Ranking the top 25 teams in college football after Week 4
Weekly college football top 25 rankings are a big part of every season, and Athlon Sports will update its top 25 following the games each weekend. The fourth weekend of the 2020 season was headlined by Mississippi State's upset over LSU, Florida's victory over Ole Miss, Miami's easy win over Florida State and Kansas State's road upset over Oklahoma. Clemson, Alabama, Ohio State and Florida take the top four spots, with Georgia at No. 5 and Notre Dame at No. 6 in the post-Week 4 top 25 rankings. With the fourth week of the 2020 season officially in the books, here are the top 25 teams in college football:
College Football Top 25 Rankings
1. Clemson (2-0)
Week 4 Result: No Game
The Tigers were off in Week 4 and return to action next Saturday against Virginia.
2. Alabama (1-0)
Week 4 Result: Defeated Missouri
Running back Najee Harris ran for three touchdowns to help the Crimson Tide roll to an easy 38-19 victory against Missouri.
3. Ohio State (0-0)
Week 4 Result: No Game
The Buckeyes will return to the gridiron on Oct. 24 against Nebraska.
4. Florida (1-0)
Week 4 Result: Defeated Ole Miss
Kyle Trask to Kyle Pitts is going to be a popular connection for Florida in 2020. The Gators have some defensive issues to clean up, but coach Dan Mullen’s squad was impressive in a 51-35 victory on Saturday.
5. Georgia (1-0)
Week 4 Result: Defeated Arkansas
Bulldogs rallied for a 37-10 win, but concerns remain about the offense and the quarterback situation.
6. Notre Dame (2-0)
Week 4 Result: No Game
The Fighting Irish were forced to postpone their game against Wake Forest due to positive COVID tests and contact tracing. Coach Brian Kelly’s team is not slated to play in Week 5.
7. Penn State (0-0)
Week 4 Result: No Game
The Nittany Lions return to the gridiron on Oct. 24 against Indiana.
8. Miami (3-0)
Week 4 Result: Defeated Florida State
‘Canes continue to impress with a dominant 52-10 win over Florida State.
9. Auburn (1-0)
Week 4 Result: Defeated Kentucky
Bo Nix looks primed to take a step forward as a sophomore, but the Tigers have some work to do in the trenches after running for just 91 yards on 30 carries in Saturday’s win over Kentucky.
10. Oregon (0-0)
Week 4 Result: No Game
The Ducks are set to return to action on November 7.
11. Wisconsin (0-0)
Week 4 Result: No Game
The Badgers return to the gridiron on Oct. 24 against Illinois.
12. Texas (2-0)
Week 4 Result: Defeated Texas Tech
Sam Ehlinger’s five touchdown passes help Longhorns stage late comeback and avoid road defeat at Texas Tech.
13. Mississippi State (1-0)
Week 4 Result: Defeated LSU
Mike Leach’s anticipated debut as a head coach in the SEC didn’t disappoint with an upset win in Baton Rouge. Led by quarterback K.J. Costello, the Bulldogs torched LSU for 44 points and 632 total yards, while the defense forced two takeaways and generated seven sacks.
14. Oklahoma (1-1)
Week 4 Result: Lost to Kansas State
Sooners couldn’t overcome four turnovers or uneven play up front in the trenches in surprising 38-35 loss to Kansas State.
15. Texas A&M (1-0)
Week 4 Result: Defeated Vanderbilt
A sluggish win over Vanderbilt shows the Aggies have a lot to address on both sides of the ball before next week’s game at Alabama.
16. UCF (2-0)
Week 4 Result: Defeated East Carolina
Dillon Gabriel has passed for at least 400 yards and four touchdowns in back-to-back games to open the 2020 season.
17. Cincinnati (2-0)
Week 4 Result: Defeated Army
Bearcats held Army to only 182 rushing yards and did not allow an offensive touchdown in Saturday’s 24-10 victory.
18. LSU (0-1)
Week 4 Result: Lost to Mississippi State
The Tigers are going to be a work in progress with so many new faces stepping into key roles. However, the absence of cornerback Derek Stingley was apparent in Mississippi State’s record-setting day, and LSU’s offensive line has to play a lot better going forward.
19. North Carolina (1-0)
Week 4 Result: No Game
The Tar Heels haven’t played since Sept. 12 but return to the gridiron next Saturday at Boston College.
20. Oklahoma State (2-0)
Week 4 Result: Defeated West Virginia
With Spencer Sanders sidelined, Cowboys leaned on the run (203 yards) and timely stops on defense to beat West Virginia.
21. Michigan (0-0)
Week 4 Result: No Game
The Wolverines return to action on Oct. 24 at Minnesota.
22. Minnesota (0-0)
Week 4 Result: No Game
The Golden Gophers return to the gridiron on Oct. 24 versus Michigan.
23. USC (0-0)
Week 4 Result: No Game
The Trojans are set to start their 2020 season on Nov. 7.
24. Louisiana (3-0)
Week 4 Result: Defeated Georgia Southern
Ragin’ Cajuns are living on the edge, but last-second field goal ensures coach Billy Napier’s team will be undefeated going into showdown against Appalachian State on Oct. 7.
25. Virginia Tech (1-0)
Week 4 Result: Defeated NC State
Hokies were missing a handful of key players and a couple of coaches, but Justin Fuente’s team opens its 2020 schedule with a 45-24 victory.
