Week 4

Shaking Things Up: Week 4 is 'upset week'

Syracuse over #18 Louisville. Michigan over #10 Penn State. #22 Georgia over #16 Alabama. Miami over #20 Texas A&M. There were a couple of other near-upsets, too. A few things were business as usual, though...LSU, USC, and OU all rolled.

I went 4-0 with my picks this week, including three upsets. Can't accuse me of picking obvious, cupcake games. My overall 2007 record is 10-3...maybe I should find a bookie...

1. There you are, Buckeyes...
Ohio State struggled, struggled, struggled...and then finally exploded and put up 58 points on Northwestern. They're making a push to really move up from being a good team to being a great, national title contender team. They lost a lot of players from last year, especially on offense, but with the young talent they have they'll only get better with every game. Watch out for the Buckeyes; suddenly they're the favorites to win the Big Ten.

2. Can Michigan win the Big Ten?
In short, yes. They knocked off Penn State to open league play with a victory, and if they can do the same against the likes of Ohio State, Wisconsin, and Purdue then they can. It's not likely, but with Mike Hart running the ball they'll have a chance. I still think Ohio State or Purdue will win it. If Hart can keep up putting up 150+ yards a game and wills his team to victory after victory, expect him to be hoisting the Heisman at the end of the season.

3. Matt Flynn vs. Ryan Perriloux, who does LSU ride?
Is there a quarterback controversy down in the bayou? This pair couldn't be more different. Flynn has patiently waited his turn, a quiet fifth year senior who lets his play speak for itself. Perriloux came out of high school proclaiming he would win 4 Heismans and be better than Vince Young. In his defense, Perriloux seems to have cleaned up his act this season. I don't think there's a controversy at LSU--Flynn is the unquestioned starter. I can see a set-up being used like Florida did last season with Chris Leak and Tim Tebow, however...use one to pass and the other to switch things up as a running threat.

4. Goodbye, Lousville...and goodbye, Brohm's Heisman
Brian Brohm is still the best quarterback in the country; too bad his defense might be more effective just stepping off the field, letting the other team score, and leaving Brohm and the offense on the field all game. Louisville falls out of the top 25 after a loss to Big East bottom feeder Syracuse, who some said wouldn't win a single game this season. For those unfamiliar with the Big East, this would be like Duke beating Virginia Tech. Oh well, Louisville will still go to a bowl...just more like on Dec. 23 instead of in 2008. Brohm should just start preparing for being reunited with Bobby Petrino in Atlanta next season.

5. Is Kentucky for real?
Can the Wildcats win the SEC East? Yes, absolutely. Florida's remaining schedule includes @LSU, @Kentucky, vs. Georgia, @South Carolina, @Florida State. The Gators will lose at least one, if not two, of these games. Kentucky will lose one or two as well, and Georgia has already lost one and will lose a second. If Kentucky can survive with only one SEC loss, they have a very legitimate chance to win the SEC East and face LSU in the SEC Championship. Andre Woodson didn't put up huge numbers vs. Arkansas, but he was efficient and effective.

Heisman Race

There was a big shake-up in the Heisman running this week. The award is supposed to go to the best college football player in the country, but unfortunately it goes to the best player on a good team. Mike Hart, Brian Brohm and Darren McFadden are the most hurt by this. Colt Brennan sat a game out with an ankle injury, severely hurting his Heisman hopes. But this kid from Texas Tech has the nation asking, Colt who?

1. Tim Tebow, QB Florida (1,454 total yards, 17 total TD's)
2. Steve Slaton, RB West Virginia (617 total yards, 10 total TD's)
3. Ray Rice, RB Rutgers (492 total yards, 9 total TD's)
4. Curtis Painter, QB Purdue (1,290 passing yards, 16 passing TD's)
5. Graham Harrell, QB Texas Tech (1,962 passing yards, 19 passing TD's)

On the Bubble: Colt Brennan, Dennis Dixon, Andre Woodson, Mike Hart, Brian Brohm, Darren McFadden

Golden Top 25

1. LSU
2. USC
3. Oklahoma
4. Florida
5. West Virginia
6. Ohio State
7. Texas
8. California
9. Wisconsin
10. Rutgers
11. Clemson
12. Boston College
13. Oregon
14. Kentucky
15. Georgia
16. Virginia Tech
17. Purdue
18. Hawaii
19. South Florida
20. Penn State
21. Missouri
22. South Carolina
23. Arizona State
24. Cincinatti
25. Alabama