Week 4 Forecast – Will it be Miller Time in The Big House?
All eyes are on the state of Oklahoma
College football Week 4 promises to be a good one. There are several blockbuster games on the menu.
The state of Oklahoma takes center stage this week. The two biggest games in the country are being played in Norman and Stillwater. In Norman, No. 6 Tennessee (3-0) takes on No, 15 Oklahoma (3-0). The Vols provide a serious challenge for the Sooners. Can Oklahoma handle it?
In Stillwater, No. 12 Utah (3-0) visits No. 14 Oklahoma State (3-0). This showdown pits Okie State’s offense against Utah’s defense. Which one will prevail?
While we’re in the Big 12, Kansas State (3-0) has a challenge. The Wildcats travel to Provo to take on BYU (3-0). So far this season, K-State has relied on its rushing, while BYU has leaned on its passing. Which attack will come out on top?
Moving to the Big Ten, there are two games involving defensive-minded teams. Nebraska (3-0) hosts Illinois (3-0), and Minnesota (2-1) entertains Iowa (2-1). In Lincoln, it will be the minds of Bret Bielema and Matt Rhule challenging each other. Which one has a trick up their sleeve?
In Minneapolis, it will be the stingy defense of the Gophers trying to stop Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson. Johnson is averaging 160 yards per game. Which one rules?
Still in the Big Ten, we have another big game in The Big House. Two weeks ago, it was Texas at Michigan. This week it is USC (2-0) at Michigan (2-1). After three games under Davis Warren, the Wolverines will be starting a new quarterback – junior Alex Orji. USC has no need to change quarterbacks. Miller Moss has been on target, completing 72.5% of his passes. Who hits the target on Saturday?
Perhaps the two most intriguing games this week involve two Big Ten teams on the road against two ACC teams. First, we have Michigan State (3-0) at Boston College (2-1). Neither team was supposed to do well this year. But both have been surprising. Which one will surprise on Saturday?
Then there is Rutgers (2-0) at Virginia Tech (2-1). Is this the year Greg Schiano turns the corner at Rutgers? Scarlet Knights running back Kyle Monangai has already rushed for 373 yards in two games. Quarterback Kyron Drones makes the Hokies a threat. Which team prevails?
Speaking of the ACC, there is a good conference tilt in Derby City – Georgia Tech (3-1) visits Louisville (2-0). Tech quarterback Haynes King has been a king for the Yellow Jackets, passing for 962 yards in four games. But Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough has been a stud for the Cardinals, passing for 581 yards in two games. Who’ll win the aerial attack?
There is a potentially good Group of Five vs. Power Four game in Chapel Hill. James Madison (2-0) takes on North Carolina (3-0). It will be an effort for JMU to stop the running of Omarion Hampton. Hampton has 416 yards in three games. Can the Dukes threaten the Tar Heels?
It has been a frustrating season for both Florida (1-2) and West Virginia (1-2). You have to think both teams have some built up anger. Both teams have opportunities on Saturday. Florida visits Mississippi State (1-2) and West Virginia hosts Kansas (1-2). The Bulldogs and the Jayhawks are frustrated too. Who vents their frustrations and anger on Saturday?
Oh, there is nothing like a good cupcake. That is until they run out. Texas (3-0) and Duke (3-0) are playing their last cupcake games of the season. The Longhorns host ULM (2-0), while the Dookies visit Middle Tennessee (1-2). After Saturday, it will be a tough row to hoe for Texas and Duke. Whose cupcake has the most icing?
Purdue (1-1) at Oregon State (2-1) is one of those “after you went to bed” games. It’s probably just as well. The way the Boilers and the Beavers have been playing, you don’t want to see them. It could be harmful to your eyes. And they don’t want you seeing them either. Somebody has to win. But it may be in your dreams.
And finally, the proverbial question of the week: After Saturday, will Florida State be 0-4 or 1-3? The Noles host California. Just two weeks ago, the Golden Bears were up the road from Tallahassee, beating Auburn. Will Cal’s second trip to the southeast be pleasant like the first one? Or will Mike Norvell have a smile on his face come Saturday night?
Last Saturday, Wake Forest lost to Ole Miss, 40-6, in Winston-Salem. The Demon Deacons were scheduled to play the return game against Ole Miss in Oxford next year. However, Wake Forest has canceled out of that game and replaced Ole Miss with Oregon State. The Deacons will play the Beavers in Corvallis next year. Oregon State will make the return trip to Winston-Salem in 2029. Wake Forest paid Ole Miss an undisclosed amount to buy out of the game in Oxford.
The ACC is in talks with Clemson and Florida State about a weighted-distribution plan. The proposal would allot a greater share of revenue to schools based on brand valuation and television ratings. Currently member schools receive an equal distribution of the revenue. Additionally, the ACC would potentially alter the expiration of the league’s grant of television rights, which currently runs through 2036. The revenue and grant of rights changes are based om Clemson and Florida State dropping their lawsuits against the ACC. Florida State and Clemson have said they are open to remaining in the conference if they can get a bigger share of the revenue. Stay tuned!
The eight Ivy League schools kick off their seasons this weekend. I pay homage to them because they are the ones who began what we know today as college football. They remained relevant in the game up until the mid-late 1950s when they chose to play football purely for the fun of it.
Four Ivy League schools are home this weekend. Brown hosts Georgetown, Columbia entertains Lafayette, Dartmouth welcomes Fordham and Harvard hosts Stetson. The other four are on the road. Cornell is at Colgate, Princeton visits Lehigh, Penn plays at Delaware and Yale travels to Holy Cross.
Alabama and Georgia are off this week, preparing for their battle in Tuscaloosa next week.
ESPN’s College GameDay is in Norman, Oklahoma, for the Tennessee-Oklahoma game. FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff is in Columbus, Ohio, for the Marshall-Ohio State game.
Enjoy Week 4. Hope your team wins.
Touchdown Tom
September 19, 2024
https://collegefootballweek.blogspot.com
Touchdown Tom’s Predictions for
Week Four’s 10 Biggest and Most Intriguing Games….and then some
GAME OF THE WEEK: 1. Tennessee (3-0) at Oklahoma (3-0) – (SEC vs. SEC) – 7:30 pm ET, Saturday, ABC – This is the first real test for both of these teams. Tennessee has rolled over three opponents, while Oklahoma wasn’t all that impressive in two of its three wins. Either the Sooners were holding back, or they are somewhat overrated. OU’s offense has sputtered. Its defense has been fair to midland. Quarterback Jackson Arnold has passed for 484 yards and is the Sooners leading rusher with 159 yards. Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava has passed for 698 yards. The Vols leading rusher is running back Dylan Sampson with 357 yards. Compare those numbers to Oklahoma’s. It’s quite a difference. Tennessee’s offense and defense are both in the Top 10 in the country. But the game is in Norman. And maybe OU has been holding back. We’ll soon know. Smokey smokes the Sooners – Tennessee 35, Oklahoma 24.
RUNNER-UP: 2. Utah (3-0) at Oklahoma State (3-0) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) – 4 pm ET, Saturday, FOX – Oklahoma State has the better offense. Utah has the better defense. Okie State’s defense sucks. Utah’s offense sucks. That’s the way they have been so far. The Cowboys Alan Bowman has passed for 989 yards in three games. He is the Okie State offense. There has been no running game from the Cowboys. Ollie Gordon has been MIA. With Okie State’s poor defense, maybe the Utes can get their offense cranked up. They need a spark. Utah quarterback Cam Rising is injured again. He's listed as day-to-day. It will be up to the Utah defense to stop Oklahoma State’s offense. The Utes get Poked – Oklahoma State 21, Utah 18.
RESRT OF THE BEST: 3. Kansas State (3-0) at BYU (3-0) – Big 12 vs. Big 12) – 10:30 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN – Both teams are off to great starts. Not sure either one of them has played a significant opponent yet. This will be the biggest game to date for both teams. K-State is led by the quarterbacking of Avery Johnson and the running of D.J. Giddens. BYU is led by quarterback Jake Retzlaff. Retzlaff has passed for 841 yards in three games. He also leads the Cougars in rushing. Wildcats win the cat fight – Kansas State 27, BYU 21.
4. Illinois (3-0) at Nebraska (3-0) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – 8 pm ET, Friday, FOX – Both teams are stingy on defense. Nebraska is only allowing opponents 6.7 points a game – 8th in the country. Illinois is only allowing opponents 8.7 points a game – 14th in the country. Neither team has been that great on offense. The Banned Indians are the weaker of the two on offense. Illinois is led by quarterback Luke Altmyer. Nebraska counters with Dylan Raiola. Both have passed for around 650 yards in three games. It’s looking like a defensive battle. Herbie bans the Indians – Nebraska 21, Illinois 19.
5. James Madison (2-0) at North Carolina (3-0) – (Sun Belt vs. ACC) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ACCN – James Madison has been strong on defense and weak on offense. But the Dukes haven’t really played anybody. They are truly an unknown at this point. North Carolina isn’t much better known. The Tar Heels are undefeated, but the competition has been marginal at best. The Tar Heels biggest asset is running back Omarion Hampton. He has rushed for 416 yards in three games. The Tar Heels knock off the first of two Dukes – North Carolina 30, James Madison 25.
6. USC (2-0) at Michigan (2-1) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, CBS – Michigan has struggled on offense this season. The Wolverines can’t get anything going – running or passing. The defense is better, but not as good as in recent years. Simply put, Michigan is struggling. USC has a strong passing game. Quarterback Miller Moss has thrown for 607 yards in two games. The Trojans have been weak in the running game. Surprisingly, USC has played pretty good defense. Defense has been a problem under coach Lincoln Riley. But he may have his act together this year. Another big game in The Big House. Trojans turn The Big House into a hut – USC 27, Michigan 20.
7. Michigan State (3-0) at Boston College (2-1) – (Big Ten vs, ACC) – 8 pm ET, Saturday, ACCN – Both teams are playin under first-year coaches. Both coaches are well-respected. Michigan State coach Jonathan Smith performed wonders at Oregon State before coming to East Lansing. Boston College coach Bill O’Brien needs no introduction. The Spartans strength has been their defense. The offense has yet to show up. However, quarterback Aidan Chiles has thrown for 650 yards in three games. Boston College played well at Missouri last week, before losing by six points. The Eagles aren’t particularly strong on offense or defense, but they aren’t bad either. They are stable on both sides of the ball. BC’s strength is quarterback Thomas Castellanos. He can run and he can throw. This should be an interesting game. Eagles soar – Boston College 24, Michigan State 21.
8. Georgia Tech (3-1) at Louisville (2-0) – (ACC vs. ACC) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN2 – Louisville is 2-0, but the Cardinals are untested. Georgia Tech will give them a test. Against weak competition, Louisville has demonstrated a strong offense and defense. Quarterback Tyler Shough has passed for 581 yards in two games. Georgia Tech has been mediocre on offense and defense – not good, but not bad either. On offense, Tech’s strength lies in quarterback Haynes King. King has been dependable, passing for 962 yards in four games. The Yellow Jackets defense will be tested in this contest. Tech loses its buzz – Louisville 27, Georgia Tech 24.
9. Rutgers (2-0) at Virginia Tech (2-1) – (Big Ten vs. ACC) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, ACCN – Rutgers is a question mark – a big question mark. The Scarlet Knights are 2-0, but the competition has been pathetic. Rutgers’ passing game has been pathetic too. On a bright note, the running game has been outstanding. Kyle Monangai has rushed for 273 yards in two games. Virginia Tech hangs its hat on quarterback Kyron Drones. As Drones goes, so goes the Hokies. He has passed for 628 yards in three games. Overall, Tech is kind of average on offense and defense. This has the makings of a close game. The Hokies can’t hush hush sweet Scarlet – Rutgers 28, Virginia Tech 27.
10. Iowa (2-1) at Minnesota (2-1) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – 7:30 pm ET, Saturday, NBC – The good news for Iowa is the Hawkeyes are playing better offense than last year. The bad news is it still isn’t a very good offense. The good news is Iowa is still playing good defense. The bad news is it isn’t as good as last year’s defense. So, in some ways the Hawkeyes are better. In some ways they aren’t. The best part of Iowa is running back Kaleb Johnson. He’s rushed for 479 yards in three games. Minnesota, in turn, has one of the best defenses in the country. The Gophers are holding opponents to 6.3 points a game (5th in the nation). Minnesota, in turn, has one of the worst offenses in the country. The Gophers are kind of like Iowa the past two years. Minnesota and Iowa are a lot alike. But the Hawkeyes are slightly better – Iowa 20, Minnesota 17.
YE OLDE STOMPING GROUNDS:
Kansas (1-2) at West Virginia (1-2) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ESPN2 – As bad as West Virginia is and as bad as the Mountaineers need a new coach, they somehow will get their act together this weekend. They should and will be angry enough to win this game. After all, Kansas is having its problems too. WVU’s offense is below par. Quarterback Garrett Greene and running backs C.J. Donaldson and Kahiem White have been no-shows this season. And let’s face it, WVU’s defense is one of the worst in the country. They are giving up 29 points a game. Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels and running back Devin Neal have been no shows too. However, the Jayhawks have been playing pretty good defense. That could spell problems for WVU. It’s bird hunting season in West Virginia – West Virginia 27, Kansas 23.
Florida (1-2) at Mississippi State (1-2) – (SEC vs. SEC) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ESPN – As bad as Florida is and as bad as Florida needs a new coach, Mississippi State is worse. And that is saying something since Florida has one of the worst offenses and defenses in the country. One is as bad as the other. Miss State is giving up 26 points a game. Florida is giving up 27 points a game. Oddly enough, Miss State quarterback Blake Shapen has passed for 834 yards in three games. Like West Virginia, the anger will come out of Florida this weekend. The Bulldogs will be the recipients of that anger – Florida 28, Mississippi State 20.
Duke (3-0) at Middle Tennessee (1-2) – (ACC vs. C-USA) – 4 pm ET, Saturday, ESPNU – Give those Dookies another cupcake. It’s their last one of the season. Except for a running game, there is none, Duke is playing good offense. The passing game is saving the Dookies. Quarterback Maalik Murphy has passed for 800 yards in three games. Overall, the Duke defense is pretty decent. Middle Tennessee is a disaster waiting to happen, especially on defense. On offense, the Blue Raiders do have a decent quarterback. Nicholas Vattiato has passed for 875 yards in three games. Still, the Blue Raiders are pretty bad – Duke 31, Middle Tennessee 20.
ULM (2-0) at Texas (3-0) – (Sun Belt vs. SEC) – 8 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN+ – Beating a team like ULM this weekend could cause Texas to fall out of its No. 1 spot in the rankings. That could happen. But to the Longhorns fortune, Georgia and Alabama are off this weekend, Ohio State is playing Marshall and Ole Miss is playing Georgia Southern. Watch out for Tennessee. If the Vols beat Oklahoma, can they jump from 6 to 1? Looks like Arch Manning will be quarterbacking the Horns this week. But, as we know, that is no setback. Quinn Ewers is on a week-to-week basis with his injury. And it looks like this week is a no go. Texas is winning its games 46.3 (10th in the country) to 6.3 (6th in the country). That spells trouble for ULM – big time. Bevo grazes – Texas 52, ULM 12.
Purdue (1-1) at Oregon State (2-1) – (Big Ten vs. PAC-2) – 8 pm ET, Saturday, CWN – One of the nightcap games this Saturday night. The way Purdue is playing that’s probably pretty good for the Boilers. They don’t want anybody to see them play. Purdue’s offense and defense are hurting. Oregon State is almost as bad as Purdue. The Beavers may be slightly better. But only slightly – Oregon State 28, Purdue 27.
ELSEWHERE AROUND FLORIDA:
Stetson (2-1) at Harvard (0-0) – (Pioneer vs. Ivy League) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ESPN+….
Clark Atlanta (2-1) at Bethune-Cookman (0-3) – (SIAC vs. SWAC) – 3 pm ET, Saturday….
Monmouth (1-2) at FIU (1-2) – (CAA vs. C-USA) – 6 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN+….
California (3-0) at Florida State (0-3) – (ACC vs. ACC) – 7 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN2….
Miami (3-0) at South Florida (2-1) – (ACC vs. AAC) – 7 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN….
Florida Atlantic (1-2) at Connecticut (1-2) – (AAC vs. Ind.) – 7 pm ET, Saturday, CBSSN….
Florida A&M (2-1) at Troy (0-3) – (SWAC vs. Sun Belt) – 7 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN+….
West Alabama (3-0) at West Florida (1-0) – (Gulf South vs. Gulf South) – 7 pm ET, Saturday….
Quotes of the Week
“I would love to get into entertainment if that is in my future. I love to cook. I think maybe there’s a future there down the road,” sports media personality Laura Rutledge, on other career possibilities.
“There’s no question that Miller is really smart. He may be the smartest quarterback that I’ve ever had, which is saying something. He has a great mind for the game,” USC coach Lincoln Riley, on his quarterback Miller Moss.
“I am convinced that South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer spent way too much time grabbing shots with Pat McAfee, Nick Saban and Kirk Herbstreit and not enough time working on the game plan. The last couple minutes of that game, Beamer was atrocious,” ESPN college football analyst Paul Finebaum, on why South Carolina lost to LSU.
Touchdown Tom
https://collegefootballweek.blogspot.com
(The next CFW – Week 4 Results – will be posted Monday morning, September 23.)
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