Not a lot has changed at the top of the college football rankings following week 4 results: Alabama still lead, while Clemson swap places with Oklahoma in the top 3, followed by Penn State and USC to complete the top 5. Michigan are the top Big Ten team, followed by Ohio State and Wisconsin. Mississippi State, Oregon, Utah and San Jose State are the new kids on the block this season for the first time, while Kansas State, Stanford, UCLA and Tennessee get kicked to the curb.
1. Alabama Crimson Tide (3-0, 45 first place votes): Alabama didn’t move after a 41-23 win over Colorado State, but they did lose 13 first place votes.
2. Clemson Tigers (3-0, 15): Clemson dominated Louisville 47-21 on the road, giving them a one spot bump and 14 more votes for 1st place.
3. Oklahoma Sooners (3-0, 1): A 56-14 win over Tulane shouldn’t have made any difference, but Clemson swapped places with them.
4. Penn State Nittany Lions (3-0): The Lions delivered an impressive 56-0 beatdown of Georgia State, moving up one place.
5. USC Trojans (3-0): Needed overtime to beat Texas 27-24 in L.A., which dropped them one spot.
6. Oklahoma State Cowboys (3-0): The Cowboys continue to put up impressive offensive numbers, taking them to a 59-21 win over Pitt on the road, and moving up 3 spots.
7. Washington Huskies (3-0): Their 48-16 win over Fresno State wasn’t enough to move them up or keep them in place – other results meant they dropped a spot.
8. Michigan Wolverines (3-0): Fell one spot after an unconvincing 29-13 win over Air Force at home.
9. Wisconsin Badgers (3-0): The top team in the Big Ten West conquered in Provo, beating BYU 40-6 and moving up one spot.
10. Ohio State Buckeyes (2-1): The highest ranked one-loss team had no problem against Army, winning 38-7, yet still fell two spots.
11. Georgia Bulldogs (3-0): A two-spot climb for the Dawgs following a 42-14 win over Samford.
12. Florida State Seminoles (0-1): Still haven’t played since their loss to Alabama in week 1.
13. Virginia Tech Hokies (3-0): The Hokies had no problem with East Carolina, beating the Pirates 64-17 on the road, moving up 3 spots.
14. Miami Hurricanes (1-0): The ‘Canes moved up 3 spots without playing.
15. Auburn Tigers (2-1): No change in Auburn’s ranking, although no one was impressed with their 24-10 win over Mercer.
16. TCU Horned Frogs (3-0): A four-spot climb for TCU following their 56-36 win over SMU, which began with falling behind in the first quarter and climbing back up.
17. Mississippi State Bulldogs (3-0): MSU are ranked for the first time this season, crushing LSU 37-7 in Starkville.
18. Washington State Cougars (3-0): A three spot move up the rankings for Wazzu following a 52-23 win over Oregon State.
19. Louisville Cardinals (2-1): Fell five spots after losing at home to Clemson 47-21.
20. Florida Gators (1-1): Won their first game of the season on a hail mary at the end to beat rivals Tennessee 26-20 and climbing four spots.
21. South Florida Bulls (3-0): The Bulls beat Illinois 47-23 in the early game of the weekend, moving up one spot.
22. San Diego State Aztecs (3-0): The Mountain West team beat Stanford 20-17, moving up into the rankings for the first time this season.
23. Utah Utes (3-0): Another newcomer to the rankings, Utah did it after beating San Jose State 54-16.
24. Oregon Ducks (3-0): Another newcomer to the rankings (surprising considering it’s Oregon), the Ducks followed up their win over Nebraska by easily overcoming Wyoming 49-13.
25. LSU Tigers (2-1): LSU got crushed by Mississippi State 37-7 on the road, causing a 13-spot drop.
Dropped from rankings: Kansas State Wildcats, Stanford Cardinal, Tennessee Volunteers, UCLA Bruins.
AP Rankings notes:
- Clemson have been in the top 5 for 28 weeks straight, the longest streak in the nation. Alabama follow with 26 weeks
- Mississippi State are in the rankings for the first time since November 2015