Another week, another Les Miles screw up. LSU's loss to Auburn wasn't entirely his fault, but that's the way it's going to be seen, so it might as well have been his fault. Overall, week four of the college football season was stressful in some ways and uneventful in others. Alabama took care of business as expected against Kent State. Ohio State had a bye and Penn State got that much needed a** whoopin' for deciding to honor Joe Paterno last week. With that being said, Tennessee finally looked like a top 25 team, and Ole Miss actually held on to a twenty point lead. Insert slow clap here. Heading in to week five, we have Deshaun Watson vs. Lamar Jackson to look forward to. More importantly, we have Stanford vs. Washington on Friday, which may possibly be the least exciting match-up of top ten teams in my lifetime. Until then, here are my weekly college football power rankings.
1. Houston
I've said it once and I'll say it again. I don't know if they'll be the best team come championship week, but throughout the weeks, the University of Houston looks like the best team in country. They're big. They're fast. They're not an American Athletic Conference team and I expect NCAA sanctions to come within the next five years because something doesn't feel right about this. For the time being, they should enjoy this moment because of all the teams I've seen this year, they are the most explosive.
This Week: Win over Texas State, 64-3
Next Week: UCONN on September 29th at 8 p.m. (ESPN)
2. Ohio State
Behind Louisville's demolition of Florida State a while back, the Buckeyes have possibly the most impressive win in the country with a 20 point blowout of Oklahoma. They were off this week, so there's not much to say. Just keep rolling Buckeyes, but please don't beat Rutgers too bad. I have friends that go there.
This Week: Bye
Next Week: Rutgers on October 1st at 12 p.m.
3. Michigan
For once, the school up north was actually useful. They beat Paterno's kids in a way that was quite impressive. I still have questions for the fighting Harbaughs at the quarterback position, but they are inching closer and closer to looking like Ohio State up north. The speed is there. The talent is there. They just have to actually win the big one, which is something Harbaugh is not always great at.
This Week: Win over Paterno Apologists, 49-10
Next Week: Wisconsin on October 1st at 3:30 p.m.
4. Alabama
I know what you're going to say. I know. I know. I know, so save it. Alabama is number one in the "real" polls, but these are my rankings. I've watched them play and I'm not impressed. Yes, they beat down USC week one, but that was for a variety of reasons. The first being that USC is not that good this year and has been irrelevant nationally since Charles Hamilton dropped "Brooklyn Girls." More importantly, that win came with an ultra inspired Lane Kiffin. We're not getting that same preparation and focus from this team each week. Hopefully, they'll prove me wrong, but I think the end of the Saban era is coming within the next five years. I think this is the beginning. I don't see the same team that all of these college football analysts are seeing. I see a good team, but not a great team.
This Week: Win over Kent State, 48-0
Next Week: Kentucky on October 1st at 7:00 p.m. (ESPN)
5. Louisville
I originally had Louisville at the #4 spot, but my biggest fear for Louisville showed signs of life this past weekend. Given Louisville's place in a weak ACC, they could very well get bored and play down to their competition. Yes, the Cardinals put up nearly sixty points this weekend and Lamar Jackson scored an astounding seven touchdowns, but they also gave up four touchdowns to a weak Marshall squad. The Cardinals have proven that their offense is elite. I need to know if their defense is elite. Their defensive unit proved it was good in their blowout of the Fighting Jimbo's, but are they elite? You need an elite defensive squad to shut down Deshaun Watson. Watson's only blemish in his college career is a close loss to a dominant Saban defensive unit. Is the Cardinal's defense on that level?
This Week: Win over Marshall, 59-28
Next Week: Clemson on October 1st at 8:00 p.m.
6. Clemson
Clemson kept the status quo of what a top 25 is this season. Win, play great defense and keep it moving. This week, Dabo's anti Kaepernicks will take on their toughest test of the season in Louisville. Much has been made about Clemson's start, but I still think this is the game of the week and probably the game I'm most excited for this season behind Houston-Louisville.
This Week: Win over Georgia Tech, 26-7
Next Week: Louisville on October 1st at 8:00 p.m.
7. Wisconsin
When? Where? What? How did Wisconsin get his good? Wisconsin has always been a good program, but I've never seen them beat down a top 25 opponent in the way that they beat down Michigan State. That was an outright, ugly a** kicking. This Wisconsin team is the best I've seen in my lifetime and I personally think they will beat that team up north on Saturday...and it won't be close.
This Week: Win over Michigan State, 30-6
Next Week: Michigan on October 1st at 3:30 p.m.
8. Stanford
There's not much to say; it's a prototypical David Shaw team. They got the win against a pretty good UCLA team and they're moving on to the next week.
This Week: Win over UCLA, 22-13
Next Week: Washington on September 30th at 9:00 p.m.
9. Texas A&M
I don't know how good Arkansas was because if we're going to be honest, I hadn't seen them play before Saturday. What I can tell you is that Texas A&M is real. This isn't your Kenny Hill pretender Kevin Sumlin squad. Kevin Sumlin is coaching like his job on the line and it's showing...in a good way.
This Week: Win over Arkansas, 45-24
Next Week: South Carolina on October 1st at 4:00 p.m.
10. Washington
I'm still not completely sure if they're for real or they're just ranked #10. I guess we'll find out on Saturday.
This Week: Win over Arizona, 35-28 (OT)
Next Week: Stanford on September 30th at 9:00 p.m.