Week 4 Too Recklss Top 25
Week 4 completely reshaped the college football landscape. Texas survived a major test on the road at Tennessee, Florida announced itself with a dominant win over Ole Miss, and several ranked teams suffered major losses. Oregon knocked off USC, Iowa stunned Michigan on a walk-off touchdown, Mississippi State took down Missouri and Wake Forest pulled off one of the weekend's biggest upsets against Louisville. With the season beginning to take shape, here is the Too Recklss Top 25 heading into Week 5.
Texas — No. 1 → No. 1 (↔️)
Texas remains at No. 1 after surviving its biggest test of the season. The Longhorns went into Knoxville and escaped with a 20-17 victory over Tennessee, showing they can win a close, physical game against a ranked opponent. Texas has now proven itself both at home and on the road, and its defense continues to give it a strong foundation.
Georgia — No. 6 → No. 2 (+4)
Georgia makes the biggest jump among the top teams, climbing four spots from No. 6 to No. 2. The Bulldogs dominated Oklahoma 41-13, forcing four turnovers while controlling the game from start to finish. After watching several teams ahead of them lose or struggle, Georgia took advantage of the opportunity and moved back into the No. 2 spot.
Notre Dame — No. 3 → No. 3 (↔️)
Notre Dame holds steady at No. 3 after another dominant performance. The Fighting Irish traveled to Purdue and came away with a 49-10 victory, improving to 4-0. Notre Dame continues to take care of business against its opponents, and with no reason to move the Irish up or down, they remain at No. 3.
Miami — No. 4 → No. 4 (↔️)
Miami remains at No. 4 after cruising past Central Michigan 52-3. The Hurricanes controlled the game from the opening kickoff and continued their undefeated start. With Miami taking care of business while remaining behind the teams that made bigger statements around them, the Hurricanes hold their position in the Too Recklss rankings.
Ohio State — No. 7 → No. 5 (+2)
Ohio State moves up two spots after bouncing back with a convincing 42-19 win over Illinois. Jeremiah Smith once again showed why he is one of the most dangerous players in the country, while the Buckeyes controlled the game offensively. After Georgia and several other teams around them made significant changes to the rankings, Ohio State moves back into the Top 5.
Indiana — No. 5 → No. 6 (-1)
Indiana drops one spot despite remaining undefeated. The Hoosiers escaped Northwestern 29-23 in a much closer game than expected, preventing them from holding onto their No. 5 position. Indiana is still 4-0 and remains one of the country's strongest teams, but the narrow victory opens the door for Ohio State to move ahead.
Alabama — No. 11 → No. 7 (+4)
Alabama climbs four spots after another strong SEC performance. The Crimson Tide defeated South Carolina 49-18, putting together a much more convincing showing than some of the teams around them. Alabama's dominant win combined with losses and struggles from teams ahead of them allows the Tide to move all the way from No. 11 to No. 7.
LSU — No. 12 → No. 8 (+4)
LSU also moves up four spots despite entering the week with a loss already on its résumé. The Tigers bounced back in a major way, destroying Texas A&M 35-6 in an SEC matchup. After Ole Miss suffered a major loss and several other teams fell, LSU benefits from the chaos and moves back into the Top 10.
Florida — No. 25 → No. 9 (+16)
Florida makes the biggest jump in the entire Too Recklss Top 25, going from No. 25 all the way to No. 9. The Gators delivered one of the strongest performances of the season by crushing previously No. 2 Ole Miss 52-28. Florida controlled the game and turned a matchup against an undefeated top-two team into a statement victory. After entering last week's rankings at No. 25, there was no way to ignore what the Gators accomplished in Week 4.
BYU — No. 8 → No. 10 (-2)
BYU falls two spots despite remaining undefeated. The Cougars were idle in Week 4, meaning they did not have an opportunity to add another win to their résumé while several teams around them made major statements. With Florida, Alabama and LSU making significant moves, BYU slides to No. 10 but remains firmly inside the Top 10.
Texas Tech — No. 9 → No. 11 (-2)
Texas Tech drops two spots despite improving to 4-0 with a 49-14 win over Sam Houston. The Red Raiders handled business and remain undefeated, but the teams moving around them had stronger résumé-changing moments. Texas Tech remains one of the Big 12's top teams, but the Red Raiders fall just outside the Top 10 this week.
Utah — No. 14 → No. 12 (+2)
Utah climbs two spots after another impressive defensive performance. The Utes defeated Iowa State 31-17 on the road, giving them a significant conference victory and improving them to 4-0. After starting the week at No. 14, Utah takes advantage of movement ahead of them and climbs into the No. 12 position.
Iowa — No. 17 → No. 13 (+4)
Iowa jumps four spots after one of the most dramatic wins of the weekend. The Hawkeyes defeated Michigan 20-19 in Ann Arbor on a walk-off touchdown, giving Iowa its biggest victory of the season. The win over a ranked opponent on the road gives Iowa a major résumé boost and moves the Hawkeyes from No. 17 to No. 13.
Tennessee — No. 10 → No. 14 (-4)
Tennessee falls four spots after narrowly losing to No. 1 Texas. The Volunteers played Texas extremely close, but ultimately came up short 20-17 at home. Tennessee showed it can compete with one of the nation's best, but the loss drops the Vols from No. 10 to No. 14 in the Too Recklss rankings.
Ole Miss — No. 2 → No. 15 (-13)
Ole Miss suffers the biggest drop of the week, falling 13 spots from No. 2 to No. 15. The Rebels were completely outplayed by Florida in a 52-28 loss, ending their undefeated start. After jumping from No. 7 to No. 2 last week following the win over LSU, Ole Miss now falls dramatically after giving up 52 points to the Gators.
Mississippi State — No. 23 → No. 16 (+7)
Mississippi State makes one of the biggest jumps of the week, climbing seven spots from No. 23 to No. 16. The Bulldogs defeated No. 19 Missouri 31-24, earning a major SEC victory and improving their résumé. Mississippi State's win over a ranked opponent, combined with the movement around them, pushes the Bulldogs firmly into the Top 20.
Oregon — No. 22 → No. 17 (+5)
Oregon climbs five spots after putting together one of the most dominant performances of Week 4. The Ducks followed up their earlier loss with a 41-27 victory over USC, giving them a major ranked win. That victory provides Oregon with the résumé boost it needed and moves the Ducks from No. 22 to No. 17.
SMU — No. 18 → No. 18 (↔️)
SMU remains at No. 18 after defeating Missouri State 34-24. The Mustangs did not make a major jump, but they also did enough to avoid falling after their earlier loss to Louisville. SMU stays in the same position as the team looks to rebuild its résumé during the rest of ACC play.
Oklahoma State — NR → No. 19 (NEW)
Oklahoma State enters the Too Recklss Top 25 for the first time this season at No. 19. The Cowboys have put together enough early-season results to earn a spot in the rankings, while their previous victory over Oregon remains a notable piece of their résumé. Oklahoma State now gets its chance to prove it belongs among the nation's ranked teams.
Pittsburgh — No. 24 → No. 20 (+4)
Pittsburgh climbs four spots from No. 24 to No. 20. The Panthers remain undefeated and continue to build a strong early-season résumé. With several teams ahead of them losing in Week 4, Pitt takes advantage of the movement and moves into the Top 20.
Wake Forest — NR → No. 21 (NEW)
Wake Forest enters the rankings after pulling off one of Week 4's biggest upsets. The Demon Deacons defeated No. 16 Louisville 30-27 on the road, blocking a potential game-winning field goal in the final seconds. The victory gives Wake Forest a major résumé win and earns the Demon Deacons their first appearance in the Too Recklss Top 25.
Houston — NR → No. 22 (NEW)
Houston enters the rankings at No. 22 after continuing to show enough early in the season to earn a spot. The Cougars defeated Georgia Southern 42-28 in Week 4 and remain one of the teams to watch in the Big 12. Houston gets the nod at No. 22 as the Cougars make their debut in the Too Recklss Top 25.
Missouri — No. 19 → No. 23 (-4)
Missouri drops four spots after losing to Mississippi State 31-24. The Tigers entered the matchup ranked No. 19 but could not hold onto a lead against the Bulldogs. Missouri remains ranked because of its overall résumé, but losing to a previously unranked Mississippi State team results in a significant four-spot drop.
Duke — NR → No. 24 (NEW)
Duke enters the Too Recklss Top 25 at No. 24. The Blue Devils have put together a strong enough start to earn their first appearance in the rankings, and their early-season performances give them an opportunity to make a run up the poll. At No. 24, Duke becomes one of the newest teams looking to establish itself nationally.
UCLA — NR → No. 25 (NEW)
UCLA rounds out the rankings at No. 25 after entering the Too Recklss Top 25 for the first time. The Bruins have shown enough through the opening weeks to earn consideration, although they sit at the bottom of the poll because their résumé still needs to develop. UCLA now has the opportunity to move up with stronger performances going forward.
