2009 CFN Rankings
Week 7, Oct. 18
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2009
Harris Poll
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Coaches' Poll
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2009
AP Poll
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6
1. Alabama 7-0
Last Week: W, South Carolina 20-6
This Week: Tennessee
Why the ranking is too high: All of a sudden,
the passing game has gone flat. Even with the
turnovers and the problems through the air (Julio
Jones, where are you?), Mark Ingram and the running
game have been able to pick up the slack while the
defense has allowed seven points or fewer in four of
the last five games.
2. Florida 6-0
Last Week: W, Arkansas 23-20
This Week: at Mississippi State
Why the ranking is too high: The offense not producing
against LSU's defense is one thing, Tim Tebow was trying
to get his head back, but the O put it on the ground
four times and sputtered at home against Arkansas.
One bomb to Deonte Thompson aside, there are plenty
of reasons to worry about the passing game.
Why the ranking is too low: The Gators are finding
ways to win even when things aren't going well. Call
this a mere rough patch with Tebow
still trying to clear up his head and Brandon Spikes
on the sidelines. If this was the midseason lull,
then everything is fine.
3. Texas 6-0
Last Week: W, Oklahoma 16-13
This Week: at Missouri
Why the ranking is too high: Would Texas be
three points better than OU if Sam Bradford played
the whole game? The Longhorn defense dominated
Landry Jones and the Sooner attack, but the Texas
offense was shaky. Really, really shaky. OU is good
on defense, but there's little running game and Colt
McCoy hasn't been his 2008 self.
Why the ranking is too low: The defense
really is good. The run defense embarrassed the OU
backfield, keeping the Sooner ground game to -16
yards, and the offense did what it had to do to
survive a nasty rivalry game. How bad can the
offense be if Texas leads the nation in scoring?
4. USC 5-1
Last Week: W, at Notre Dame 34-27
This Week: Oregon State
Why the ranking is too high: The defense
finally faced a quarterback who can throw
consistently (we're aware of Jake Locker's work) and
the secondary struggled late. The team had a
20-point lead over the Irish and needed a late goal
line stand to close. The Irish running game worked,
but it wasn't used enough; what will Oregon do in
two weeks? What will Jacquizz Rodgers and Oregon
State do next week?
Why the ranking is too low: Matt Barkley is
growing into a superstar by the week. He was
tremendous against the Irish with big play after big
play. The D might have had problems late, but it
came up with the stop and got out with the win. And
yeah, Notre Dame really is pretty good.
5. Iowa 7-0
Last Week: W, at Wisconsin 20-10
This Week: at Michigan State
Why the ranking is too high: It doesn't
always look pretty. If you don't believe in the Big
Ten, then you don't believe that the Hawkeyes are
for real. The Northern Iowa and Arkansas State games
are still too fresh, but those memories could start
to fade if Iowa keeps doing this.
Why the ranking is too low: Winning at Penn
State and winning at Wisconsin are two fantastic
wins. Down ten in Madison, the defense put the
clamps down while the offense moved the ball
extremely well when needed. The Hawkeyes don't make
mistakes and they capitalize on every error. It's no
coincidence that Iowa is 7-0 and is fourth in the
nation in turnover margin.
6. Georgia Tech 6-1
Last Week: W, Virginia Tech 28-23
This Week: at Virginia
Why the ranking is too high: Georgia Tech
completed 1-of-7 passes against Virginia Tech, the
defense has been awful, and there's still the matter
of the 33-17 loss to Miami a few weeks ago. If Tech
doesn't win the time of possession battle, it's in
big trouble.
Why the ranking is too low: No one's stopping
this offense the rest of the way. Teams, especially
tired ones in the second half of the season, need
two weeks to prepare, and no one will get the time.
Just assume the Yellow Jackets will rumble for 300
yards per game and go from there.
7. Virginia Tech 5-2
Last Week: L, at Georgia Tech 28-23
This Week: North Carolina
Why the ranking is too high: The run defense
was awful against Alabama, got rumbled on by
Nebraska, and couldn't handle Georgia Tech. Throw in
the struggles against Duke and its passing game, and
yeah, the Hokie defense might be really overrated.
Why the ranking is too low: Tyrod Taylor is
playing better and better, and Ryan Williams might
be the best running back in America. The offense was
fine against Georgia Tech, but it didn't have the
ball enough. Taylor has quickly turned into one of
the nation's most efficient passers; he is magical
when he gets to dance around the pocket.
8. Miami 5-1
Last Week: at UCF 27-7
This Week: Clemson
Why the ranking is too high: The offensive
line is merely average. There weren't any problems
against UCF, but the Georgia Tech win was a month
ago and the Oklahoma win was with Landry Jones at
quarterback. Yes, that does matter. Consistency will
be the key the rest of the way, but will the team be
able to produce at a high level with a bull's-eye on
its back?
Why the ranking is too low: Jacory Harris.
He's showing more and more why he's a special
player, coming up with a nearly perfect game against
UCF. The Canes are better, far better, than anyone
else on the schedule, and if they win out, they'll
likely be in the national title hunt. The win over
Georgia Tech will mean everything in the
tie-breaker.
9. Oklahoma 3-3
Last Week: L, Texas 16-13
This Week: at Kansas
Why the ranking is too high: Huh? The Sooners
are 3-3, still have to answer for the loss to BYU,
are likely going to be without Sam Bradford for the
rest of the year, ran for -16 yards against Texas,
and are having problems with injuries. It's a shame
that all the parts aren't healthy, but that's part
of the deal.
Why the ranking is too low: The defense. On D
alone, OU almost beat Texas and should be good
enough, if focused, to beat everyone else on the
schedule. Eventually the running game has to come
around, while Landry Jones really isn't that bad. If
the defense can overcome a few bad Jones mistakes
per game, then all will be fine the rest of the way.
10. Oregon 5-1
Last Week: Didn't Play This Week
This Week: at Washington
Why the ranking is too high: Is there going
to be any improvement to the passing game after a
week off? Jeremiah Masoli has to try to be healthy,
while the running game has to deal with solid run
defenses the rest of the way. USC is obviously a
problem, while Arizona State, coming in
mid-November, has the defense to pull off the win.
It's not going to be an easy second half.
Why the ranking is too low: There isn't a
hotter team in the Pac 10, and the spotlight will
now be on. That's a plus considering this is a far
better team than the one that melted down at Boise
State to start the season. The defense was just
starting to come into its own before the break,
while the running game is producing no matter who's
running the attack.
11. LSU 5-1
Last Week: Didn't Play This Week
This Week: Auburn
Why the ranking is too high: Is the offense
going to be appreciably better after a week off? LSU
is last in the SEC in total offense and last in both
sacks and tackles for loss. That's hard to do in a
league with an offense like Vanderbilt's and with
several defenses looking for some consistency.
Why the ranking is too low: Even with all the
issues, the Tigers are still 5-1 with the lone loss
to Florida. There's no shame in losing to the
Gators, and the Tiger D held Tim Tebow and the boys
to just 13 points. This is a stingy team with the
ball with better overall results than the stats
might indicate.
12. Penn State 6-1
Last Week: W, Minnesota 20-0
This Week: at Michigan
Why the ranking is too high: Penn State beat
Minnesota 20-0. That was the team's best win so far
this year, and it wasn't even that impressive. The
special teams, particularly the return game, have
been awful, while the offense needs to show it can
produce against a defense with a pulse.
Why the ranking is too low: The defense has
been phenomenal. The schedule might not be that
great, but the Nittany Lions have allowed just two
teams to score more than seven points allowing a
grand total of 23 points in wins over Akron,
Syracuse, Temple, Eastern Illinois, and Minnesota.
13. Arkansas 3-3
Last Week: L, at Florida 23-20
This Week: at Ole Miss
Why the ranking is too high: The secondary
continues to have problems. It's making too many big
mistakes and is getting beaten on too many key
plays. Next up is Jevan Snead of Ole Miss, who might
be struggling, but is overdue to start producing.
Why the ranking is too low: The Hogs were this close to pulling off the win over the Gators and being the hot team in the SEC.
Ryan Mallett is a special player who fought through
some rough patches against Florida to come up with
some big plays. The team is still a work in
progress, and when it all comes together, look out.
14. Cincinnati 6-0
Last Week: W, at South Florida 34-17
This Week: Louisville
Why the ranking is too high: How big is the
loss of Tony Pike? The Bearcats were able to spring
Zach Collaros on South Florida, but now, everyone
will be ready for him. Can he throw the ball
effectively on a regular basis? Can the rest of the
team pick up the slack? The hope will be to get
through the easy part of the slate against
Louisville and Syracuse to be ready for the nasty
home stretch.
Why the ranking is too low: The Bearcats lost their starting quarterback, weren't playing well, and had to deal with a hostile crowd, but they still managed to double up USF 34-17. The defense leads the nation in tackles for loss and is second in sacks.
15. Ohio State 5-2
Last Week: L, at Purdue 26-18
This Week: Minnesota
Why the ranking is too high: The Buckeyes
were struggling on offense two weeks ago against
Wisconsin and were bailed out by the defense. They
weren't so lucky against Purdue. The running game is
non-existent when Terrelle Pryor wasn't taking off,
and he made too many mistakes in key moments. The
offense is tenth in the Big Ten and last in passing.
Why the ranking is too low: Call it an
unfocused aberration. The defense was playing
extremely well before the gaffe to Purdue, and now
there's time to sharpen up again with Minnesota and
New Mexico State at home before dealing with Penn
State.
16. TCU 6-0
Last Week: W, Colorado State 44-6
This Week: at BYU
Why the ranking is too high: It's not. The
offense is starting to roll at just the right time.
The running game rumbled over Colorado State, while
the defense came up with one of its best efforts of
the season. However, the D hasn't faced anything
like it's about to deal with against BYU. It's prove
it time.
Why the ranking is too low: It's not just the
defense. The running game is working extremely well
and the offense is almost perfectly balanced. The
return game is the best in America with Jeremy
Kerley making a big play week after week as an
All-America caliber punt and kick returner.
17. Notre Dame 4-2
Last Week: L, USC 34-27
This Week: Boston College
Why the ranking is too high: It's not
like the Irish won. They were able to fight back,
and they were able to take their cuts late, but they
didn't come through. The secondary is awful and is
going to get burned the rest of the way by anyone
who can consistently throw. Fortunately ...
Why the ranking is too low: ... Washington
State and Navy are up soon, and Boston College is up
next. The Irish were able to throw well against USC,
and no one throws on USC. The wins over Nevada,
Michigan State, and Purdue look far, far better now
than they did last week.
18. Wisconsin 5-2
Last Week: L, Iowa 20-10
This Week: Purdue
Why the ranking is too high: The Badgers have
faced two big tests and failed them both. All of a
sudden, QB Scott Tolzien has turned into an
interception machine, while the running game didn't
do nearly enough to impose its will against Ohio
State or Iowa. At some point, the team has to grow
up and play up to its potential. With the way the
Buckeyes played at Purdue, last week's loss isn't as
excusable.
Why the ranking is too low: It's almost like
the Badgers are this close to turning a
corner, but just can't. The defense has turned it on
and played reasonably well against Ohio State and
Iowa, but the offense needs to be more consistent.
The Badgers might not lose the rest of the way.
19. Texas Tech 5-2
Last Week: W, at Nebraska 31-10
This Week: Texas A&M
Why the ranking is too high: Which team is
going to show up next week? Is it the one that
couldn't get the offense moving against Nebraska, or
the one that blew up Kansas State? Is it the one
that hung around the Husker backfield all game long,
or the one that struggled to put away New Mexico?
The offensive line is having problems, and if QB
Steven Sheffield gets hurt, good night.
Why the ranking is too low: Texas Tech beat
Nebraska at Nebraska. It might not have been pretty
and it might not have been perfect, but it was an
impressive win. Call the loss to Houston an
aberration; the loss to Texas is more than
forgivable.
20. South Carolina 5-2
Last Week: L, at Alabama 20-6
This Week: Vanderbilt
Why the ranking is too high: The best win is
over Ole Miss, and that has lost its luster now. The
supposedly great defense got hammered on by Alabama
and had problems with Kentucky the week before. The
offensive line is having a nightmare of a time, and
it shows. QB Stephen Garcia is banged up, while top
WR Moe Brown suffered a scary concussion against the
Tide.
Why the ranking is too low: The Gamecocks
were close to making things very, very interesting
against the No. 1 team in America. The run defense
might have been beaten up, but the D nly allowed 13
points (the other touchdown came on a pick six).
21. Boise State 6-0
Last Week: W, at Tulsa 28-21
This Week: at Hawaii
Why the ranking is too high: It's time to
stop the excuses. Being mediocre against UC Davis
was forgivable one-week gaffe, but it was too tough
to get by a mediocre Tulsa team that got obliterated
by Oklahoma. Boise State fans don't like to hear it,
but the Oregon team on September 3rd is far
different than the one that's rolling through
everyone now.
Why the ranking is too low: It's time to stop
the excuses; Boise State really might be that good.
Unfortunately for the Broncos, they don't get the
benefit of the doubt, but they did actually beat
Tulsa. The offensive line is the real deal, and it
can play and hang around with anyone.
22. Pitt 6-1
Last Week: W, at Rutgers 24-17
This Week: South Florida
Why the ranking is too high: The best win so
far was at home against Connecticut, and the
Panthers needed a big comeback to make it happen.
The pass defense hasn't played anyone who can throw,
outside of NC State's Russell Wilson, and the
Panthers lost that game.
Why the ranking is too low: Dion Lewis. He's
one of the nation's most exciting young backs, and
he's becoming a playmaker the rest of the offense
can build around. The defense has been terrific at
getting into the backfield. It's third in the nation
in sacks and 12th in tackles for loss.
23. Michigan State 4-3
Last Week: W, Northwestern 24-14
This Week: Iowa
Why the ranking is too high: Has the team
really turned a corner? Does beating Illinois and
Northwestern mean much of anything? The Spartans are
still having problems winning the turnover battle
and the secondary is mediocre.
Why the ranking is too low: The loss to
Central Michigan was a fluke and the other two
losses were to strong Notre Dame and Wisconsin
teams. Now, the Spartans are right back in the hunt
for the Big Ten title, and if they can pull off the
win over Iowa next week, look out. The passing game
is coming together at just the right time.
24. Nebraska 4-2
Last Week: L, Texas Tech 31-10
This Week: Iowa State
Why the ranking is too high: The offense was
great against the three Sun Belt teams on the
schedule, but outside of a 20-point burst in the
fourth quarter against Missouri, it hasn't produced
much against the BCS league teams. The Texas Tech
loss had better be nothing more than a bad week.
Why the ranking is too low: The defense
really is that good. It did a great job of keeping
Texas Tech under wraps after an early burst. If the
offense can get back on track against Iowa State and
Baylor, the Huskers have an honest shot of beating
Oklahoma.
25. Kansas 5-1
Last Week: L, at Colorado
This Week: Oklahoma
Why the ranking is too high: The team was
just begging to get tagged. The secondary had
struggled and the special teams were just average
enough to be a problem. The best win so far was
against Southern Miss, and losing to Colorado, even
on the road, is inexcusable for a team with dreams
of winning the Big 12 North.
Why the ranking is too low: If Dezmon Briscoe
can make the grab at the end of the game, Kansas
might be in the top ten. No one's stopping this
offense, and no one has a chance to shut down the
passing game. If KU can beat Oklahoma, then it might
be fine to blow off the Colorado loss ... for a
week.
26. South Florida 5-1
27. Houston 5-1
28. Oklahoma State 5-1
29. Michigan 5-2
30. Oregon State 4-2
31. Ole Miss 4-2
32. BYU 6-1
33. California 4-2
34. Kentucky 3-3
35. Auburn 5-2
36. West Virginia 5-1
37. Arizona State 4-2
38. Missouri 4-2
39. Washington 3-4
40. Arizona 4-2
41. Utah 5-1
42. Stanford 4-3
43. Connecticut 4-2
44. Boston College 5-2
45. Florida State 2-4
46. Central Michigan 6-1
47. UCLA 3-3
48. Tennessee 3-3
49. Georgia 4-3
50. Minnesota 4-3
51. Clemson 3-3
52. Wake Forest 4-3
53. Purdue 2-5
54. Navy 5-2
55. Nevada 3-3
56. Colorado 2-4
57. Air Force 4-3
58. North Carolina 4-2
59. Fresno State 3-3
60. Mississippi State 3-4
61. Duke 3-3
62. NC State 3-4
63. Louisville 2-4
64. Northwestern 4-3
65. Tulsa 4-2
66. Idaho 6-1
67. Rutgers 4-2
68. Syracuse 2-4
69. Iowa State 4-3
70. Southern Miss 4-3
71. Virginia 3-3
72. Wyoming 4-3
73. Kansas State 4-3
74. Indiana 4-3
75. Texas A&M 3-3
76. Colorado State 3-4
77. Ohio 5-2
78. Northern Illinois 3-3
79. Baylor 3-3
80. Illinois 1-5
81. East Carolina 3-3
82. Marshall 4-3
83. Troy 4-2
84. Louisiana Tech 3-3
85. UCF 3-3
86. SMU 3-3
87. Western Michigan 3-5
88. Toledo 4-3
89. Middle Tennessee 3-3
90. Maryland 2-4
91. Bowling Green 2-4
92. UNLV 2-5
93. ULM 4-2
94. Akron 1-5
95. San Jose State 1-5
96. Arkansas State 1-4
97. Kent State 3-4
98. Louisiana-Lafayette 4-2
99. UAB 2-4
100. Temple 4-2
101. Buffalo 3-4
102. Tulane 2-4
103. Army 3-4
104. Vanderbilt 2-5
105. Hawaii 2-4
106. Memphis 2-5
107. Washington State 1-5
108. UTEP 2-4
109. San Diego State 2-4
110. Florida Atlantic 1-4
111. North Texas 1-5
112. New Mexico State 3-4
113. Utah State 1-5
114. FIU 1-5
115. Eastern Michigan 0-6
116. Miami Univ. 0-7
117. Rice 0-7
118. Ball State 0-7
119. New Mexico 0-6
120. Western Kentucky 0-6