Can Tennessee break the streak? And other pressing Week 4 questions
— -- This weekend's slate doesn't quite measure up to Week 3's, but there are still intriguing games, players, matchups and coaching situations across the country. Our experts break it down:
Which game are you most looking forward to this weekend?
Adam Rittenberg: Florida at Tennessee
I hate to go with the obvious choice, but this game could reveal so much about Tennessee's future. It's as must-win as a Week 4 game will ever get. While it's unfortunate both teams are dealing with injuries, both also boast plenty of talent. Florida's defense has been stifling so far, and Tennessee's struggling offensive line must elevate its play. This is the game Vols seniors like Dobbs and? Jalen Reeves-Maybin?have circled for months. Will they finally get it done?
Ted Miller: Florida at Tennessee
It has to be Florida at Tennessee, where the Volunteers are trying to end an excruciating 11-game losing streak in the series. So many emotions are at play here -- you can still see Peyton Manning trudging off the field in frustration past a crowing Steve Spurrier -- not to mention a long list of injuries for both teams. This used to be The Game in the SEC. Vols coach Butch Jones really, really could use a win here.
Brian Bennett: No. 11 Wisconsin at No. 8 Michigan State
This was turning into one of the Big Ten's better rivalries before division realignment forced the two teams to go on a break from 2013 to 2015. Five of the previous six games were determined by a single score, including the famous Hail Mary by the Spartans in 2011. These are two physical teams that will go right after each other, and another thriller could be in store.
Max Olson: No. 17 Arkansas vs. No. 10 Texas A&M (9 p.m. ET, ESPN)
This is the Saturday night game I know I'll be tuning in for. I really like how both teams have started off this season. The Aggies have won four in a row against Arkansas, but their past two meetings have been exciting, overtime ballgames. This year's slugfest should be no less entertaining.
Which player will be the talk of the weekend?
Adelson: Louisville QB Lamar Jackson
I'm going with Jackson again. He has been the Davey O'Brien Quarterback of the Week twice, Walter Camp Offensive Player of the Week twice, and he leads Heisman Watch. The opponent this week? Marshall. Expect Jackson to put up big numbers once again and maybe another Heisman-worthy moment against the struggling Thundering Herd, who lost to Akron last week 65-38.
Rittenberg: Stanford RB Christian McCaffrey
Remember him? While Jackson should lead every Heisman watch list, McCaffrey, unlike most of the preseason darlings, has done nothing to hurt his candidacy. He'll have more of the spotlight Saturday at the Rose Bowl, facing a UCLA team (8 p.m. ET, ABC) against which he ran for 243 yards and four touchdowns and finished with 369 all-purpose yards a year ago. He won't replicate those numbers against a healthier and better Bruins defensive front, but a big fourth quarter from No. 5 will lift Stanford to victory.
Miller: Clemson QB Deshaun Watson
Watson has not played well so far, and the Tigers have lost five in a row at Georgia Tech. So this sets up as a potential upset special Thursday night (7:30 ET, ESPN). One way or the other, we'll be talking about Watson. Either he snaps out of his funk and delivers the sort of performance we expect from him -- and he jumps back up on Heisman lists -- or he falters and everyone wants to know why the nation's best quarterback is suddenly pedestrian.
Bennett: UCLA QB Josh Rosen
I picked the Bruins to make the playoff, and I didn't jump off the bandwagon after their opening loss at Texas A&M. UCLA won't have much success running the ball against Stanford, but Rosen will have the best game of his career in leading his team to an upset of the No. 7 Cardinal at the Rose Bowl.
Olson: Georgia RB Nick Chubb
How about Chubb? He has had two quieter games after his huge 222-yard performance against North Carolina. Missouri's defense kept Chubb in check, and quarterback Jacob Eason ended up throwing the ball 55 times. Ole Miss' defense already has faced some excellent rushers this season. If Chubb lights up the Rebels (noon ET, ESPN) in a tough road win, Heisman hype is sure to follow.
Which under-the-radar game is most intriguing?
Adelson: Pittsburgh at North Carolina (3:30 p.m. ET, ESPNU)
Two of the favorites to win the Coastal Division open ACC play against each other, and their styles could not be any different. Pitt brings a run-heavy approach behind James Conner against what remains one of the worst defenses in the country (Tar Heels defensive coordinator Gene Chizik called his unit soft earlier this week). North Carolina wants to spread the ball around and take advantage of what appear to be weaknesses in the Pitt secondary. The winner could end up with an advantage in the division race.
Miller: USC at No. 24 Utah
The Trojans have looked awful so far, and you wonder about their focus under embattled first-year coach Clay Helton, who decided to change starting quarterbacks, going with the more mobile Sam Darnold over Max Browne. Yet this is the Pac-12, where prematurely counting a team out is always risky, and favorites tend to step on a rake. The Trojans played their best game last year against then-unbeaten Utah, and I wouldn't be shocked if they show up with their A-game on Friday.
Bennett: No. 13 Florida State at South Florida (noon ET, ABC)
USF coach Willie Taggart has the Bulls on a roll, as they've won their first three games by an average of more than 30 points. Now they host a Florida State team that might be dealing with a hangover from that Louisville blowout. This will be a program-making type of game, and if USF can pull the upset, it would give the American Athletic Conference another potential power to go along with Houston.
Olson: Oklahoma State at Baylor
The showdown in Waco officially kicks off the Big 12 title race. Considering Big 12 teams are 15-11 in nonconference play, and preseason favorite Oklahoma already has two losses, that title race feels as wide open as ever. Whoever wins this game is probably the new front-runner.
Which individual matchup are you most excited to see?
