College Football Week 4 Recap and Rankings

COULD THIS BE THE PLAY OF THE YEAR????

The AP Top 25 Rank
1. Florida (55) 4-0 1,490
2. Texas (1) 4-0 1,420
3. Alabama (4) 4-0 1,400
4. LSU 4-0 1,225
5. Boise St. 4-0 1,203
6. Virginia Tech 3-1 1,190
7. Southern Cal 3-1 998
8. Oklahoma 2-1 979
9. Ohio St. 3-1 957
10. Cincinnati 4-0 946
11. TCU 3-0 896
12. Houston 3-0 844
13. Iowa 4-0 788
14. Oklahoma St. 3-1 591
15. Penn St. 3-1 470
16. Oregon 3-1 462
17. Miami 2-1 452
18. Georgia 3-1 418
18. Kansas 4-0 418
20. BYU 3-1 349
21. Mississippi 2-1 340
22. Michigan 4-0 271
23. Nebraska 3-1 256
24. California 3-1 206
25. Georgia Tech 3-1 185



Buckeyes defense earning respect with shutouts
www.cbssportsline.com
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- This was supposed to be an Ohio State team that needed its offense to carry the burden until the defense was on its feet.
That couldn't have been more wrong. In fact, the reverse might be true.
The Buckeyes (3-1, 1-0 Big Ten) are playing like they haven't missed seven departing starters, including three-time All-American linebacker James Laurinaitis, cornerback Malcolm Jenkins and linebacker Marcus Freeman.
"It starts with we've got great players," coach Jim Tressel said. "Our defensive guys do a fabulous job preparing. They spend lots and lots of time. They take a lot of pride in making sure that they can uphold that tradition. They play hard."
The defense never permitted Illinois -- a team that scored 48 points on the Buckeyes the last two years with Juice Williams at quarterback -- to get inside the Ohio State 29 in a 30-0 pasting on Saturday. It was the Buckeyes' second shutout in a row, the first time that's happened in 13 years.
Sure, it was raining hard for most of the game. But holding the Illini to just 2.7 yards per play and 170 total yards was impressive. The Buckeyes climbed four spots to No. 9 in the latest Associated Press Top 25.
The loss led to some serious introspection by the Illini, who mustered just nine points in a lopsided loss to Missouri to open the season before walloping Bowl Championship Series opponent Illinois State two weeks ago. Judging from their meager attack, it's hard to imagine that the Illini had two weeks to prepare for Ohio State.
No wonder wide receiver Arrelious Benn was at a loss to explain his unit's anemic effort.
"I'm just clueless. I don't know what it is," he said. "We chip and chip our way down the field and then [have] a costly penalty or interception. It's really frustrating. We didn't even put up a field goal."
Tressel said everything starts up front with his defense, but the back seven are also playing exceedingly well.
"When you can control the trenches, which thus far we've done a pretty good job with that, you've got a very good chance," he said. "[Then] you've got guys in the back end that are very disciplined and do what they're supposed to do. They know that the other guys are going to be putting some pressure on the opposing quarterback."
The Buckeyes registered five sacks. When the Illini tried to pass, the primary receiver was seldom open and there were seldom other places to look.
"We knew the rain would affect the passing game," Ohio State safety Kurt Coleman said. "The key to our defense against Juice was to limit what he could do. We wanted to get on him as quickly as we could."
Williams was 13 of 25 for 77 yards with two interceptions, while McGee was 2 for 4 for 11 yards with one pick. The running game wasn't a threat, mustering just 82 yards on 34 carries.
"We wanted to make them one-dimensional," said linebacker Austin Spitler.
Spitler spent the last three years in the shadows, occasionally getting in for a play at linebacker when Laurinaitis would take a break.
"It has to do with a mindset of being scrappy," the graduate student said. "[The opponent] can drive, but we never give in."
No one in the Buckeyes locker room was getting ahead of themselves. It was only the Big Ten opener; the bulk of the season is still ahead.
But with games at Indiana, home with Wisconsin, at Purdue, home with Minnesota and nonconference foe New Mexico State the next five weeks, the Buckeyes have plenty of time to fine-tune their offense if the defense keeps playing like this.
Then come games at Penn State, at home against Iowa and the annual season-ender against Michigan, this time in Ann Arbor.
"We owe our defense," Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor said. "They're really something."

Week 4 What We Learned
www.espn.com

ACC
Virginia Tech is still King of the Coastal. Miami had a chance to unseat the defending conference champs and couldn't do it. The Hokies were the ones who played like a top-10 team, not Miami. Now the Canes, Georgia Tech and North Carolina all have a division loss. The Hokies still have to play Georgia Tech and North Carolina, so that can change the hierarchy in that division, but Virginia Tech will hold the tiebreaker over Miami if it's necessary in November. The Hokies have won three out of the past five ACC titles and can win another if they continue to play complete games like they did on Saturday against Miami.


Big 12
Texas A&M's defense is improved, but still untested. It would be hard to imagine a more valuable player for them than hybrid linebacker/defensive end Von Miller, who has produced a nation-leading eight sacks after three games. The Aggies lead the nation with 14 sacks after producing 16 in 12 games last season. Despite that strong early start, the A&M defense will get a heavy dose of reality Saturday when they face Ryan Mallett and Arkansas in Arlington, Texas, their toughest challenge to date.

Big East
South Florida is back in the national picture. Here we go again with the Bulls. Another undefeated September, another marquee nonconference win. It remains to be seen whether South Florida can get through the grind of a Big East season. But with young players like quarterback B.J. Daniels and receiver Sterling Griffin, this team has a lot of room to grow offensively. And if the defense plays the way it did in a suffocating 17-7 win at Florida State, South Florida can beat just about anybody.


Big Ten
Iowa is for real. Some Hawkeyes fans might have misinterpreted my postgame commentary. True, Penn State made mistakes Saturday night, but Iowa forced them with terrific defense and special teams. The Hawkeyes put themselves squarely in the Big Ten title mix with Ohio State by stunning the Nittany Lions for the seventh time in eight tries. Defense and special teams are the formula for success on the road, and Iowa executed both areas to perfection in the first of four challenging Big Ten away games. It's hard to imagine a defensive line in the country playing better than Iowa's.


Pac-10
Oregon might get the last laugh. How good a weekend did Oregon fans have? The Ducks rolled sixth-ranked California 42-3. Oregon State lost. Washington lost. Both sets of rival fans had been taking shots at the Ducks ever since they went rear-end-over-tea-kettle at Boise State. Even after a pair of quality victories, the latter one ending No. 18 Utah's 16-game winning streak, some were grumbling about new coach Chip Kelly and quarterback Jeremiah Masoli. The guess here is there will be no grumbling this week, at least on the Ducks' side of things. Of course, Pac-10 front-runners haven't been terribly secure of late.


SEC
Overrated until proven otherwise. LSU and Ole Miss are both overrated. There's no other way to say it. The difference between the two teams is that LSU is overrated and still unbeaten. Ole Miss is overrated and coming off a loss in its SEC opener. LSU coach Les Miles called the Tigers "vulnerable" following their 30-26 escape at Mississippi State, and he's right. I'd go as far as to say they're very beatable unless they find their running games and start playing with more consistency in all areas. And until Ole Miss gets its issues straightened out on offense, namely its pass protection and a passing game in general that's gone south thanks to Jevan Snead's slow start, the Rebels are also a team that looks extremely beatable and nothing like a top-10 team nationally.


Non-AQ
Houston's not a pretender. Even going into Saturday's game against Texas Tech there were questions about whether Houston was a fluke. The Cougars proved themselves to be contenders with a come-from-behind 29-28 victory. But the Cougars aren't out of the woods yet. Now, they go on a three-game road stint that includes games at UTEP, Mississippi State and Tulane.


Notre Dame
These guys sure aren't boring. You can certainly question whether Notre Dame's ability merits the attention it receives. But you can't argue that the Fighting Irish aren't entertaining. For the third straight week, their game came down to a play in the final minute, this time after a hobbling Jimmy Clausen led them on a touchdown drive that culminated with a pass to Kyle Rudolph with 24 seconds to go. There's no leaving a Notre Dame game early to beat the traffic.

Buckeyes Ranked 3rd According to Rivals.com

This is Rivals.com review of the Ohio State Buckeyes whom they have ranked 3rd behind Georgia (2) and USC (1).

Coach: Jim Tressel (73-15 in seven seasons; 208-72-2 overall in 22 seasons). | Staff
In 2007: 11-2 overall, 7-1 in Big Ten (first in league). | Highlights
Returning starters: Offense—9. Defense—9. Special teams—2 | Depth Chart
Key losses: Offense—T Kirk Barton. Defense—E Vernon Gholston, LB Larry Grant.
Final 2007 Rivals.com ranking: 6th. | Complete Final 2007 Rankings
2008 Breakdown: Offense | Defense | Special teams | Coaching | Schedule | Depth Chart

OFFENSE
THE SCHEME: Jim Bollman is the coordinator, but Jim Tressel's fingerprints are all over the offense. The Buckeyes have come a long way from their "3-yards-and-a-cloud-dust" days, featuring a unit that has as many varied looks as anybody in the nation. The arrival of heralded quarterback recruit Terrelle Pryor likely means Ohio State will revert to some of the spread schemes it used when Troy Smith piloted the ship from 2005-06. That worked out well, as Smith won the Heisman in 2006 en route to taking the Buckeyes to the BCS title game.




Running back Chris Wells wasn't completely healthy last season but still rushed for 1,609 yards.
STAR POWER: Is there a better running back in America than junior Chris Wells? He rambled for 1,609 yards and 15 TDs last season, and his 222-yard effort vs. Michigan means he'll never again have to buy a meal in Columbus. And get this: Wells did it all last season on a bum ankle and with a broken bone in a hand. Just think of what this freakish combination of power and speed will do when he's 100 percent – 2,000 yards and the Heisman Trophy, anyone?

IMPACT NEWCOMER: All eyes are on Pryor, the No. 1 recruit in the nation. Ohio State won a protracted and highly publicized battle with Michigan and Penn State for Pryor's signature. News flash: Pryor didn't come to Columbus to redshirt. That means returning starter Todd Boeckman is going to have to share his seat, even though he earned first-team All-Big Ten honors from the media. Look for Ohio State to handle Pryor the same way Florida did Tim Tebow during his freshman season in 2006, getting 10-15 snaps a game. That plan worked well for the Gators, who won the BCS national title. And Tebow proceeded to win the Heisman as a sophomore last season. Hmmmm.

IT'S HIS TIME: The legacy of great Buckeyes wide receivers is long. Recent vintage has given us Joey Galloway, Terry Glenn, David Boston, Michael Jenkins, Santonio Holmes and Ted Ginn Jr. Senior Brian Robiskie is ready to join that vaunted fraternity. He emerged as a top target last season, grabbing 55 passes for 935 yards and 11 TDs. Robiskie will have ample opportunity to amp up those numbers if defenses sell out to stop the run. And if foes opt to blanket Robiskie, blue-collar counterpart Brian Hartline is equipped to make them pay.

STRONGEST AREA: The line will be killer. NFL scouts already are clamoring for left tackle Alex Boone, center Jim Cordle and left guard Steve Rehring. Right guard Ben Person is just a notch below that trio. The only hole to fill is at right tackle, but staffers feel sophomore Bryant Browning – from Cleveland Glenville, which has sent so many big-time players to Columbus –will prove more than capable.

BIGGEST PROBLEM:The offense is searching for a fullback, but the coaches will find some big lug to serve as Wells' escort. The $64,000 question in Columbus: Can Ohio State make effective use of Pryor without disrupting the chemistry of what looks like a dynamite attack? Florida was able to pull it off because then-starting quarterback Chris Leak had the disposition to make it work. And Tebow is a team guy. Can Boeckman and Pryor co-exist?

OVERVIEW: Wells is the focal point of the offense, which means he has to stay healthy. But when he needs a blow, there are several capable replacements - including sophomore Brandon Saine. He's the team's fastest back and could see an expanded role as a receiver. Senior Maurice Wells also is a viable option. With the ground game humming behind a strong line, it will be key for Boeckman to play within himself. The last we saw of him, Boeckman was floundering. In the last three games of '07, he committed seven turnovers (six picks and a fumble) with just two touchdown tosses. Not good. Now, Pryor will be looking over his shoulder.

0
That's the number of road losses in the past two seasons. Ohio State could have a difficult time staying perfect away from Columbus for a third consecutive season with games at USC and Wisconsin.
GRADE: A

DEFENSE
THE SCHEME: Ohio State operates out of a 4-3 scheme, and coaches like to rely on the front four getting pressure without benefit of the blitz. That allows the secondary to play more varied coverages. But the Buckeyes aren't averse to mixing things up and bringing heat at unconventional times from unconventional places.

STAR POWER: Senior middle linebacker James Laurinaitis already is considered an Ohio State great. That he shunned the NFL and opted to return for his senior season cements his status as a legend. Laurinaitis is coming off a stellar season that saw him claim Big Ten defensive player of the year honors as well as the Butkus Award. He won the Nagurski Award in 2006. His trophy case should get even more full after this season.

IMPACT NEWCOMER: It will be difficult for any newcomer to have much of an impact on this veteran squad. But keep an eye on true freshman linebacker Etienne Sabino, who enrolled early and impressed in spring drills. He could be a key player off the bench at strongside linebacker behind new starter Curtis Terry for an outstanding corps that also features Marcus Freeman on the weak side.

IT'S HIS TIME: With end Vernon Gholston gone early to the NFL after notching a school single-season record 14 sacks last season, the role of tormenting quarterbacks has fallen to junior end Lawrence Wilson. He was primed to break out last season, but his season ended with a broken leg in the opener. Wilson's skills remind many of former Ohio State great Will Smith, with a quick initial step to the outside coupled with a powerful inside punch.

STRONGEST AREA: All three units are worthy of mention, but the secondary may be a cut above all of them. Cornerback Malcolm Jenkins, as with Laurinaitis, shocked many by opting to return for his senior season. Jenkins is a prototype NFL corner, blending good size (6-1/201) with good speed. The safety tandem of Kurt Coleman (strong) and Anderson Russell (free) often gets overlooked, but their presence allows Jenkins to play more aggressively knowing he has his back covered. Junior Andre Amos is one to watch at the other corner spot. He missed most of last season with a knee injury but has impressed. Amos could win the job over junior Donald Washington, who could face discipline after encountering off-field issues.

BIGGEST PROBLEM: If you look hard enough, you can find a few nits to pick. One of the biggest is the production of the tackles. It would help if the big guys became more proficient at generating pressure up the middle. The quartet of Todd Denlinger, Nader Abdallah, Doug Worthington and Dexter Larimore are back in the middle, but they need to generate more than the five sacks they combined for last season.

OVERVIEW: It will be difficult to top last season's defense, which ranked No. 1 in the nation by allowing just 233.0 yards and 12.7 points per game. But it's possible, given the array and abundance of talent that's on hand. One area staffers are emphasizing is turnovers (the Buckeyes generated only 19 takeaways in '07). But as long as this defense holds the line on last season's numbers, the Buckeyes will be poised for at least a share of a fourth consecutive Big Ten title.
GRADE: A

SPECIAL TEAMS
Kicker Ryan Pretorius is steady and dependable – 18 of 23, including 6-for-7 from beyond 40 yards – but he had four attempts blocked last season. A.J. Trapasso enters his fourth season as the punter, coming off a season in which he averaged 41.5 yards and was a Ray Guy semifinalist. The one area that needs the biggest improvement is kick returns. Ohio State ranked 118th in the nation, averaging just 17.7 yards per return. That's shameful for a roster that teems with athletic ability. Wide receiver Ray Small will get another shot, but look for Saine and Maurice Wells, among others, to get looks. Punt returns are in good hands with veterans such as Robiskie, Hartline and Small. The coverage units also need to get better. Ohio State gave up two kickoff returns for touchdowns and a punt return for a score.
GRADE: B
COACHING
Tressel has shown in seven seasons that he may deserve a spot alongside Woody Hayes in Buckeyes lore when all is said and done. Tressel already has delivered a national title (2002) and gotten Ohio State to two more BCS title games (2006, 2007). And don't forget about the four Big Ten titles. Even better: He has mastered Michigan, owning a 6-1 record vs. "that school to the north." Tressel has built a stable staff that is a good blend of age and youth. Offensive coordinator Jim Bollman, quarterback coach Joe Daniels (who is battling health problems) and defensive coordinator Jim Heacock are sage hands. Co-defensive coordinator Luke Fickell is one of the game's rising stars and is on the fast track. Assistant head coach/receivers coach Darrell Hazell also is one to watch.
GRADE: A
DATE OPPONENT
Aug. 30 Youngstown State
Sept. 6 Ohio U.
Sept. 13 at USC
Sept. 20 Troy
Sept. 27 Minnesota
Oct. 4 at Wisconsin
Oct. 11 Purdue
Oct. 18 at Michigan State
Oct. 25 Penn State
Nov. 8 at Northwestern
Nov. 15 at Illinois
Nov. 22 Michigan

SCHEDULE
The showdown at USC – the schools' first meeting since 1990 – will be one of the most anticipated regular-season games in recent memory. Even if the Buckeyes lose, there will be ample time for them to crawl back up the polls. If Ohio State wins, it may ride atop the polls at No. 1 all the way to the BCS title game. Why? Because after the visit to L.A., the Buckeyes have only two truly scary games: at Wisconsin and at Illinois. The Badgers have been an especially troublesome foe, winning three of the past five meetings. Ohio State should be motivated to whip Illinois after the Illini toppled the top-ranked Buckeyes last season in Columbus. What about the visit from Penn State, you ask? Well, the Nittany Lions are 0-7 in the Horseshoe since joining the Big Ten. Enough said. The season-ending game with Michigan? Tressel is 6-1 vs. the Wolverines, including 3-0 in Columbus. He's a lock to make it 7-1. Cue the fight song!

OUTLOOK
Go ahead and sing a few bars of "Carmen Ohio." And stop by the Varsity Club on West Lane Avenue for a couple of tall, cold ones. This looks like a great team, and the excitement along the banks of the Olentangy is more intense than usual. This edition of the Buckeyes may be better than the previous two, which advanced to the BCS title game. But unlike the 2006 and 2007 Buckeyes who got thumped in the championship game, these Buckeyes may finish the job. The roster is full of veteran talent, boasting nine returning starters on both sides of the ball. Two cherries on top: the kicker and punter also return. What's it all mean? Ohio State is primed to advance to the title game for the third season in a row.

OFFENSE
QB Todd Boeckman *, 6-4/244, Sr.
Terrelle Pryor, 6-6/225, Fr.
TB Chris Wells *, 6-1/237, Jr.
Brandon Saine, 6-1/217, Soph.
FB Curtis Terry, 6-1/229, Sr.
Ryan Lukens, 6-0/238, Sr.
WR Brian Robiskie *, 6-3/199, Sr.
Taurian Washington, 6-2/179, Soph.
WR Brian Hartline *, 6-2/186, Jr.
Ray Small, 5-11/180, Jr.
TE Rory Nicol *, 6-5/252, Sr.
Jake Ballard, 6-6/256, Jr.
LT Alex Boone *, 6-8/312, Sr.
Jon Skinner, 6-5/305, Sr.
LG Steve Rehring *, 6-7/345, Sr.
Kyle Mitchum, 6-3/291, Sr.
C Jim Cordle *, 6-4/297, Jr.
Michael Brewster, 6-5/300, Fr.
RG Ben Person *, 6-3/323, Sr.
J.B. Shugarts, 6-8/300, Fr.
RT Bryant Browning, 6-4/312, Soph.
Evan Blankenship, 6-3/290, R-Fr.
K Ryan Pretorius *, 5-9/169, Sr.
KR Maurice Wells, 5-10/196, Sr.
DEFENSE
E Lawrence Wilson, 6-4/274, Jr.
Thad Gibson, 6-2/240, Soph.
T Todd Denlinger, 6-2/292, Jr.
Dexter Larimore, 6-2/300, Soph.
T Doug Worthington *, 6-6/276, Jr.
Nader Abdallah *, 6-4/300, Sr.
E Cameron Heyward *, 6-6/287, Soph.
Tom Ingham, 6-1/243Jr.
WLB Marcus Freeman *, 6-1/239, Sr.
Ross Homan, 6-0/229, Soph.
MLB James Laurinaitis *, 6-3/240, Sr.
Austin Spitler, 6-3/234, Jr.
SLB Curtis Terry, 6-1/229, Sr.
Tyler Moeller, 6-0/216, Soph.
CB Donald Washington *, 6-0/194, Jr.
Andre Amos, 6-1/183, Jr.
CB Malcolm Jenkins *, 6-1/201, Sr.
Chimdi Chekwa, 6-0/188, Soph.
FS Anderson Russell *, 6-0/205, Jr.
Aaron Gant, 6-0/194, Soph.
SS Kurt Coleman *, 5-11/188, Jr.
Jamario O'Neal, 6-0/205, Sr.
P A.J. Trapasso *, 6-0/229, Sr.
PR Brian Robiskie, 6-3/199, Sr.

(NOTE: *--denotes returning starter; %--denotes returning starter who has changed positions.)