Jhop's Week Four Top Ten

Well I thought the ‘Colorado talk’ might die down today, but it really hasn’t. A lot of hot takes out there to be had.

I’m ready to move on just a bit here and offer up my week four top ten a day earlier than usual to help with that. It was an exciting week of action and of course including Oregon. The big win over Colorado has a lot of folks buzzing about the Ducks.

As I noted last week, Ohio State and Notre Dame, both in my top ten last week, would sort things out. And they did. So let’s get into an updated top ten this week and see where the Ducks land.

Again, an explanation on my rankings/power rankings hybrid. Here was week three for reference.

Just to be clear, my top ten is based on the body of work we’ve seen this season alone, combined with overall talent on the roster and updated weekly based on performances and quality of wins. Your major polls (AP/Coaches) typically just move up and down based off preseason rankings and wins or losses. I try to be subjective including injuries, performance and other metrics that matter.

1.Georgia – Last week I had moved Georgia up to 1 and FSU down to 2. I felt the move was necessary. Now let me say this because I have yet to. Georgia is beatable this year. This is not 2021 or 2022 Georgia. They are good, but this is by no means an unbeatable team. Nobody in the top ten is this year. Georgia has an intriguing Auburn matchup this weekend.

2. Florida State – I know many are dinging FSU for a close call with Clemson. But remember, regardless of what Clemson is now, that’s still Dabo Swinney, who’s won a national championship, at home, with a talented team. Duck fans should know all to well sometimes just escaping with a close win against a rival can be enough. I’m not moving the Noles who have two of the better wins this season over LSU and Clemson. The Noles are on a bye this week.

3. Penn State – I still have my doubts about Penn State. But I won’t let that cloud my judgement. They smoked Iowa 31-0 to move to 4-0 this season. They have Ohio State in three weeks so we’ll find out who’s for real then. Northwestern this week.

4. Oregon – After what we saw on Saturday, keep in mind, against a top 20 ranked opponent, I’m going to bump the Ducks. And I will say this, you can argue any of the top four Pac-12 teams right now and I’ll agree with every argument. It’s splitting hairs until they start facing each other. Oregon is the most complete team in the Pac-12 conference.

5. Texas – Texas smoked Baylor this week which was expected. They are a pretty complete team with a very strong win over Bama. They play Kansas this week but in two weeks we get the Horns and Sooners. If Texas wins that game, I might have to push them up the rankings.

6. Washington – Let me be clear, I do agree Washington is a tremendous football team. Easily top ten worthy. And the game in Seattle in a few weeks is going to be incredible. But we’re singing UW the praises for beating up on teams that quite frankly suck. Has anyone actually watched Cal play? No, and there’s a reason why. I think Oregon is the more complete team but UW can score with the best of them. Will a 3-1 Arizona make it a game this weekend?

7. Michigan – I have said every week I’m reluctant on Michigan. And every week I keep them in my top ten. They have the talent, on both sides of the ball. Like the Pac-12, the B1G will also sort itself out in the coming weeks. This week Michigan should get a massive win over Nebraska.

8. Ohio State – A strong win for Ohio State in South Bend. Impressive. I’m still not sold this team is up there with the top five. And it seems as though Notre Dame is sliding a little bit. Maybe I’m reading it wrong but that’s how I see it. The Buckeyes are on a bye this week. LSU and Bama are lurking for these open spots.

9. USC – What did Colorado teach us on Saturday? That play on the line of scrimmage is still critical in a game. I don’t debate Caleb Williams is a special, special talent. USC has a concerning defense and average players on the LOS. I’m bumping them down until we get a better feel from the Trojans against a better team. They get the next crack at the Coach Prime this week. Er, I mean Colorado.

10. Utah – Take your pick here. Utah, LSU, Bama, all are worthy of this spot. But I like the Utes. I like the Pac-12. Again I don’t think anyone in the top ten is ‘unbeatable’ so it’s going to come down to consistency and injuries for most of them. Utes and Beavers this week could be interesting.