Boise State, UCLA, Clemson on the Move in CFN Week 2 Rankings
The College Football News (CFN) rankings for Week 2 are out, and there's plenty of movement across the board. Boise State, UCLA, and Western Michigan made big jumps, while Rutgers, Oklahoma State, and Clemson took significant tumbles after rough opening weekends.
Here's a breakdown of the biggest movers and what it means for the rest of the season.
Biggest Risers in the CFN Week 2 Rankings
Several teams made strong statements in Week 1 and were rewarded with major jumps in the rankings.
Boise State Broncos (0-1) — Ranked 33rd
Despite a 34-27 loss to Oregon, Boise State impressed enough to jump from 62nd to 33rd. The Broncos showed they can compete with the nation's elite and face a big test this week against Memphis.
UCLA Bruins (1-0) — Ranked 30th
UCLA's 45-24 win over Cal moved them up three spots to 30th. The Bruins host San Diego State next and look to keep climbing.
Western Michigan Broncos (0-1) — Ranked 39th
Even in a narrow 13-12 loss to Michigan, Western Michigan jumped from 88th to 39th. The Broncos nearly pulled off a massive upset and will look to get in the win column against Monmouth.
Biggest Fallers in the CFN Week 2 Rankings
Some teams had opening weekends they'd rather forget, and the rankings reflect that.
Clemson Tigers (0-1) — Ranked 35th
Clemson dropped from 29th to 35th after a 51-10 blowout loss to LSU. The Tigers have a chance to right the ship against Georgia Southern this week.
Oklahoma State Cowboys (0-1) — Ranked 106th
The Cowboys fell a staggering 56 spots from 50th to 106th after a 24-10 loss to Tulsa. Oklahoma State faces Oregon next in a critical bounce-back opportunity.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights (0-1) — Ranked 120th
Rutgers dropped from 59th to 120th despite a 44-10 win over UMass. The ranking seems harsh for a team that won, but the Scarlet Knights have a chance to prove themselves at Boston College this week.
Iowa Teams in the CFN Week 2 Rankings
Iowa football fans will want to keep an eye on a couple of familiar names in these rankings.
Iowa State Cyclones (1-0) — Ranked 67th
The Cyclones opened with a 38-10 win over SE Missouri State and moved up from 69th to 67th. Iowa State faces a huge test this week at Iowa in the annual Cy-Hawk showdown.
Northern Illinois Huskies (0-1) — Ranked 133rd
Northern Illinois dropped from 124th to 133rd after a 40-0 shutout loss to Iowa. The Huskies host Illinois State next.
What to Watch in Week 2
Several ranked teams face pivotal matchups that could shake up the rankings again.
- Iowa State at Iowa: The Cy-Hawk game is always a battle, and both teams are looking to make a statement.
- Memphis at Boise State: Boise State needs a win to validate its high ranking.
- San Diego State at UCLA: UCLA can continue its climb with another home win.
- Georgia Southern at Clemson: Clemson needs a convincing win to stop the slide.
CFN Week 2 Rankings 26-50
Here's a look at the rest of the teams ranked 26 through 50 in the latest CFN poll:
- 26. Arizona State Sun Devils (1-0)
- 27. Auburn Tigers (1-0)
- 28. Minnesota Golden Gophers (1-0)
- 29. Missouri Tigers (1-0)
- 30. UCLA Bruins (1-0)
- 31. Illinois Fighting Illini (1-0)
- 32. Baylor Bears (0-1)
- 33. Boise State Broncos (0-1)
- 34. Kentucky Wildcats (1-0)
- 35. Clemson Tigers (0-1)
- 36. SMU Mustangs (0-0)
- 37. Arizona Wildcats (1-0)
- 38. Virginia Cavaliers (1-0)
- 39. Western Michigan Broncos (0-1)
- 40. Houston Cougars (1-0)
- 41. Colorado Buffaloes (1-0)
- 42. Pitt Panthers (1-0)
- 43. Cal Golden Bears (0-1)
- 44. Wisconsin Badgers (0-1)
- 45. Mississippi State Bulldogs (1-0)
- 46. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (0-1)
- 47. Florida State Seminoles (1-0)
- 48. North Carolina Tar Heels (1-0)
- 49. Virginia Tech Hokies (1-0)
- 50. Nebraska Cornhuskers (1-0)
The full rankings from 51 through 138 are available at CFN. With Week 2 games kicking off, expect more movement next week as teams look to establish themselves early in the season.