Picks for the College Football Playoff: Week 4
I believe the words I used last week regarding Oklahoma was: “Oklahoma usually throws up a stinker sometime during their Big 12 slate. I don’t think this will be it though.”
That’s worth a good laugh, isn’t it?
I cannot imagine a scenario Oklahoma will be included in these rankings for the rest of the season. They only play two currently-ranked teams the rest of the way, and only one top-ten team (Texas, who I also think will have a slip-up against an inferior team this season). They don’t look like a playoff team, and I don’t think they can put a resume together that would be better than an SEC team. You won’t fool me again Sooners.
The Big 12 is looking farther away from the ACC and the Big Ten and much closer to the Pac-12. At least the Pac-12 has made the title game and sent multiple teams to the playoff. I’ll rest my case there. Anyways, let's get to the four this week.
No. 1: Clemson Tigers (2-0) (LW: Bye)
Clemson got the week off after dominating against Wake Forest and The Citadel in their first two weeks. They play Virginia this week and are favored by four touchdowns. This will be an easy win for Clemson and they’ll remain in the top spot before their duel with Miami and D’Eriq King a week from Saturday. Something to note: five-star freshman RB Demarkus Bowman has entered the transfer portal, but this is more of a future problem than the current problem, with two-time ACC POY Travis Etienne in good health.
No. 2: Alabama Crimson Tide (1-0) (LW: W 38-19 vs Missouri)
Alabama got off to a hot start, then scaled it back a lot in the second half vs Missouri 38-19, but still good enough to snag this second spot. I’ll give Nick Saban the benefit of the doubt, I think he’s earned it. The offense looked a lot better in the first half with Mac Jones than it did in the second half with five-star freshman Bryce Young. Najee Harris had three touchdowns, Jaylen Waddle had two, and it was 35-3 midway through the third until the Crimson Tide took the foot off the gas. Next up is Texas A&M, who Alabama hasn’t lost to since Johnny Manziel won the Heisman.
No. 3: Florida Gators (1-0) (LW: W 51-35 vs Ole Miss)
The Florida hype looks good through one week! The two Kyles (Trask and Pitts) put on a show through the air. Trask (416 yards, six touchdowns) tore through a less-talent Ole Miss secondary who couldn’t guard Pitts (170 yards, four touchdowns). That pairing should be among the best in the country this season, and it got Trask’s Heisman resume off to a booming start. The defense struggled to contain Matt Corral (22/31 395 yards and three touchdowns), and needs to look better to jump up these rankings. I would give the Gators the QB tiebreaker over the other two in these rankings.
No. 4: Georgia Bulldogs (1-0) (LW: W 37-10 vs Arkansas)
It was not a pretty first half in Fayetteville. JT Daniels was not healthy enough to play, so we got the combo of D’Wan Mathis and Stetson Bennett instead. Mathis started and was terrible in the first half, 55 yards and an interception while only mustering three points. Bennett looked better, allowing the offense to get in a bit of a groove and let the Bulldogs defense swarm Felipe Franks and the Arkansas offense. Daniels should be healthy this week for the showdown with Auburn. The winner of that game gets this spot, barring something unforeseen.
Next Few:
Notre Dame
Auburn
Miami
Writer
-By: TJ Mathewson