many passing yards while the turnovers
keep on flowing.
Why the ranking is too low: The offense is
moving the ball. Jarrett Brown is growing into an
ultra-efficient passer while Noel Devine has
somewhat quietly been terrific. If the turnovers
stop, the poins should be coming in bunches. So far,
WVU has scored 33, 35, 30, 35, and 34.
24. Missouri 4-1
Last Week: L, Nebraska 27-12
This Week: at Oklahoma State
Why the ranking is too high: It's not. Losing
to Nebraska isn't anything to be dogged for. The
defense is far better than it was last year, and now
the Nevada win is looking fantastic. However, the
Tigers have to beat Oklahoma State to show that
they're the real deal.
Why the ranking is too low: This is still a
young team that's going to only get better and
better. Call the Nebraska loss a learning
experience. The Tigers are going to be more
effective once they figure out how to stop a
negative momentum run. That will come as QB Blaine
Gabbert sees more time.
25. South Carolina 5-1
Last Week: W, Kentucky 28-26
This Week: at Alabama
Why the ranking is too high: The four-game
winning streak might not be that impressive. Beating
Ole Miss is expected now, while there was too much
of a struggle to get by Kentucky. Now the four game
homestand is over with a trip to Alabama up next.
Playtime might be over.
Why the ranking is too low: Past South
Carolina teams would've been 3-3 right now with the
games this team has had to play. The secondary is
playing extremely well. There haven't been a slew of
nasty passing games to deal with, but the Gamecocks
are getting the job done. Winning all the close
games have been a major plus; this is a seasoned
team that has an outside shot of giving Bama a hard
time.
26. Notre Dame 4-1
27. Michigan State 3-3
28. Michigan 4-2
29. Oregon State 4-2
30. Ole Miss 3-2
31. Washington 3-3
32. Houston 4-1
33. Oklahoma State 4-1
34. BYU 5-1
35. California 3-2
36. Pitt 5-1
37. Texas Tech 4-2
38. Arizona 3-2
39. Utah 4-1
40. Stanford 4-2
41. Connecticut 3-2
42. Boston College 4-2
43. Florida State 2-4
44. Arizona State 3-2
45. Wake Forest 4-2
46. Central Michigan 5-1
47. UCLA 3-2
48. Tennessee 3-3
49. Georgia 3-3
50. Minnesota 4-2
51. Nevada 2-3
52. Air Force 3-3
53. North Carolina 4-2
54. Fresno State 2-3
55. Texas A&M 3-2
56. Mississippi State 2-4
57. Duke 3-3
58. NC State 3-3
59. Clemson 2-3
60. Kentucky 2-3
61. Louisville 2-3
62. Northwestern 4-2
63. Tulsa 4-1
64. Idaho 5-1
65. Navy 4-2
66. Baylor 3-2
67. Rutgers 4-1
68. Northern Illinois 3-2
69. Purdue 1-5
70. Syracuse 2-4
71. Southern Miss 3-3
72. Colorado State 3-3
73. Colorado 1-4
74. Virginia 2-3
75. Wyoming 4-2
76. Ohio 4-2
77. Illinois 1-4
78. Indiana 3-3
79. Marshall 4-2
80. Troy 3-2
81. Arkansas State 1-3
82. San Jose State 1-4
83. Louisiana Tech 2-3
84. UCF 3-2
85. SMU 3-2
86. East Carolina 2-3
87. Western Michigan 3-3
88. Toledo 3-3
89. Kansas State 3-3
90. Middle Tennessee 3-2
91. Maryland 2-4
92. Bowling Green 2-4
93. UNLV 2-4
94. Iowa State 3-3
95. Akron 1-4
96. North Texas 1-4
97. Kent State 2-4
98. Louisiana-Lafayette 3-2
99. UAB 2-3
100. ULM 3-2
101. Temple 3-2
102. Buffalo 2-4
103. Tulane 2-3
104. Army 3-3
105. Vanderbilt 2-4
106. Hawaii 2-3
107. Memphis 2-4
108. Washington State 1-5
109. UTEP 2-4
110. New Mexico State 3-3
111. Utah State 1-4
112. FIU 1-4
113. San Diego State 2-3
114. Florida Atlantic 0-4
115. Eastern Michigan 0-5
116. Miami Univ. 0-6
117. Rice 0-6
118. Ball State 0-6
119. New Mexico 0-6
120. Western Kentucky 0-5