Prospect Matchup Review
Washington CB Marcus Peters vs Stanford WR Ty Montgomery
Coming into this game Montgomery was playing as good as any receiver in the nation. And while Stanford got the win, Montgomery didn't have the game he would have liked. He finished with a touchdown, but only 29 yards receiving. You take that and add an interception by Peters and you could give the win to Peters. But a TD and the win makes it feel like a draw.
Washington DE Hau'oli Kikaha and OLB Shaq Thompson vs Stanford LT Andres Peat
Once again, stats will tell you that the Washington duo won this battle. Kikaha had a sack, Thompson had a tackle for a loss while the two combined for 13 tackles. Peat has a lot to like for a franchise left tackle, but he does struggle against speed and that was shown here.
Cincinnati QB Gunner Keil vs Ohio State CB Doran Grant
Even in defeat Keil put on a show throwing for 352 yards and four touchdowns with zero interceptions. However you would have thought the game would have been a closer game. So most of that came during junk time. As for Grant it's not a great day when the secondary gives up that many yards, especially allowing a receiver to have over 200 yards by himself.
Utah CB Eric Rowe vs Washington State WR Vince Mayle
While Rowe left this game with a pick six to start the game, it was Mayle who came out of this game as the winner. He had 120 yards and two touchdowns and most importantly the Cougars got the win. If Mayle can continue to develop he has the skills NFL teams like in their receivers.
Heisman Watch
Last Week: BYE Next Week: vs Arizona
Summary: We all know that the Heisman has really turned into a QB award with only one non QB winning the award since 2000. Mariota is clearly the top QB in college football and he's playing at the level needed to win this award.
2. Todd Gurley RB Georgia
Last Week: 28 carries for 208 yards 2 TDs, 30 yards receiving vs Tennessee (35-32) Next Week: vs Vanderbilt
Summary: After having a small impact against Troy, Gurley was back to his normal explosive self. His 208 yards was his career high and Georgia needed every yard to get this win. And when Georgia needed a score to get the momentum back, it was Gurley who reeled off a 51 yard touchdown. Add in his hurdling of the Tennessee safety leaves an impression in voters minds.
3. Ameer Abdullah RB Nebraska
Last Week: 22 carries for 208 yards 3 TDs vs Illinois (45-14) Next Week: at Michigan State
Summary: You knew it was going to be a huge game for Abdullah when on the first drive he accounted for 60 yards and was running through holes that most of us could get yards from. Abdullah had 100 yards in the first quarter and needed just one carry in the second half to eclipse the 200 yard mark for the second straight week. A win and another big game this upcoming week against Michigan State could allow Abdullah to find his way into the top two.
Last Week: BYE Next Week: at Mississippi
Summary: After peaking last week at two, Cooper falls victim to having a bye week when other players go off. But Cooper fans shouldn't worry. Alabama hasn't even hit any of their tough SEC West schedule and if he goes off in those games and the Tide continues to win he'll be in contention.
5. Kenny Hill QB Texas A&M
Last Week: 21/41 386 yards 4 TDs INT, 30 yards rushing vs Arkansas (35-28) Next Week: at Mississippi State
Summary: Stats will tell you that Hill did a great job in the Aggies win over Arkansas. However I'm not buying Arkansas as a quality team and Hill did struggle for most of the game. His game against South Carolina seems like years ago and a huge game from Everett Golson could have dropped him. But who else would go here right now? Not really anybody else. But he'll need to step up against Mississippi State to keep in this race.
Power 8
In
1. Oklahoma Sooners (4-0)
A week off doesn't change anything. The Sooners have made every game look easy, including against two opponents other top teams have struggled with.
2. Oregon Ducks (4-0)
A wisely placed bye week helps the Ducks as they face off against a tough 4-0 Arizona team on Thursday night. Oregon will look to get revenge on the Wildcats who blew them out last season.
3. Auburn Tigers (4-0)
Not sure why, but some have nitpicked Auburn's 45-17 win over Louisiana Tech. But they were up 24-0 early and with LSU coming up next week you have to think they were looking past the Bulldogs juts a little.
4. Florida State Seminoles (4-0)
I really wanted to knock the Seminoles out of the top four after they struggled to beat NC State, but I really struggled to find another team to put in here. Sure Alabama or Baylor could move in here, but I really don't see a loss on the Seminoles upcoming schedule.
Knocking on the Door
5. Baylor Bears (5-0)
Another route for the Bears jumping out to an early 35-7 halftime lead over Iowa State. The Bears will continue to roll till they match up with Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and Kansas State to finish out the season.
6. Alabama Crimson Tide (4-0)
A classic elimination game coming up this weekend against Mississippi. But at the rate the SEC is going with teams beating up on each other we could have zero undefeated teams in the conference. And we know that the SEC champ will be in the playoff.
7. Michigan State Spartans (3-1)
I haven't had a Big 10 team on here since the Spartans lost to Oregon. Since the lost (closer game than score indicates) the Spartans have flat out dominated. Their two biggest test are this upcoming week against Nebraska and then Ohio State later in the year. If the Spartans win out it will be hard to keep them out.
8. Georgia Bulldogs (3-1)
After narrowly defeating Tennessee I was ready to move the Bulldogs out, but the South Carolina loses to Missouri and the Bulldogs are back to being the top team in the SEC East. And as I firmly believe, if they win the SEC Title they are in. But they'll need their defense to reach their potential or they'll lose another game, or two.
Team on the Rise
Mississippi State Bulldogs
It's easy to get lost in the shuffle in the SEC West and that's exactly what the Bulldogs have been the last several years. They figured to be in that same spot till a huge upset win at LSU. The Bulldogs are a talented group and lead by QB Dak Prescott and ILB Benardrick McKinney. We'll find out if they are for real the next two weeks with games against Texas A&M and Auburn.
Team on the Decline
Texas Tech Red Raiders
With all the talk and hype Kliff Kingsbury gets you would think the Red Raiders are a Big 12 Power. Not a team that has lost six straight conference games and zero quality wins. They've feasted on their easy games and with a high powered offense it really masks the poor defense and overall lack of talent. With West Virginia coming to down I wouldn't be surprised one bit to see them extend Tech's losing streak to seven.
Team Under the Radar
California Golden Bears
If not for a Hail Mary catch, the Bears would be sitting at 4-0. That would have equaled their win total for the past two years combined. Now the Bears are not likely going to contend for the North Division Title, but they will make a run at six wins and their first bowl game in three years. Head coach Sonny Dykes is rebuilding this team which could be a player in the next couple of years.
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