College Football Predictions Week 5: 3 Ranked Teams Bound to Fall
Ranked teams are going to face each other at some point in the season. The teams who come out on top in those matchups are the ones who go onto bigger and brighter things.
The teams that lose, however, suffer for it and sometimes can't get back into BCS bowl game contention.
Here are three ranked teams facing ranked opponents in Week 5 headed for a letdown (listed in order of how badly their matchup will expose them).
3. Florida
The Florida Gators have had a great season so far under the leadership of Urban Meyer's successor, Will Muschamp.
Quarterback Jeff Brantley has looked solid, running back Chris Rainey has looked explosive (three 100-yard games, two touchdowns) and the Gators defense held opponents to an average of nine points per game. The defense gave up just 23 points to a solid Tennessee offense led by Tyler Bray.
But they face one of the most daunting challenges in college football in Week 5 when the Alabama Crimson Tide roll into Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. As much as I'd like to see their hard work pay off, I just don't see them defeating one of the national championship contenders in college football.
2. Arkansas
Arkansas quarterback Tyler Wilson has been decent, but he's also been prone to throwing interceptions through the first four games.
That doesn't bode well when the Razorbacks host the No. 14 Texas A&M Aggies, a much better defense than it appeared against Oklahoma State. Before getting blasted by one of the top offenses in the country, the Aggies were giving up 10.5 points per game. This is a solid defense that should feast on Wilson.
1. Nebraska
The Nebraska Cornhuskers may be 4-0, but they haven't played anyone of significance. Their defense and quarterback Taylor Martinez have also looked suspect.
Martinez is always a dual-threat, but had trouble in the pocket late last season. He's still shaky so far in 2011, completing just 50 percent of his passes.
Wisconsin hasn't played anyone of significance yet, either, but they've definitely looked the part of the No. 7 team in the nation. The defense ranks in the top 10 in three of the four major categories and quarterback Russell Wilson, unlike Martinez, has looked like a top-10 quarterback.
Wilson has already thrown for over 1,100 yards and 11 touchdowns to just one interception. He will be a threat all season long, and at home, he will be a nightmare for the Cornhuskers defense.
