Brian’s College Football Top 5: Week 4

Photo by James Snook from USA Today

This was an awesome weekend of college football.

And yet, despite that, there wasn’t a whole lot that impressed me.

Most of what we saw this weekend was stuff I truthfully expected, like Oregon stomping on Colorado at home, or Notre Dame and Ohio State playing a close, defensive game.

But still, I have to find 5, and I have found 5.

So here is who impressed me the most this weekend.

5. Florida State Seminoles

The Noles beating Clemson was another win I expected, but the longer this game stayed closer and closer, I wondered if Clemson would get the win at home.

But Florida State powered through in overtime, and a close overtime win over a team they are better than actually impressed me more than a blowout.

We all knew FSU was a good team, but them going into a hostile environment, getting hit in the mouth for 4 quarters, and still coming out with the victory was a statement.

They’re for real.

4. Utah Utes

A 14-7 win is not exactly impressive on paper, but the Utes are still a borderline top 10 team without starting QB Cam Rising, and this win came over a highly touted UCLA team.

Kyle Whittingham has very quietly built one of the most consistent programs in the country, and this 4 game start with wins over Florida, Baylor (who does not look good at all) and UCLA shows that there’s no sign of it slowing down.

3. West Virginia Mountaineers

Call me biased. I don’t care.

I have watched this team a lot in the Neal Brown era, and in that era they have not beaten Texas Tech or won 3 games in a row.

Ignoring that they did that Saturday, the most important thing was that in previous years of the Neal Brown era, that is the exact type of game that the Mountaineers would lose.

But not this time, and with a backup QB as well.

Maybe it was blind luck.

Or maybe things are finally beginning to turn a corner.

I guess we’ll see.

2. Washington State Cougars

The Cougs are 4-0, and beat a good Oregon State team to do it.

Cam Ward was a monster in this game, going 19-20 with 3 TDs in the first half alone.

It’s crazy to think that Jake Dickert, the man who loves this program and has them playing great football, is only the coach because Nick Rolovich was too scared to get a vaccine.

The butterfly effect is pretty crazy.

1. Georgia State Panthers

If you read my Sun Belt season preview, which I know you all did, you’ll remember I said that Georgia State is not going to have a good year, and a big part of that is coaching.

Well, Shawn Elliott’s Panthers are 4-0, and I didn’t read too much into their start to the season because they didn’t play a high caliber of opponent. I needed to see them in the Sun Belt.

Well, beating up Coastal Carolina on the road is a great way to make a statement.

This weekend they have Troy at home.

That’s a perfect game to push forward the momentum they’re building.