Power Rankings: Week 4

The Dallas Hokie Power Rankings - Week 4

1)     Alabama (4-0) (Prev. 1)

2)     Oregon (4-0) (2)

3)     Georgia (4-0) (4)

4)     Florida State (4-0) (6)

5)     West Virginia (3-0) (5)

6)     Louisiana State (4-0) (3)

7)     South Carolina (4-0) (9)

8)     Kansas State (4-0) (10)

9)     Texas (3-0) (13)

10)   Ohio State (4-0) (11)

11)   Stanford (4-0) (14)

12)   Southern California (3-1) (15) 

13)   Clemson (3-1) (8)

14)   Florida (4-0) (NR)

15)   Notre Dame (4-0) (NR)

Dropped From Rankings: Michigan (12), Oklahoma (7)

On the verge (in no particular order) - TCU, Mississippi State, Oklahoma, Louisville

As we get into the heart of the season, it looks like there are 8 teams that have pulled away from the pack.  It will be interesting to see how they continue to fare as the season goes on. 

LSU dropped out of the top 5 this week as they struggled at Auburn.  Also, Florida State jumped West Virginia after beating Clemson.  There were also some minor switching spaces further down as Texas jumped Ohio State. 

Florida and Notre Dame both made their first appearance in the poll at 14^th and 15^th.  

Clemson is the third team to remain in the rankings after losing (Michigan vs Alabama and USC @ Stanford).  

"Most Likely": Week 4 Preview

Here is my weekly “Most Likely” weekend preview, where I ask 5 questions of my top 15 teams.  As a review here are the dallashokie Power Rankings: Week 3.

Also, my picks against the spread went up earlier today.  Check them out here.  

Note: Preface each statement with “The team most likely to…”

Get upset (must be a 10+ point line): (7) OKLAHOMA – Kansas State, with a year under their belt of actually being a good team, brings it this week.  Plus, they will be out for revenge after the shellacking they took last year to the Sooners.  And hey, I get some major brownie points from mrs. dallas hokie every time I speak ill of those land thieves.  And look, its her two favorite people (kinda). You gotta love that '93 Holiday Bowl Jacket.  Go Pokes!  

Pull the starters in the 2^nd quarter:  (1) ALABAMA – This is an easy one.  After the beat down they put on Arkansas last week, I don’t see anything different happening this week. 

Look worse than their ranking: (4) GEORGIA – Georgia being here is more of a testament to how well I think Vanderbilt plays in this game.  I am still really high on the Bulldogs, but from what I’ve seen they haven’t had the shut-down defense that blows teams out.  Georgia still wins, but struggles more than expected in the process. Note: I would have chosen Notre Dame here, but I was already down on them earlier this week by not putting them in the DH Top 15. 

Look better than their ranking: (6) FLORIDA STATE – I am starting to think that FSU might actually have the team that people have been projecting for the past 3 years.  FSU shows the world on Saturday night that they are here to play and wins big over Clemson

Climb into the top 15: FLORIDA – The gators are here for the second straight week after getting jumped by Texas.  They are right on the verge and should move in this week with a win and a loss in front of them.

Also check out some of my favorite Hokie blogs here:

The Key Play 

Gobbler Country 

Picks: Week 4

We are a quarter of the way through the season, and I still haven’t been able to manage a winning week.  My picks straight up have been pretty good, but for some reason I can’t seem to hit it right on many games against the spread.  Going into this week I am at a whopping 33% (4-8) and hoping for something better.  Here are nine picks for you this week, with the usual star by my favorites.  

You should probably just assume the opposite of all these...

Arizona State +21.5 over Oregon – Oregon has been known to let teams back into games late.  Look for ASU to bring this one within a few scores. 

FSU -14 over Clemson – FSU’s defense looks incredible and they are playing a team that struggled with a bad Auburn club.  Look for FSU to go up big early.

Kansas State +15.5 over Oklahoma – I think K-State remembers the beat down they got last year from OU and comes out seeking revenge.  The sooners win a close one at home.

*Michigan +6 over Notre Dame – Here I go picking Michigan again, but I really think that Michigan is better than people think.  Plus, I am not sold on ND.  Michigan wins on a big day from Denard.   Here is a little reminder for how great this game was last year.  Also, listen to some great announcing from the BTN.  Dude says "G. O. N. N. Gone!" and " Liters of Fun!"

*Georgia Tech -14 over Miami – GT throttled UVA last week at home and is playing a much worse Miami team this week.  Miami just doesn’t have the talent any more to compete. 

*UTEP +18 over Wisconsin – Wisconsin has struggled to score all season and are starting a freshman at QB this week for the first time.  They are averaging less than 18 points per game!  Much less beating people by that much.  Plus UTEP showed us in week 1 that they can play with anyone.  Wisconsin wins, but not by 18.

*UVA +18 over TCU – TCU had a rough go of it with Kansas last week and I think UVA bounces back.  TCU wins a close one in Fort Worth. 

Penn State -7.5 over Temple – I think that Penn State finally got their act together last week against Navy.  They show up to play in Happy Valley and win big.