2012 Week Five Top Four: Alabama, Georgia, LSU and Florida State
By Rich Lynch
Last weeks Top Four included SEC programs exclusively. This week the Top Four is exclusively South East programs however, there is one new addition from the ACC.
1) Alabama(4-0)
Trending: Sideways | Previous Ranking: 1 | Next Opponent: Mississippi Rebels
The Crimson Tide washed out the Florida Atlantic Owls in Tuscaloosa on Saturday in a 40-7 rout. Alabama has allowed 21 points to be scored against its defense all season. Alabama takes on Ole Miss at home in Bryant-Denny Stadium this Saturday. Look for another decisive Alabama win.
2) Georgia(4-0)
Trending: Sideways Previous Rank: 2 Next Opponent: Tennessee Volunteers
Georgia pulverized Vanderbilt, Between-the-Hedges, last Saturday en route to a 48-3 victory. The Bulldogs Defense gave up its fewest points in a game this season. Tennessee is next up on the schedule this Saturday and the game is being played in Athens, GA. This matchup may be hardest fought game of the season to date for the Bulldogs.
3) LSU(4-0)
Trending: Sideways | Previous Rank: 3 | Next Opponent: Towson Tigers
LSU won a grudge match in its first SEC game of the season, in Jordan- Hare Stadium, on the road inAuburn. The Bayou Bengals have a home game in Tiger Stadium this weekend against the Towson Tigers. LSU should defeat Towson convincingly, setting up the Tigers next match-up in the Swamp at Florida in two weeks.
4) Florida State (4-0)
Trending: Up | Previous Rank: N/A | Next Opponent: South Florida Bulls
Florida State had the stage set for it by ESPN last Saturday with a prime time matchup against ACC foe Clemson. Florida State looked confused on defense in the first half by the play calling and execution of the Tigers. Florida State seemed to figure out the Tigers’ attack in the second half and outscored them 35-16 en route to a 49-37 final score. The Seminoles play the South Florida Bulls on the road in Raymond James Stadium this week. If Florida State is legitimately a national title contender then it will dispense of the Bulls in the manner they did its first three opponents of the season.
Teams on the Outside Looking In:
Florida(4-0)
Trending: Sideways | Previous Rank: 4 | Next Opponent: LSU Tigers
It was difficult to drop the Gators from the rankings this week after the 38-0 beating they gave the Kentucky Wildcats this weekend. Florida has a GREAT opportunity to get back into the rankings when they play LSU at home in Ben Hill–Griffin Stadium in two weeks.
Oregon(4-0)
Trending: Sideways | Previous Rank: N/A | Next Opponent: Washington State Cougars
Oregon has scored a total of 211 points in the first four games of the year for an average of 53 point per game average. Look for Oregon to speed-bag an over-matched Washington State Cougars team in Century Link Field on Saturday evening. By the way, Century Link is where the Seattle Seahawks of the NFL play their home games. The crowd should be amped up for this regional and PAC-12 matchup.