College football never really sits still, does it? Week 4 just threw a bunch of curveballs, and the power rankings look pretty different now.
Clemson’s long run at the top seems finished for the moment. Indiana and Texas Tech are making some actual noise, which is a bit unexpected if you ask me.
Florida and South Carolina, who got plenty of preseason buzz, aren’t living up to the hype. The rankings are shifting fast, with Texas Tech, Indiana, and Missouri all climbing.
Meanwhile, Clemson, Illinois, and Utah have dropped out of the top spots. Week 5 is coming up, and honestly, who knows what will happen next?
Let’s look at the current power rankings and try to make sense of where things stand.
The Top Four Teams Remain Unchanged
Despite all the movement, the top four teams are holding steady. Here’s the list:
- Ohio State Buckeyes
- Penn State Nittany Lions
- Georgia Bulldogs
- Texas Longhorns
How long will this last, though? Penn State’s got Oregon up next, and that’s easily one of the biggest games of the season.
Penn State’s only favored by 3.5 at home. If Oregon pulls it off, the Ducks could break into the top two.
Ohio State’s Road Challenge
Ohio State is heading out for their first real road test against Washington. They’re favored by 8.5, but that’s just on paper.
A lot of early bets are leaning toward Washington to make it close. This one feels like it could go either way.
Oregon Ducks and Miami Hurricanes Rising
Oregon and Miami are both right on the edge of that top group. Ducks are sitting at fifth, Hurricanes at sixth.
Miami’s been especially tough, taking down Florida and Notre Dame with some real physical play.
LSU Tigers’ Slight Decline
LSU has slipped to seventh. Their earlier win over Clemson just doesn’t look as impressive now.
They’ve got a shot to bounce back against Ole Miss, but they’re slight underdogs there. Could go either way.
Alabama and Oklahoma on the Cusp
Alabama and Oklahoma are both close to breaking into the elite group. Alabama’s next game against Georgia is a big one.
Georgia’s defense seems to be slipping a bit, but then again, Alabama’s been up and down too. It’s hard to know what to expect.
Oklahoma’s Rapid Ascent
Oklahoma’s been climbing fast, mostly thanks to wins over Michigan and Auburn.
They play Texas next, and the Longhorns are favored by four. An Oklahoma win would shake things up even more.
Texas A&M and Florida State: Quality but Underdogs
Texas A&M and Florida State both look solid, but they’re still seen as underdogs against the top teams. Texas A&M’s win at Notre Dame was wild, honestly.
Florida State’s got a tough one at Virginia coming up. Both teams have potential, but they’re not quite there yet.
Texas Tech’s Impressive Debut
Texas Tech jumped into the rankings at 14th after crushing Utah. Their defense looks a lot better this year.
Could they be playoff contenders? Maybe. It’s still early, but it’s fun to think about.
Indiana and Missouri: Proving Their Worth
Indiana and Missouri are both moving up. Indiana’s huge win over Illinois really stood out.
But Indiana’s got Iowa and Oregon coming up, so we’ll see if they can keep it going.
USC’s Potential
USC looks great so far, but they haven’t played anyone tough yet. That’ll change soon, with Illinois, Michigan, Notre Dame, and Nebraska all on the schedule.
They’re at 20th for now, but if they keep winning, they’ll climb. It’s just hard to say until they face some real competition.
Looking Ahead
The next few weeks could really shake up the college football landscape. High-stakes games are right around the corner.
Rankings might shift again. Maybe the top four teams will hang onto their spots, or maybe someone new will crash the party—who knows?
If you want a deeper dive into the latest power rankings and more takes, check out the original article on CBS Sports.
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