Post-Week 3 College Football Playoff Projections
1. Alabama Crimson Tide
The Alabama Crimson Tide remain the top team in this week’s College Football Playoff projections, but the Clemson Tigers lurk closely behind them.
Alabama ran out to an early lead 17-0 in the first quarter and cruised to victory. The Rams made it more respectable with a 13-point fourth quarter, but the Crimson Tide led 38-10 entering the fourth quarter.
Quarterback Jalen Hurts was responsible for three touchdowns (two passing, one rushing). He was 12-of-17 for 248 passing yards through the air and had 11 carries for 103 rushing yards on the ground.
.@AlabamaFTBL beats @ColoradoStateU 41-23. Big plays here from @WBRCnews @waff48 @wsfa12news @JalenHurts 248 yds passing, 103 yds rushing. pic.twitter.com/fJCTiL8OZG
— Rick Karle WVTM 13 (@RickKarle) September 17, 2017
Wide receivers Calvin Ridley and Robert Foster both caught a touchdown pass in the game. In the backfield, running backs Bo Scarbrough and Damien Harris combined for 119 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. Each had a rushing touchdown as well in the contest.
The Alabama Crimson Tide have gone largely untested since their season-opening victory over 11th-ranked Florida State, 24-7. They open up SEC play against Vanderbilt this week, who is also 3-0.
Next: Top 5 Heisman leaders after Week 3
The Commodores are coming off a 14-7 victory over 18th-ranked Kansas State. Vanderbilt defensive lineman Nifae Lealao called out Alabama in the post-game comments. So let’s see what happens when you poke the bear.