This week brought us some really interesting games that
probably shouldn’t have been that interesting. With 3 top 10 matchups next
week, it would be easy for teams to peek ahead and lay an egg. Washington and Stanford
were guilty of this, but the other squads took care of business early (Michigan,
Wisconsin, Louisville, Louisville). Next week has one of the most intriguing
slates in years. We are even lucky enough to get one of the top 10 matchups on
Friday night. I can’t wait. Here’s my breakdown of week 4 in college football…
Top 25 Poll
Others receiving votes: Arizona State, Arkansas,
Colorado, South Florida
Dropped from the rankings: Oklahoma State (16), Georgia
(17), LSU (19), South Florida (20), California (22), Army (24)
25 (NR). West Virginia
(3-0) – They survived a test at home by a desperate BYU squad. Their
offense is great, but this is not a vintage WV defense.
24 (NR). Tennessee
(4-0) – The Vols came storming back at home to beat their rival Florida. It
was a terrible football game, but the Vols improved to the most unimpressive
4-0 of any team.
23 (23). North
Dakota State (3-0) – IDLE
22 (NR). TCU (3-1)
– Their only loss to Arkansas is looking ok, even though they had that game
won before choking it away by poor clock management. They are going to be a tough
out in the Big 12.
21 (NR). Miami (3-0)
– I am not buying in completely, but there are just not enough deserving
teams to fill out a top 25.
20 (NR). Mississippi
(2-2) – The Rebels showed their merit by annihilating Georgia. The loss to
Florida State still stings, but they showed something putting up 40+ points on
Alabama.
19 (NR). Western
Michigan (4-0) – They have two wins over the Big Ten, and they just took
out the best team in the Sun Belt. They are going to sneak up on national rankings
as the weeks tick toward December.
18 (9). Michigan State (2-1) – Their win over
Notre Dame looks less impressive, and they got rolled by Wisconsin. They need a
new option at QB if they want to compete in the Big Ten East.
16 (21). Florida
State (3-1) – The Noles looked like a different team playing a tricky road
game at South Florida. They romped the Bulls almost as bad as they got romped
the previous week at Louisville.
15 (18). Nebraska (4-0)
– The Huskers won a road game against their budding rival Northwestern in
an ugly game filled with mistakes on both sides.
14 (13). San Diego
State (3-0) – IDLE
13 (14). Boise
State (3-0) – Boise won in Corvallis, which isn’t really a difficult test,
but it is their second win over a Pac-12 team this season.
12 (15). Utah (4-0)
– The Utes looked shaky against USC, but they have a winning mentality that
is going to be tough to shake. They are the best team in the Pac-12 South.
11 (11). Baylor (4-0)
– The Bears faced their first good team of the year in Oklahoma State, and
the team looks like the best team in the conference after a decisive win.
10 (10). Clemson (4-0)
– The definition of a trap game was Clemson heading to GT, where they have
struggled over the years. They passed the test by dominating the first half.
9 (7). Stanford (3-0)
– Stanford struggled for 3 quarters against an average UCLA before taking over.
8 (6). Washington (4-0)
– The first real opponent that the Huskies have played turned into an
overtime nail-biter. Arizona typically wins those games, but UW survives to
take on Stanford on Friday night under the lights.
7 (8). Texas
A&M (4-0) – The Aggies are a scary team right now. Trevor Knight
appears to be the best fit for the Sumlin system that he has ever had.
6 (5). Houston (4-0)
– The Cougars won by one of the most lopsided scores of the year. It was
Texas State, though. Their strength of schedule is going to cause them to keep
falling until they play Louisville.
5 (12). Wisconsin (4-0)
– The Badgers looked like a different team than the one that struggled with
Georgia State a week ago. Hornibrook is definitely a better option at QB than
Houston.
4 (3). Alabama (4-0)
– Bama beat up on Nick Saban’s alma mater Kent State on Saturday.
Impressive? Meh…
3 (2). Ohio State (3-0)
– IDLE
2 (4). Michigan (4-0)
– Penn State was a trendy pick to give Michigan a fight, the Wolverines
ended the game early and look every bit of a national title contender.
1 (1). Louisville (4-0)
– The Cardinals did nothing to lose their spot at the top of the rankings
after destroying Marshall on the road.
Top 5 Games
for Next Weekend
5. Western
Michigan (#19) at Central Michigan, 4:00PM CBSSN – The battle of the two
best directional schools will likely be a shootout. Both are good teams, even
though CMU had an embarrassing loss to Virginia on Saturday.
PREDICTION: Western Michigan 41-24
4. Kansas State at
West Virginia (#25), 12:30PM ESPNU – This is not the sexiest matchup, but
Kansas State is a tough team taking on an unbeaten team in the conference. It
is an intriguing game nonetheless.
PREDICTION: West Virginia 31-27
3. Wisconsin (#5)
at Michigan (#2), 12:30PM TBD – Wisconsin is highly ranked because they do
have two top 10 wins, but neither of them are really as impressive anymore. I
don’t think they have much of a chance in Ann Arbor, but I’ll be watching.
PREDICTION: Michigan 28-7
2. Stanford (#9)
at Washington (#8), FRI 6:00PM ESPN – This has become a mini rivalry
over the years, but this is the most consequential game between them in
decades. It will likely be a defensive struggle. I don’t usually like these
types of matchups during the week, but I’ll take it.
PREDICTION: Washington 17-9
1. Louisville (#1)
at Clemson (#10), 5:00PM ABC – Can Louisville win a big road game? Can
DeShaun Watson perform like the preseason Heisman favorite he was supposed to
be? I can’t wait for this game.
PREDICTION: Clemson 23-21
Heisman
Trophy Watch
5. Seth Russell,
QB, Baylor – His stats are going to continue to impress all year long. If
healthy, he will be invited to NY.
4. JT Barrett, QB, Ohio State – He is the technician and only veteran
on the most surprising offense in the nation.
3. Jabrill
Peppers, LB/CB/S, Michigan – He is being groomed to be Charles Woodson, and
he is having just as good of a season as the former Heisman winner did.
2. Christian
McCaffrey, RB, Stanford – He isn’t having quite the season as last year just
yet, but his numbers are still just as impressive as any player not named…
1. Lamar Jackson,
QB, Louisville – He is the most dynamic player in the nation by a mile. His
rise to Heisman frontrunner can only be compared to Geno Smith. That didn’t end
well, but I would be lying if I said he wasn’t the best at this point.
College
Football Playoff Projections
Chik-fil-A Peach Bowl: Utah over San
Diego State
Rose Bowl: Stanford over Wisconsin
Fiesta Bowl: Louisville over Baylor
Sugar Bowl: Houston over Texas
A&M
College Football Playoff Semifinal #1
(Orange Bowl): Michigan over Washington
CFB Playoff Semifinal #2 (Cotton Bowl):
Alabama over Clemson
National
Championship Game: Michigan over Alabama
What did you think of this weekend? Rankings? Heisman
predictions? Let me know below!
