College Football's Top Performances in Week 4

What another exciting weekend for college football. Risers-fallers. Stunners-shockers. Heisman hopefuls gaining more recognition. LSU dominating again. Out of all of this, there were many great performers on Saturday.

Quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, top offenses and defenses...

You name, I say it.

Here are the most elite performances from Week 4.

Quarterbacks

Brandon Weeden-Oklahoma State: 47 of 60 for 438 (career-high) 2 TDs

Robert Griffin-Baylor: 29 of 33 for 357 yards, 51 rushing yards and 6 total TDs

Case Keenum-Houston: 29 of 34 for 415 yards and 2 TDs

Tahj Boyd-Clemson: 23 of 37 for 344 yards and 3 TDs (1 pick-six)

Kellen Moore-Boise State: 23 of 29 for 279 yards and 4 TDs (3 qtrs)

Running Backs

Bernard Pierce-Temple: 32 carries for 149 yards and 5 TDs

Trent Richardson-Alabama: 211 total yards from scrimmage and a rushing TD

Marcus Lattimore-South Carolina: 50 yards from scrimmage and 2 TDs

Jeff Demps-Florida: 157 rushing yards and 2 TDs

Rex Burkhead-Nebraska: 151 rushing yards and 2 TDs

Wide Receivers

Sammy Watkins-Clemson: 8 catches for 141 yards and 2 TDs

Rodney Smith-Florida State: 4 catches for 118 yards and 1 TD

Tyler Shoemaker-Boise State: 5 catches for 102 yards and 2 TDs

Shawn Hill-Georgia Tech: 6 catches for 151 yards and 1 TD

Justin Blackmon-Oklahoma State: 11 catches for 123 yards and 1 TD

Kendall Wright-Baylor: 10 catches for 111 yards and 1 TD

Tyler Eifert-Notre Dame: 8 catches for 75 yards and 1 TD

Exploding Offenses

The Florida Gators offense was expected to have some troubles early on in the season, but how quickly things have changed. Charlie Weis and Will Muschamp are getting the most out of their players, as they've been able to just march right down the field nearly every possession.

Sure, it is just a few games and they have played essentially nobody, but damn they are making it rain touchdowns in September. Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps were so potent when Tim Tebow was the quarterback, but they're still running circles around defenses thus far in the season.

Meanwhile, Boise State just continues to go bonkers in their pursuit of going undefeated and to challenge for a BCS National Championship.

I can't say I am shocked by what their offense did, but I am a bit surprised on just how explosive the Clemson Tigers offense was.

Despite Florida State missing one of their top defensive backs in Greg Reid, the Tigers were on a mission today as they have an early leg-up on the Seminoles in the Atlantic Division. Still, Tajh Boyd and his Tigers torched the Seminoles for 455 yards of offense in their 35-30 shootout victory.

Staying in the ACC, the Yellow Jackets of Georgia Tech look legit after piling up 496 total yards of offense. They did it on the ground with a business like approach by totaling 312 yards.  

There are many other offenses who lit up the scoreboards during Saturday's action, but these caught my eye for the weekend.

Lights out Defenses

South Carolina's defense is one of the more talented groups in the entire country, but they have been struggling early on in the season against the likes of Navy, East Carolina and Georgia. They completely obliterated and shutdown the Vanderbilt Commodores offense, limiting them to just 71 total yards of offense!

Devin Taylor, Melvin Ingram and Jadaevon Clowney have brought the lumber and are three tremendous athletes that most offensive lines have nightmares over. Their front wall is simple sensational and I rank them among the three best in America (LSU & Boise State). 

Alabama's defense held the potent Arkansas Razorbacks to just 226 total yards of offense and their back seven is easily the best in America.

Their 3-4 defense is stifling and the entire linebacking and secondary corps will all be playing on Sunday's soon enough. DeQuan Menzie ran back a pick-six that sparked the Crimson Tide in their 38-14 victory. 

When people ask me who are the best teams in America I usually just have to talk about the best defenses in America. Alabama, LSU, Boise State and South Carolina are all among the top in the nation defensively and it will be a treat to see which team can continue to remain perfect.

Boise State may not have quite as much talent defensively as LSU or Alabama, but they are just as stout up front with Chase Baker, Billy Winn and Shea McClellin all wreaking havoc. 

Who Impressed and Disappointed Us

Alabama certainly comes to mind since their game against Arkansas was expected to be one of their tougher games on the schedule. I really question if any team can challenge them outside of the LSU Tigers.

The Tide had many question marks with their new signal caller AJ McCarron and yet he threw for 200 yards and 2 TDs without any mistakes. Trent Richardson is a freak who totaled over 100-yards rushing and receiving, but the defense and the special teams has also been sensational.

Marquis Maze is one of those tremendous players that does it all in Tuscaloosa. He brought back a punt to the house from 83-yards out where he weaved inside and outside following and picking up  his blockers.

The best two teams in America, at the moment, are Alabama and LSU; with Boise State and Oklahoma right behind them. I like South Carolina and Virginia Tech as darkhorses, but the Hokies play nobody relevant this season outside of Clemson and perhaps Miami.

Florida State has certainly been disappointing thus far, but injuries have played a major role in their two losses, with Clint Trickett replacing EJ Manuel. There were also several receivers and defensive players that have not been able to participate in all their games.   

Georgia and Mississippi State continue to disappoint us a bit since "some" expected them to become a legit SEC contender.

Maryland, Colorado and Arizona have also struggled mightily moving the ball and only the Terps have a legit chance out of these three programs to make a bowl game this season.

One team that can never go unnamed in an article would be the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. They had an ugly win, but their offense remains inconsistent with Tommy Rees turning it over two times. 298 yards of offense is still solid and the defense continues to make plays. They will have a great chance of being ranked soon and remaining as a BCS Bowl contender.