Thoughts On: The Week Four Top Four
By Rich Lynch
Sep 21, 2013; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers head coach Les Miles reacts to a call in the second half against the Auburn Tigers at Tiger Stadium. LSU defeated Auburn 35-21. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports
Thoughts On: The Week Four Top Four
After four weeks, the college football season is taking its cue from the British rock The XX’s song “Crystalised,” as that’s what the championship race is just beginning to do.
Alabama and Louisville both won at home in dominant fashion. LSU beat an improved Auburn team in the muck and mire of Death Valley. There were no major upsets, though UConn gave Michigan all it could handle under the lights in East Hartford.
A largely uneventful week means no movement in the Top Four.
1. Alabama Crimson Tide (3-0)
Alabama beat an overwhelmed Colorado State in Bryant-Denny stadium, 31-6. It could have been worse for the Rams who were spared by Tide salesman Nick Saban of a complete slaughter. That was likely by design; former Alabama offensive coordinator Jim McElwain is now the head coach of Colorado State.
The Tide plays Ole Miss at home in Week 5 in what should be a close game. Ole Miss’ has not beat Alabama since 2003, but the Crimson Tide can be had this season and the Rebels are talented enough to do it.
2. Louisville Cardinals (4-0)
Teddy Bridgewater is THE MAN in Louisville. He threw for another FOUR touchdowns against FIU on a mere 17 completions. That is 14 scoring passes from Mr. Bridgewater on the season. I don’t see the possibility of a loss until Louisville plays the UConn Huskies in East Hartford — no not Alaska — on Nov. 8. The Huskies have struggled this season, yet had the Cardinals’ number in recent years.
Louisville also faces UCF and Rutgers teams that boast important non-conference wins over Penn State and Arkansas.
3. LSU Tigers (4-0)
I had LSU in this spot last week, and the national polls are starting to recognize the talent in Baton Rouge this season. It was a weird game against Auburn on Saturday with the weather, lack of crowd support and odd play calling by War Eagle sideline general Gus Malzahn.
Go back and watch the second half of this game for an odd moment. Someone on the Auburn sideline goes over to Gus, while he was unknowingly on camera, and hands him something that he quickly stuffs in his pocket. Probably a “thank you” note from Les Miles for the first half play calling.
4. Oregon Ducks (4-0)
Can’t drop the Ducks despite the Nike representative’s fashion show having the week off.
Oregon must have the highest point differential in the history of college football over a 10-year span. Maybe Yale or Oklahoma, on their winning streaks in the 1890s and 1950s were crushing teams like the “O” is currently but certainly not by the point totals we are seeing from the Ducks.
Outside Looking In:
5. Texas A&M Aggies (3-1)
6. Stanford Cardinal (3-0)