Brock’s 2023 College Football Top 25 – Week 4
1. GEORGIA BULLDOGS (3-0) (LW: 1)
The Bulldogs have really set the bar high. A lot of people are unimpressed with Georgia’s performance on Saturday, which was a double-digit victory over a Power 5 opponent.
2. MICHIGAN WOLVERINES (3-0) (LW: 2)
The Wolverines keep rolling on. Michigan will enter conference play with a very favorable schedule. In fact, if you take a peek at their schedule, you could argue that they won’t be truly tested until mid-November.
3. USC TROJANS (3-0) (LW: 3)
The Trojans were off this week. They play at Arizona State on Saturday, but it wouldn’t be at all surprising if they are currently looking ahead to Colorado in two weeks. Caleb Williams must have been foaming at the mouth watching Colorado State dissecting that Buffaloes secondary.
4. FLORIDA STATE (3-0) (LW: 4)
The ‘Noles must have been thinking about Clemson during the 4th quarter. They fell asleep at the wheel and almost let Boston College come back and steal a win.
5. TEXAS (3-0) (LW: 5)
In a continuing trend with top teams struggling, Texas found themselves in a dog fight against Wyoming. They pulled away late to win by 21, but this was a tie game when the final quarter began.
6. NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH (4-0) (LW: 6)
I think this Notre Dame team is different. Irish fans falsely proclaim that every year it seems, but Sam Hartman provides the Irish something that they have lacked in years past – a dynamic quarterback.
7. OHIO STATE BUCKEYES (3-0) (LW: 7)
It took a little while, but Ohio State finally put up the offensive numbers that they are accustomed to. Now we just have to wait and see if Kyle McCord finally found his groove. We wont have to wait long – they travel to South Bend this week.
8. PENN STATE NITTANY LIONS (3-0) (LW: 8)
Drew Allar didn’t look great on Saturday. He wont be able to afford sub-par play this week, otherwise he will be in for a long day against Iowa’s staunch defense.
9. WASHINGTON HUSKIES (3-0) (LW: 10)
The Huskies are for real. If you didn’t already know that before this week, then you probably found out on Saturday when they THROTTLED Michigan State.
10. OREGON DUCKS (3-0) (LW: 11)
The Ducks played Hawaii on Saturday… and the game played out exactly as you would have expected.
11. LSU TIGERS (2-1) (LW: 14)
It’s been a turbulent three weeks for LSU. After Week 1, many thought their preseason ranking overrated them. Fast forward 14 days and now they are clearly the team to beat in the SEC West.
12. UTAH UTES (3-0) (LW: 13)
The timing of Cam Rising’s return will play a large part in this team’s success. Let’s hope its soon, as the Utes host UCLA this week.
13. ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE (2-1) (LW: 9)
When was the last time things looked so bleak in Tuscaloosa? Also, hats off to Nick Saban. It’s pretty impressive that a “down year” for Alabama still results in being ranked in the Top 15.
14. OREGON STATE BEAVERS (3-0) (LW: 16)
Uiagalelei did not impress on Saturday, but the Beavers still walked away with a 17-point victory. They will be tested this week when they travel to Pullman.
15. OLE MISS REBELS (3-0) (LW: 17)
The “Landsharks” smell blood in the water as we ramp up to their game at Alabama.
16. NORTH CAROLINA TARHEELS (3-0) (LW: 19)
The Tar Heels had a shootout with App State, but the defense has held two Power 5 teams (South Carolina, Minnesota), to fewer than 20 points. An ACC title should be the goal for this team.
17. OKLAHOMA SOONERS (3-0) (LW: 20)
The Sooners have been able to pour on the points against lesser opponents, but now they travel to Cincinnati, which will be the biggest test to date for this offense. This game should provide a nice measuring stick for where this team is at.
18. COLORADO BUFFALOES (3-0) (LW: 15)
Never underestimate a trap game. The Buffs were coming off two big wins, and surely looking ahead to Oregon, and it almost cost them against their in-state rivals. They needed a 98-yard drive in the final two minutes, and then 2 OT’s in order to get past Colorado State after a week of trash talking. Not a good look for a 24-point favorite. They also lost phenomenal 2-way player Travis Hunter to a dirty hit early in the contest. That will loom large against the Ducks this week.
19. DUKE BLUE DEVILS (3-0) (LW: 22)
Duke’s win over Clemson looks more impressive each week. Clemson has bounced back, albeit against lowly competition, since then. Plus the Blue Devils have continued to take care of business.
20. MIAMI HURRICANES (3-0) (LW: 21)
The Hurricanes were a 54-point favorite this week. There really aren’t any insights to be gained from their 41-point victory.
21. UCLA BRUINS (3-0) (LW: 23)
The Bruins have adapted well to the loss of Dorian Thompson-Robinsin. Better than I thought they would. Now, they can really make some noise when they travel to Utah on Saturday.
22. WASHINGTON STATE COUGARS (3-0) (LW: 24)
Washington State will be a part of a Top 25 matchup on Saturday when they host Oregon State. What an odd thing to type out.
23. FLORIDA GATORS (2-1) (LW: NR)
You probably should have expected Florida to improve each week as transfer QB Graham Mertz acclimates to the team, but I wasn’t expecting them to go out and dispatch Tennessee by double-digits.
24. CLEMSON TIGERS (2-1) (LW: 25)
Clemson will have an opportunity to put their ugly Week 1 performance against Duke in the rear view mirror this week when they host Florida State. College football is always better when FSU-Clemson is an important game.
25. TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS (2-1) (LW: 12)
Ouch. The Vols lost by 13 to their SEC rival Florida Gators. They should get back on track this week against UTSA, and then resume their SEC schedule.
