College Football Rankings - Top 35
by Gregory Cox
College Football Director
9/29/09

After figuratively burning up my rankings last week and shuffling them up, I pretty much did it again. There are people out there who believe the regular season is a “playoff”. They actually defend the BCS and say revising the system would minimize the value of the regular season. Results like this past week make their case, well, let’s not say stronger. How about a little less weak? Those misguided souls would tell you that Cal, Mississippi, Penn State and Miami, FL effectively lost their playoff game. They are out. Never mind that three of them were on the road for these “season ending” losses, or that two fell at the hands of opponents that finished 2008 ranked #10 and #15 in the country right? Let’s just write all of them off because after all we are brainwashed by ESPN to accept the worst system in organized sports.

As you will see by reading my rankings below, I harshly punish losers. I am especially hard on losses when there are no decent wins to offset them. Some teams will need to wade their way back up my rankings past teams I have no doubt they are better than at this point in time. It is all about results with me. If you wish to air grievances you can do so publicly at www.twitter.com/footballexpert or privately via email to greg@thefootballexpert.com.

#1 (1) Florida (4-0): There is only one story with this team and that is the health of Tim Tebow. All the jokes about him walking on water, making peace in the Middle East and being the first man to walk on Mars were fine until he hit the turf. Everyone, rivals of the Gators included, should want him back on the field. Perhaps the most frustrating part about him exiting the game is that UF had put together such an awesome first quarter, outscoring Kentucky 31-0, to silence the fools (cough, Pat Forde) who dared suggest any other team should be ranked #1.

#2 (2) Texas (4-0): I quipped on Twitter that the Longhorns were already pining for Harris poll votes by running it up on UTEP. Building a 47-7 halftime lead is one thing. Finishing the game with a 639-53 edge in total yards is quite another. They never let up and if you think Mack Brown is not focused on the BCS formula you are not paying attention.

#3 (4) Alabama (4-0): It’s weird because heading into the Sugar Bowl, and even after Utah embarrassed them I really did intend to give the Crimson Tide more preseason respect. Not knowing how losing their QB/RB/LT would impact their offense I had questions. After four games, they look smooth. There are bigger hurdles ahead and I still believe their chances of a 12-0 regular season are slim. For now though, this is a richly deserved ranking and I should have had them higher sooner.

#4 (5) Boise State (4-0): No one is really laughing about my lofty preseason ranking of the Broncos now. Think that win over Oregon looks a little better now? I do have a serious bone to pick. Kirk Herbstreit is a terrible analyst who needs to stop talking about BSU. He sort of crinkled his face when discussing them being ranked so high, citing them struggling against teams they shouldn’t struggle against. Um, when Kirk? Do you have a schedule in front of you? Forgive the excessive rant, but this requires a second (long) paragraph which hopefully Herbie reads where I will break down their schedule for him.

I know he doesn’t mean Oregon, who finished last year #10 and just whipped Cal 42-3. Besides, did they really struggle in that one, an 11 point win? Pretty sure he wasn’t talking about beating Miami, OH 48-0 right? This past week the Broncos annihilated Bowling Green 49-14. In the process they scored 6 touchdowns on possessions totaling 14 plays, none of them taking more than 1:12 off the game clock. The Falcons lost at Missouri, a ranked (coaches poll) team, 27-20 a couple weeks ago. So this leaves their “narrow” 51-34 win at Fresno State. Because, you know, winning by 17 over a team that just lost in OT at Wisconsin (now 4-0) and 28-20 at Cincinnati (4-0, AP #10) is such an embarrassment? No, the embarrassment is a jackass like Herbstreit talking out of his rear end about a team he knows nothing about. They haven’t struggled once this year.

#5 (8) Cincinnati (4-0): To Fresno State’s credit, they threw everything at this team trying to score the upset. A team knowing for playing anyone, anywhere certainly made it interesting for the latest Big East favorites. One thing I’m keeping my eye on is an extremely favorable schedule from here on out. Dare I say it? What if they finish 12-0? It is too early to put them in the BCS title game, but after visiting a totally lost Miami, OH team this week the Bearcats travel only 3 more times. First is USF on a “BCS killing” Thursday night game, then Halloween at Syracuse and finally the finally in Pittsburgh. Definitely premature, but keep an eye on this situation.

#6 (6) TCU (3-0): I expected a lot more from them than needing a comeback to win at Clemson, but that shows just how far the MWC has come. Usually a road victory over an ACC opponent would be considered a huge accomplishment. Now it doesn’t even garner a headline. It will likely be another month, October 24 at BYU, before we see them tested again.

#7 (17) Iowa (4-0): When Penn State struck for a 79-yard touchdown on their first offensive play things did not look good for the Hawkeyes. It got worse after PSU drove the field and kicked to a 10-0 advantage. Then the defense, running game and special teams totally took over. This was no upset, stunning victory like last season. No sir. Iowa was the better team and has washed away images of their ugly opener against Northern Iowa.

#8 (9) LSU (4-0): Just when I started to get behind the Tigers they were a mess at Mississippi State and it was not just the weather. The Bulldogs outplayed them, but lost the turnover battle 4-0 and allowed touchdowns on an interception return early and on a punt return late. Never mind that MSU had the game won until their quarterback Tyson Lee inexplicably failed to extend the ball over the goal line in the waning moments. There are going to be “down” games like this, but they left a lot to be desired and if a halfway decent opponent been on the other side it would have been a blowout loss.

#9 (13) Houston (3-0): All I could do was sigh when Texas Tech head coach Mike Leach elected to go for a “game clinching” touchdown instead of a “the worst we can do is OT” field goal. Obviously I picked the Red Raiders. I’m not taking anything away from the Cougars, who made the defensive stop and delivering the game winning touchdown drive, but they can send their thanks to Leach if this magical run continues to the BCS. I am dying to see them dive into the SEC at Mississippi State in two weeks.

#10 (16) Virginia Tech (3-1): It was a rare dominating victory for the Hokies who seemed to toy with Miami, FL. Tyrod Taylor was just 4/9 for 98 yards, but why throw the ball when Ryan Williams can hammer out 34 carries for a buck fifty and two scores? They threw in a blocked punt for a touchdown just to make sure the announcers could say “Beamer Ball”. It has already been revealed that the SEC elite (Alabama) are over their head, but the ACC is their, well, you know.

#11 (15) Michigan (4-0): No one could have predicted a perfect first month, even if all the games were at the Big House. It was definitely a black mark having to rally past Indiana, who isn’t even a basketball power at the moment. They won though, and the offense puts up a lot of points. Their first road test is this week at Michigan State, and then it’s off to Iowa where we will really find out where the Wolverines are headed.

#12 (19) Auburn (4-0): I’m on a limb with them at the moment, but you can see why right? 181 points scored? Never mind those 97 points allowed, this offense is going to make their games very interesting. Let’s see how it goes this week at Tennessee, a team that brings it on defense, but the Tigers have to be very confident until someone takes them down. 

#13 (14) Kansas (4-0): They have offensive talent, but it was disheartening to watch them struggle at home against Southern Miss. As much as I hate just edging a team up the rankings for knocking down weak opponents, at least the Jayhawks are winning. What’s next? They are off this week before hosting Iowa State and going to Colorado. I can look ahead and put them at 6-0 when Oklahoma visits on October 24 and both teams could carry lofty rankings.

#14 (30) South Florida (4-0): There is plenty of time to knock them down when they lose so don’t freak out. The Bulls need to be rewarded for unleashing a kid at quarterback after losing basically a legend in Matt Grothe and thumping Florida State in their stadium. B.J. Daniels surely will have his ups and downs, but right now he is on top of the world. The Big East is not very daunting and he has a chance to lead an improbable run to 9 or 10 wins.

#15 (18) Missouri (4-0): The Tigers have been making people forget they lost a trio of offensive players so far this season, but their trip to Nevada reminded me of just how much less potent they are in 2009. Remember the 69 they hung on the Wolfpack last year? This time they trailed 13-12 in the third quarter before scoring 19 straight points to put the game away. In their defense, it was a national television road game on a Friday night which can be really tough on a visiting team. Speaking of which, after an open week they get the other side of this when hosting Nebraska on a Thursday night October 8. It’s going to turn their season one way or the other.

#16 (21) USC (3-1): They are more vulnerable than ever, and what looks like the only true Pac-10 “gimme” is now in their rear view mirror. Washington State could not have shown up on the schedule at a more opportune time and the Trojans, well, beat them. It was not your typical thrashing though and doubts remain as they visit shell-shocked California this week.

#17 (22) Ohio State (3-1): The Buckeyes take so much heat for losing big games. In the meantime they beat a lot of teams. Since giving up the heartbreaking touchdown to USC, OSU has allowed zero points. Once troublesome Juice Williams and his Illini were no trouble this time around in a 30-0 beat down. Next up is a visit to suddenly spunky Indiana, but no one expects anyone to mess with this team until a loaded November schedule.

#18 (12) Miami, FL (2-1): The Hurricanes crashed hard when faced with their stiffest test of the season at Virginia Tech. Their offense was just 2/14 combined on third and fourth down conversion attempts. Jacory Harris barely resembled the supremely confident kid who tore up Florida State and Georgia Tech, finishing with 9 completed passes. Sure, the rain played a part in that, but it rains on both teams. They need to regroup in a hurry with Oklahoma coming to town for a primetime showdown.

#19 (26) Georgia Tech (3-1): Their defense switched to a conventional 4-3 from their quirky 4-2-5 and shut down North Carolina to the tune of 154 total yards and 7 points. When the Yellow Jackets get a head of steam they can be hard to deal with. Now the challenge is getting the jump on opponents while dealing with hostile crowds. They play 5 times in October and the only home game is against ACC favorite Virginia Tech. Two of those visits are to SEC country (Mississippi State, Vanderbilt) so it is going to be a challenging month.

#20 (27) Oklahoma State (3-1): They didn’t prove anything by routing Grambling State, but at least their loss to Houston looks a little less egregious after the Cougars took care of Texas Tech. Now that expectations are back to normal I expect them to pile up wins and be ready to pull out all the stops on Halloween against Texas.

#21 (NR) Oregon (3-1): Upon further review, the Ducks are back. Before the season I wondered if they might start 1-3, but after splitting games against two of the toughest non-BCS teams in the country, knocking off Purdue and destroying California their season is looking up in a big way. The scoring post-Blount meltdown is a sharp 37.0 per game. They might even be considered a favorite in the Pac-10 at this point considering how sluggish USC is looking.

#22 (28) Notre Dame (3-1): Never a dull moment right? In the grand scheme of things winning two of three against teams who are not even the elite of a mediocre Big Ten conference is not very impressive. The Irish have to keep proving it week after week, but as long as they win all is well. Clausen gutted through an injury to deliver at Purdue. Next up is Washington, the first of five straight at home. Their next road game is November 14.

#23 (24) BYU (3-1): No hangover from the Florida State debacle. They stormed to a three touchdown lead against Colorado State and never looked back. After this Friday’s (why is this on a Friday exactly?) meeting with Utah State from the WAC the rest of their schedule is against the MWC, and the toughest opponents (TCU, Utah) are at home. Most teams are allowed one lapse per season and at this point anything short of 10-2 would be a huge disappointment in Provo.

#24 (25) Oklahoma (2-1): What can I do with the Sooners? They did lose to BYU and as long as both teams have a single loss I have to honor that setback. Think about this. If a team without “OU” on the side of their helmet smoked Idaho State and Tulsa after losing to BYU would they be in the top 10? I’m going to say no. As such, here they are. This week was spent preparing for a trip to Miami, FL and although the Hurricanes were just whipped at Virginia Tech there is still a large spotlight on this game. 

#25 (29) Georgia (3-1): It was not pretty, but it was “Survival Saturday” in college football. The ‘Dawgs let Arizona State hang around in the rain and it almost bit them. One thing they are starting to prove is an uncanny ability to pull games out. Whether or not it flies against LSU this week remains to be seen.

#26 (31) South Carolina (3-1): For a change I stuck with a team and it paid off. Although I didn’t pick them to beat Mississippi I did say in this space last week that “their defense is going to have a little something extra” for them. Containing Jevan Snead after already shutting down N.C. State’s Russell Wilson is now easy task. They should have no problems with South Carolina State or Kentucky the next two weeks.

#27 (32) Nebraska (3-1): If anyone wants to draw a comparison, the Cornhuskers mutilated Louisiana-Lafeyette 55-0 a week after LSU beat them 31-3. The halftime scores were 34-0 and 17-3 respectively. I’m not suggesting too much should be taken from this, but Nebraska is barely in the top half of teams in the Big XII right? The loss at Virginia Tech is going to haunt them unless they win the North division, and after a week off a big step can be taken towards that goal with a victory at Missouri.

#28 (35) UCLA (3-0): I have no problem admitting that right now this is based on winning while other teams are losing. The Bruins knocked off two bottom level teams from the SEC (Tennessee) and Big XII (Kansas State) but it’s better than taking on teams outside the BCS. They have a lot to prove, but their defense might be able to carry them.

#29 (NR) N.C. State (3-1): Since their offense was stopped cold against South Carolina in the opener they have put up 148 points. The rest of their schedule is inside the ACC and the Atlantic division is not exactly loaded. They also avoid Georgia Tech and Miami, FL from the Coastal side. Furthermore, this is looking like a 6-1 start if Russell Wilson has anything to say about it. The upcoming schedule is at Wake Forest, Duke and at Boston College.

#30 (NR) Arizona (3-1): Last week I jerked them out of the rankings, but now it looks like there is no shame at all losing at Iowa. Winning at Oregon State meanwhile is always tough. The phrase “win some, lose some” certainly applied in the 37-32 thriller. A quarterback was found in Nick Foles while a running back was lost when Nic Grigsby went down. An open week gives him time to heal up or for the offense to adjust before their next game at Washington. This is looking like a feisty team.