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| The battle in the trenches will decide Saturday's contest between Notre Dame and Georgia (Joe Robbins/Getty Images) |
Here is our look at Week 4 of the college football season (all games Sept. 21 unless noted):
(7) Notre Dame (2-0) at (3) Georgia (3-0): The Bulldogs have won 15 straight games at home, but face their first true challenge of the year in the Fighting Irish. Georgia won 20-19 in South Bend in 2017 but the Irish are 3-1 in their last four contests against the SEC. This one will be won or lost in the trenches, and Georgia dominates in most of those categories. The Irish will be without top runner Jafar Armstrong, which could put more of the onus on QB Ian Book, who has yet to throw an interception and has six scoring tosses. The matchup of Chase Claypool and Georgia corner Eric Stokes will be one to watch, as Stokes is one of the best press corners in the country, which comes in handy against the 6-4 Claypool. Jake Fromm has taken a few more shots downfield this season (10.7 YPA) and has been smart with the football -- no interceptions and a 75 percent completion percentage. Georgia has won both of the prior meetings.
(8) Auburn (3-0) at (12) Texas A&M (2-1): The home team is just 1-6 in the last seven contests, but this is the beginning of a tough stretch for the Tigers, who have Mississippi State and Florida up next. Auburn's stingy defense (4.34 YPP) will be tested by A&M's explosive offense (6.48 YPP), and the Tigers have been good about putting opponents behind the chains (22 TFL). Auburn QB Bo Nix has been hot and cold, so the game may belong more to RB JaTarvious Whitlow (5.3 YPC, 3 TD). The Aggies offense is only as good as Kellen Mond, and he's been more good than bad this season. RB Isaiah Spiller has been a revelation as a freshman, averaging over 8 yards per carry, and he could be important in the time of possession battle.
(11) Michigan (2-0) at (13) Wisconsin (2-0): The Badgers have won 16 of their last 18 at Camp Randall, and present a big challenge to a Michigan team struggling to find an offensive identity. The Wolverines welcomed the bye week as it has dealt with injuries to OL Jon Runyan Jr and WR Donovan Peoples-Jones, both of whom are expected to suit up. The bye week also allowed UM to return to its favored 4-3 set after tweaking the D against unorthodox offenses. Wisconsin has yet to allow a point this season and looks more balanced on offense instead of simply featuring Jonathan Taylor. Don't get me wrong, he's been great -- 6.77 YPC, 5 TDs and 118.5 yards per contest -- but junior QB Jack Coan has done something Alex Hornibrook could never do -- value the football. Coan has completed 76 percent of his passes with five TDs and zero interceptions, so Michigan cannot just load up against Taylor. Michigan is just 8-6 away from home the last three seasons while Wisconsin is 17-3 at home.
Charlotte (2-1) at (1) Clemson (3-0): The chance to see Charlotte DE Alex Highsmith, who has four sacks and 5.5 TFL, will be welcome, but fans of the 49ers have little else to be optimistic about. Clemson has looked better and better each week, and have a 36-game winning streak vs non-P5 opponents (last loss was to Marshall in 2009). Charlotte can get to the quarterback but allows 5.18 YPC on the ground, which means Travis Etienne should have a big day.Clemson hasn't quite gotten things cranked up yet, so it may want to show that it is ready to defend its national championship by pulling out all the stops against Charlotte
Southern Miss (2-1) at (2) Alabama (3-0): The Golden Eagles may want to try to slow the game down by running the football, which can be done against a Tide stop unit allowing over 5 YPC. Problem is that USM is averaging just 3.24 yards per carry and has just three rushing TDs -- two from quarterback Jack Abraham, who is a good one but will likely see pressure all afternoon. Southern Miss' 106th ranked pass defense has already allowed six touchdowns, and that number is sure to go up against Jeudy, Ruggs and crew. Alabama has won 19 in a row vs current CUSA members since 2001 -- though the last loss was to Southern Miss in 2000.
Vanderbilt (0-2) at (4) LSU (3-0): Transfers and experience meant preseason expectations for the Vandy offense, but the Commodores have been stuck in neutral so far, averaging just 5.23 YPP and 15 PPG. QB Riley Neal hasn't been bad, but RB Ke'Shawn Vaughn is averaging barely over 4 YPC and has a single touchdown. Neither Kalija Lipscomb nor Jared Pinkney, among the best in the SEC at their respective positions, have a touchdown. And to make matters worse, Vandy ranks 126th nationally in pass defense. You think Joe Burrow and his talented receiving corps aren't salivating at the prospect of facing a defense with zero sacks and just one interception? LSU has won seven straight in the series by an average of 17 ppg, and Vandy is just 7-22-1 vs LSU all time.
Miami (Ohio) (1-2) at (6) Ohio State (3-0): A final appetizer for the Buckeyes before the Big Ten slate begins, the Red Hawks shouldn't offer much resistance with a defense allowing nearly 400 yards per game. Justin Fields, JK Dobbins and the rest of the Buckeyes offense will look to continue their standout play, while the retooled defense looks to stay in the top 10. The Red Hawks failed to break 14 points against Iowa and Cincinnati, so points will be hard to come by against the swarming OSU stop unit. Look for Ohio State to make a statement with Nebraska on deck. Ohio State is 5-0 in the series and hasn't lost to an in-state foe since 1921.
Tennessee (1-2) at (9) Florida (3-0): The series has been dominated by the Gators, who have won 13 of the last 14 and seven in a row. UF rallied for a road win over Kentucky last week despite losing QB Feleipe Franks to a season-ending injury. Kyle Trask played well in relief, completing nine of 13 and running the offense with confidence. Tennessee has been solid defensively, limiting explosive plays (only five plays have gone for 20+ yards) but has had trouble generating pressure (just six sacks). Jarret Guarantano has been solid at quarterback, with Jauan Jennings (17.3 YPC, 4 TDs) being his favorite target. The Gators, despite a wealth of talent in the secondary, can be had through the air -- if teams can avoid the pressure they bring (nation's best 16 sacks).
(10) Utah (3-0) at USC (2-1) (Sept 20): The continuation of a brutal stretch for the Trojans, who are coming off an overtime home loss to BYU and face Washington and Notre Dame on the road the next three weeks. Clay Helton could be feeling the heat if the Utes continue their stifling ways on defense -- top 10 in total defense and stingy in the red zone, allowing foes just two TDs in four trips. USC will have to hope it can make something happen with its Air Raid attack and frosh quarterback Kedon Slovis. The Utes are top 20 nationally in yards per play and have gotten stellar results from seniors Tyler Huntley (11.1 YPA, 4 TD, 0 INT) and Zack Moss (373 yards, 4 TDs, leading the nation in yards after contact). The home team has won six in a row and the Utes are just 11-7 away from home the last three seasons.
Oklahoma State (3-0) at (12) Texas (2-1): If Texas wants to prove that it is truly back, it needs to beat the Cowboys -- which it hasn't done the last five times the teams have played in Austin. Texas has lost seven of the last nine meetings but may come up firing as a bye week follows. Both teams are forgiving on defense, though Texas has done a solid job taking the ball away (4 TOs). Oklahoma State is third nationally in third down conversions and has gotten excellent play from redshirt frosh quarterback Spencer Sanders (9-1 TD-INT9.7 YPA). Texas will look to its own warrior Sam Ehlinger, who has 11 TDs to zero picks and has run the ball less this season as his passing has improved.
(15) UCF (3-0) at Pittsburgh (1-2): The Knights go on the road in their continuing quest for respect, facing a Power 5 squad that lacks explosiveness but is solid enough on defense to have a puncher's chance. The Panthers took Penn State to the wire last weekend thanks to excellent defense, and their 12 sacks put them among the nation's top 10 in that category. If Pitt can effect freshman quarterback Dillon Gabriel it can stay in the game. Pitt lacks offensive explosiveness, so it will need to keep up its penchant for not allowing big plays (25 plays of 10+ yards, 19th nationally). Greg McCrae is lightning quick from the backfield and has three scores, while Gabriel Davis can stretch the defense (22.9 YPC, 3 TD). Pitt is 8-2 in non-league home games under Pat Narduzzi while the Knights are just 4-23 in regular season road contests against Power 5 schools.
(16) Oregon (2-1) at Stanford (1-2): The Ducks have dropped five of the last seven meetings, including last year's heartbreaker when they fumbled late while trying to run out the clock. Stanford won in overtime, beginning a stretch for Oregon that meant three losses in five games and elimination from the Pac-12 race. The Ducks touted offensive line has lived up to billing, ranking first by Pro Football Focus through three weeks. Stanford's touted secondary has been exposed in consecutive losses, allowing 11.4 YPA against USC and 11.6 YPA against UCF. That has to make Justin Herbert's eyes light up. Injuries to the offense have rendered Stanford impotent on that side of the ball (4.97 YPP), and it may not get any better with the shaky status of quarterback KJ Costello and the season ending loss of OL Walker Little.
UCLA (0-3) at (19) Washington State (3-0): How much of a mess is there in Westwood? So much that fans are applauding the retirement announcement of AD Dan Guerrero, who has seemingly fiddled while the Bruins program has burned. UCLA is 130th in YPP (4.11), 127th in rushing (2.23 YPC, 1 TD) and 109th in touchdowns (6). And Chip Kelly is supposed to be an offensive coach. The scheme is bad, the personnel is subpar, and now the effort looks to be waning. If UCLA doesn't show a little bit of resistance defensively against a Wazzu offense averaging nearly nine yards per play (second nationally) then it could be looking at a winless campaign as there aren't many chances for victory remaining. Cougars QB Anthony Gordon has been nails, tossing 12 touchdowns and completing a ridiculous 78.7 percent of his passes. Wazzu has won two straight but lost the previous five meetings while UCLA has dropped three straight Pac-12 road openers, by an average of 16 points.
Air Force (2-0) at (20) Boise State (3-0) (Sept. 20): It's been home sweet home in this series as the host has gone 5-2 in the last seven meetings. Defense will take center stage as Air Force is allowing just 3.89 YPP (eighth nationally) and Boise State has 27 tackles for loss in three games (ninth in FBS). Air Force is led by LB Kyle Johnson, who is all over the field in the Falcons active 3-4 scheme. Johnson can run laterally and avoids traffic quite well. He's not quite the beast that Boise's Curtis Weaver is -- only one of the top pressure-producers in America. The third-highest graded edge rusher by PFF, Weaver has 21 pressures and six sacks, tied for most in the nation.
Old Dominion (1-1) at (21) Virginia (3-0): This is the highest ranking for UVA since 2007, when it rose to No. 16 in the Associated Press poll, but it needs to be careful not to overlook the Monarchs with Notre Dame up next. Virginia is the epitome of balanced offense, with 100 running plays and 110 passes, and though not terribly explosive is hard to defend. Bryce Perkins is one of the top dual threat quarterbacks in America and leads the squad in rushing and passing. ODU has had trouble getting on the scoreboard (20.5 ppg) and may find tough going against the Cavaliers stingy defense. UVA is just 1-3 against current CUSA teams, but 5-1 vs Group of Five teams under Bronco Mendenhall.
(22) Washington (2-1) at BYU (2-1): This is a tricky set up for the Huskies, who face USC next week and who lost to the Cougars the last time they traveled to Provo. Jacob Eason looked good last weekend against Hawaii but floundered against Cal a week earlier. BYU has four interceptions this season and is solid (54 percent TD rate) at limiting teams to field goals in the red zone. The Huskies will look to go through the air as they are just 50th nationally running the football. UW leads the series 6-4 and have won two straight, both by less than eight points.
(23) Cal (3-0) at Ole Miss (2-1): Two teams limited offensively face off in Oxford, in a contest that will likely come down to manufacturing points. Ole Miss is aggressive on defense and ranks in the top 10 in tackles for loss, so Cal will need to win the field position battle. The Golden Bears are top 10 vs the pass and will look to bait Rebels quarterback Matt Corral into mistakes. Ole Miss will need to keep tabs on Cal LB Evan Weaver, the nation's leading tackler and a three-down force. The teams have met once before, with Cal winning at home in 2017. Ole Miss is 9-2 in non-conference play under Matt Luke.
Colorado (2-1) at (24) Arizona State (3-0): The Buffs are coming off of what some might consider a surprising home loss to Air Force, but dig a bit deeper and you'll find a team struggling to find an offensive identity. CU can't run the ball and is middle of the pack throwing it, and it will be going up against a top 20 defense in ASU. The Sun Devils got out of East Lansing with a controversial victory and look to start 4-0 for the first time since 2016. ASU is 27-12 in Pac-12 home games.
SMU (3-0) at (25) TCU (2-0): One of the underrated trophy games in America, these teams battle for the Iron Skillet for the 99th time. The Mustangs have lost seven in a row and haven't beaten a ranked Power 5 opponent since 1986, but QB Shane Buechele and a deep receiving corps will attempt to change that. The Horned Frogs rank 12th nationally in pass defense and have allowed just one touchdown through the air so far this season. If TCU can find any semblance of a passing game (49.3 percent completions, 5.2 YPA) they will be a tough out.
TAKE FIVE (Games featuring unranked teams):
Utah State (1-1) at San Diego State (3-0): The Aztecs have dominated this series, winning 12 of the last 13 and and 10 in a row. Their last loss to the Aggies was in 1967, and if they get it done this week it will be behind the force of a ferocious defense that ranks in the top 20 in total yards, sacks and turnover margin. Linebacker Kyahva Tezino is the linchpin of a stop unit that allows just 3.89 yards per play. The Aggies are eighth nationally in yards per play and have done a great job protecting quarterback Jordan Love, allowing just two sacks. Don't be surprised if the Aztecs play field position football on offense and bring the heat on defense.
Michigan State (2-1) at Northwestern (1-1): Both teams are known for fierce defense and stagnant offense, so it's a bit surprising to learn that the average score of the last three meetings is 41-30 in favor of Sparty. MSU has offensive line issues to worry about, as well as the frustration of knowing officials botched a call late that would have allowed a chance to send last weekend's tilt with Arizona State into overtime. Will that frustration linger? Hunter Johnson has been erratic at quarterback for Northwestern, but freshman running back Drake Anderson has been a godsend, averaging 73 YPG and coming off of a career-best 141 last weekend against UNLV. The home team has won just 2 of the last 12 meetings.
Appalachian State (2-0) at North Carolina (2-1): An explosive (7.22 YPP) Mountaineers offense will look to exploit a Tar Heels that gives up a lot of yards (5.66 YPP) but not a ton of points (23.0). UNC has been good at getting foes off the field on third down (28.9 percent) but bad at giving up pressure on offense (13 sacks). The Tar Heels haven't hosted a G5 team since 2014 and are 22-9 at home vs non-league foes since 2009. UNC is beaten up on offense, especially along the offensive line. That could play to the advantage of App State's smaller, quicker defensive linemen.
Kentucky (2-1) at Mississippi State (2-1): Both squads are coming off frustrating losses in which they watched second half leads evaporate. The Wildcats are just 2-8 in the series and their last win in Starkville was in 2008. UK QB Sawyer Smith played well in his first start after taking over for injured Terry Wilson, but Bulldogs signal-caller Tommy Stevens was erratic. MSU's normally stout defense allowed 31 points to Kansas State, many coming off of turnovers.
West Virginia (2-1) at Kansas (2-1): Two of the top new coaching hires -- WVU's Neal Brown and Kansas' Les Miles -- face off in this Big 12 showdown that could give one squad positive momentum. History has not been kind to the Jayhawks, who have lost five straight in the series, and nine straight conference openers. The Mountaineers are getting it done with defense (4.65 YPP, 9 sacks) while the Jayhawks have been able to move the ball (6.24 YPP) and shown explosiveness (19 plays of 20+ yards, 18th nationally).
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