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College Football Week 4 Power Rankings

By Elias Arnett

Oct 24, 2015; Harrisonburg, VA, USA; General view of ESPN Gameday set during the broadcast in the front of Wilson Hall on the campus of James Madison University prior to the homecoming game between Richmond and James Madison at Bridgeforth Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 24, 2015; Harrisonburg, VA, USA; General view of ESPN Gameday set during the broadcast in the front of Wilson Hall on the campus of James Madison University prior to the homecoming game between Richmond and James Madison at Bridgeforth Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
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Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /

No matter what quarterback head coach David Shaw has, he finds a way to get it done. Every year Stanford is in the AP top 10 fighting for a shot at the College Football Playoff.

Stanford had to deal with an early bye week (week two) to their season. Since then they have beat both USC (27-10) and UCLA quite easily.

It’s like their Heisman Trophy candidate Christian McCaffrey has picked up right where he left off last season. He has 436 rushing yards with three touchdowns, and 119 receiving yards with a touchdown as well.

McCaffrey’s ability to play anywhere on the field is his biggest attribute. He’s a nightmare to opposing coaches, who spend hours making game plans on how to limit McCaffrey’s impact to the game.

He is listed at six feet on ESPN, but I would say that’s a little generous. McCaffrey’s ability to hit the hole and move from East to West makes him nearly impossible to tackle. One moment he’s there, the next he cut it back and is running 50 yards the other way. It takes its toll on the defense.

Especially Washington’s defense, who gave up 300 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns to the Heisman candidate just a year ago.

The Cardinal defense has been great early. They have only allowed 12 points per game, which leads the Pac-12 and ranks eighth nationally among Division I FBS teams.

Stanford’s schedule doesn’t get any easier this week, as they go on the road to Washington. Washington is currently ranked #10 in the AP Poll, and are trying to prove they belong against a team like Stanford this weekend. This is only the fourth ever meeting of top-ten opponents at Husky stadium, so expect a hostile environment in Seattle.

Next Matchup: at Washington

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