College Football Rankings - Top 30
by Gregory Cox
College Football Director
9/3/08

1-10 I 11-20 I 21-30
#11 (9) Wisconsin (1-0): It was a little scary for me to see them up on Akron 17-10 at halftime, but a heavy dose of P.J. Hill running the football helped them pull away comfortably. His health has been in question and after 26 carries for 210 yards I think we know the answer. They threw just 10 passes and it’s easy to see why when they totaled 404 yards rushing. Perhaps next week the Badgers might seek more balance as they prepare for a difficult four game stretch to follow. Next: vs. Marshall

#12 (29) Alabama (1-0): Without question this was one of the most impressive performances from the opening week. The Tide simply overwhelmed Clemson on the line of scrimmage. Their young players came into the Georgia Dome fearless and left with a resounding 34-10 victory. There is no doubt they are in the upper half of the SEC West. Now the hype will surround them winning it, winning the SEC and being surprise national title contenders. It might seem to be too early to tell, but against an offense littered with NFL talent at the skill positions their line rendered them inoperable. Out of Clemson’s first 7 possessions just twice did they gain over 5 yards. Only one play went for over 20 yards. I never expected the Tide to be the more prepared team in this game yet here they are now staring at a likely 4-0 start. Next: vs. Tulane

#13 (18) Oregon (1-0): Someone has a Voodoo doll outfitted in Oregon Duck quarterback gear. With their defense and running back Jeremiah Johnson it might not matter. Justin Roper became yet another quarterback to go down and with Nate Costa done for the season hopefully his concussion won’t keep him out. In the meantime they held Washington’s running backs to 40 yards on 26 carries and totally contained dual threat quarterback Jake Locker who has been hampered by an injury of his own. They have a week to figure out the health of Roper and adjust accordingly before their trip to Purdue. Next: vs. Utah State
#14 (16) Fresno State (1-0):  The announcers compared the first half to a scrimmage, and for the Bulldogs that’s what it was. I blame Rutgers for not putting up some points while driving for 52, 77 and 58 yards in the first half although the defense of Fresno State certainly stood up. During the scoreless, painful to watch first half the home crowd never got into the game when Rutgers easily could have gotten up 6-0 or 13-0. Then Fresno State got rolling the way I expected them to from the outset. Maybe you can blame the long travel, but whatever it was they had drives of 57, 82, 77 and 55 yards en route to the 24-7 victory. This was a great win and proper scheduling gives them this week off to recover before a big home game. Next: off (vs. Wisconsin 9/13)

#15 (15) Arizona State (1-0): If doubts were dollar bills I would be rich worrying about their offensive line. For now they can rest easy after quarterback Rudy Carpenter looked razor sharp against Northern Arizona and took only 1 sack. He completed 79% of his passes for 388 yards and one touchdown as the Sun Devils built a 27-0 halftime lead and cruised. It’s nice to know if he does get in trouble he might run a little after he chipped in 40 yards on scrambles. They stay at home for their next three capped off by Georgia, but for now there are two more games to get them prepared starting with the possibly surprising Cardinal. Next: vs. Stanford

#16 (12) BYU (1-0): If the Cougars are going to bust the BCS this season quarterback Max Hall will be the guy to lead the charge and he showed why in the opener. Throwing for 486 yards and 2 touchdowns is one thing, but completing 83% of your 41 passes without an interception? He had the same number of incompletion passes (7) as his opposite number Grace who put just 18 in the air. His only problems came in the second half when he fumbled twice including one returned for a touchdown as the team got a case of the drops losing the ball four times in five possessions to start the second stanza. After having the lead over Northern Iowa closed to 27-17 they recovered in time to close the door with a pair of touchdowns. These kinds of mistakes won’t fly against Pac-10 opponents and they face two in a row now. Next: at Washington

#17 (19) Wake Forest (1-0): What a difference on week makes. Now the Demon Deacons are considered favorites in the ACC Atlantic after a poor showing by Clemson and incidentally terrible week for the conference in general. Their early opener at Big XII doormat Baylor could have gone better, but quarterback Riley Skinner got off to a good start completing 75% of his passes for 220 yards and 3 touchdowns without an interception. The defense forced 5 turnovers, recorded a pair of sacks and held the Bears to 2/12 on third down conversions. In a very weak ACC their BCS chances are looking pretty good. Due up is another likely last place team. Next: vs. Mississippi

#18 (23) California: The opening touchdown of the game was the result of Cal blocking a punt, but after that their special teams play was horrific. Alternating kickers, their kickoffs looked like they pulled someone off the local high school team. Five of seven had Michigan State starting no worse than their own 35. A blown snap on a punt led to a Spartan 12 yard touchdown “drive”. Then there was deposed (if not then certainly now) quarterback Nate Longshore throwing away a certain field goal drive with an interception and having his next pass returned for a touchdown turning potentially a 13-0 or 17-0 lead into a 10-7 game in a heartbeat. Certainly his play and mishaps on special teams contributed to their inability to put away the visitors. Cameron Moorah had a solid 93 yards receiving for an offense starved for a playmaker. The defense was mostly much improved despite the 31 points, 14 of which came as a result of the above mistakes. On five of the opening six possessions Michigan State failed to move more than 18 yards. Heavily hyped Javon Ringer had 27 carries for just 81 yards (3.0 average) while for Cal Jahvid Best looks like another 1,000 yard rusher after his 111 yard debut as the feature back. Thanks to Shane Vereen’s 81 yard touchdown run to ice the game they finished with 203 yards rushing on the game. Next: at Washington State

#19 (17) Texas Tech (1-0): Their offense started right up with 639 total yards and 30 first downs. Quarterback Graham Harrell had his typical 536 yards passing completing 74% of his throws although he had only 2 touchdowns. We know they can move the ball, but how about the defense? Lightweight Eastern Washington had drives of 33, 49 and 54 yards in the opening half and marched 66, 75 and 56 yards in the second half. They trailed 28-17 at intermission and were within striking distance at 35-24 as the final quarter began. This kind of play won’t fly against Texas or Oklahoma, two teams they have to beat if they want to be in the elite. Honestly it might not even work this week against an opponent who might match their firepower. Next: at Nevada

#20 (24) South Florida (1-0): The Bulls got off to a comfortable start blowing out a soft team in the form of Tennessee-Martin. They got a lot of players into the action including three quarterbacks and had nine different non-quarterbacks run the ball at least once. Even with the shuffling their defense managed to hold the Skyhawks to 97 total yards while the visitors converted only 1/14 third downs. I don’t care who you’re playing it is pretty solid when the longest drives are 19, 21 and 14 with the others being no more than 6 yards. The only points given up came when the USF offense fumbled and it was returned for a touchdown. This season they hope to rule the Sunshine State which they will leave only four times. Next: at Central Florida
1-10 I 11-20 I 21-30