Eliminator Week 4: Tennessee bows out with dramatic loss
— -- Welcome to Week 4 of the ...
In honor of Tennessee, I chose not to finish the opening sentence of The Eliminator.
It was that kind of week for the Volunteers, who blew a golden opportunity to make a statement on Saturday. Tennessee wasted a 13-point lead in the final five minutes of a 28-27 loss at Florida.
Tennessee lost to Florida for the 11th straight time. Leading 27-14 with less than five minutes to play, the Volunteers surrendered two touchdowns, the second on freshman quarterback Will Grier's 63-yard pass to freshman receiver Antonio Callaway on a fourth-and-14 play with 1:26 to go. The Volunteers missed a 55-yard field goal at the end.
It was an equally frustrating week for Arizona State, BYU, Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech, which lost for the second time and were among the nine teams eliminated for one of the four spots in the College Football Playoff.
Through four weeks, we've eliminated 80 of the 128 FBS teams that are eligible for the College Football Playoff (Charlotte is ineligible for the postseason as a transitional member). That leaves 48 teams in contention for the four spots.
Here's where FBS stands after Week 4:
Jump to sections: Better luck next season | Previously eliminated | Who's in | Still in contention | On the fence
Better luck next season
Trending: DOWN
Talk about charitable giving. The Sun Devils turned the ball over four times in the first half against USC on Saturday night, and the Trojans turned them into 28 points. It was the most points allowed off turnovers by ASU since 2006.
Trending: DOWN
Hey, BYU, it was a lot of fun. We had a bad feeling the Cougars were going to run out of gas after playing such a gantlet to start the season, and they looked lifeless in a 31-0 loss at Michigan in the Big House. BYU was shut out for the first time in 143 games, dating to a 3-0 loss to rival Utah in 2003.
Trending: DOWN
The Yellow Jackets lost for the second week in a row, falling 34-20 at Duke on Saturday. All of a sudden, coach Paul Johnson's triple-option spread offense can't move the ball. After averaging 8.8 yards per carry in its first two games, Tech has averaged 3.6 in its past two.
Trending: UP
And Texas coach Charlie Strong thought his team was hosed. Ohio's Josiah Yazdani lined up for a 53-yard field goal to try to tie the score in the closing moments at Minnesota. After the Gophers called a timeout to try to ice him, Yazdani kicked the ball anyway. Officials flagged him for delay of game, and Bobcats coach Frank Solich decided against trying a 58-yard kick. The Gophers won 27-24 when a Hail Mary pass fell incomplete.
Trending: DOWN
The Beavers lost to Stanford 42-24 on Friday night, but the way freshman quarterback Seth Collins is playing, they're going to knock off somebody they're not supposed to beat. Are you listening, Arizona?
Trending: DOWN
In only three FBS contests this season has a team carried a lead of 13 points or more into the fourth quarter and lost the game. Tennessee has done it twice, against Oklahoma and Florida. Good old Rocky Flop.
Trending: DOWN
It's a good thing the ACC didn't invite East Carolina to join its league. The Pirates have won five straight games against ACC foes, including a 35-28 victory over Virginia Tech on Saturday. It was ECU's first home win against the Hokies in 23 years.
Trending: EVEN
We knew it would be only a matter of time before the Demon Deacons were eliminated, but they put up a good fight in a 31-24 loss to Indiana. Wake Forest nearly rallied from a three-touchdown deficit and had a chance to tie the game after recovering an onside kick with 2:31 to play.
Trending: DOWN
Boy, was that ugly. The Huskies turned the ball over five times -- the most ever by a Chris Petersen-coached team -- in Saturday's 30-24 loss to Cal. How bad was it? Washington ran only 15 plays in the first half, three of which resulted in turnovers.
Previously eliminated
Eliminated in Week 1 (30 teams): Akron Zips, Arkansas State Red Wolves, Army Black Knights, Bowling Green Falcons, Central Michigan Chippewas, Charlotte 49ers (not bowl-eligible), Colorado Buffaloes, Eastern Michigan Eagles, Florida Atlantic Owls, Georgia Southern Eagles, Georgia State Panthers, Idaho Vandals, Kansas Jayhawks, Kent State Golden Flashes, Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns, Louisiana Monroe Warhawks, New Mexico State Aggies, SMU Mustangs, Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles, Texas San Antonio Roadrunners, Texas State Bobcats, Troy Trojans, Tulane Green Wave, UCF Knights, UNLV Rebels, UTEP Miners, Vanderbilt Commodores, Washington State Cougars, Western Michigan Broncos, Wyoming Cowboys
Eliminated in Week 2 (27 teams): Appalachian State Mountaineers, Arkansas Razorbacks, Ball State Cardinals, Buffalo Bulls, Cincinnati Bearcats. Colorado State Rams, East Carolina Pirates, Florida International Golden Panthers, Fresno State Bulldogs, Hawaii Rainbow Warriors, Louisiana Tech Bulldogs, Louisville Cardinals, Marshall Thundering Herd, Maryland Terrapins, Massachusetts Minutemen, Miami (OH) RedHawks, Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders, Nevada Wolf Pack, New Mexico Lobos, North Texas Mean Green, Rice Owls, San Diego State Aztecs, San Jose State Spartans, South Alabama Jaguars, South Florida Bulls, Utah State Aggies, Virginia Cavaliers.
Eliminated in Week 3 (14 teams): Air Force Falcons, Auburn Tigers, Boston College Eagles, Connecticut Huskies, Iowa State Cyclones, Nebraska Cornhuskers, Northern Illinois Huskies, Old Dominion Monarchs, Purdue Boilermakers, Rutgers Scarlet Knights, South Carolina Gamecocks, Texas Longhorns, Tulsa Golden Hurricane, Western Kentucky Hilltoppers.
Who's in
It was a ho-hum week for the CFP contenders, as really no team outside of UCLA and Utah was overly impressive. The Eliminator still has two Big Ten teams at the top, although we're flipping Ohio State back to No. 1 and Michigan State to No. 2. Their earlier victories over Virginia Tech and Oregon, respectively, don't look as impressive as they once did after both teams lost for a second time. UCLA, which steamrolled Arizona 56-30 on the road on Saturday night, jumps into the No. 3 spot. We'll keep TCU at No. 4, although we're not sure the Horned Frogs' banged-up defense will hold up down the stretch.
Still in contention
Trending: EVEN
After rolling past Louisiana-Monroe 34-0, the Crimson Tide might find themselves in unfamiliar territory in Saturday's game at Georgia. The Bulldogs opened as one-point favorites over Alabama, which has been the favorite in 72 consecutive games over five years, the longest such streak in college football history. Alabama hasn't been an underdog since Florida was a five-point favorite in the 2009 SEC championship game.
Trending: EVEN
Finally, we'll get to see the Bears play somebody with a pulse. After blasting Rice 70-17, Baylor hosts Texas Tech in its Big 12 opener next week. Quarterback Seth Russell completed 12 of 16 passes for 277 yards with six touchdowns against the Owls.
Trending: EVEN
The Tigers had the weekend off before hosting Notre Dame at Death Valley on Saturday. It's Notre Dame's first trip to Clemson since 1977 and the teams haven't played each other since 1979.
Trending: EVEN
More and more, FSU's schedule is beginning to look a lot like Ohio State's. With Georgia Tech struggling, the Seminoles' season might ride on winning one contest: at Clemson on Nov. 7.
Trending: EVEN
Yo, Bulldogs, leave the black jerseys in the closet this week. The last time Alabama played at Sanford Stadium, the Crimson Tide turned the Bulldogs' blackout into a knockout with a 41-30 win. Alabama led 31-0 at the half in a game that wasn't close.
Trending: EVEN
Tigers tailback Leonard Fournette ran for 631 yards in the Tigers' first three games, more than 28 FBS teams have gained in four games.
Trending: EVEN
The Spartans are holding their collective breath waiting on a prognosis for star left tackle Jack Conklin, who injured his left knee in Saturday's 30-10 win over Central Michigan.
Trending: EVEN
Can the Irish use a win at Clemson as a springboard to a national championship? In 1977, Joe Montana led No. 5 Notre Dame to a 21-17 victory over the No. 15 Tigers en route to winning a national title. Give quarterback DeShone Kizer some chicken soup at halftime.
Trending: EVEN
No longer looking over his shoulder, quarterback Cardale Jones threw for a career-high 288 yards on 19-for-33 passing with two touchdowns in Saturday's 38-12 win over Western Michigan. He wasn't perfect, but it was definitely a step in the right direction.
Trending: EVEN
The Sooners got a week off before Saturday's Big 12 opener against West Virginia. They needed it, as the Mountaineers look to be legitimate Big 12 contenders with a suddenly stout defense.
Trending: UP
God bless Texas. If not for the Longhorns' self-inflicted wounds, the Pokes might have been looking at an ugly loss on the road. Quarterback Mason Rudolph made too many mistakes, including a fumble and interception that were returned for UT touchdowns in a 30-27 victory.
Trending: DOWN
After scoring 192 points in its first three games, Ole Miss didn't look so hot in a 27-16 win at Vanderbilt. The Rebels committed 11 penalties, turned the ball over twice, went 3-for-13 on third down and sputtered in the red zone.
Trending: EVEN
Maybe the Aggies are better on defense. After falling behind 21-13 in the fourth quarter, the Aggies got a pair of stops before tying the game with a late touchdown and two-point conversion. Then the A&M defense delivered an even bigger stop in overtime.
Trending: UP
Can the Horned Frogs keeping winning this way? TCU's banged-up defense gave up 607 yards of offense on Saturday, but its offense had 750 in a 55-52 win at Texas Tech. The Horned Frogs wouldn't be the first team to win a national title with a suspect defense.
Trending: UP
Talk about making a statement. With back-to-back wins over ranked opponents, including a 56-30 rout at Arizona on Saturday night, the Bruins suddenly look like the team to beat in the Pac-12.
Trending: UP
Beating Arizona State probably won't end up meaning much this season, but hey, a 42-14 win on the road is a lot better than getting fired and being left at the airport.
Trending: UP
How do you become a nationally relevant program again? By scoring 62 points against a nationally ranked team -- on the road. The Utes throttled Oregon 62-20 on Saturday night, their largest win and most points ever scored against an AP-ranked foe.
Trending: UP
OK, I'm starting to become a believer, Mountaineers. West Virginia piled up 601 yards of offense and a school-record 37 first downs in its 45-6 rout of Maryland on Saturday. Its defense might be what separates it from everybody else in the Big 12, though, after it picked off five passes against the Terps and allowed only 23 points in its first three games.
On the fence
Trending: DOWN
Talk about laying an egg on a big stage. That was a fried egg in the Arizona desert.
Trending: UP
Don't write off the Broncos yet. New quarterback Brett Rypien -- nephew of Super Bowl MVP-winning quarterback Mark Rypien -- completed 24 of 35 passes for 321 yards with three touchdowns in a 56-14 rout at Virginia on Friday night.
Trending: UP
A month into the season, the Bears are in pretty rarefied air. They're 4-0 for the first time since 2007 after winning back-to-back road games, and quarterback Jared Goff is going to emerge as a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate if he keeps playing like this. He threw for 342 yards with two touchdowns in a 30-24 win at Washington.
Trending: UP
Duke's 34-20 upset of No. 20 Georgia Tech was their fourth victory over a ranked opponent under coach David Cutcliffe, which ranks No. 2 in school history. Bill Murray led the Blue Devils to 10 wins over ranked opponents.
Trending: UP
It's too early to call him the "Riverboat Gambler," but first-year coach Jim McElwain is certainly taking some chances. The Gators are 10-for-10 on fourth down this season, including 5-for-5 in Saturday's 28-27 win over Tennessee.
Trending: EVEN
The Cougars took care of business this weekend, rolling past Texas State 59-14 at home. Quarterback Greg Ward Jr. accounted for six touchdowns (four passing and two running), while throwing for 274 yards and running for 91.
Trending: EVEN
We're going to call this a short-term lease, Illini. The Illini barely survived a 27-25 win over Middle Tennessee State on Saturday, winning only after they kicked a 51-yard field goal with 2:09 to play. The Blue Raiders missed a 43-yard field goal with eight seconds left.
Trending: EVEN
After beating Wake Forest 31-24, the Hoosiers are 4-0 for the first time since 1990. Indiana's five-game winning streak dating to last season is the longest since 1987. Up next: a home game against No. 1 Ohio State. Dream big, Hoosiers. Dream big.
Trending: UP
Who is masquerading at Iowa's offense? The Hawkeyes look like a legitimate threat in the Big Ten West after dismantling North Texas 62-16 on Saturday. Quarterback C.J. Beathard completed his first 15 passes, and Jordan Canzeri ran for 115 yards and tied a school record with four touchdowns.
Trending: EVEN
The Wildcats were off and had an extra week to prepare for Saturday's Big 12 opener at Oklahoma State. The Wildcats beat the Pokes 48-14 last season.
Trending: UP
Big Blue Nation can put off looking forward to basketball season for a few more weeks. The Wildcats ended an 18-game losing streak against ranked foes by upsetting No. 25 Missouri 21-13 on Saturday night. UK coach Mark Stoops definitely has his program headed in the right direction.
Trending: UP
Tigers coach Justin Fuente is looking more and more like college football's next big thing. The Tigers are 4-0 for the first time since 1961 after beating Cincinnati 53-46 on Thursday night, and their 11-game winning streak dating to last season is tied with TCU for second longest in FBS.
Trending: EVEN
The Hurricanes didn't play this past weekend before Thursday night's trip to Cincinnati, which might be without star quarterback Gunner Kiel (concussion).
Trending: UP
Don't look under your beds, Ohio State fans. Oh, he's there. And Jim Harbaugh is lurking and waiting. And no, he isn't wearing a shirt, either.
Trending: DOWN
Since giving TCU fits in the opener, the Golden Gophers have defeated Colorado State, Kent State and Ohio by a field goal each. That's not good heading into next week's Big Ten opener at Northwestern.
Trending: EVEN
The Bulldogs continued Auburn's misery with a 17-9 victory over the Tigers on Saturday night. MSU's defense held the Tigers without a touchdown, which is pretty impressive. Then again, Auburn had problems scoring against FCS member Jacksonville State.
Trending: DOWN
If Missouri wins the SEC East for a third season in a row, every other coach in the division (except Vanderbilt's Derek Mason) should have to return half of his annual salary.
Trending: EVEN
Navy quarterback Keenan Reynolds might not be in the Heisman Trophy discussion, but he has a great chance of leaving the academy with one of FBS' best records. After running for three touchdowns in Navy's 28-18 win at Connecticut, Reynolds needs only five more to break Wisconsin tailback Montee Ball's FBS career record of 77.
Trending: EVEN
Do the Tar Heels have a quarterback controversy? Mitch Trubisky came off the bench and threw four second-half touchdowns in UNC's 41-14 win over FCS foe Delaware. After Marquise Williams was ineffective in the first half, Trubisky completed 17 of 20 passes for 312 yards.
Trending: EVEN
After the Wolfpack beat up four cupcakes to start the season, we'll finally get to see what they're capable of against Louisville on Saturday. Well, maybe we'll have to wait another week.
Trending: DOWN
The Wildcats struggled early against Ball State, turning the ball over three times in the first half before coming back for a 24-19 victory. It wasn't the kind of victory Pat Fitzgerald was looking for heading into Big Ten play.
Trending: DOWN
Yeah, the Ducks really miss Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota, but their defense is an absolute mess, too. Utah's 62 points were the most allowed by Oregon since it was shut out on the road at Nebraska 63-0 in 1985. The Ducks are now unranked in the AP poll for the first time since 2009. We nearly eliminated them, but decided to keep their playoff hopes on life support for now.
Trending: EVEN
Penn State's 37-21 win over San Diego State was far from a work of art. But 323-pound defensive tackle Austin Johnson's 71-yard touchdown on a scoop-and-score was a masterpiece.
Trending: EVEN
The Panthers were off this weekend, which means they were one of only a few ACC teams that didn't lose. Pitt opens ACC play at Virginia Tech on Saturday.
Trending: EVEN
The Cardinal have looked better and better; Oregon has looked worse and worse. Stanford looks like the team to beat in the Pac-12 North after knocking off Oregon State 42-24 on the road on Friday night.
Trending: DOWN
Hey, Syracuse, keep your head up. At least you tried to tackle Leonard Fournette, which is a heckuva lot more than Auburn's defense can say.
Trending: EVEN
The Owls, who didn't play this past weekend, have a great chance at being 7-0 when they play Notre Dame at home on Oct. 31. Temple's next four games: Charlotte (road), Tulane (home), UCF (home) and East Carolina (road).
Trending: EVEN
You probably thought Kliff Kingsbury would be crushed about losing to TCU 55-52 on, of all things, a tipped pass for a touchdown in the end zone. But then you remembered he'd wake up on Sunday and look in the mirror.
Trending: EVEN
Yo, Bert, send your taxes to Toledo. The Rockets own the state of Arkansas after upsetting the Razorbacks two weeks ago and then blasting Arkansas State 37-7 on Saturday. Toledo is 3-0 for the first time since 2005.
Trending: EVEN
Redshirt freshman Taiwan Deal looked good in his first start in place of injured Corey Clement, running 26 times for 147 yards with two touchdowns in a 28-0 win over Hawaii.