Several key matchups headlined week 4 of the college football season. The game of the week had Oklahoma State facing off against Texas A&M in an early season top-10 contest. After spotting the Aggies a 20-3 lead at the half, quarterback Brandon Weeden led the Cowboys on a ferocious comeback, as he threw for 438 yards in leading the Cowboys to an improbable 30-29 victory.
Alabama welcomed Arkansas to Bryant-Denny Stadium in a crucial SEC battle. The Crimson Tide wasted no time taking a 17-7 lead at the break, on the way to an impressive 38-14 victory behind an outstanding performance by running back Trent Richardson, who piled up 126 yards on 7.4 yards-per-carry.
After spotting Missouri an early 14-10 lead, Oklahoma rallied behind the strong arm of Landry Jones and the sure hands of Ryan Broyles, as the Sooners pulled off the 38-28 victory in Norman. Although Oklahoma was able to pull off the victory, they dropped to number two in the AP Top-25 behind LSU.
Defense wins championships, and in the SEC defense is key. Right now, all signs point towards either Alabama or LSU bringing the conference an unprecedented sixth consecutive national championship.
LSU, Alabama, and Oklahoma are clearly the cream of the crop right now in college football. Oklahoma State, Wisconsin, Stanford and Boise State all look to stay in the mix for the time being, but it will take quite the effort to pass the elite teams currently in the top three of the polls.
My Top 5:
1) LSU 4-0
2) Oklahoma 3-0
3) Alabama 4-0
4) Oklahoma State 4-0
5) Wisconsin 4-0
Biggest Surprise: Yes, it is already week 4 and they have already proven not to be a fluke, but LSU behind Jarrett Lee has to be my biggest surprise of the week. The way they manhandled a solid West Virginia squad completely caught me off guard. Not only is Lee filing in for the suspended Jordan Jefferson, he is performing in a similar manner to which Tom Brady did filling in for Drew Bledsoe in 2001. The SEC is loaded, and the next few weeks will be crucial, but for the time being LSU looks to be a legitimate national championship contender.
Biggest Disappointment: Florida State falling to Clemson is my biggest disappointment of the week. Just two weeks ago the Seminoles were in the top five and playing Oklahoma in a highly anticipated matchup. Now they have lost two consecutive games, and look to be on their way towards a tumultuous season. Expectations are always sky high in Tallahassee, but this season looks to be another disappointment.
Offensive Player of the Week: Brandon Weeden is this week’s top offensive player. After trailing Texas A&M 20-3 at the half, Weeden led Oklahoma State on a great comeback, throwing for 438 yards and two touchdowns as the Cowboys pulled off the stunner in College Station.
Defensive Player of the Week: South Carolina defensive end Melvin Ingram, who also won the award for the SEC, is my national defensive player of the week. Ingram scored a touchdown by recovering a fumble in the end zone along with four tackles, a pair of sacks, and a pass breakup in the Gamecocks 21-3 win over Vanderbilt.
Play of the Week: Cornerback Tyrann Mathieu had an absurd interception for LSU against West Virginia: Tyrann Mathieu with the athletic interception