College Football Rankings 2014: Power Ranking All 128 Teams for Week 4
Great slate or not, one thing is certain with each week of college football action: It's going to wreak havoc on rankings.
The Bleacher Report power rankings have gone through another seismic shift thanks to several unexpected results; only the top few spots are unaltered from the week before. And with a few matchups on the books this weekend pitting highly ranked teams, further shuffling is expected.
Our power rankings are comprised of an average of five ratings: The Associated Press media and Amway coaches polls, Bleacher Report's Top 25, ratings guru Jeff Sagarin's computer ledger and my personal ranking.
Take a look at how the 128 FBS teams are ranked as we move into Week 4 and then let us know your thoughts in the comments section.
Nos. 128-91
1 of 53
Though it didn't win, Georgia Southern is showing that it's not going to take long to compete at the FBS level. The Eagles fell 42-38 at Georgia Tech on Saturday, a game they led for most of the fourth quarter after scoring 28 unanswered points to start the second half.
Georgia Southern, which also led for much of its 24-23 loss at North Carolina in Week 1, is ranked second in the country in rushing offense with 376 yards per game.
- 128. Eastern Michigan (1-2)
- 127. Georgia State (1-2)
- 126. Massachusetts (0-3)
- 125. Miami, Ohio (0-3)
- 124. New Mexico State (2-1)
- 123. Idaho (0-2)
- 122. Kent State (0-3)
- 121. Troy (0-3)
- 119. (tie) Southern Mississippi (1-2)
- 119. (tie) Florida International (1-2)
- 118. New Mexico (0-2)
- 117. Tulsa (1-2)
- 116. UTEP (2-1). Behind 168 rushing yards and two touchdowns from Aaron Jones, the nation's leading rusher with 546 yards, the Miners have matched last season's win total and are 2-1 for the first time since 2011.
- 115. Appalachian State (1-1)
- 114. Buffalo (1-2)
- 112. (tie) Western Michigan (1-1)
- 112. (tie) Air Force (2-1)
- 111. Old Dominion (2-1)
- 110. Connecticut (1-2)
- 109. Ohio (1-2)
- 108. Hawaii (1-2)
- 107. Army (1-1)
- 106. Texas State (1-1)
- 105. Tulane (1-2)
- 104. Wake Forest (1-2)
- 103. Louisiana-Monroe (2-1)
- 102. Purdue (1-2)
- 101. SMU (0-2)
- 100. Ball State (1-2)
- 99. UAB (2-1)
- 98. UNLV (1-2)
- 97. Florida Atlantic (1-2). The Owls were outscored 96-7 in their first two games, at Nebraska and Alabama, but playing at home and having their field named after former coach Howard Schnellenberger helped fuel a 50-21 win over Tulsa. Jaquez Johnson threw for 318 yards and two touchdowns. FAU gained 518 yards after tallying just 345 in its first two games.
- 96. South Florida (1-2)
- 95. Georgia Southern (1-2)
- 94. Central Michigan (2-1)
- 93. South Alabama (1-1)
- 92. Fresno State (0-3)
- 91. Colorado (1-2)
Nos. 90-61
2 of 53
James Knapke's two-yard touchdown pass to Roger Lewis with nine seconds left gave Bowling Green a 45-42 win over Indiana, its first victory against a Big Ten team since 2007 and first over a power-conference opponent since 2008. Knapke threw for 395 yards and three touchdowns, completing 46 of 73 passes.
Bowling Green gets another chance to knock off a Big Ten foe on Saturday when it visits Wisconsin, whom it is 0-3 against all-time.
- 90. North Texas (1-2)
- 89. San Jose State (1-1)
- 88. Vanderbilt (1-2)
- 87. Kansas (1-1)
- 86. Wyoming (2-1)
- 85. Louisiana-Lafayette (1-2)
- 82. (tie) Western Kentucky (1-2)
- 82. (tie) UTSA (1-2)
- 82. (tie) Akron (1-1)
- 81. Middle Tennessee (2-1). The Blue Raiders needed three overtimes to knock off visiting Western Kentucky in their Conference USA opener, with Austin Grammer throwing his lone touchdown pass to Ed'Marques Batties for the game-winner. Grammer ran for three TDs and had 125 rushing yards.
- 80. Rice (0-2)
- 79. Arkansas State (1-2)
- 78. Washington State (1-2)
- 77. Iowa State (1-2)
- 76. Nevada (2-1)
- 75. Temple (1-1)
- 74. Illinois (2-1)
- 72. (tie) Louisiana Tech (2-1). Playing their third straight road game to start the season has only seemed to make the Bulldogs stronger. After a 48-16 loss at Oklahoma in its opener, Tech has won two straight in impressive fashion, including a 42-21 win at North Texas in its C-USA opener thanks to five passing touchdowns from Cody Sokol.
- 72. (tie) Colorado State (2-1)
- 71. Toledo (1-2)
- 69. (tie) Rutgers (2-1)
- 69. (tie) Northwestern (0-2)
- 67. (tie) Utah State (2-1)
- 67. (tie) Houston (1-2)
- 66. Minnesota (2-1)
- 65. Indiana (1-1)
- 63. (tie) Kentucky (2-1)
- 63. (tie) Bowling Green (2-1)
- 62. Memphis (1-1)
- 61. Iowa (2-1)
Nos. 60-51
3 of 53
A game that was already tinged with emotion, thanks to Boston College honoring alumnus and Sept. 11 victim Welles Crowther, became even more stirring when the Eagles rallied behind quarterback Tyler Murphy and a swarming defense to upset USC 37-31.
It was the Eagles' first win over a Top 10 team since 2004, and came while they wore helmets, gloves and shoes with Crowther's famed red bandana as a trim. Murphy ran for 191 yards and three touchdowns, part of BC's 452 rushing yards, while the Eagles defense registered 16 tackles for loss to aid a comeback from down 17-6 to up 30-17.
- 60. Texas Tech (2-1)
- 59. UCF (0-2)
- 58. California (2-0)
- 57. Maryland (2-1)
- 56. San Diego State (1-1)
- 55. Texas (1-2)
- 54. North Carolina State (3-0). The Wolfpack are 3-0 for the first time since 2010, winning 49-17 at South Florida to snap a five-game road losing streak. Bra'Lon Cherry ran for two touchdowns and caught a pass for a third.
- 52. (tie) Virginia (2-1)
- 52. (tie) Michigan (2-1)
- 51. Boston College (2-1)
50. Navy Midshipmen
4 of 53
Average rating: 50.5
Week 3 result: Won 35-21 at Texas State
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 20 vs. Rutgers
The Midshipmen (2-1) played without their top offensive threat, quarterback Keenan Reynolds, but still ran for 352 yards to win comfortably.
Reynolds missed the game after taking a hit to his knee late in Navy's previous win at Temple, but backup Tago Smith ran for 85 yards and two touchdowns while throwing for 117 yards and two TDs.
49. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
5 of 53
Average rating: 50.0
Week 3 result: Won 42-38 vs. Georgia Southern
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 20 at Virginia Tech
The Yellow Jackets (3-0) won a battle of option rushing teams, but just barely, squandering a 35-10 lead before winning it on a 13-yard touchdown pass from Justin Thomas to Deon Hill with 23 seconds left.
Thomas had 188 passing yards and four TDs to go with 137 rushing yards and a score, as Georgia Tech ran for 348 yards.
48. Miami (Fla.) Hurricanes
6 of 53
Average rating: 45.5
Week 3 result: Won 41-20 vs. Arkansas State
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 20 at Nebraska
The Hurricanes (2-1) got 342 passing yards and four touchdowns from true freshman Brad Kaaya, with Phillip Dorsett converting four catches into 201 yards and two TDs.
Miami also got 90 rushing yards and a TD on 14 carries from Duke Johnson, part of 488 yards of total offense.
47. Tennessee Volunteers
7 of 53
Average rating: 44.5
Week 3 result: Lost 34-10 at Oklahoma
Week 4 matchup: Bye
The Volunteers (2-1) were exposed as a young and inexperienced team in their loss at Oklahoma, yet it was one of their veterans who struggled the most.
Senior quarterback Justin Worley completed only 21 of 44 passes for 201 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions, the last of which was returned 100 yards for a score with Tennessee down 27-10 early in the fourth quarter and trying to stay in the game. The Vols committed three turnovers, and while they finished the game with 112 rushing yards, they had minus-11 on the ground in the first half.
"We'll continue to grow and develop," coach Butch Jones told Dustin Dopirak of the Knoxville News Sentinel.
Tennessee's offensive line was overwhelmed by Oklahoma but now has a week off before having to visit Georgia in its SEC opener on Sept. 27.
46. Marshall Thundering Herd
8 of 53
Average rating: 44.3
Week 3 result: Won 44-14 vs. Ohio
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 20 at Akron
The Thundering Herd (3-0) rolled past another of their soft nonconference opponents, whom they have now outscored 134-48.
Quarterback Rakeem Cato threw for 425 yards and four touchdowns on 17-of-29 passing, giving him 100 career TD passes and moving him over 11,000 passing yards. Marshall also got 158 receiving yards and a TD from Angelo Jean-Louis, while Davonte Allen had five catches for 137 yards and two scores.
45. Arkansas Razorbacks
9 of 53
Average rating: 44.0
Week 3 result: Won 49-28 at Texas Tech
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 20 vs. Northern Illinois
The Razorbacks (2-1) played arguably their best game in the one-plus seasons under coach Bret Bielema, dominating on the ground to the tune of 438 rushing yards and seven touchdowns.
Alex Collins ran for 212 yards and two TDs, while Jonathan Williams rushed for 145 yards and four scores, as Arkansas ran on 68 of 80 offensive snaps. Running so much kept Texas Tech's uptempo passing attack off the field, as Arkansas held a 40:39 to 19:21 edge in time of possession.
Arkansas is third nationally in rushing offense, at 362 yards per game, averaging 7.9 yards per carry with 14 TDs on the ground.
44. Boise State Broncos
10 of 53
Average rating: 43.83
Week 3 result: Won 38-21 at Connecticut
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 20 vs. Louisiana-Lafayette
The Broncos (2-1) made their second East Coast trip of the season turn out much better than the first one, as quarterback Grant Hedrick and receiver Matt Miller hooked up on three touchdown passes.
Hedrick threw two TDs to Miller, with Miller executing a trick play by hitting Hedrick for a seven-yard TD.
Boise held Connecticut to 290 yards and forced three turnovers, starting the game with a 31-yard fumble return score by Tanner Vallejo and ending it with Donte Deayon's 50-yard interception return TD.
43. Northern Illinois Huskies
11 of 53
Average rating: 43.0
Week 3 result: Won 48-34 at UNLV
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 20 at Arkansas
The Huskies (3-0) continued their dominance on the road, winning their 17th straight true road game behind 359 yards and four total touchdowns from quarterback Drew Hare.
Hare completed 18 of 28 passes for 285 yards and three touchdowns while also rushing for 74 yards and a score. Northern Illinois, which hasn't lost in someone else's stadium since 2012, ran for 331 yards, with Cameron Stingily adding 102 yards and two TDs.
42. Utah Utes
12 of 53
Average rating: 42.33
Week 3 result: Bye
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 20 at Michigan
The Utes (2-0) have had little trouble with their first two opponents, Idaho State and Fresno State, who are a combined 1-5 with a victory against a Division II opponent. Utah now gets a true test on the road, having to go into Michigan Stadium, but the last time it did that (in 2008), it won 25-23 in the first game of the ill-fated Rich Rodriguez era at Michigan.
Utah has gotten balanced offense from quarterback Travis Wilson (446 yards, six touchdowns) and several running backs, averaging 57.5 points per game to take pressure off a still-learning defense.
The Utes have lost eight of their last nine games played outside of their home state.
41. Louisville Cardinals
13 of 53
Average rating: 40.13
Week 3 result: Lost 23-21 at Virginia
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 20 at Florida International
The Cardinals (2-1, 1-1 ACC) committed four turnovers that directly contributed to their first loss, including a fumbled punt in the final minutes that set up Virginia's game-winning 42-yard field goal.
Will Gardner completed only 14 of 34 passes for 164 yards, throwing two touchdowns but also two interceptions. Louisville rallied from a 20-7 deficit with two TDs in a 4:11 span in the fourth quarter, but the late fumbled proved to be the difference.
40. Syracuse Orange
14 of 53
Average rating: 38.5
Week 3 result: Won 40-3 at Central Michigan
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 20 vs. Maryland
The Orange (2-0) spotted Central Michigan to a 3-0 lead and then romped, getting 268 yards of total offense and four touchdowns from quarterback Terrel Hunt.
Hunt threw one TD pass and rushed for three scores, gaining rushing 92 yards after missing the second half of Syracuse's overtime win over Villanova; he was ejected for punching an opposing player.
Syracuse held the Chippewas, who scored 38 points in a win at Purdue the week before, to 217 yards that included only 34 on the ground.
39. Oregon State Beavers
15 of 53
Average rating: 37.83
Week 3 result: Bye
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 20 vs. San Diego State
Through two games, the Beavers (2-0) have played two good halves of football and two in which they were a mess. They trailed FCS Portland State at halftime before winning by 15; last time out at Hawaii, they led the Warriors 38-7 early in the third quarter, only to have to sweat out the final minutes of a 38-30 victory.
Now comes a visit from a San Diego State team that made a name for itself last year with big comebacks and two weeks ago nearly won at North Carolina. Oregon State has mostly underachieved to this point from an overall standpoint, but senior quarterback Sean Mannion (628 passing yards, four touchdowns, one interception) hasn't been the problem.
A pleasant surprise, though, has been an improved run game, which so far is averaging 170 yards per game after managing 94 per contest in 2013.
38. East Carolina Pirates
16 of 53
Average rating: 37.8
Week 3 result: Won 28-21 at Virginia Tech
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 20 vs. North Carolina
The Pirates (2-1) made a big case for their candidacy to be the non-power-five team to play in a College Football Playoff host bowl, not only dominating an ACC team but doing it on the road for the second straight year.
East Carolina won at North Carolina and NC State last season, but this win was far more impressive because of how it raced out to a 21-0 lead and then—after giving up the tying score with 80 seconds left—didn't hesitate in going 65 yards on three plays to win with 13 seconds left on Shane Carden's one-yard touchdown run.
Carden was responsible for all four TDs, throwing for three along with 427 yards despite completing only 23 of 47 passes. The senior has had to do most of it himself on offense, as the Pirates are ranked 91st in FBS in rushing.
Among the favorites to win the American Athletic Conference in its first season in the league, ECU has a 10-point loss at an SEC team (South Carolina) and can pick up a second win over an ACC foe this weekend as it tries to make a case for being the top-rated non-power-conference team in the country.
37. West Virginia Mountaineers
17 of 53
Average rating: 37.6
Week 3 result: Won 40-37 at Maryland
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 20 vs. Oklahoma
Behind 511 passing yards and four touchdowns from quarterback Clint Trickett, the Mountaineers (2-1) jumped out to a 28-6 lead but needed a 47-yard field goal from Josh Lambert at the buzzer to avenge last season's shutout loss to Maryland.
Trickett completed 37 of 49 passes, while Rushel Shell ran for 98 yards and a TD. West Virginia lost 37-0 to the Terrapins last September.
35. (tie) Pittsburgh Panthers
18 of 53
Average rating: 35.8
Week 3 result: Won 42-25 at Florida International
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 20 vs. Iowa
The Panthers (3-0) rallied from a 16-0 hole in the first quarter by scoring 26 unanswered points, rushing for 321 yards as a team to open with three straight wins for the first time since 2009.
James Conner ran for 177 yards and three touchdowns, giving him 543 rushing yards and an FBS-best eight TDs, while quarterback Chad Voytik ran for 114 yards and a 32-yard TD.
35. (tie) Arizona Wildcats
19 of 53
Average rating: 35.8
Week 3 result: Won 35-28 vs. Nevada
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 20 vs. California
The Wildcats (3-0) went perfect in nonconference play for the third straight season, with true freshman running back Nick Wilson rushing for 171 yards and two touchdowns and redshirt freshman quarterback Anu Solomon adding 338 yards of total offense and three passing TDs.
Wilson's effort gave Arizona its 20th straight game with a 100-yard rusher, tying the FBS record set by Nebraska in 1999-2000.
Texas transfer Cayleb Jones caught two TD passes from Solomon, finishing with 116 yards on nine receptions.
34. Cincinnati Bearcats
20 of 53
Average rating: 34.0
Week 3 result: Won 58-34 vs. Toledo
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 20 vs. Miami (Ohio)
The Bearcats (1-0) finally got their 2014 season going after back-to-back byes and wasted little time exploding on offense behind Notre Dame transfer Gunner Kiel at quarterback.
Kiel threw for a school record-tying six touchdowns, completing 25 of 37 passes for 418 yards in his collegiate debut after redshirting in 2012 and then sitting out last year following the transfer. Kiel hit six different receivers for scores, and Cincinnati also rushed for three TDs from three different ball-carriers.
33. Virginia Tech Hokies
21 of 53
Average rating: 32.6
Week 3 result: Lost 28-21 vs. East Carolina
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 20 vs. Georgia Tech
We should have seen this coming from Virginia Tech (2-1), especially after it went to Ohio State and shocked the nation with its 35-21 victory. History says the game following a big win tends to produce poor results for the Hokies, according to USA Today's Dan Wolken:
"The Hokie Letdown is a thing, and there's even a statistic to accompany it. Courtesy of ESPN's Brett McMurphy, Virginia Tech has lost four of the last five times the week after beating a ranked team, including Saturday to East Carolina, 28-21. It has to be so frustrating for Hokies fans.
"
A week after jumping on Ohio State and then holding on, using great defense and efficient offense, it was the exact opposite for Tech against East Carolina. It trailed 21-0, allowed Shane Carden to throw for 427 yards and three touchdowns, and despite controlling the game after the first quarter and tying it with 1:20 left, the Hokies then let the Pirates march right down the field and get a game-winning score with 16 seconds remaining.
Though still right in the mix for the ACC's Coastal Division title, if for no other reason than because it hasn't played a conference game yet, Virginia Tech will need to be consistent if it wants to contend.
32. Washington Huskies
22 of 53
Average rating: 32.5
Week 3 result: Won 44-19 vs. Illinois
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 20 vs. Georgia State
The Huskies (3-0) put together their most complete performance of the season, taking the defensive effort from their opening win at Hawaii and combining it with the explosive offense from last week to crush the Fighting Illini.
Washington forced three turnovers, with linebacker Shaq Thompson converting both an interception and a fumble recovery for touchdowns. The week before, Thompson ran for a touchdown on offense.
Quarterback Cyler Miles completed 15 of 20 passes for 191 yards and a TD, while the Huskies ran for 246 yards with two rushing scores.
31. Duke Blue Devils
23 of 53
Average rating: 32.3
Week 3 result: Won 41-3 vs. Kansas
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 20 vs. Tulane
Behind a school-record 245 rushing yards from freshman Shaun Wilson, the Blue Devils (3-0) won their ninth straight regular-season nonconference game in dominant fashion.
Wilson set his record on just 12 carries, scoring on runs of 69, 68 and 45 yards. In three games he's averaged almost 16 yards per rush.
Duke also got two touchdown passes from receiver Max McCaffrey, while the defense limited Kansas quarterback Montell Cozart to just 89 yards and two interceptions on 11-of-27 passing.
30. Penn State Nittany Lions
24 of 53
Average rating: 31.4
Week 3 result: Won 13-10 at Rutgers
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 20 vs. Massachusetts
Shut out for nearly the first three quarters, the Nittany Lions (3-0, 1-0 Big Ten) won their conference opener with a five-yard touchdown run by Bill Belton with 1:13 left to spoil the conference debut of old rival Rutgers.
Penn State couldn't get into the end zone before that, despite 309 passing yards from Christian Hackenberg that included 100-yard receiving games from Geno Lewis and DaeSean Hamilton. The defense kept Penn State in the game, holding the host Scarlet Knights to three second-half first downs and intercepting Gary Nova five times.
The Lions are 3-0 for the first time since 2009.
29. TCU Horned Frogs
25 of 53
Average rating: 30.5
Week 3 result: Won 30-7 vs. Minnesota
Week 4 matchup: Bye
The Horned Frogs (2-0) got 350 yards of total offense from quarterback Trevone Boykin, while receiver Josh Doctson caught a pair of first-half TD passes in an overall dominant win against a previously unbeaten Big Ten team.
TCU gained 427 yards and through two games is averaging 491 yards with a new up-tempo attack. But it's been the defense that's been the more impressive side, with five forced turnovers against Minnesota and a No. 2 national ranking in yards allowed (205.5 yards per game).
The Frogs haven't been tested yet, though, and now go into a second bye in four weeks before playing eight straight Saturdays.
28. North Carolina Tar Heels
26 of 53
Average rating: 30.2
Week 3 result: Bye
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 20 at East Carolina
After getting a much tougher test than they expected from San Diego State, the Tar Heels (2-0) had some extra time to prepare for a game that was already going to be a tough one but now looms much larger.
UNC lost at home to East Carolina last season and now has to visit the Pirates right after they won at Virginia Tech (where the Heels have lost on their last two trips). For a team that has trailed in the second half in its first two games, playing on the road against a hot team is a recipe for disaster.
North Carolina is 92nd in pass defense at this point and now must deal with ECU senior Shane Carden and his slew of talented receivers.
26. (tie) Oklahoma State Cowboys
27 of 53
Average rating: 27.2
Week 3 result: Won 43-13 vs. UTSA
Week 4 matchup: Bye
Behind first-time starter Daxx Garman at quarterback, the Cowboys (2-1) dominated with a complete performance on both sides of the ball.
Garman, starting for the injured J.W. Walsh, threw for 315 yards and two touchdowns, while running back Desmond Roland gained 95 yards and scored twice.
Oklahoma State also shined on defense, holding UTSA to 206 yards. It ended the game on a defensive high note, with Ashton Lampkin turning an interception into a 50-yard TD return on the final play.
26. (tie) Florida Gators
28 of 53
Average rating: 27.2
Week 3 result: Won 26-20 vs. Kentucky (3 OT)
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 20 at Alabama
The final result was the same as the previous 27 meetings with Kentucky, though the Gators (2-0, 1-0 SEC) needed an extra fraction of a second on a fourth-down play in the first overtime to help keep their long streak over the Wildcats alive.
Matt Jones' one-yard touchdown run in the third overtime was the game-winning score, which came after Kentucky missed a field goal on its drive in the OT. Two extra periods earlier, Jeff Driskel hit Demarcus Robinson on a nine-yard TD pass on fourth down, a play that looked like it might have gone off after the play clock expired. SEC officials said Sunday that they reviewed the play and stood behind the no-call.
Robinson had a career game, catching 15 passes for 216 yards and two TDs, while Jones ran for 156 yards on 29 carries.
25. Mississippi State Bulldogs
29 of 53
Average rating: 26.1
Week 3 result: Won 35-3 at South Alabama
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 20 at LSU
Playing a road game against a Sun Belt team was a curious move for one from the SEC, but the Bulldogs (3-0) had no trouble with the trip to open with three straight wins for the second time in three years.
MSU gained 514 yards, with quarterback Dak Prescott accounting for 340 of that (including 139 on the ground) along with two touchdowns. Josh Robinson had a pair of rushing TDs, and receiver Jameon Lewis tossed a 24-yard TD pass to go along with his 76 receiving yards.
The Bulldogs held South Alabama to 2.1 yards per carry and forced four turnovers.
24. Nebraska Cornhuskers
30 of 53
Average rating: 24.6
Week 3 result: Won 55-19 at Fresno State
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 20 vs. Miami (Fla.)
The Cornhuskers (3-0) dispelled any worry about a late-night upset on the West Coast, scoring a pair of long touchdowns in the first three minutes of play en route to a blowout win.
Jordan Westerkamp caught a 70-yard TD pass from Tommy Armstrong Jr., and then Ameer Abdullah ran 57 yards for a score to pace a 562-yard effort that included 280 yards on the ground. Armstrong threw for 260 yards and three TDs, and Abdullah ran for 110 yards on 19 carries.
Nebraska also got an 86-yard punt return touchdown from De'Mornay Pierson-El, while Imani Cross scored on a 62-yard run.
23. Clemson Tigers
31 of 53
Average rating: 23.6
Week 3 result: Bye
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 20 at Florida State
Clemson (1-1) plays its second road game against a Top 25 team in the first month of the season, but while the Georgia loss was humbling, it won't matter as much as the result this Saturday in Tallahassee, Florida.
In order for the Tigers to contend for an ACC title and still consider themselves in the running for the College Football Playoff, they'll have to get past Florida State. That's saying a lot, since last year the Seminoles went to Clemson and blew the Tigers out, and that was with an experienced and veteran offense.
Though Clemson looked great against South Carolina State last time out, that was an FCS opponent that pales in comparison to the Seminoles. Clemson's offense will be in for a huge test against FSU—one that might not be passable.
22. BYU Cougars
32 of 53
Average rating: 21.6
Week 3 result: Won 33-25 vs. Houston
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 20 vs. Virginia
The Cougars (3-0) had a national stage last Thursday to show off their talents at home after impressive road wins over Connecticut and Texas but managed to come away from the game looking shaky at times, as they nearly squandered leads of 23 and 18 points.
Dual-threat quarterback Taysom Hill had another stellar game to keep himself positioned as a dark-horse Heisman candidate, throwing for 200 yards and a touchdown and adding 160 on the ground with a score. He was intercepted twice, but one pick was torn from his receiver's hands.
Jamaal Williams backed up Hill's running with 139 yards and two rushing TDs of his own, but BYU's defense struggled to stop the pass and allowed a 45-yard Hail Mary to a wide-open receiver at the end of the first half.
21. Ohio State Buckeyes
33 of 53
Average rating: 20.8
Week 3 result: Won 66-0 vs. Kent State
Week 4 matchup: Bye
While their Big Ten counterparts were mostly losing or winning unimpressively to lesser opponents, the Buckeyes (2-1) put together a feel-good performance against winless Kent State that included a record-setting effort from a player in need of a big confidence boost.
Redshirt freshman quarterback J.T. Barrett threw for six touchdown passes, tying the school single-game mark while completing 23 of 30 passes for 312 yards. Ohio State gained 628 yards, with Curtis Samuel running for 100 yards and two TDs.
And OSU's underachieving defense got healthy with four sacks and three takeaways, posting its third shutout in the past two seasons.
20. Missouri Tigers
34 of 53
Average rating: 19.8
Week 3 result: Won 38-10 vs. UCF
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 20 vs. Indiana
The Tigers (3-0) have jumped out to a solid start for the second straight year with the same approach from last season, though with different players.
Maty Mauk has thrown for 12 touchdowns on just 77 attempts, and Missouri is averaging 190 rushing yards per game. That balance on offense has been supported greatly by the Tigers defense, most notably on the rebuilt defensive line where junior Shane Ray and senior Markus Golden are ranked first and tied for fifth, respectively, in the nation in tackles for loss.
Missouri has gotten better each game this season, even as the opponents have gotten more difficult.
19. USC Trojans
35 of 53
Average rating: 18.8
Week 3 result: Lost 37-31 at Boston College
Week 4 matchup: Bye
USC (2-1) got run over by Boston College's rushing attack, while its own run game was almost nonexistent. The shocking upset has the Trojans going from looking like a title contender to a more realistic assessment: that of a young, thin team that will struggle on occasion this season.
With freshmen starting and contributing all over the field, USC had managed to still look good in its first two games. But that inexperience and lack of depth were evident against BC, particularly on the offensive line—which allowed 16 tackles for loss—and on run defense. The Eagles ran for 452 yards and five touchdowns against the Trojans, with quarterback Tyler Murphy going off for 191 yards and three TDs.
The Trojans seemed clueless at times when it came to reading the play. Lindsey Thiry of the Los Angeles Times wrote that "standout defensive end Leonard Williams and defensive tackle Antwaun Woods were caught tackling backs who didn't even have the football."
Cody Kessler did well, throwing for 317 yards and four touchdowns on 31-of-41 passing, but being one-dimensional didn't work out for USC. The run game, which averaged 215 yards per game coming in, managed just 20 yards on 29 carries.
18. Kansas State Wildcats
36 of 53
Average rating: 18.0
Week 3 result: Bye
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 18 vs. Auburn
After narrowly escaping at Iowa State in Week 2, Kansas State (2-0) went right to work on preparing for the highest-ranked nonconference opponent to come to town in 45 years.
"Under normal conditions, players would get most of the weekend off," Kellis Robinett of The Kansas City Star wrote on Sept. 9. "Not this time."
Instead, the Wildcats were preparing for a test that would challenge them in ways no team on the upcoming Big 12 schedule will be able to—namely, on the ground, as Auburn has averaged 330 rushing yards per game this season after gaining more than 300 per contest in 2013 en route to a spot in the national title game.
K-State is 20th nationally in rushing defense, at 87 yards allowed per game, but that's come against an FCS team and an Iowa State squad that's gained only 96.3 yards per game on the ground.
17. Wisconsin Badgers
37 of 53
Average rating: 17.2
Week 3 result: Bye
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 20 vs. Bowling Green
Wisconsin's week off allowed several banged-up players to heal, while also enabling quarterback Tanner McEvoy to evaluate the difference between his horrid performance against LSU and his masterful one against Western Illinois. But the break wasn't long enough to help the Badgers (1-1) with injury issues at running back ahead of a tougher-than-it-looks game against Bowling Green.
Three members of the Badgers backfield are hurt, according to Rob Hernandez of the Wisconsin State Journal, meaning that Melvin Gordon and Corey Clement are being asked to run more than they'd like. Gordon was stellar last season but so far this year has been slowed by a hip ailment that contributed to just 38 yards on 17 carries in his last game.
Bowling Green just beat Indiana over the weekend and will be coming in with tons of confidence. Wisconsin has only lost one nonconference home game in the past decade (falling 10-7 to Oregon State in 2012), but few opponents have been as potent offensively as the incoming Falcons.
15. (tie) Stanford Cardinal
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Average rating: 16.6
Week 3 result: Won 35-0 vs. Army
Week 4 matchup: Bye
The Cardinal (2-1) weren't perfect, but at least they figured out how to finish drives and score in the red zone. Senior receiver Devon Cajuste and his 6'4" frame helped with that, as he caught three touchdown passes from Kevin Hogan, while fellow senior wideout Ty Montgomery caught one TD and ran for another.
Stanford's defense was again solid, holding Army's option run attack to less than 200 rushing yards, and it has allowed only 13 points with two shutouts this season. The Cardinal are ranked first in total defense, allowing 204.3 yards per game.
After a week off, the Cardinal will hit the road for the first time, playing at Washington for the start of three out of four games away from home.
15. (tie) Arizona State Sun Devils
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Average rating: 16.6
Week 3 result: Won 38-24 at Colorado
Week 4 matchup: Bye
The Sun Devils (3-0) have looked very good in winning back-to-back road games, but what the future holds after this bye week depends on the long-term status of quarterback Taylor Kelly.
The senior went down with an apparent foot injury in the third quarter at Colorado, returning to the sideline later on with a boot on his right foot. The school confirmed Monday that Kelly will not play in ASU's next game, a key Pac-12 showdown at home Sept. 25 against UCLA, but beyond that his return is up in the air.
Little-used junior Mike Bercovici will start in place of Kelly, who had 265 yards of total offense and was responsible for four touchdowns at Colorado. in 2014 Kelly has thrown for 625 yards with six TDs.
ASU hasn't been all Kelly on offense, though, as running back D.J. Foster (147 rushing yards, 59 receiving yards, two TDs at Colorado) has averaged 216.3 yards of total offense per game this season.
14. South Carolina Gamecocks
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Average rating: 15.2
Week 3 result: Won 38-35 vs. Georgia
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 20 at Vanderbilt
We might not know exactly how good South Carolina (2-1, 1-0 SEC) is, but we do know this: The Gamecocks have played a heck of a schedule so far.
Though all three games were at home, South Carolina has faced two teams that have been or are currently ranked in the Associated Press Top 10 and a third (East Carolina) that just won on the road against a ranked team. The Gamecocks defense still needs a lot of work, but against Georgia it showed it could make stops on occasion and at least slow down a potent attack.
"A game many expected the Bulldogs to win by double digits came down to a dramatic fourth quarter," wrote Josh Kendall of The State, referring to a goal-line stand after an interception that resulted in no points for Georgia and then a key 4th-and-inches conversion at midfield that South Carolina made by the smallest of margins.
Dylan Thompson threw for 271 yards and three touchdowns and shoved through the line for that final first down on a sneak, while running backs Brandon Wilds (14 carries, 93 yards, one TD) and Mike Davis (17 carries, 66 yards) helped wear down Georgia's defense.
12. (tie) UCLA Bruins
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Average rating: 12.2
Week 3 result: Won 20-17 vs. Texas (in Arlington, Texas)
Week 4 matchup: Bye
UCLA (3-0) managed to turn a potentially devastating scenario into one that provided us with the season's most storybook moment, with Jerry Neuheisel coming off the bench for injured quarterback Brett Hundley and leading the Bruins to a late comeback win at AT&T Stadium.
Neuheisel threw for 178 yards and two touchdowns, including a beautiful 32-yard TD pass to Jordan Payton on a pump fake with three minutes left. The sophomore, whose father Rick Neuheisel coached UCLA for four seasons before getting fired in 2011, was carried off the field by his teammates.
Hundley injured his left (non-throwing) elbow early in the game and didn't return. UCLA hasn't released an update on the junior's status, though the Bruins don't play again until Sept. 25 at Arizona State. If he's unable to play, Neuheisel's performance against Texas would make Hundley's absence less painful, though UCLA's best player in the last game was running back Paul Perkins.
Perkins ran for 126 yards and caught five passes for 65 yards. Through three games he is averaging 128 yards of total offense.
12. (tie) Ole Miss Rebels
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Average rating: 12.2
Week 3 result: Won 56-15 vs. Louisiana-Lafayette
Week 4 matchup: Bye
The Rebels (3-0) head into a bye brimming with confidence, having impressively dispatched all three of their opponents in different ways and in different venues.
A late surge propelled Ole Miss past Boise State, followed by a complete dominance in its SEC opener at Vanderbilt. This past week's win was maybe the Rebels' best yet, with quarterback Bo Wallace completing 23 of 28 passes for 316 yards and four touchdowns and senior wide receiver Vince Sanders having a career game with eight catches for 125 yards and two TDs.
Ole Miss has intercepted an FBS-leading eight passes this season, with three by Senquez Golson, who returned a pick 59 yards for a TD on Saturday.
11. Georgia Bulldogs
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Average rating: 11.4
Week 3 result: Lost 38-35 at South Carolina
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 20 vs. Troy
Georgia (1-1, 0-1 SEC) suffered its first loss in much the same way it had setbacks several times last season—with shoddy defense that couldn't make a stop when it needed to most.
Despite scoring more points at South Carolina than in their previous three trips to Williams-Brice Stadium, the Bulldogs trailed for all but about eight minutes in the first quarter. Todd Gurley ran for 131 yards and a touchdown, while Hutson Mason completed 16 of 22 passes for 191 yards and two TDs, but the senior quarterback was called for a critical intentional grounding penalty on Georgia's final drive that ended with a missed field goal.
Coach Mark Richt, during his Sunday teleconference, said Mason's pass hit a defender and he planned to have SEC officials review the play. What league officials won't be able to determine, though, is why Georgia was unable to slow down South Carolina.
"We just didn't put much pressure on the quarterback," Richt told Marc Weiszer of the Athens Banner-Herald. "Our four-man rush really didn't even squeeze the pocket as far as I could see. I thought he (Gamecocks quarterback Dylan Thompson) had a lot of time to stand in there and sight it up."
10. Michigan State Spartans
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Average rating: 10.0
Week 3 result: Bye
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 20 vs. Eastern Michigan
Michigan State (1-1) has had a week off to figure out what went wrong in its big showdown with Oregon, but in effect the Spartans will have a bit longer of a break before facing serious competition again. Eastern Michigan allowed 65 at Florida two weeks ago and has scored three points in its last two games, while upcoming foe Wyoming just lost by 34 at Oregon.
MSU saw its defense wear down at Oregon, while the run game hasn't yet produced much. Jeremy Langford has 143 yards and a touchdown through two games, averaging 3.9 yards per carry, after running for 1,423 yards with 18 TDs and a 4.9 average last season.
Look for both of the defense and run game to show great improvement these next two weeks before the Spartans get into Big Ten play against Nebraska.
9. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
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Average rating: 9.4
Week 3 result: Won 30-14 vs. Purdue (in Indianapolis)
Week 4 matchup: Bye
The Fighting Irish (3-0) dealt with a Michigan hangover early, possibly also impacted by their special Shamrock Series uniforms, but after falling behind late in the first half, they woke up and took control.
Everett Golson had a third straight great game, and even though the statistics (259 passing yards, 56 rushing yards, four total touchdowns) weren't amazing, they were good for the situation. Golson has been the best part of Notre Dame's offense, which is still trying to get consistent with the run game but has a few more weeks to work on things before the schedule gets really tough.
Defensively, a shutout in the second half made up for some soft play early, and through three games that unit has allowed just 99 rushing yards per game.
8. LSU Tigers
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Average rating: 8.4
Week 3 result: Won 31-0 vs. Louisiana-Monroe
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 20 vs. Mississippi State
The offense still has plenty of questions to answer, but to this point much of that hasn't mattered because of how dominant the Tigers (3-0) have been on defense since midway through their season opener.
LSU has posted back-to-back shutouts—the first time that's happened since 1985—and hasn't allowed an opponent to score since the third quarter of its 28-24 win over Wisconsin in Houston. Louisiana-Monroe had 93 yards and six first downs, and the Tigers are sitting third nationally in total defense at 205.7 yards per game.
The Tigers will face a tougher offense than any they've faced this week in Mississippi State, while the Bulldogs present a challenge that could make or break Anthony Jennings at quarterback. The sophomore has thrown for 566 yards and five touchdowns but is completing only 52 percent of his passes.
7. Baylor Bears
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Average rating: 7.4
Week 3 result: Won 63-21 at Buffalo
Week 4 matchup: Bye
Any worry about how the Bears (3-0) would handle their long trip to Buffalo for a Friday night game—their third in 12 days to open the season—was answered quickly. Baylor was up 21-0 in less than 10 minutes and by the night was over had topped the 60-point mark for the eighth time in the last 16 games.
Bryce Petty, back after sitting out a week with cracked vertebrae, threw for 416 yards and four touchdowns, while Shock Linwood had two of Baylor's four rushing TDs. Wide receiver KD Cannon moved closer to inking his name on freshman All-American teams with another big game, catching six passes for 189 yards and a TD. He is averaging 32 yards per reception this season.
The Bears finally allowed a touchdown but still outscored Buffalo 28-21 in a second half that was almost entirely garbage time.
6. Texas A&M Aggies
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Average rating: 6.0
Week 3 result: Won 38-10 vs. Rice
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 20 at SMU
While the most notable thing that came from the opening blowout win at South Carolina was how explosive A&M (3-0) looked on offense, the more important development was how the Aggies' young defense was able to make stops and not just get bulldozed. Since then, against admittedly easy competition, that unit has been able to become more and more confident.
Though the sample size is still small, true freshman defensive end Myles Garrett is looking like the real deal. He has 5.5 sacks and at this point seems like a lock to top Jadeveon Clowney's SEC freshman record of eight set in 2011.
A&M's offense needs to be applauded, too, as through three games there are no signs the loss of Johnny Manziel has been felt. Kenny Hill has thrown for 1,094 yards and 11 touchdowns, and the Aggies are rushing for 187 yards per game.
5. Auburn Tigers
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Average rating: 5.0
Week 3 result: Bye
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 18 at Kansas State
After two weeks of home cooking and an early bye, we should finally get to see just how good this year's Auburn (2-0) team is when it makes the trip to Manhattan, Kansas, for Thursday night's huge nonconference showdown. A game that was scheduled long before the Tigers became this rushing juggernaut is by far the most anticipated matchup of Week 4, and it also happens to get the slate off with a bang.
Auburn has run for 330 yards per game so far, ranked sixth-best in FBS, with senior Cameron Artis-Payne stepping right into Tre Mason's shoes with 289 yards and four touchdowns. Nick Marshall has been great on the ground, but the quarterback hasn't yet needed to show off his supposed improved passing ability, throwing only for 151 yards and a TD with a 56 percent completion rate.
The Tigers defense looked good in the second half of the opener against an improved Arkansas team, but how that unit will fare on the road against a mobile quarterback in Jake Waters will be something to watch. Auburn's remaining schedule features several dual-threat passers.
4. Oklahoma Sooners
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Average rating: 3.4
Week 3 result: Won 34-10 vs. Tennessee
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 20 at West Virginia
Oklahoma (3-0) has showed its running back depth so far this season, with Keith Ford, Samaje Perine and Alex Ross combining for 87 carries, 503 yards and nine touchdowns. That depth will be handy, now that the Sooners have announced Ford will miss two to three weeks after fracturing an ankle bone against Tennessee.
Ford, a sophomore, was Oklahoma's leading rusher with 194 yards and five touchdowns, including 56 and a score against the Volunteers. Without him it means quarterback Trevor Knight will need to contribute more, but he's coming off his best game of the year after throwing for 308 yards and a touchdown while adding a rushing score.
The Sooners haven't just been an offensive force this year, though. Their defense has forced eight takeaways, tied for 11th in FBS, with cornerback Zack Sanchez intercepting a pass for his third straight game and cornerback Julian Wilson taking back a pick 100 yards for a TD against Tennessee.
That defense will need to play well in order to handle a West Virginia team that is firing on all cylinders this season, much like it was doing two years ago when Oklahoma won 50-49 in Morgantown despite "the worst statistical defensive performance in Oklahoma program history" in 2012, according to Jason Kersey of The Oklahoman.
3. Alabama Crimson Tide
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Average rating: 3.0
Week 3 result: Won 52-12 vs. Southern Mississippi
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 20 vs. Florida
The Crimson Tide (3-0) have gotten better each game on offense, moving up to 12th nationally in total yards, while the defense hasn't allowed an offensive touchdown in the past 161 minutes of game action. But that's come against an increasingly easier schedule, with the last two games being against low-end Conference USA teams.
Whether Alabama is truly tested and prepared for its rough SEC schedule begins in earnest this week, albeit in a still-advantageous scenario with Florida coming to Tuscaloosa right after having to survive Kentucky in an emotional triple-overtime game. Still, the Gators will be the best challenge yet for 'Bama's offense and give us a better sense of whether Blake Sims is the right choice at quarterback.
Sims has clearly been the better of the two passers, with Jake Coker not playing until late against Southern Mississippi. But neither has to do that much, not with such a deep running back pool and wide receiver Amari Cooper putting up record-pace numbers.
2. Florida State Seminoles
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Average rating: 2.4
Week 3 result: Bye
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 20 vs. Clemson
After two performances not indicative of a defending national champion that should contend for another title, the Seminoles (2-0) get a chance to show they are worthy of remaining in the championship picture this weekend. Or, at the very least, that they'll dominate the ACC's Atlantic Division again.
Last year's 51-14 win at Clemson really got the ball rolling on Florida State's run to the BCS championship, as it had no trouble scoring on a tough defense while rendering Clemson's experienced offensive unit powerless. The Tigers are much younger on offense this season but still capable of big numbers, while the defense is again expected to be a strength.
FSU has looked mediocre running the ball, while defensively it has struggled to contain its opponents' biggest strengths. Oklahoma State was able to score 31 points, while FCS team Citadel was able to run for 250 yards and only gave up 37 points in a matchup that the 2013 FSU team would have won by 60.
1. Oregon Ducks
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Average rating: 1.8
Week 3 result: Won 48-14 vs. Wyoming
Week 4 matchup: Sept. 20 at Washington State
For the most part, the Ducks (3-0) did what was expected in their final nonconference game against Wyoming...other than jump out to a big early lead. Instead, Oregon trailed 7-0 after the first quarter, something that hadn't happened at home to a non-league foe since 2005.
But after Marcus Mariota scored on a 15-yard run on the first play of the second quarter, it was all Oregon. It scored 27 points in the second and 41 in a row, with Mariota throwing for two touchdowns and running for a pair—including an acrobatic 19-yard TD run that saw him dive over several players to tuck himself inside the pylon.
That highlight-reel run, combined with what he's done to this point in 2014, makes Mariota the Heisman favorite after three weeks, writes Chris Huston of HeismanPundit.com: "He continues to be the clear front-runner in this race, and it looks like he may not face a true challenge to this status until early November."
Oregon showed a lot of offensive diversity against Wyoming beyond Mariota, with three other players scoring rushing TDs and both of the TD receptions going to two-sport stars: former basketball point guard Johnathan Loyd and track champion Devon Allen.
Follow Brian J. Pedersen on Twitter at @realBJP.
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