Ten Takeaways: Week Four

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For my Ohio State subscribers: Check out my full thoughts on the Buckeyes' 42-19 win over Illinois in Bulletpoints:

Bulletpoints: Illinois

Thoughts on the Buckeyes’ 42-19 win over Illinois.

Two Stripes with Colton DenningColton Denning

1. The Gators are back

This is the most incredible stat I've seen from the first month of the season:

Florida's 52-28 win over Ole Miss officially puts the Gators back on the national map. It also showcased everything they already do well in Jon Sumrall's first season. Their run game is one of the nation's best. Ole Miss had no answer for either Jadan Baugh (142 yards, 3 TD), or Duke Clark (126, 1 TD). This is a team that can use its ground attack to either build a lead, or hold it - which is a tremendous luxury for a defense still figuring out who they are. To be fair, the defense can also make their share of big plays:

Every time it looked like Ole Miss was about to crawl back into the game, Florida had an answer. Special teams played a large role in that, thanks to two nice London Montgomery kick returns setting up shorter TD drives.

There was a lot made before the game about Ole Miss coming off an emotional win against LSU - which was a fair concern. There wasn't enough talk about Florida having to avoid their own letdown after beating Auburn on the road. That the Gators did exactly that while blitzing the Rebels from the opening drive tells me Sumrall has his team locked in. I'm still not sure what Florida's ceiling is - I just know I wouldn't want to play them.

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2. Oregon rallies, then puts USC in their place

I don't have a take on Desman Stephens' late hit on Dante Moore that you haven't read, heard, or watched yet. It was a bad hit, and Stephens' celebration afterwards was stupid. I don't think there's much more to it than that. What I took most away from the aftermath of it all was how the Ducks used it as a moment to rally, while the Trojans looked like the same team they've always been under Lincoln Riley.

For as emotional a coach as Dan Lanning is, he deserves credit for keeping the situation under control. His team not only stayed focused, but executed at a high level after it happened. It helps having a veteran QB like Dylan Raiola to lean on in a predicament like that, too. Raiola led the Ducks on five scoring drives in his six possessions. Those drives featured a nice mix of screens and short passes to Ducks playmakers - a great recipe in not putting too much on Raiola's plate while he's coming in cold during a big road game. When it came time for him to make a big downfield throw, he delivered:

Oregon's defense wasn't flawless, but they made plays at critical points in the second half. The two moments that stand out were holding SC to a redzone field goal at the end of the third quarter, and this Brandon Finney Jr. fourth down pass breakup in the fourth:

On the USC front: The Trojans' first crack at removing the stigma around their coach/program in big games ended the same as it always does. The trenches that were so hyped during the offseason were a no-show. 40 of their 120 rushing yards came from two carries. The other 31 net just 2.5 yards per attempt. Even though those numbers include two sacks, that's pathetic. Meanwhile, their defense didn't register a single sack, and now only has 1.5 through five games. The most impact they had on the game was taking a needless roughing the passer penalty on third-and-15 that eventually led to Oregon's game-winning TD.

What was supposed to be the most well-rounded and physical Lincoln Riley USC team has the same fingerprints as the previous ones. I have a strong feeling they're going to get punched in the mouth a few more times before the end of November:

3. Five teams who disgust me right now

We're far enough into the season that I don't think it's unreasonable to start making some harsh judgements on certain teams. These five need to get it together, immediately.

Colorado (2-2)

Prime Time is speeding towards closing time. Colorado outgained (363-337) and out-first-downed (24-22) Baylor, but lost 23-13 thanks to an offense and special teams unit who couldn't get out of their own way. The Buffs benched starting QB Julian Lewis (11/16, 75 yards) at half, and once again struggled in short-yard and third down (3-for-15) situations. They've now scored just 34 points in three games against power four opponents. Special teams have been disastrous throughout the Prime era, so it's unsurprising that it continues to kill the Buffs in 2026. Baylor's own offensive problems were mitigated thanks to 130 punt return yards, plus two Colorado kickoffs going out of bounds to hand them great field position.

Postgame answers from Sanders like this aren't going to cut it anymore:

With Texas Tech, Utah, and Oklahoma State on the schedule over the next four weeks, it's tough to imagine this situation improving. We'll get to it in this week's hot seat rankings, but we're trending towards the end of Deion Sanders at Colorado over the next month.

Cal (2-2)

Three years ago, I attended a Cal-Auburn game the Golden Bears lost 14-10. They missed three kicks, had another kick get called back for holding, only scored 10 points despite forcing four turnovers (three of which happened in Auburn territory) and had a first and ten at the Auburn 15 with less than three minutes to play and didn't score.

Two years ago, I attended a Cal-Miami game the Golden Bears lost 39-38. They led 35-10 with five minutes left in the third quarter.

On Friday, I attended the Cal-Clemson game. Cal's offense was responsible for three points, went 3-12 on third down, 0-2 on fourth down, and averaged four yards per play - utilizing their patented "all screens and back shoulder fades" passing attack. Special teams –already an issue coming in– were a nightmare. They jumped offside on a 55-yard field goal attempt Clemson pooch-punted anyway, extending a drive that ultimately ended in a Tigers TD. A missed field goal on Cal's ensuing drive cost them a 10-10 tie going into halftime. The cherry on top was allowing Clemson's first punt return TD since 2018, which ended up being the game-winner late in the third quarter.

Cal's only touchdown of the night came via a scoop and score on defense, who played well for the most part. I say "most part," because they gave up a 75-yard TD run on third-and-eight that ended any hope they had:

I don't classify myself as a Cal fan by any means, but I like to root for the home squad whenever I'm in the building. After what they've subjected me to over my last three visits, though? I'm putting them on probation from receiving any of my money for at least the next two years. I don't care how nice the view is:

Maryland (2-2)

This speaks for itself:

Washington (3-1)

My worst miss of the season (so far) was thinking Washington could sneak into the playoff. Their record doesn't do justice to how poorly they've played, or how dire things might soon get. Their 27-24 L to Minnesota highlighted every issue they showed in close wins over Washington State and Utah State, while Jedd Fisch's in-game management has been a mess. With USC (road), Iowa, Nebraska (road), Penn State, Indiana, and Oregon (road) left, we might be looking at a Huskies squad having to fight for bowl eligibility.

Texas A&M (2-2)

Consecutive losses to Kentucky and LSU have tanked A&M's playoff hopes, featured by the struggles of QB Marcel Reed and the offense. I was never in on them being a true contender, but even I'm a little surprised at how much of a non-threat they were in each of those games. At least they had the decency to not waste anyone's time this year.

4. Player of the Week: Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith

Jeremiah Smith put such a hurting on Illinois (11 catches, 217 yards, 4 TD) that the Illini parted ways with defensive coordinator Bobby Hauck on Sunday.

5. Mississippi State isn't the team they were last year