(Photo Courtesy Austin American-Statesman)
This week’s AP Poll featured a new number-one team in the nation, as Texas has taken over Georgia. The Longhorns have had one of the best starts to the season in recent memory, however early Heisman candidate and senior QB Quinn Ewers suffered a strained oblique in their 56-7 win over UTSA. Ewers will likely miss this week’s game against UL Monroe, giving backup Arch Manning his highly anticipated debut. The Longhorns should hold on to the number-one spot until they host the Georgia Bulldogs later in the year.
Also, around the college football world, 14th-ranked Kansas St got a crucial victory over BIG 12 Conference newcomer 20th-ranked Arizona. The Wildcats now make themselves strong contenders against 12th-ranked Utah. 6th-ranked Missouri takes care of business at home against 24th-ranked Boston College. With a ranked win early in the year, the Tigers establish themselves as the real deal in the SEC landscape. Memphis secured the road victory over Florida St, making them the frontrunner for the 12 seed in the playoffs, given to the highest-ranked group of five conference champions.
With all that being said, here’s my college football playoff bracket entering week four:
First round byes:
1. Texas (SEC Champion)
2. Ohio St (BIG 10 Champion)
3. Miami (ACC Champion)
4. Kansas St. (BIG 12 Champion)
First round matchups:
12. Memphis VS 5 Alabama
11. USC VS 6 Ole Miss
10. Oregon VS 7 Penn St
9. Oregon VS 8 Georgia
Games to watch this weekend:
24 Illinois VS 23 Nebraska (Friday 8 PM FOX)
While both these teams are at the bottom of the top 25, this game can play a massive impact on the shakeout of the BIG 10. Nebraska freshman phenom Dylan Raiola has led the Cornhuskers to their first undefeated start since 2016. They welcome the visiting Fighting Illini, who alongside Nebraska boast one of the best defenses in the country. This game will be back and forth and will come down to who has the ball last. Raiola and the Cornhuskers will get the upper hand at home under the Friday night lights, and continue their march towards what they had in the 90’s.
NC St. VS 21 Clemson (Saturday Noon ABC/ESPN+)
The Textile Bowl will feature two seasoned signal callers in Grayson McCall (NCST) and Cade Klubnik (CLEM), who both have had up and down seasons thus far. Both teams have suffered losses to top ten teams and are looking to notch a conference win in Death Valley. While both teams are very similar in play style, the Tigers are in the top half of the ACC in points per game (34.5) compared to the Wolfpack's 26. Clemson will get the home in their conference opener.
11 USC VS 18 Michigan (Saturday 3:30 PM CBS)
The defending national champs are in an interesting spot three weeks into the season. The home loss to now number one ranked Texas is still fresh on the minds of Wolverine fans, despite getting a victory over Arkansas St this past weekend. Now they welcome the undefeated USC Trojans, who can notch their first win in the BIG 10 conference after leaving the PAC 12 this past offseason. Wolverines QB Davis Warren has thrown six interceptions compared to his two touchdowns, which is just not a winning formula. While the Trojans offense has not been spectacular either, they have only turned the ball over just twice this season, once on a fumble and another on a failed fourth down conversion attempt. USC will get their first win in the BIG 10 in the big house.
Georgia Tech VS 19 Louisville (Saturday 3:30 PM ESPN2)
While from a glance, this game might not seem like much in the grand scheme of things. These teams are both real contenders in the wide-open ACC. We all remember when Georgia Tech made headlines with their win over Florida St in Dublin. While they did lose on the road to Syracuse, they ran into a Louisville team who have not been tested thus far. The Cardinals have faced Austin Peay and Jacksonville St, and both were blowout victories. The Yellowjackets bring an explosive offense that the Cardinals haven’t had to deal with at this point in the year. The Yellowjackets will notch another ACC victory in a road upset.
12 Utah VS 14 Oklahoma St (Saturday 4 PM FOX)
The BIG 12 is considered the most wide-open conference, and this matchup features the two biggest contenders. The Utes come over from the Pac-12 and have already notched a conference win against Baylor. The Cowboys of Oklahoma St feature arguably the best player in college ball in running back Ollie Gordon II, who is tied for 11th in the nation in rushing touchdowns. He will be the X-factor in that matchup despite the Utes' seasoned defense. Another matchup that can go either way and will once again come down to who will have the ball last. Oklahoma St has the edge on offense, and they’ll get their first BIG 12 win at home.
6 Tennessee VS 15 Oklahoma (Saturday 7:30 PM ABC/ESPN+)
This matchup between the Volunteers and Sooners has almost game of the year potential. The Vols have arguably the best offense in the nation, led by sophomore QB Nico Lamaleava and junior running back Dylan Sampson, who leads the nation in rushing touchdowns with nine. Oklahoma signal caller Jackson Arnold doubles as the leading rusher for the Sooners. Expect to see a shootout down in Norman, with defense being almost absent. While the Sooners are hosting the Vols, Tennessee has the upper hand on offense. The Vols will make their case for a top five ranking this week with a win over Oklahoma.
Have an opposing viewpoint to this opinion? Let us know. All views are welcome. Send your thoughts to our Editorial Staff – Editor Thomas Szot tszot@student.dean.edu or Dean Daily Faculty Advisor, Professor John Rooke jrooke@dean.edu
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