Week 4 Preview- College Football

Week 3 was another weekend that gave us a lot of action and more upsets. Top 25 teams lost and some took a hit to their BCS hopes. Others proved their case that they deserve to be mentioned among the best. Thursday night for the third straight week had another big game and is slowly becoming the perfect way to start the weekend of action.

Recap of last week: No. 6 California showed how good they are against Minnesota on the road. Cal HB Jahvid Best may have made one of the best cases for the Heisman Trophy thus far literally being all the offense that Cal needed. USC is looming in the coming weeks. Ohio State bounced back quite nice after a tough loss. Michigan is still ranked and has already matched their win total of a year ago and we are only 3 games in. Notre Dame suffered a tough loss to Michigan, but was able to get a ever crucial win against Michigan State. Notre Dame QB Jimmy Clausen looks to have turf toe and loss one of his targets in WR Michael Floyd. Purdue looms this week and Notre Dame needs to continue to play well. Oregon fell short in busting the BCS hopes of Boise State to start the year, but was able to deliver against Utah from the Mountain West Conference. Utah was in the group of smaller schools that needed to win all their games in hopes of possibly playing in a BCS game. Utah ran the table last year and upset Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. This is still a very good team, but their BCS dreams may have been shattered by Oregon.

Two of my "outside the top 5" games turned into better games than most might have expected. I underestimated how good QB Taylor Potts was in the wake of QB Graham Harrell leaving along with his top target and NFL holdout, WR Michael Crabtree. They gave QB Colt McCoy and the Texas Longhorns a good fight and kept it close throughout. Texas, however, showed they were the better team and got a little revenge for last year's loss that in all likelihood cause Texas a Big 12 title and BCS Championship appearance. Texas continues to control their own destiny in hopes of avoiding last year's finish. The game was as good as I hoped it would be! The second game featured Pac-10 powerhouse then No. 3 USC at Washington. Washington went 0-12 last year and two of their coaches including the head coach were under USC head coach Pete Carroll last year at this time. USC was coming off a big win at Ohio State. Those are the games that Pete Carroll and the Trojans usually win over his tenure. However, since their last title game appearance, they have had a tendency to drop a game or two a year to lesser talent. These losses are usually Pac-10 games. The game was tied 13-13 with seconds to go and Washington kicked the game winning field goal and prevented any miracle kickoff return from occurring. This game may have gone differently if QB Matt Barkley was healthy enough to play as USC had their worst offensive output under Pete Carroll. USC will have to fight again in 2009 to possibly play in the national title game and might have to settle for another Rose Bowl.

Turning now to my top 5 matchups of Week 3. After a big of stumble with my picks in Week 2, I returned this past week with a very nice 4 out of 5. Bringing my season total to 10-5. Friday night, then No. 10 Boise State went to Fresno State and gave us a second half to remember. The two conference rivals went tit for tat in the second half in a game of one-up. Anytime one scored the other returned the favor shortly after. Boise State played better in the first half, but throughout the game and especially in that second half they couldn't slow down Fresno State HB Ryan Mathews as he was on the loose. Boise State was able to clear this hurdle and have one or two possible speed bumps in their way of another BCS game appearance. However, unlike Boise State, then No. 7 Brigham Young ended up with the same result as fellow potential BCS buster, Utah. Florida State had the thoughts of their close loss against Miami (FL) still in their minds and came to BYU and destroyed any BCS hopes of the Cougars. Florida State looked like the dominant team of not that long ago. They are a very close dropped pass from being 2-0 and being in serious BCS discussion. BYU went from a feel good story after they did the unthinkable and beat Oklahoma to an afterthought now unfortunately.

I can't tell what was better: the game or the talk before and after it. No. 1 Florida was able to beat Tennessee. That probably was expected my mostly everyone outside of the state of Tennessee. However, Florida was favored to teeter on blowing out the Volunteers. They won 23-13. Florida QB Tim Tebow broke his streak of 30 games with a TD pass and didn't look especially good. A lot of credit is deserved for the father of Tennessee's head coach and defensive coordinator, Monte Kiffin. Kiffin was a defensive genius for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for many years and the closeness of the game had a lot to do with his defensive strategy against the Gators offense. I was expecting more than a ten point win, but my double digit prediction barely covered. The bigger story might be the fact that the talk has continued and the two coaches don't seem to like each other at all. Next year's rematch should definitely be interesting. It might be a little early to say this, but I'm going to go out on a bit of a limb and say the "U" is back. They weren't favored to beat Florida State. They did. They weren't favored to beat Georgia Tech and did. Miami (FL) showed signs of coming back to way we are used to seeing them, but they didn't finish strong. They were able to do as I said: slow down the Georgia Tech offense and looked dominant for most of the game. QB Jacory Harris has the Hurricanes looking calm and poised to shake things up this year. They have used two primetime games to showcase what they are capable of. They have another challenge this week against Virginia Tech as they continue their first month gauntlet. They had the possibility to start 0-4 and have a very realistic chance to start 4-0.

Finally, my top matchup once again lived up to the hype and type of game I had for it. Then No. 19 Nebraska went to No. 13 Virginia Tech and played a great game. It was low scoring as both teams have playmaking defenses. The game came down to the wire and Virginia Tech took the lead late and was able to halt the Cornhuskers and win by 1. Nebraska will still be a force in the Big 12 North and should contend for the North title if not run away with it. Virginia Tech has had a hard start to the year and has done about as well as they could have hoped for. They now prepare for another tough challenge against Miami (FL). Virginia Tech has been one of the most consistent teams in the ACC in recent years and showed that again against a very good Nebraska team. The surprise or two as suspected once again occurred. It is what college football has become.

Now turning to Week 4 and what looms ahead:

Fresno State at No. 14 Cincinnati: This good game for both in my opinion. Fresno State had a potential win slip away last week and have to continue to play strong if Boise State slips up. Cincinnati is highly ranked and the flag bearer for the Big East Conference. This would be an important for them and the conference to stay relevant. Cincinnati seems poised to win the Big East thus far and this game can be a chance for them to continue to showcase how good they are.

No. 6 California at Oregon: A very good Pac-10 game in my opinion. Oregon knocked off then No. 18 Utah and can provide another statement if they can knock off conference foe, California. California was in this situation a couple years ago and slipped up. They may just have the best player in the country in HB Jahvid Best. The man can play and he showed all of his ability last week at Minnesota. Watch for him to be the difference in this one. USC looms shortly for California and would like to enter that game with the chance to control their fate in the Pac-10.

No. 15 TCU at Clemson: Now that Utah and BYU has been defeated, teams like No. 15 TCU can enter the conversation as potential BCS busters. They were very close a few years ago and loss at the end of the season. Clemson has entered the last few seasons with a lot of promise in the ACC and fallen short. This then is a crucial game for both sides. TCU can take a big step this weekend.

Colorado State at No. 19 Brigham Young: BYU stumbled pretty bad last week against Florida State and loss most likely a BCS game chance. This should be a good game for them to rebound. They are still a very good team despite the loss to what looks like an even better Florida State.

Louisville at Utah: Utah suffered a tough loss to Oregon last week and now have to prepare for Louisville. Louisville is not the same team they were a few years ago, but could present a tough matchup for Utah. Utah needs a win here to get themselves back on track for the rest of the year.

No. 24 Washington at Stanford: For the first time in a while, Washington is ranked and they are coming off one of the biggest wins they have had in a while. They now travel to Stanford to show they can be a power player in the Pac-10. A week ago this would not have been a game worth mentioning, but things don't always go as scripted. Stanford is good enough to ruin Washington's exciting past week.

Washington State at No. 12 USC: USC fell into another trap that was set on their Pac-10 schedule. They were without QB Matt Barkley, who should be back this week. Without Barkley they suffered offensively and now face the other Washington team and hope to rebound. USC should come in ready to go and they usually do after a loss (when they do suffer them).

Now for my top 5 matchups of Week 4:

5. Arkansas at No. 3 Alabama: Another big SEC battle for West bragging rights. Alabama has looked good thus far and are on pace to win the SEC West again. However, as we see every year, the SEC is very difficult to run the table in. Arkansas might not be one of the best teams in the SEC, but are still dangerous and could easily trip up Alabama. I think Nick Saban will have the Tide ready to roll against the hogs. Pick: Alabama

4. Texas Tech at No. 17 Houston: Houston has quietly risen the ranks and is ranked at 17 going into a big game for them against Texas Tech. C-USA is not one of those automatic BCS bid conference, hence Houston must run the table to get in. Houston got in this position by knocking off then No. 5 Oklahoma State, a team who entered the season with a lot of promise. Now they have another Big 12 opponent and a chance to show how good they are. Texas Tech, in their own right, showed they are still a good team by hanging with Texas last week. QB Taylor Potts is not much of a drop off from QB Graham Harrell. While Houston boosts a Heisman caliber QB in Casey Keenum, who has looked very good this year. It could be a bit of shootout with these two QBs. If Houston stumbles, it most likely will happen in their conference. Pick: Houston

3. No. 4 Mississippi at South Carolina: If its Thursday night, there must be a big game on ESPN. Week 4 is no different. Mississippi and their potential Heisman QB Jevad Sneed. He has continued to look good this year and has his team in the top 5 for the first time in nearly forty years. This is a SEC matchup and thus could be a win or a loss for the Rebels. Steve Spurrier came to South Carolina a few years back to help bring them to prominence in the SEC and has not been able to duplicate the success he had in Florida. This would be a big statement win for him and the Gamecocks and put a SEC title and possible title game in jeopardy for Mississippi. Anyway you look at it, this game is pretty big and starts the weekend off right. Mississippi looks determined and should be able to sustain whatever South Carolina throws at them. Pick: Mississippi

2. Iowa at No. 5 Penn State: Penn State had national title aspirations last year before Iowa ended that. Iowa has had a way of getting the best of Penn State in recent years as they are 5-1 against Joe Paterno's squad. Penn State is again in the driver seat in the Big Ten and has the same goals as a year ago. They are downplaying the revenge factor, but a victory over Iowa would be sweet for Penn State. Iowa is always a good team and will enter Happy Valley with confidence to win again. It should be a good game in the Big Ten. Pick: Penn State

1. No. 9 Miami (FL) at No. 11 Virginia Tech: Last week, Miami (FL) beat Georgia Tech in my 2nd best matchup of Week 3. Last week, Virginia Tech beat Nebraska in my top matchup of Week 3. Now the two winners get each other this week at Lane Stadium. This is another big ACC game in a season that has a had quite a few and its only September. The "U" is starting to reappear and a win over another ranked opponent will continue to build steam in their favor. They are ranked in the top 10 for the first team since they were a national title contender a few years ago. Virginia Tech has risen to be the face of the ACC is recent years and to me is the top dog. For Miami (FL) to show they are truly back, a win over Virginia Tech at their place is crucial. I think that this will be a great game featuring a steady Miami (FL) offense and usually very good Virginia Tech defense. It should be good! Pick: Virginia Tech

It looks like another action packed weekend lies ahead. Can't wait to see how some of these games play out.