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College Football Rankings 2021: Projected AP Top 25 for Week 4

By Connor Muldowney

Sep 18, 2021; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Brian Robinson Jr. (4) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Florida Gators during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2021; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Brian Robinson Jr. (4) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Florida Gators during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 18, 2021; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Payton Thorne (10) attempts a pass against the Miami Hurricanes during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2021; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Payton Thorne (10) attempts a pass against the Miami Hurricanes during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

I think Auburn stays in the AP Top 25 this week after taking Penn State down to the wire. The Tigers put up quite the fight in one of the most hostile environments in college football: a White Out in Happy Valley. Tank Bigsby was fun to watch and Bo Nix nearly helped lead this team to a big road upset, but Auburn isn’t quite there yet on a contender level. Still Top 25-worthy.

I could honestly see Liberty taking this spot at No. 24, but AP voters are going to value a 31-point road win over a Power Five foe a little more than a 28-point win against Old Dominion. Fair or not, the Trojans looked rejuvenated with backup quarterback Jaxson Dart taking over for Kedon Slovis. He led the Trojans to 45 straight points and a blowout win over Washington State.

Virginia Tech is going to slide a little bit after losing at West Virginia, but you have to applaud the Hokies’ effort. Down 20 points in the second half, it looked like the Hokies were just going to roll over, but they pulled within six and had a chance to take the lead late but fell just short. The Hokies are a Top 25 still but probably more in the 20-25 range.

The Spartans went down to South Beach and pulled off a huge win over No. 24 Miami which has to get them into the rankings for the first time this season. It seems like a lifetime since Michigan State was last ranked but Mel Tucker is building something special in East Lansing. Oh, and watch out for Kenneth Walker III who will be a Heisman candidate all year.

Michigan took care of business against Northern Illinois and honestly no one should be surprised because that’s just what Jim Harbaugh does against inferior opponents. Blake Corum, Hassan Haskins, Donovan Edwards, and that Michigan rushing attack is scary-good and the defense is starting to look like the good old days of the Harbaugh era. Maybe Michigan is actually back?

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