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College Football Playoff: Projected Top 4 after Week 3

By Connor Muldowney

Sep 15, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Houston Cougars quarterback Greg Ward Jr. (1) carries the ball for a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bearcats in the second half at Nippert Stadium. Houston won 40-16. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 15, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Houston Cougars quarterback Greg Ward Jr. (1) carries the ball for a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bearcats in the second half at Nippert Stadium. Houston won 40-16. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 17, 2016; Oxford, MS, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) throws a pass during the second quarter of the game against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Alabama won 48-43. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2016; Oxford, MS, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) throws a pass during the second quarter of the game against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Alabama won 48-43. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports /

Surprise, surprise. Alabama comes in at No. 1 yet again and until someone can knock off the Crimson Tide, they’ll stay put at the top spot.

The defending national champs have been led by a handful of young guys, just like the Ohio State Buckeyes. Freshman quarterback Jalen Hurts is getting the job done and he’s going to be scary for the next few years. Taking down No. 20 USC and No. 19 Ole Miss in his first three games as the starting quarterback is quite the accomplishment — also seeing as neither game was at home.

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Hurts still has some work to do in the passing game, completing just 19-of-31 for 158 yards, but his skills on the ground are phenomenal. Defenses are always going to be kept off balance when he’s under center because he can do so much with the ball. He finished with a game-high 146 yards on 18 carries.

Once again, the Crimson Tide’s run game is elite and Damien Harris has become the top rusher. The sophomore from Kentucky has accounted for over 300 yards on the year as he recorded his second 100-yard game against the Rebels in Week 3, rushing for 144 and a touchdown on 16 carries.

As long as Hurts has Calvin Ridley in the pass game, the Crimson Tide will be alright. He finished with eight catches for 81 yards against Ole Miss.

Alabama didn’t exactly win it easily at Ole Miss, though, coming back from a 24-3 deficit to take a lead late in the game. Something about Ole Miss and Hugh Freeze just give the Crimson Tide a tough time.

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