It looks like Clemson will have its hands full winning the ACC, as the Tigers’ loss to N.C. State this past weekend seems to have knocked them out of contention for a slot in the College Football Playoff. Alabama and Georgia, meanwhile, put up huge wins in Week 4, distinguishing themselves from the rest of the pack as the top two, at least at this point. Oregon and Iowa went into the weekend as heavy favorites, and while they underperformed, their wins kept them in place. Arkansas made the biggest jump after taking down Texas A&M, 20-10. Let’s take a look at this week’s college football power rankings as you plot out your sports betting strategy for the week.
NCAA News: College Football Power Rankings after Week 4
#1 Alabama Crimson Tide (4-0)
If you thought Alabama might be overlooking Southern Miss this weekend, in anticipation of their showdown in Week 5 with Ole Miss, that worry went away from the first play, as the Tide’s Jameson Williams took the opening kickoff to the house for a score. By the end of the first half, Alabama had rolled up six touchdowns. Bryce Young continues to shine, and tailbacks Roydell Williams (who hit the 100-yard mark in the first half) and Jase McClellan (who caught a pass for a touchdown) stood out as well.
#2 Georgia Bulldogs (4-0)
Georgia 62, Vanderbilt 0. That was the largest road margin of victory Georgia had ever amassed on the road against an SEC foe. As the fourth quarter was winding down, Georgia already had 62 points…and Vandy had 62 yards. Georgia scored a touchdown on each of their first five possessions and have bounced back from that tough offensive performance against Clemson in the opener, with 158 combined points in their three most recent contests.
#3 Oregon Ducks (4-0)
Yes, the Ducks beat Arizona by 22 at home, but they were only up five going into the fourth quarter. Also, Arizona came in winless, including a loss to Northern Arizona, an FCS school, in Week 3. Kayvon Thibodeaux returned on defense for the Ducks, but they lost their star again to another injury. So while the Ducks finished strong, the struggle for the first three quarters is a bit of a warning bell.
#4 Iowa Hawkeyes (4-0)
The Hawkeyes were trailing Colorado State at the half, but then they came back to win, 24-14. Spencer Petras went 15 of 23 for 224 yards, two touchdowns and a pick, which was just good enough to compensate for a running game that was balky. The venerable Iowa defense gave up touchdown drives back to back against the Rams before limiting CSU to 90 yards of offense after halftime. Can Iowa negotiate a Big Ten schedule with an iffy running game?
#5 Penn State Nittany Lions (4-0)
The Nittany Lions followed up their big home win against Auburn with a laugher against FCS school Villanova, rolling to a 38-3 advantage and holding on for the 38-17 victory. Quarterback Sean Clifford threw for 401 yards and four scores — to three different receivers. On defense, Penn State has not permitted more than two touchdowns in any game this year.
#6 Cincinnati Bearcats (4-0)
If the Bearcats can win this week, then they have to be taken a lot more seriously in the College Football Playoff conversation, as they head to Notre Dame. Quarterback Desmond Ridder had a tough game against Indiana, with a pick and a fumble in the first half, but then he scored twice in the second half and nailed a two-point conversion to help key a comeback from a 14-0 deficit that turned into a 38-24 win. Cincinnati must eliminate false starts and turnovers to get this win.
#7 Arkansas Razorbacks (4-0)
The Razorbacks picked up another win by running the ball right over an opponent, picking up 197 yards on the ground. They only needed to complete nine passes, and Treylon Burks caught six of those for 167 yards and a score. Arkansas only needed to put up a three-man front on defense to cause problems for the Aggies. Their trip to Georgia will represent a major test.
#8 Oklahoma Sooners (4-0)
#9 Florida Gators (3-1)
#10 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (4-0)
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