NCAA Rankings: 10 Teams That Could Make Big Move in Polls in Week 4
Another week of college football is upon us and with it come some major, major matchups on the schedule.
Every week has big matchups but to be honest, I thought last week's schedule left some more to be desired and this slate of games will not disappoint. We have some big matchups within the same conference but not to mention some non-conferences clashes that will determine the national title picture.
Inside are 10 teams who, with a win, will find themselves moving up the polls and into national prominence. If I missed someone, leave it in the comments. If you disagree and think one team has more to gain over another, make sure to let your voice be heard.
No. 10: Temple
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Temple is 3-0 and I can't believe I'm typing that sequence of words and numbers. At the same time, Penn State is 2-1 and it couldn't be more unimpressive.
The Nittany Lions kind of went through the motions last week against Kent State and walked away with a 24-0 win. This was on the heels of a beatdown at the hands of No. 1 Alabama and a ho hum performance against Youngstown State.
The Owls could take advantage of another lackluster performance from Penn State and shock Happy Valley with a win on Saturday and move to 4-0 with a high profile win on their resume and find themselves in the polls.
No. 9: Boise State
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This is probably the biggest game of the season for Boise State this season. After Virginia Tech's epic collapse against James Madison, the Broncos need a statement to prove they belong in the national title game.
If the Broncos really dominate Oregon State this week, and they have to, and I think Boise State knows that, it could start grabbing back some of those first place votes they lost after the Hokies' loss. The Broncos are in a tough spot this week, even though they're favored.
Boise State needs to win and win big for there to be any jump up for the Broncos.
No. 8: Notre Dame
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The Fighting Irish are coming off of two tough losses against Michigan and Michigan State and now they have to play against No. 16 Stanford this weekend.
A win against the Cardinal could help propel Notre Dame back towards the bottom half of the polls. I'm not sure it's deserved, but that's what I think will happen. The media loves to put Notre Dame in a position of prominance because they're who they are.
The Fighting Irish haven't been great in years but once Charlie Weis had them somewhat relevant again, the media pumped them up and they got into a BCS bowl where they were promptly beaten into the dirt by Ohio State.
Don't be shocked if Notre Dame is back in the polls with a win this week.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
No. 7: California
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California is coming off of a tough loss against Nevada where its defense was torched to the tune of 52 points by Nevada.
The Golden Bears certainly have the ability to get into the end zone, having scored an average of 45 points per game in their three games this season. Arizona is coming off of an emotional win against Iowa and could be ripe for upset coming off of such a big victory.
If Cal can win this week, it may help erase the memory of the Nevada game and get them up towards the bottom of the polls.
No. 6: Pittsburgh
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Pitt's opening week loss to Utah was a bit of a shock to a team who had expectations of winning the Big East this season. To be honest, those dreams are still alive because the conference is just so terrible but the Panthers will need a big win this week to get there.
Pittsburgh will host No. 19 Miami and a win in national television will get the Panthers back in the national spotlight. The Hurricanes are coming off of a tough loss against Ohio State and you know that a proud team like Miami is going to show up to play to try and get some of that pride back.
I'm not sold on Pitt no matter what happens this Thursday but a win would do a lot for the Panthers' national resume.
No. 5: West Virginia
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West Virginia is 3-0 and currently ranked 22nd in the nation but really haven't played anyone to get to that record.
However, a win against LSU on the road would go a long way towards establishing the Mountaineers as the team to beat in the Big East. Beating the Tigers on the road is one of the harder things to do in college football and with LSU being ranked 15th, it will help shoot West Virginia up the polls.
I'm not sold on either team so we may be in for an interesting game.
No. 4: Auburn
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Coming off of a tough win against Clemson, Auburn gets to play No. 12 South Carolina in a SEC clash. The Tigers get the pleasure of hosting this matchup and a win could help put Auburn near the Top 10 in the nation.
The Gamecocks are 3-0 but haven't really been tested this year. Auburn has already been taken to the wire this season and I think it's going to be beneficial going into this week. There's a reason why SEC teams are tougher when it comes to bowl season. It's because they're tested more on a week-in, week-out basis than any other conference.
That's not to say the other conferences can't hang, because they can, but it doesn't hurt SEC teams to play the teams they play in conference.
No. 3: Kentucky
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Kentucky is 3-0 this year and now the Wildcats get to play No. 9 Florida in the swamp this Saturday.
The Gators haven't been real impressive this year as they transition away from Tim Tebow and some of the other great players they lost to the NFL last year and if Kentucky can steal this game, it would do wonders for their season and their ranking.
Winning in Florida is no easy feat, no matter the state of the program and for a team like Kentucky to do it, it would turn heads around the nation. The Gators have shown that they can be tested if you pressure John Brantley and if the Wildcats win, it could turn the SEC upside down.
I'm curious about this game. I'm skeptical about Kentucky's ability to win, but I'm curious enough to watch it.
No. 2: Oregon State
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This is another big game for Oregon State, who fell to TCU earlier this season. Now, the Beavers will travel to Boise State to take on the Broncos in primetime.
Oregon State is ranked 24th while Boise State is third in the nation. The Beavers have painted their practice field blue in order to prepare for the Smurf Turf in Boise and a win would not only kill the Broncos' national title hopes but send Oregon State up the polls.
While it may not have as much impact as a win over a normal third ranked team in the nation, it will be a big splash in the polls.
No. 1: Arkansas
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Ryan Mallett and company get the pleasure of hosting the defending national champion Alabama Crimson Tide this weekend in the biggest SEC matchup of the week.
Arkansas has a high-powered offense led by Mallett and Alabama is still trying to get its defense together after losing players to the NFL after last year. However, the Crimson Tide have looked impressive this year and having the game at home will help the Razorbacks immensely.
Beating the defending the national champions will put Arkansas into the top five teams in the nation and there's a lot on the line for both teams in this matchup.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
