Week 4: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly in the Top 25: our new Top 25

There doesn't appear to be many outstanding teams in College Football in '09? On any given Saturday, even a team as good as USC can get knocked off, especially, if it is against a conference team in the Pacific Northwest. It's time to re-look at the Top 25, after four weeks and as we move towards October Saturdays in College Football.

Iowa is 4-0 for the first time to end September in the Kirk Ferentz era. By the way, Ferentz teams have been known to get stronger and stronger in October and November, but have slow starts, over the past ten season. Last year, Iowa lost four games by a total of 12 points.

This could end up a very wide open BCS, conference and Top 25 season for most in the FBS. The dangers of losing your top QB may loom, as Oklahoma and USC have already experienced. Florida is thankful that they enter the first Saturday in October with a bye week, since QB Tim Tebow went down in Week 4.

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly in the Top 25 after Week 4

1. Florida (4-0, 2-0 SEC) LW 1 - If Tebow goes down, the Gators may not hold the #1 ranking for very long. The Good - Bye Week for Week 5, after 41-7 win @ Kentucky (2-1, 0-1 SEC). The Bad - A 30-31 loss vs. Ole Miss in Week 4 of '08 (last loss). The Ugly - The thought of Tim Tebow not in the starting line up. Next up: @ LSU (4-0, 1-0 SEC) on 10/10, Week 6.


2. Texas (4-0, 1-0 Big 12) LW 2 - The Longhorns face a bye week, after 64-7 win vs. UTEP (1-3). The Good - Revenged '08 loss to Texas Tech 34-24 in Week 3. The Bad - The Longhorns missed out in '08 from playing in the BCS title game, after last year's lone loss at Texas Tech. The Ugly - For Longhorn fans, it's been four seasons ('05), since their BCS title. Next up: vs. Colorado (1-2) on 10/10, Week 6.


3. Alabama (4-0, 1-0 SEC) LW 3 - The Crimson Tide took care of business in the SEC home opener vs. Arkansas (1-2, 0-2 SEC) 35-7. Next up: @ Kentucky (2-1, 0-1 SEC). The Good - Beat Virginia Tech 34-24 in Week 1. The Bad - The challange of playing in the SEC, including last year 20-31 loss vs. Florida in the SEC title game. The Ugly - A 17-31 loss vs. Utah in Sugar Bowl last season to finish 12-2.


4. USC (3-1, 1-1 Pac 10) LW 13 - The Trojans rebounded in the Pac Ten in Week 4, beating Washington State (1-3, 0-2 Pac 10) 27-6. The Good - The Trojans have finished #1 in the Pac Ten, since '02 and pulled off a solid win 18-15 in Columbus over Ohio State in Week 2. The Bad - A 13-16 loss @ Washington in Week 3 with their #1 QB unable to start. The Ugly - Washington was 0-12 in '08.


5. LSU (4-0, 1-0 SEC) LW 4 - The Tigers pulled out a good road win @ Mississippi State (2-2, 1-1 SEC) to open conference play in '09. The Good - Unlike USC, the Tigers pulled off a road win 31-23 at Washington in Week 1 and are on a five game winning streak dating back to 38-3 win over Georgia Tech in Chick-fil-A. The Bad - Finishing 0-3 to finish in the SEC in '08. The Ugly - After winning the BCS Championship in '07, the Tigers were 3-5 in the SEC in '08 and 8-5 overall.


6. Virginia Tech (3-1, 1-0 ACC) LW 14 - The Hokies are off to a good start in the ACC, with a solid 31-7 win over then #6 Miami-FL (2-1, 2-1 ACC) in Week 4. Next up @ Duke (2-2. The Good - Other than a loss in the opener vs. Alabama, the Hokies are 3-0 at home, including a close 16-15 win over Nebraska. The Bad- The Hokies are coming off a 5-3 ACC record in '08, but five straight double digit win seasons. The Ugly - The Hokies and the ACC have not been relevant in the BCS title game, since 2000.


7. Cincinnati (4-0, 1-0 Big East) LW 5 - The Bearcats stay undefeated after a 28-20 win over Fresno State (1-3, 0-1 WAC) in Week 4. Next up: @ Miami-OH (0-4, 0-2 MAC). The Good - Despite having a new DC and only returning 1 starter on defense, the Bearcats are playing very solid. The Bad - The Bearcats lost in the Orange to Virginia Tech 7-20 in their first BCS bowl last year. The Ugly - The Big East is not highly regarded among the top BCS conferences and all the former BCS Title game participants have moved on to the ACC.


8. Ohio State (3-1, 1-0 Big Ten) LW 10 - The Buckeyes open the Big Ten play with a 30-0 win over Illinois (1-2, 0-1 Big Ten). Next up: @ Indiana (3-1, 0-1). The Good - The Buckeyes have won a share or an outright Big Ten title the past four seasons. The Bad - Coach Jim Tressel has begun to lose big games vs. BCS bowl opponents or vs. top OOC opponents, since the '06 Week 2 win over Texas in Austin.


9. Boise State (4-0, 1-0 WAC) LW 9 - The Broncos hit the road again and won 49-14 @ Bowling Green (1-3). The Good - Boise State picked up a solid Week 1 win over Oregon. The Bad - Could the top team from the #9 ranked conference shock the BCS in '09? BYU is celebrating the 25Th anniversary of their MNC season this season. The Ugly - Next up: the Broncos face UC-Davis (1-2), an FCS program, in Week 5.


10. Miami - FL (2-1, 2-1 ACC) LW 6 - The 7-31 loss @ then #14 Virginia Tech (3-1, 1-0 ACC) in Week 4 has brought everyone down to earth regarding the young Hurricanes. Next up: @ #11 Oklahoma (2-1). The Good - The Hurricanes picked up two wins against two solid ACC clubs to open '09, @ Florida State and vs. Georgia Tech. The Bad - The Hurricanes lost 17-24 to Cal in the '08 Emerald Bowl. The Ugly - The Hurricanes have not been relevant nationally, since the '05 season and entered coach Randy Shannon's 3Rd season with a 12-13 record.


11. Oklahoma (2-1) LW 10 - The Sooners enjoyed a bye week to get ready for #10 Miami-FL (2-1, 2-1 ACC) in Week 5 in a Big 12-ACC showdown. The Good - Redshirt freshman QB Laundry Jones appears to be developing some confidence after wins over Idaho State and Tulsa as a first time starter. The Bad - Heisman QB Sam Bradford's shoulder was injured in Week 1, in 13-14 loss vs. BYU in Arlington. The Ugly - Losing to Texas again in the Red River Shootout in three weeks.


12. Georgia (3-1, 2-0 SEC) LW 16 - The Bulldogs picked up a solid 20-17 win over Arizona State (2-1). Next up: #5 LSU (4-0, 1-0 SEC). The Good - Wins over South Carolina and @ Arkansas to open SEC play in '09. The Bad - A opening season loss @ Oklahoma State. The Ugly - The Bulldogs lost 10-49 in last year's Cocktail Party vs. #1 Florida.


13. Georgia Tech (3-1, 2-1 ACC) LW 18 - The Yellow Jackets rebounded from their first loss with a solid 24-7 win vs. North Carolina (3-1). Next up: @ Mississippi State (2-2, 1-2 SEC) in a ACC-SEC match up. The Good - The Yellow Jackets rebounded from last years lost to the Tar Heels. The Bad - Georgia Tech didn't lost @ Miami-FL, after a win at home in '08. The Ugly - A 3-38 loss vs. LSU in teh Chick-fil-A Bowl last year.


14. Iowa (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten) LW 20 - Nearly a 10 point dog heading to Happy Valley to play then #7 Penn State (3-1, 0-1 Big Ten) in Week 4, the Hawkeyes pulled out the deja vu win 21-10 over the Nittany Lions. Next up: vs. Arkansas State (1-2, 0-1 Sun Belt). The Good - Iowa won the only bowl for the Big Ten in '08 with a 31-10 win over South Carolina in the Outback and are currently on an eight game winning streak. The Bad - Kirk Ferentz has never won @ Michigan State or @ Ohio State in his first ten years as head coach The Ugly - With @ Wisconsin, @ Michigan State and @ Ohio State, the Hawkeyes in the future, the steak can continue.


15. Oregon (3-1, 1-0 Pac 10) LW 22 - The Ducks opened eyes with 42-3 win vs. then #8 California (3-1, 0-1 Pac 10) to boost their position nationally in the Top 25. The Good - Five of the nine Pac 10 games are in Eugene, including USC, Arizona State and Oregon State. The Bad - The season opener @ Boise State where sportsmanship and the Ducks offense was lacking in an 8-19 loss. The Ugly - Senior RB LeGarrette Blount's postgame actions in the season opener that lead to his season suspension.


16. Nebraska (3-1) LW t25 - The Cornhuskers rebounded from the road loss with a solid 55-0 shutout win over Louisiana-Lafayette in Lincoln. The Huskers will have a bye week before turning to conference play @ t#25 Missouri (4-0) on 10/8 in Week 6. The Good - Coach Bo Pelini is building momentium in Year 2, after closing his first season with a 26-21 win over Clemson in the Gator. The Bad - The Cornhuskers weren't able to close out the victory in Blacksburg in Week 3 @ Virginia Tech. The Ugly - Other than Duke, the Cornhuskers have not faired well vs. Top 25 opponents of late in the FBS.


17. TCU (3-0) LW 17 - The Horned Frogs win a solid game @ Clemson (2-2, 1-1 ACC) 14-10 to remain undefeated in '09. Next up: vs. SMU (2-1, 1-0 C-USA). The Good - The Horned Frogs won the Poinsettia in '08 17-16 over Boise State to finish 11-2. The Bad - The Horned Frogs missed in capturing the MWC title with a 10-13 loss at Utah. The Ugly - The MWC isn't a BCS conference, but is the top non-BCS conference in the FCS. Is it TCU's turn to reign in the crown as Top non-BCS program in '09?


18. Houston (3-0) LW 24 - The Cougars pulled out a 29-28 win over Texas Tech (2-2, 0-1 Big 12) to pull off their second win in the OOC vs. Big 12 programs. Next up: @ UTEP (1-3) to open C-USA play. The Good - Wins @ Oklahoma State and vs. Texas Tech to open '09. The Bad - What has the C-USA ever done in the BCS? The Ugly - Coach Kevin Sumlin is entering only his second season. Will success bring a new suitor to the table at the end of '09?


19. Oklahoma State (3-1) LW 19 - The Cowboys close out OOC play with a 56-6 win over Grambling State (2-2, 1-0 SWAC-FCS). The Cowboys have a bye week this week. Next Up: @ Texas A&M (3-0) in Week 6, 10/10. The Good - The Cowboys won the opener vs. Georgia. The Bad - The Cowboys couldn't follow it up in Week 2 and lost at home to Houston. The Ugly - In this decade, the Cowboys have not finished better than 5-3 in the Big 12 South.


20. Penn State (3-1, 0-1 Big Ten) LW 7 - The Nittany Lions lost the Big Ten opener at home to then #20 Iowa (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten) 10-27. Next up: @ Illinois (1-2, 0-1 Big Ten). The Good - Joe Pa is 13-3 vs. Illinois, but the Nittany Lions must hit the road for the first time in '09. The Bad - The Nittany Lions have lost seven of eight this decade vs. the Hawkeyes. The Ugly - In Penn State's two highly successful seasons this decade ('05 and '08), the Nittany Lions took care of business in the Big Ten opener and went on to finish 7-1. In '07, the Week 2 game was @ Illinois too, PSU lost 20-27 and opened 0-2.


21. BYU (3-1, 1-0 MWC) LW 21 - The Cougars opened conference play with a solid 42-23 win over Colorado State (3-1, 0-1 MWC) and rebound from an OOC loss. Next Up: vs. Utah State (1-2) on Friday. The Good - Beat Oklahoma in Week 1 in Arlington, Texas. The Bad - Took a home game on the chin vs. Florida State in Week 3. The Ugly - The BCS has been good for rival Utah on two occassions to carry the MWC torch, but what about BYU?


22. Mississippi (2-1, 0-1 SEC) LW 12 - The conference opener @ South Carolina last Thursday turned out to be a 10-16 loss for the Rebels. Next up: @ Vanderbilt (2-2, 0-2 SEC). The Good - Last team to beat Florida, Week 5 of '08, in Tallahassee 31-30. The Bad - Finished 5-3 in '08, despite the win at Florida. Now, 0-1 with loss at South Carolina. The Ugly - The Rebels have never played in the BCS under the current format. Between '04 to '07, no bowl trips.


23. South Florida (4-0) LW NR - The Bulls win the first meeting ever in the series, with a 17-7 win @ then #15 Florida State (2-2, 0-1 ACC). Next up: @ Syracuse (2-2). The Good - The Bulls won the St. Petersburg Bowl 41-14 over Memphis and have a five game win streak. The Bad - The Bulls finished only 2-5 in the Big East in '08, for their first losing conference record, since '04. The Ugly - The first three wins are vs. Wofford, @ Western Kentucky and vs. Charleston Southern. Not much of a OOC slate in '09 for the Bulls.


24. Kansas (4-0) LW t25 - The Jayhawks finish OOC play with a 35-28 win over Southern Miss (3-1, 1-0 C-USA). The Jayhawks have a bye week before opening Big 12 play vs. Iowa State (3-1) for their Homecoming Game on 10/10. The Good - The Jayhawks won the '08 Insight Bowl with a 42-21 win over Minnesota and are on a five game winning streak right now. The Bad - The Jayhawks must face OU, @ Texas Tech and @ Texas in the South again. The Ugly - The Jayhawks finished the final six Big 12 games in '08 2-4 and have only finished .500 or better once this decade.


25. (tie) Missouri (4-0) LW t25 - On Friday night, the Tigers hit the road for the first time @ Nevada and picked up a 31-21 win to close out OOC play. The Tigers will have a bye week before a Thursday night Big 12 home opener on 10/8 vs. #16 Nebraska (3-1). The Good - The Tigers in beating Illinois in the season opener have won eight straight against the Fighting Illini. The Bad - The Tigers have only finished better than 4-4 once this decade in the conference regular season. The Ugly - The Tigers have lost 17-38 and 21-62 in back to back Big 12 title games. But, will they make it three straight trips in '09?
    California (3-1, 0-1 Pac 10) LW 8 - The Golden Bears hit the road for their first conference game and it was not pretty as the Bears fell @ then #22 Oregon (3-1, 1-0 Pac 10) 3-42. Next up: vs. #4 USC (3-1, 1-1 Pac 10). The Good - The Golden Bears picked up a 35-21 road win at Minnesota in Week 2. The Bad - They followed up the win with a very disappointing opener in conference play in Week 4. The Ugly - The Golden Bears have lost five straight to USC in Pac 10 play.
    

Teams to Watch in Week 5: Teams who are currently ranked in Top 25 AP and/or Coaches' Polls, but not ranked here: Michigan (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten) - with four home game thus far, we think the Wolverines should earn one on the road first. Next up: @ Michigan State (1-3, 0-1 Big Ten). Is this the definition of a "trap" game for the Wolverines? They have not lost back to back games vs. the Spartans, since the 1940s?

Exiting our Top 25 in Week 4: Florida State (2-2, 0-1 ACC) LW 15 (L 7-17 vs. South Florida (4-0)), Washington (2-2, 1-1 Pac 10) LW 23 (L 14-34 @ Stanford (3-1, 2-0 Pac 10)).

Sagarin Ratings for College Football by Conference.

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