CFR's Top Teams List: Week Four

I'm breaking with policy of waiting until later in the week and letting things "marinate" with a little more review.

I reserve the right to re-evaluate between now and Saturday but probably won't announce any such changes but know that unlike the polls that are released so quickly on Sunday and frozen in time without much reflection I will continue to reflect upon things throughout the week.

Anyway, as always I caution these are power rankings, not the product of haphazard slotting by losses, conference strength or reputation, etc.

1. Ohio State---Listless at home against Penn State.  But so were many other contenders, so hard to knock them here particularly in their conference opener.  Secondary made plays---and scores---late.
2. Florida---Very tentatively here.  Run defense is outstanding, and Kentucky helped them by not bothering to run the ball.  Chris Leak is Chris Leak, but so far he's responded to Tim Tebow's challenge and put together a fine start to his season.
3. USC---Something was amiss against Arizona and it's hard to exactly pin down what it was.  Frosh Emmanuel Moody is emerging as a special back and the defense is winning games for this team.  They kind of have that 2004 feel with the superb defense and talented but inexperienced offense.
4. Auburn---A bit listless against Buffalo, but hard to blame them.  Didn't play a handful of critical starters but they should all be ready for next week.  Rush offense not as potent and consistent as last year despite tremendous depth with Brad Lester and Ben Tate.
5. Texas---Survived Iowa State's early charge then romped.  Quality conference win if Iowa State continues to play well.
6. Louisville---Did what they had to survive in a tough venue.  Opening drive was a work of art but otherwise looked very average on offense against Kansas State.
7. Michigan---They might just be for real this time, but until they show again and again they're not Bad Michigan, I'll wait just a bit.  I love their defense so far, although there are some weaknesses that may eventually be exploited.  But in the meantime opponents are having enough trouble just handling Michigan's defensive line and pressure.
8. LSU---Still marching through cupcake lane.  No quarterback controversy so far...check back in a few weeks.  BTW frosh back Charles Scott could be a great one.
9. West Virginia---Struggled a bit against East Carolina.  Noticing a theme for top 10 teams this week?
10. Oregon---BYE
11. Notre Dame---Rough two weeks, and were more than a bit lucky to escape in the muck that was East Lansing on Saturday night.  However a solid second half bodes well especially with the upcoming softening of the schedule.
12. Oklahoma---Took out their frustrations on Middle Tennessee State 59-0.  Adrian Peterson was held in relative check, however.  Score one for the Blue Raider run defense.
13. Clemson---Put on quite a show against North Carolina, scoring seven rush touchdowns and otherwise cruising to a fine conference victory.
14. Georgia---Yeah... they'll get better, but Colorado showed that, in fact, the Georgia defense isn't impenetrable.  The question is where do the Dawgs go from here?  More shaky, narrow victories or do they take some shots at doing something with their offense and plugging whatever leaks sprung against the Buffalo offense?
15. TCU---BYE

Lurking

Iowa, Tennessee, California

Comments

[Jae]

CFR,

You were more impressed with Fla's lackluster win at home than USC lackluster win on the road? It obviously doesn't matter yet but I think USC defense is as good or better than anything the SEC has to offer and offensively has more potential to be explosive than any SEC team. Granted, Fla has a diverse offense with very talented players and could beat any of the top 5 on any given Saturday, I think USC can take them more often than not.

[CFR]

It's still early.

I'm just curious if yesterday's game was a bad sign for USC? It was... uncharacteristic.

[Cody]

I remember in the off-season telling you that Lumpkin was the key to the UGA offense. Word is that the RB depth chart is finally fluid again, and that can only mean that Kregg will start getting more carries. With him in the game, the offense will have more stability. It may not be as explosive as I would like, but it will gain some consistency. Just in time.....

[g-man's homeboy]

Georgia did well to come back and snatch that victory. Seems like every good team has that one game each year where they struggle against a clearly inferior opponent. I don't really think this game says much if anything negative about UGA. It's just one of those things that happens from time to time.

And to add to that, I think the same goes for a lot of the top teams that played crappy opponents this week. These let down games happen every year, as you noted, CFR.

Now as for the team I would be worried about . . . Notre Dame. Mich St. absolutely collapsed to give that game away. Didn't they turn the ball over in each of their last 3 possessions? Or was it 3 of the last 4? Whatever it was, Notre Dame didn't do much of anything to earn that win. Lucky for them their schedule is extremely soft until SC. It's a shame they'll probably end up in a BCS bowl. I wish pollsters would rank them where they belong (i.e. around 15-20). I really believe they'd get smoked by each and every one of the 10 teams you have above them, CFR, and a handful of the teams below them. Weis is no genius. Teams have a year of film on his offense now. Brady Quinn for Heisman!!

[Ryan]

The first four weeks have been strange... I mean I know its early but we haven't really learned much about any team other than Notre Dame.

Put it this way: there ain't much seperating the top ten or so. I know ESPN is saying OSU is the clear frontrunner at this point, but they really aren't the frontrunner the way USC and Texas were last year.

I realize this is blatant homerism but I think a legitimate case can be made that LSU has played/looked better than any team in the country (against a soft-ish schedule so far). But then there's that whole can't covert drives into points against AU thing...

[Jae]

You know, Ryan, if Jumbo and Les called the offense a little less conservative at Auburn you might be right.

CFR,

I watch SC every week and you're right it was uncharacteristic, but with such an inexperienced team that's going to happen. It might happen on Offense a couple of times on the road, but the D is SO good they would probably shut down the Raiders (I guess, it's not saying too much).

[Stephen Kim]

Since I'm a pseudo USC fan, I think they are a notch above Fla. I think if they had a better QB than Leak, they would then be able to leap USC.

I wasn't that impressed with Ohio State to be honest. Morelli was doing his best to blow the bet I had on PSU +17.

I certainly am convinced about Troy Smith.

I was very disappointed in ASU's performance. Though Torain has been quite a pleasant surprise and is a great complement to Herring.

[Yogi]

Clemson? Seriously?

[patrick]

"It obviously doesn't matter yet but I think USC defense is as good or better than anything the SEC has to offer and offensively has more potential to be explosive than any SEC team. Granted, Fla has a diverse offense with very talented players and could beat any of the top 5 on any given Saturday, I think USC can take them more often than not."

I bet you UCS's D is not any faster, better, or stronger than LSU..nevermind AU..real impressive win over AZ there..didn't LSU beat them like 45 to 3?

[Jae]

The scoreboard doesn't tell the whole story in this case, as USC held UA to -16 yards rushing. The margin wasn't as impressive but it was just as dominating.

And if you haven't seen USC defense in action, I think you will be impressed. I'm a homer, but do watch football from every region, and the collection of speed and talent that USC has amassed on defense is frightening.

[Stephen Kim]

What the Pac-10/USC-haters like to forget is that USC's defense was completely obliterated by injuries/grades/suspensions to where they had so many guys starting who were going to be 3rd-string.

Now, USC has a pretty set rotation on defense and it shows. Funny what some continuity can do for a defense.

[tyler]

You mean the 45-3 beating LSU put on Arizona in Baton Rouge at night with U of A's starting QB out after the first series with a concussion. Nice unbiased comparison there...USC went into Zona's house with their starting QB inact. Oh and you also forgot to mention that (unlike LSU) USC and Arizona see each other almost every year. Everyone knows that it's easier to gameplan someone you've played against before. You should stay up past 8 pm EST sometime and watch USC once in a while.
If USC destroys AU in the NC game this year will all the SEC haters finally go away. They beat them twice already since Pete's been on campus but as they say I guess the third's time the charm.

[Quaker]

What's this easier-to-gameplan-since-they-play-each-other-often thing I'm hearing? Wouldn't it work both ways? Couldn't USC's defense gameplan for Arizona's offense better than LSU's defense? Anyone who throws that out loses credibility.
Both LSU and USC has incredible, and incredibly fast, defenses. Leave it at that.

[TorBear]

Isn't Alabama supposed to be one of the SEC's signature teams? They lost to Arkansas last week---a team USC beat by thirty-six points.