2023-2024 cbhsports College Football 9/23 Preview

Image Courtesy: Ohio State Buckeyes

AP Top 6
1.Georgia 3-0 (1-0) SEC This week: UAB (7:30 PM ET, ESPN2)
2.Michigan 3-0 (0-0) Big Ten This week: Rutgers (12 PM ET, BTN)
3.Texas 3-0 (0-0) Big 12 This week: @ Baylor (7:30 PM ET, ABC)
4.Florida State 3-0 (1-0) ACC This week: @ Clemson (12 PM ET, ABC)
5.USC 3-0 (1-0) Pac-12 This week: @ Arizona State (9:30 PM ET, FOX)
6.Ohio State 3-0 (1-0) Big Ten This week: @ 9.Notre Dame (7:30 PM ET, ABC)

Biggest risers and fallers in the AP Top 25 this week:

Risers
10.Oregon 3-0 (0-0) Pac-12 Week 3: #13 (Defeated Hawaii, 55-10)
16.Oklahoma 3-0 (0-0) Big 12 Week 3: #19 (Defeated Tulsa, 66-17)
17.North Carolina 3-0 (0-0) ACC Week 3: #20 (Defeated Minnesota, 31-13)
18.Duke 3-0 (1-0) ACC Week 3: #21 (Defeated Northwestern, 38-14)

Fallers
13.Alabama 2-1 (0-0) SEC Week 3: #10 (Defeated South Florida, 17-3)
23.Tennessee 2-1 (0-1) SEC Week 3: #11 (Lost to Florida, 29-16)

Dropped Out
Kansas State 2-1 (0-0) Big 12 Week 3: #15 (Lost to Missouri, 30-27)

New
25.Florida 2-1 (1-0) SEC Week 3: NR (Defeated 11.Tennessee, 29-16)

Key games this weekend (Rankings based off of AP Poll)
4.Florida State (3-0) @ Clemson (2-1) (Saturday, 12 PM ET, ABC)
Originally expected to be the obvious site for College GameDay in week 4 and for the primetime ABC slot in week 4, Clemson laid an egg against what looks like a phenomenal Duke team. Since only scoring a single touchdown in Durham in week 1, Dabo Swinney’s team put up 66 and 48 points against Charleston Southern and Florida Atlantic respectively. Replacing DJ Uiagalelei at QB, Cade Klubnik did not look good like the rest of the Clemson roster to open the season. But, against lesser competition the last two weeks, Klubnik and the Clemson offense has been better. Klubnik has thrown for eight touchdowns and almost 700 yards while star tailback Will Shipley has yet to run for a touchdown but has rushed for 225 yards. To pick up Shipley’s slack, Phil Mafah has run for 3 TDs. Clemson’s always talented front seven is led by linebackers Jeremiah Trotter (17 tackles) and Barrett Carter (15 tackles). A much more difficult challenge looms for the Tigers against the fourth ranked Florida State Seminoles. Despite almost blowing their lead multiple times on the road in their ACC opener against Boston College, FSU QB Jordan Travis (729 pass yards and 8 TDs) has been one of the best players in the country. Seminole running back Trey Benson has been fantastic as well, scampering for 164 yards and 4 TDs on the season. More importantly for the Seminoles are there talented receiving options. Johnny Wilson (11 catches and 209 yards), Keon Coleman (12 catches, 170 yards, and 2 TDs), and Jaheim Bell (7 catches, 125 yards, and 2 TDs). Similar to Clemson, Florida State is led in tackles by tacklers: Tatum Bethune (17 tackles) and Kalen DeLoach (10 tackles). Something tells me Mike Norvell’s team will not make the same mistakes it did against Boston College and will defeat Clemson after what should be a close game in the first half. Projected Score: Florida State 35, Clemson 24

22.UCLA (3-0) @ 11.Utah (3-0) (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, FOX)
In what has been an incredible ride in the Pac-12’s last dance, UCLA-Utah is one of three ranked versus ranked matchups on Saturday. The Bruins need a quality defensive performance to stop Utah’s QB Cam Rising, who is likely to return from a torn ACL he suffered in the Utes’ Rose Bowl loss to Penn State in January. Linebackers Darius Muasau (18 tackles), Oluwafemi Oladejo (12 tackles), and Kain Medrano (11 tackles) must play well to win this game in a tough road environment in Salt Lake City. In his first trip and only trip with both schools parting for different conferences in 2024, UCLA freshman signal-caller Dante Moore (615 passing yards and 7 TDs) has been terrific through three games. Going against a tough Utah defensive line, Bruin running backs Carson Steele (243 yards and 2 TDs), ˇJ Harden (233 yards and 2 TDs), and Anthony Adkins (122 yards and 1 TD) must perform if they want to be successful. In addition, receiver J. Michael Sturdivant (219 yards and 2 TDs) must be sure handed for a successful passing day for Moore. Utah’s fate in this game relies on the running game with dual threat QB Nate Johnson (148 yards and 3 TDs) and tailback Ja’Quinden Jackson (213 yards) with the injuries at the quarterback position and all over the field. Utah’s defense plays fantastic at home and they are led by leading tackler linebacker Levani Damuni (19), safety Cole Bishop (17 tackles), and linebackers Lander Barton (13 tackles), and cornerback Zemaiah Vaughn (11 tackles). The Utes’ defense should be the reason why they are 4-0 after Saturday afternoon. Projected Score: Utah 31, UCLA 21

15.Ole Miss (3-0) @ 13.Alabama (2-1) (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, CBS)
Nick Saban’s Alabama teams do not look like they normally do. The Crimson Tide struggled to a 17-3 road win in Tampa over South Florida, normally a program that does not win very much even in the American Athletic Conference. Former Saban assistant Lane Kiffin brings his undefeated Ole Miss Rebels into Tuscaloosa as he looks to defeat his mentor for the first time. When will Kiffin be able to upend Alabama if it is not now? With the Crimson Tide’s offensive line problems, Jalen Milroe (449 passing yards and 5 TDs) will return to his starting quarterback role after Saban allowed back ups Tyler Buchner and Ty Simpson play against South Floria. Alabama running backs Roydell Williams (177 yards and 1 TD) and Jase McClellan (158 yards and 1 TD) will have to be good to beat a much better Ole Miss team than many expected. Ole Miss’ high flying offense will have to be stopped by talented defenders Deontae Lawson (25 tackles and 2 sacks) and Caleb Downs (22 tackles) led by improved Rebel signal caller Jaxson Dart. Dart (852 yards and 7 TDs), receiver Jordan Watkins (290 yards and 1 TD), receiver Dayton Wade (215 yards), and receiver Tre Harris (188 yards and 5 TDs) will make it difficult for the Crimson Tide’s defense to stop them and win this important SEC opener for both teams. Ole Miss defensive coordinator Pete Golding was in the same role in Tuscaloosa over the last few seasons will look to stop an offense he’s watched at practice in Tuscaloosa for years. So, safety Trey Washington (20 tackles) and linebacker Ashanti Cistrunk (15 tackles) will look to shoot the gaps in the offensive line to get tackles in the backfield and sack Milroe. The Alabama-Ole Miss games are always entertaining between Saban and Kiffin as Alabama looks to bounce back and Ole Miss continues to roll offensively. Projected Score: Alabama 28, Ole Miss 27

19.Colorado (3-0) @ 10.Oregon (3-0) (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, ABC)
Can Coach Prime and Colorado keep their undefeated record as they go into a tough environment in Eugene? The Buffaloes will be without star receiver and cornerback Travis Hunter due to injury for the next three weeks. So, quarterback Shedeur Sanders (1,251 yards and 10 TDs) will have to rely on his other receiving targets on Saturday afternoon in Xavier Weaver (386 yards and 2 TDs) and Jimmy Horn Jr. (247 yards and 2 TDs). Colorado’s up and down defense must stop star quarterback Bo Nix (893 yards and 8 TDs) and the Oregon offense led by linebacker Marvin Ham II (20 tackles and 1 interception) and safety Shilo Sanders (19 tackles). On the other side, Nix’s weapons include running back Bucky Irving (216 yards and 3 TDs) and receiver Troy Franklin (292 yards and 3 TDs). Oregon’s defense will be the X-factor in this game. Defensive back Tysheen Johnson (20 tackles) and linebacker Jeffrey Bassa (16 tackles) must rattle Shedeur Sanders if they want to protect their home field and get a head start on a Pac-12 title by the end of the season. The biggest test for Deion Sanders should be competitive but Oregon is a Pac-12 power and the Buffaloes will have to be ready. Projected Score: Oregon 35, Colorado 21

14.Oregon State (3-0) @ 21.Washington State (3-0) (Saturday, 7 PM ET, FOX)
Oregon State and Washington State are the only two Pac-12 members that have not found conference homes beyond this academic year. Despite that, the Beavers won 10 games and the Cougars won 8 games during the 2022 season. Both teams are undefeated and are sleepers to win the Pac-12 Championship in Las Vegas in early December. Wazzu QB Cameron Ward has been fantastic this season, throwing for almost 1,000 yards and 9 TDs as well as leading his team in rushing yards. Ward will need to find his favorite target Lincoln Victor (342 yards and 3 TDs) if the Cougars want to win this game. Defending against new Oregon State quarterback DJ Uiagalelei, who has had resurgent play in Salem since transferring from Clemson, will be difficult. So, count on Wazzu linebacker Devin Richardson (21 tackles) to make an impact. Through three games Uiagalelei has thrown for 630 yards, 6 TDs, and rushing for 4 TDs through three games. He will rely on a dynamic duo at running back, in Damien Martinez (351 yards and 1 TD) and Deshaun Fenwick (152 yards and 1) to help the Beavers win this game. Defensively, linebackers Easton Mascarenas-Arnold (23 tackles and 1 interception) and Calvin Hart Jr. (14 tackles) will look to stop the potent Washington State defense. This likely Pac-12 shootout should be a dandy on Saturday night. Projected Score: Washington State 38, Oregon State 35

24.Iowa (3-0) @ 7.Penn State (3-0) (Saturday, 7:30 PM ET, CBS)
Iowa heads to State College for the annual “White Out” game for Penn State. The Hawkeyes’ less than potent offense will be challenged by a talented Nittany Lion defense throughout the game. However, Penn State’s offense has only been up and down with new signal-caller Drew Allar (737 yards and 4 TDs). Allar must rely on his talented running backs Kaytron Allen (208 yards and 2 TDs) and Nick Singleton (154 yards and 5 TDs) against an Iowa defense that also knows its way around the field. The Penn State defensive unit is headed by safeties Jalen Reed and Zakee Wheatley, who both have 10 tackles on the season. The Hawkeye’s defense is led by linebacker Jay Higgins (32 tackles) and Nick Jackson (23 tackles). They will need to turn the Penn State offense over to help their offense, with Michigan transfer Cade McNamara at quarterback (417 yards and 4 TDs). Luke Lachey, McNamara’s tight end must continue his great play (131 receiving yards) if they want to beat the Nittany Lions in primetime. In what should be a classic Big Ten game full of defense. Projected Score: Penn State 21, Iowa 17

6.Ohio State (3-0) @ 9.Notre Dame (4-0) (Saturday, 7:30 PM ET, NBC)
In college football’s game of the week, a top ten battle looms between Notre Dame and Ohio State. All of the eyes will be on this one with College GameDay in town. The hometown team finally has found a quality QB in Wake Forest transfer Sam Hartman, who has thrown for 1,061 yards and 14 TDs and a tremendous running back in Audric Estime who has rushed for 521 yards and 5 TDs. Linebackers Jack Kiser (26 tackles) and Marist Liufau (17 tackles) will look to stop a talented core of Ohio State receivers Marvin Harrison Jr. (304 TDs and 3 TDs), Emeka Egbuka (167 yards and 3 TDs) and tight end Cade Stover (188 yards). Their quarterback Kyle McCord (815 yards and 6 TDs) and running back TreVeyon Henderson (191 yards and 4 TDs) must be good for the Buckeyes to win on the road. Ohio State’s defensive unit has been the best its been since 2019 as linebackers Tommy Eichenburg (20 tackles and 1 sack) and Steele Chambers (19 tackles) must stop Sam hartman and the Notre Dame offense to win an important game for the Buckeyes playoff hopes. This game should be a classic as both teams look to make deep runs this season. Projected Score: Notre Dame 34, Ohio State 31