The chaos that college football so narrowly avoided in Week 2 ran amok this weekend.
Four of Sporting News' top-25 teams — Maryland, Michigan State, North Carolina, USC — fell out of the rankings after head-scratching losses in Week 3. Maryland, which put up 142 points in its first two games, couldn't get up against Temple, losing 20-17. Michigan State scored a single touchdown in a 10-7 loss against Arizona State. UNC couldn't get that one second back against Wake and USC lost a stunner to BYU in overtime.
MORE: Week 4 Playoff picture
We also saw some movement within the rankings. UCF, Texas, Wisconsin and Utah all moved up the rankings after impressive showings, while Penn State, Florida, Auburn and Washington State — while they won — left some questions to be answered in the coming weeks. The top eight teams remained static this week, but that's certain to change with several marquee matchups taking place in the next slate of games.
With that, Sporting News' Week 4 college football rankings:
Sporting News Week 4 College Football Rankings:
| Rank | Team | Change |
| 1 | Clemson (3-0) | - |
| 2 | Alabama (3-0) | - |
| 3 | Georgia (3-0) | - |
| 4 | Oklahoma (3-0) | - |
| 5 | LSU (3-0) | - |
| 6 | Ohio State (3-0) | - |
| 7 | Michigan (2-0) | - |
| 8 | Notre Dame (2-0) | - |
| 9 | Utah (3-0) | +1 |
| 10 | Penn State (3-0) | -1 |
| 11 | Wisconsin (2-0) | +1 |
| 12 | Florida (3-0) | -1 |
| 13 | Texas (2-1) | +1 |
| 14 | Auburn (3-0) | -1 |
| 15 | UCF (3-0) | +1 |
| 16 | Washington State (3-0) | -1 |
| 17 | Texas A&M (2-1) | - |
| 18 | Oregon (2-1) | - |
| 19 | Washington (2-1) | - |
| 20 | Iowa (3-0) | NR |
| 21 | Boise State (3-0) | NR |
| 22 | Arizona State (3-0) | NR |
| 23 | Memphis (3-0) | +1 |
| 24 | Virginia (3-0) | +1 |
| 25 | Wake Forest (3-0) | NR |
Moved in: Arizona State, Iowa, Wake Forest, Boise State
Dropped out: Maryland, Michigan State, North Carolina, USC
