Race for the CFP Week 4: Upsets and Statement Wins Shakeup Rankings
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Week 3 of the College Football season is in the books with Kentucky’s road upset over Texas A&M, while Ole Miss delivered a big-time win against LSU. As conference play gets in full swing, it figures to be statement Saturday this week for pretenders or contenders in the CFP race with plenty of ranked matchups.
Off to a 3-0 start, Mizzou is ranked No. 19 in the latest AP Top 25 heading into their SEC opener at No. 24 Mississippi State.
Here’s our latest “Race for the CFP” entering Week 4 of the season.
SEC favorite: Texas
Arch Manning and the top-ranked Longhorns are off to a 3-0 start, opening up SEC play with a tough road game at Tennessee on Saturday.
Big Ten favorite: Indiana
The 5th-ranked Hoosiers are coming off back-to-back shutout victories heading into Big Ten play on Friday night against Northwestern. Indiana might not be the same as last year’s National Championship team, but Curt Cignetti’s squad is still deserving of their No. 5 ranking at the moment.
Big 12 favorite: BYU
The Cougars are 3-0 and enter the bye week as the No. 11 team in the country behind strong quarterback play from Bear Bachmeier.
ACC favorite: Miami (FL)
Darian Mensah and Malachi Toney continue to look like Heisman candidates. The Canes are 3-0 (2-0 ACC) and come in ranked No. 6 in the latest AP Top 25.
Automatic Bid: Notre Dame
C.J. Carr and No. 3 Notre Dame took care of business in a 27-10 win over Michigan State last week. The Irish are at Barry Odom’s Purdue team on Saturday.
Group of Six Automatic Bid: Boise State
Boise State is 2-1 and are receiving votes in the latest AP Top 25 poll. They come in as 7-point road favorites at Western Michigan in the Group of Six showdown game.
At-Large Bid Selections
Ole Miss
Trinidad Chambliss and the 4th-ranked Rebels made a statement last week in a 32-24 win over LSU. Their season-opening win over Louisville is looking better as well. Ole Miss is at Florida on Saturday for another big-time matchup.
Georgia
Gunner Stockton and 2nd-ranked Georgia had no troubles in their 45-17 win over Arkansas to open SEC play. The Bulldogs host Oklahoma on Saturday.
Ohio State
The Buckeyes come in at No. 7 in the latest AP Top 25 poll and host Illinois on Saturday for their Big Ten opener.
Alabama
Alabama got revenge on Florida State in a 50-36 win last week. Keelon Russell and the Crimson Tide come in at No. 8 in the latest AP Top 25 and host South Carolina on Saturday.
LSU
Sam Leavitt and LSU fell three spots to No. 10 after the loss to Ole Miss. Lane Kiffin’s team is in need of a bounce back on Saturday night as they host Texas A&M in what could very well be an elimination game.
USC
No. 12 USC is off to a 4-0 start. A win is a win after their 42-35 victory over Rutgers last week. The Trojans host No. 20 Oregon on Saturday for a huge opportunity to bolster their resume.
Top Four Seeds
- Texas
- Georgia
- Notre Dame
- Ole Miss
Projected Bracket:
12. Boise State at 5. Ohio State
11. BYU at 6. Indiana
10. USC at 7. Alabama
9. LSU at 8. Miami (FL)
Final Four Pick:
1. Texas vs 4. Ole Miss
2. Georgia vs 3. Notre Dame
National Championship:
Texas over Notre Dame
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