College Football in Review:Week 4

Week 4 in the College Football season is over. Lets take a look at the week in review.

Best Game of the Week:West Virginia vs Colorado-You know, the CU Buffs have made a Big XII Championship appearence in this decade. As a matter of fact, they've had 3. They beat Texas in '01, but in the last two('04 and '05) they lost to Oklahoma and Texas by a combined 112-6 and in both those years they failed to qualify for a bowl game. So to see the Buffs get a big victory like this is awesome. I hope Colorado can be back to full strength soon. They're one of my favorite schools. High drama and a thrilling finish makes this the game of the week.

Player of the Week:Russell Wilson(N.C. State)-In Week 1, this kid got beaten up by South Carolina for 20 passing yards. This week, Wilson threw for 3 touchdowns in N.C. State's 30-24 upset of East Carolina. Gotta hand it to the kid.

Dissapointment of the Week:East Carolina-Proof that the little games count too. The Pirates beat ACC and Big East Champs Virginia Tech and West Virginia but got upended by lowly N.C. State. The numbers were there, just not the team. But its still enough to give Skip Holtz a big coaching job.

Surprise Team of the Week:N.C. State-The Wolfpack got killed by South Carolina and Clemson and didn't even have a touchdown against an FBS school going into their 30-24 win over ECU. For Tom O'Brien, the genius behind Boston College and Matt Ryan, this was a big win.

Numbers:
166-The amount of rushing yards by Colorado's Rodney Stewart in the Buffs 17-14 win over West Virginia

328-The amount of rushing yards by Alabama in their 49-14 win over Arkansas. Is Bear Bryant back?

4-The amount of passing touchdowns by Terrelle Pryor in his debut as Ohio State beat Troy 28-10

386-The amount of passing yards by Boise State's Kellen Moore in the Broncos 37-32 win over Oregon

98-The amount of rushing yards by Josh Portis in Maryland's 51-24 win over Eastern Michigan. Pretty good for a back-up QB

201-The amount of rushing yards by Javon Ringer in Michigan State's 23-7 win over Notre Dame

699-The amount of rushing yards by Javon Ringer this season

The Contenders:
South Florida-The Bulls struggled agains FIU this week, but with the Big East looking easier, the Bulls look to make a National Title run.

Florida-After the Gators 30-6 win over Tennessee, I'm a believer. I know UT lost to UCLA but this is a rivalry game and this was a road game. The Gators still have UGA, LSU, Auburn, and Florida State but they can manage.

Texas-Its 2005 and Colt McCoy is playing as good as Vince Young...except he passes more. The Longhorns demolished Rice 52-10 and look to continue. They are real but they must not overlook Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas Tech.

Wake Forest-They beat FSU, the defense is stiff, so look out for Wake. They still have Clemson and Maryland but they can manage it.

Penn State-Lets see...Texas is a top contender, Notre Dame beat Michigan but lost to Michigan State, USC is a juggernaut...so why can't Penn State re-enact 2005? With a tough defense and a great run game its possible. I think PSU should stick to the spread for now on. They're 1000x better.

Lets not forget about...USC and Oklahoma-They had byes but they will be back.

Deadsetters:
Kansas(3-1):KU bounced back nicely this week knocking off Sam Houston State 38-14. KU will be back in October when they start the month with Iowa State, Colorado, and the big one against Oklahoma.

Maryland(3-1)-The Terrapins blew out Eastern Michigan, but it ain't going to get easy for the Terps as they face Clemson on Saturday. Last year, the Tigers sent the Terps season into free fall winning 30-10 in College Park. Maryland better be on its "A" game against Clemson.

Georgia Tech(3-1)-The Triple Option is alive and well in Atlanta as Tech knocked off Mississippi State on Saturday 38-7. Tech is off this week but returns with a tough one against Duke before facing Gardner Webb and Clemson in Death Valley.

Michigan State(3-1)-Javon Ringer ran all over Notre Dame on Saturday leading the Spartans to a 23-7 victory. The Spartans have to go to Indiana this week before facing Iowa. However, after Iowa it only gets harder as the Spartans finish with @Northwestern, Ohio State, @Michigan, Wisconsin, Purdue, and @Penn State.

Virginia Tech(3-1)-Staying alive is the theme for this team. They've managed to escape Georgia Tech and North Carolina rallying back from a 17-3 deficit to win 20-17. It won't get any easy as Tech plays Nebraska on Saturday.

Iowa(3-1)-The Hawkeyes slipped on Pitt on Saturday falling 21-20. The Hawkeyes need to get the passing game up or else they'll fall further. That won't be easy with Northwestern coming to town on Saturday.

Purdue(2-1)-The Boilermakers rebounded from losing to Oregon by almost losing to Central Michigan. The Boilermakers end the Best of 3 with a clean sweep of the Chippawas but they didn't go away easily. Lets see what they do in South Bend on Saturday.

Arkansas(2-1)-Yeah I don't see that happening

Boston College(2-1)-The Eagles surprised a few by handling UCF easily on Saturday. With the ACC coming up, the Eagles look to retain the Atlantic Division title and get a shot at the National Title.

Arizona(3-1)-The Wildcats ate up UCLA on Saturday. With the offense and defense connecting well so far this year, could we see another AU upset of a Top 10 team. Watch out USC.

Notre Dame(2-1)-The Fighting Irish got handled by the Spartans in a game that was a little closer than the score looks. Notre Dame was almost within 6 in the last 5 minutes but a field goal miss ended their rally. Purdue comes to South Bend this week and the Irish look to beat the Boilers.

North Carolina(2-1)-Tough loss on Saturday. Even tougher is losing T.J. Yates for 6 weeks. That was the "x" factor in the Tar Heels 20-17 loss to Va.Tech. With an easy ACC, the Tar Heels can, however, make a run and hopefully reach the National Title.

Miami(2-1)-The Canes look like the same team they were from 2000-2005. They are fast, tough, physical and hard to beat. It was shown in their 41-23 with of Texas A&M. The ACC looks easy and so does the shot at another National Title in this decade.

Oregon(3-1)-The Ducks looked BAD. Simply put BAD. Boise State surprised everybody by going into Autzen Stadium and knocking off the Ducks and shutting down the run. They trailed 37-13 in the 4th but rallied to make it 37-32. Now if they can just keep the passing up and the running back up they can make a run in the Pac 10. However, they got to get through USC, Cal, and Oregon State first...all 3 on the road.

Florida State(2-1)-Not the start the Noles wanted. Once again, Wake Forest took FSU to the woodshed beating them 12-3. In the last two games at Doak Campbell, FSU has been outscored 42-3 by Wake. In the years before, Wake hadn't even scored 42 points. Again the ACC is a mixed bag so lets see what the Noles can do...if they can get past Colorado first.

Cincinnati(2-1)-After OU hammered them, Cincy came back and knocked off Miami U 45-20. The Big East looks simple for the Bearcats...if they can get past USF and UCONN.

Auburn(2-1)-They were close...but once again the offense stalled and the defense gave too much. As a result Auburn fell to LSU. Escaping MSU didn't help...neither did this.

The Unknown:
Georgia-The Dawgs beat down Arizona State...who lost the week before to UNLV. Before anyone jump on the Dawgs bandwagon. Remember they get Alabama on Saturday and Florida and LSU next month. Its a long season...especially in the SEC.

Northwestern-They're 4-0...but is it a legit 4-0? They beat Ohio by 8, which is just as good as Ohio State's win over the Bobcats. They have to go to Iowa, Indiana, Minnesota, and Michigan. But they got Purdue, Ohio State, and Illinois at home...is it 1995 or another 2000?

Minnesota-The Gophers are back. Its official. I am fully convinced after a 37-3 win over FAU. But are they in Contender shape? We'll see when they play Ohio State on Saturday in Columbus.

Alabama-Roll Tide indeed...Bama knocked off Arkansas 49-14 on Saturday and face UGA on Sunday. With a good running game and a tough defense...is the Tide back?

Vanderbilt-They've never been on CBS...they've never won the SEC...at least recently. Can they get to a National Title? The passing game is working...the defense is ready...but can they survive Auburn in 2 weeks?

Texas Tech-Again...you have to play defense. Sure they shut down the mighty UMASS...but can they shut down the weak Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, and Missouri? What about Nebraska? You can only outscore someone for so long before they shut you down.

LSU-I'm concern about QB play here...LSU runs the ball well...but can they throw it well enough to surprise the SEC. Remember theirs 6 senses to a team. They got 5 but can they get 6 as they begin the SEC?

Eliminated From Contention:
West Virginia-Wow that Bill Stewart hiring looks really good right now. Nevermind he couldn't win at Division II VMI 12 years ago. I feel for Pat White...and Brian Brohm.

Ole Miss-Houston Nutt is doing a good job but just like at Arkansas...so close yet so far.

Arizona State-If I can name one team that has never won a National Title but is so deserving its ASU. They were screwed in the '70's twice. They were a Joe Germaine pick away from beating Ohio State and winning in '96. They started 8-0 last year and now they're eliminated. Rose Bowl is possible though.

Iowa State-Who said they were on the rise again?

Mid-Major National Championship:
History:In 2003, I established the y25 under the name "JB Top 25". At the end of the first year I handed out rewards. I created the Mid-Major National Championship for non-BCS schools who have no real chance in competing for the BCS barring a conference jump or a new BCS alignment. Only once(2003) has the 1st and 2nd best mid-major faced off in a bowl game. Only twice(2004 and 2006) has a team been rewarded both the Mid-Major National Title and the JFB National Title(my National Champion vote). Here are the winners.

2003:Boise State beat TCU 34-31 in the Fort Worth Bowl
2004:Utah was named champion after Boise State lost to Louisville in the Liberty Bowl and the Utes beat Pitt in the Fiesta Bowl to finish 12-0. Utah was also named JFB National Champion.
2005:TCU went 11-1 and knocked off Iowa State in the Houston Bowl.
2006:Boise State went 13-0 and beat Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl to win the title. Boise was also named JFB National Champion.
2007:Hawaii won the title after beating Boise State in the next-to-last game of the year in Honolulu. Hawaii lost to Georgia in the Sugar Bowl being the only team in the title's history to lose its bowl game.

Contenders:
Boise State(3-0)-The Broncos look to regain the title. They have started off well by beating Oregon 37-32 on Saturday. The WAC looks manageable with the hardest game interconference coming against Fresno State. Boise's last out-of-conference game is against Southern Miss on October 11th.

Utah(4-0)-Its been 4 years since the Utes went unbeaten. They look to do it this year but the Mountain West looks tough. The game to look out for is the last for Utah when they face BYU at home.

Speaking of...BYU-The Cougars have been in contention the previous two years but haven't won. This year the Cougars look dominant entering the Mountain West Conference. However, no one in this conference is a pushover just ask...

TCU(3-0)-The Horned Frogs got Oklahoma but with the way the MWC has been playing it might be a tough day for the Sooners. They beat OU in '05 which propelled them to the title. Can they win it back?

Ball State(4-0)-Remember when the MAC was dominant? Well times have changed and now Ball State is in control of the conference. They managed to win tough ones against Navy and Indiana. With Nate Davis at QB, the Cardinals have a good shot at winning the title.

Tulsa(3-0)-They've started out well and that game against Arkansas don't look so hard. With the C-USA play starting up can they run through the conference and to a title?

Still Alive(at the moment):
East Carolina(3-1)-The loss to NC State hurt but the season is long and it was a rivalry game on the road. ECU can still win the title but the C-USA is always hard.

Troy(2-1)-The Trojans struggled a bit against Ohio State, but they're always good and the Sun Belt is a 2-horse race. They already got past Middle Tennesse, can they finish the out-of-conference schedule and win the conference?

Colorado State(2-1)-Idk about this team. Colorado blew them out in Denver and they narrowly escaped Sacramento State. I feel that the game against Cal could be the death sentencer for this Rams team. If not that then the 2 week stretch of TCU and Utah could do it.

Marshall(3-1)-Tonight we're going to party like its 1999. For the Herd it may be they're winning again. They look good on offense and defense especially after their surprise 34-27 win over Southern Miss. It won't get easy when they travel to West Virginia on Saturday to face the Mountaineers. But if they keep playing strong they can beat this Mountaineer team and make the Governor proud.

Air Force(3-1)-The Falcons lost to Utah but that doesn't mean its over. They run the Flexbone well enough to possibly win the Mountain West but it won't be easy. They are off this week then return to play Navy. The key game is at home against BYU on November 15th.

Arkansas State(3-1)-They pulled off the upset over Texas A&M and are tied for the best team in Arkansas with the Razorbacks. Their toughest test comes November 1st when they travel to Tuscaloosa to play the Tide.

Louisiana Tech(3-1)-They beat Mississippi State but then turned around and got blown out by Kansas. They got Fresno State at home but land Boise State on Smurf Turf.

Western Michigan(3-1)-They have rebounded after getting blown apart by Nebraska on opening day. They got Illinois in Ford Field on November 8th but they also have Temple(this week), Buffalo, Central Michigan, and Ball State on the road. It could be a tough road for the Broncos.

Fresno State(2-1)-The lost to Wisconsin hurt and they narrowly escaped Toledo. UCLA on Saturday is winnable but they still have to play Louisiana Tech and Boise State...on the road.

UNLV(3-1)-They only had 2 wins last year. With victories over Iowa State and Arizona State the Runnin Rebels look good. Air Force and TCU come to Vegas but they got BYU in Provo.

What to Watch 4:
TCU vs Oklahoma-In 2005, the Horned Frogs knocked off OU in Norman en route to an 11-1 season and a Mid-Major National Championship? Can they do it again in the return game? Find out Saturday at 7pm on FSN.

Alabama vs Georgia-Last year the Dawgs escaped Tuscaloosa with an overtime victory. This year Alabama is much improved. Can the Dawgs win again in Athens? Find out Saturday at 7:45pm on ESPN.

Illinois vs Penn State-Last year the Illini knocked off Penn State sending them into a free fall which they never recovered from. Once again with Daryl Clark at QB, PSU is running high and spreading the ball out. Can the Nittany Lions start the season 5-0 for the first time since the dream 2005 season? Find out Saturday at 8pm on ABC(check your local listings).

USF vs NC State-Last week the Wolfpack upset ECU at home. Can they do it again with USF coming to town? Find out Saturday at 7:30pm on ESPNU.

Minnesota vs Ohio State-The Gophers have 4x the win total than last year. If they can pull off the upset in Columbus it can launch them toward a Big Ten title and their first Rose Bowl appearence since 1960. Can the Gophers do it? Find out Saturday at 12pm on Big Ten Network.

Maryland vs Clemson-The Terps have been shaky this year. They beat Cal but lost to Middle Tennessee. Going into Death Valley is never easy. Can the Terps beat Clemson? Find out Saturday at 12pm on ESPN360 or any local affiliates(check your local listings).

UCONN vs Louisville-UCONN is unbeaten once again and Louisville is looking for revenge from last years game. Can the Cards get revenge? Find out Friday at 8pm on ESPN2.

Michigan State vs Indiana-In an early-Big Ten battle, Javon Ringer and the Spartans look to come to IU and beat the Hoosiers and hopefully win the Big Ten. Can the Spartans do it? Find out Saturday at 12pm on ESPN.

Virginia vs Duke-The Blue Devils have not beaten UVA since 1999. With the Duke offense flying high can they pull off the victory? Find out Saturday at 12pm on ESPNU.

North Carolina vs Miami-The Coastal Division is up for grabs this year and every game counts? Who will win the battle between Butch Davis and his old school. Find out Saturday at 12pm on ESPN2.

Colorado vs Florida State-The Buffs pulled off the upset last Thursday and the Noles are looking to bounce back from the heart breaking loss against Wake. In a neutral site game in Jacksonville, can the Buffs get revenge? Find out Saturday at 3:30pm on ABC(check your local listings).

Marshall vs West Virginia-Marshall is flying high and WVU is sailing low. Marshall has never beaten WVU and this year could be their last real shot. Can the Herd do it? Find out Saturday at 3:30pm on ESPN360.

Virginia Tech vs Nebraska-The Huskers are unbeaten and the Hokies are surviving. Last time Va.Tech played a Bo Pelini team the Hokies got flatten by LSU. The Hokies want revenge on Pelini but the Huskers have something else on their mind. Is Nebraska back? Find out Saturday at 8pm on ABC(check your local listings).

Overview:It was an ok weekend. I thought Thursday was good. Saturday afternoon was okish. The nightcap was the best so an ok College Football week. If you won't like this week then October 4th is looking like the best week so far. Enjoy the week(s). I say weeks because starting on Thursday the 25th until October the 7th there will be 12 consecutive days of football. It all starts on Thursday when USC plays Oregon State at 9pm on ESPN.