Kellis Robinett’s college football rankings (Sept. 7)

Nothing makes you notice the unbalanced nature of schedules in college football like trying to rank the nation’s 25 best teams two weeks into the season.

Some teams have played two road games. Some teams have played two home games. Some teams have challenged themselves against topnotch competition. Some teams have feasted on cupcakes.

When comparing those schedules, as usual, I tried to reward the teams that have challenged themselves. But I also tried not to punish teams that have won big against lesser opposition. A 70-point victory is a 70-point victory, regardless of the setting.

Teams like Michigan State and Stanford moved down, but not out of, the poll after losing to ranked opponents. Teams like Virginia Tech and BYU soared up the poll after winning impressively on the road.

A few quick hits:

Movement up top: Oregon broke into the top four after pulling away from Michigan State in one of the most anticipated nonconference games of the season. The Ducks challenged themselves and earned a result that could help them reach the College Football Playoff. Southern California is also new to the top 10 at No. 7 after beating Stanford on the road. The Trojans have looked good in both of their games.

Biggest jump: BYU. The Cougars are one of the nation’s few teams with two road victories. And they won both games resoundingly, smashing Connecticut and Texas. They ascended 10 spots from No. 21 to No. 11. I realize Connecticut and Texas aren’t the greatest teams, but winning a pair of road games by a combined score of 76-16 is mighty impressive.

Biggest drop: Ohio State. The Buckeyes dropped from No. 4 all the way down to No. 25 after a 35-21 home loss to Virginia Tech. I kept them in the rankings over some other contenders, because the loss came against a quality opponent.

New arrivals: Notre Dame fans can stop sending me hate mail. I voted Notre Dame No. 15 after it shutout Michigan 31-0. The Wolverines hadn’t been shutout since 1984. Notre Dame has won both its games by 31 points. Virginia Tech is also new to my poll at No. 14. The Hokies looked great knocking off Ohio State.

1. Florida State (1)

2. Oklahoma (2)

3. Alabama (3)

4. Oregon (5)

5. Auburn (6)

6. Texas A&M (8)

7. Southern California (14)

8. LSU (9)

9. Georgia (10)

10. Baylor (12)

11. BYU (21)

12. UCLA (11)

13. Mississippi (15)

14. Virginia Tech (NR)

15. Notre Dame (NR)

16. Kansas State (16)

17. Arizona State (17)

18. Michigan State (7)

19. Stanford (11)

20. Penn State (20)

21. Nebraska (18)　

22. Wisconsin (19)

23. Louisville (23)

24. Missouri (24)　

25. Ohio State (4)

Last week’s ranking in parentheses.

This story was originally published September 7, 2014 at 9:37 AM with the headline "Kellis Robinett’s college football rankings (Sept. 7)."