College Football Week 4: 5 bold predictions

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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After a great weekend of college football, things cool down as we roll into Week 4 of the college football season. Nothing too shocking occurred. Alabama stayed perfect, Texas A&M rolled, and Lamar Jackson potentially locked up the Heisman in Week 3. Okay, maybe not yet, but 18 touchdowns in three weeks is insane.

This weeks slate of games isn’t as impressive but there are still some match ups that are rather intriguing:

Georgia vs. Ole Miss

Wisconsin vs. Michigan State

Florida vs. Tennessee

Stanford vs. UCLA

All of these games feature either a great match up or a great player ready to explode. As conference play begins and college football continues to entertain, here are 5 bold predictions for Week 4 of the college football season.

Dec 5, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal running back Christian McCaffrey (5) scores a 28 yard reception and touchdown against the Southern California Trojans in the fourth quarter of the Pac-12 Conference football championship game at Levi

5. Christian McCaffrey has 300 total yards against UCLA

After rushing for over 2,000 yards last season as a sophomore, Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey has already started his third year off with a bang. He has run for over 120 yards in each of his first two games and has also been a threat out of the backfield in the passing game.

Last year, Christian McCaffrey ran for 243 yards and 4 touchdowns against UCLA. If they couldn’t stop him last year there isn’t much that UCLA will be able to do about McCaffrey this year. What makes McCaffrey so dangerous is more than just his amazing rushing ability. His vision on the field is some of the best that you will see. He is threat running the ball, he is a threat in the pass game and he is also a huge threat in the return game. Last year he had over 1000 yards in kick return yards and a touchdown. McCaffrey is so versatile that UCLA will be running all over the field trying to stop him.

If the game goes anything like last year, Stanford and McCaffrey will have an easy time beating up on UCLA and McCaffrey will have a good chance to pad his stats as he continues his quest for the Heisman. The trophy that he should have taken home last year.

Sep 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back Nick Chubb (27) runs for a touchdown against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the fourth quarter of the 2016 Chick-Fil-A Kickoff game at Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

4. Nick Chubb carries Georgia past Ole Miss

After Todd Gurley left for the NFL, Nick Chubb was set to be the man for the Georgia Bulldogs offense. For the first half of the 2015 season, Chubb was that and then some. Rushing for 747 yards on just 92 carries. That’s an average of 8.1 yards per rush. He also put up eight total touchdowns during that time, seven rushing and one receiving.

During a road game at Tennessee, Nick Chubb injured his left knee. It wasn’t his ACL but the ligament and cartilage damage would keep him out the rest of the season. Coming off of injury and going into the 2016 season, Chubb would look to continue rushing with the same success he had early in 2015. In his first game back against, at the time, No. 22 North Carolina, Chubb ran for 222 yards and two touchdowns. In the two games following Chubb has ran for a combined total of 143 yards and one touchdown. In those games, Georgia has won by a total of three points. When Nick Chubb is on his game, Georgia is at its best. When he is contained, Georgia is in trouble.

The Georgia Bulldogs travel to Oxford, Mississippi to play against Ole Miss in their SEC opener. The two schools both come in ranked, Georgia at No. 12 and Ole Miss at No. 23. A season that started with quiet a lot of hope for Ole Miss has turned into a disaster early. They have taken a loss to both Florida State and Alabama, basically taking them out of playoff contention by Week 4. For Georgia and Nick Chubb, they are still undefeated and trying to climb back into the top 10. If they are to remain unbeaten they will need a break out game from Chubb. This is exactly what they will get.

Chubb will want to re-introduce himself to the college football world. No better way than to win a huge SEC game on the road. For much of last year leading up to his injury, Chubb was a serious Heisman candidate. Chubb goes off against Ole Miss, rushing for 150 yards and 2 touchdowns. He leads Georgia past the Rebels and keeps them undefeated.

Sep 3, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers players celebrate defeating the LSU Tigers by doing the Lambeau Leap following the game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

3. Wisconsin upsets Michigan State by 3 points

Both Wisconsin and Michigan State came into the season with people not knowing totally what to expect. Through the first three weeks of the season, both teams have shown that they are capable of winning big games. Michigan State going to Notre Dame and pulling out the win and Wisconsin taking care of business at a neutral site that felt more like a home game against LSU.

No. 11 Wisconsin vs. No. 8 Michigan State will probably be the best game of the day. After only winning by two points against LSU in Week 1, Wisconsin will look to show that they are a legit team in college football. Luck is not on Wisconsin’s side as the last 7 of 8 meetings between the two programs has been won by the home team. Wisconsin also starts as 6-point underdogs, which will only get them more motivated to show that they are for real and that Week 1 wasn’t a fluke.

The Wisconsin defense will need to be just as solid as it was when they held Leonard Fournette without a touchdown. Along with great defense they will need good production from their now two-quarterback system with Bart Houston and Alex Hornibrook. Wisconsin also has three running backs who have all rushed for over 100 yards on the season. They also have three receivers who have all caught over 100 yards this season. If the Badgers can continue to run what appears to be a very all around and universally offense, Michigan State could be in trouble at home.

This game has the making to be low scoring as both teams sport good defenses. Whoever has the ball last will figure to come out with the win. In this case that will be Wisconsin winning by three and starting off Big Ten play with a huge road win at Michigan State and giving them a ton of confidence as they will have to travel to the Big House the following week.

Sep 1, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Cameron Sutton (23) motions to the crowd during the second half against the Appalachian State Mountaineers at Neyland Stadium. Tennessee won in overtime 20-13. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

2. Tennessee snaps losing streak to Florida

For a rivalry game that was first played back in 1916 and has been played annually since 1990, Florida vs. Tennessee hasn’t been much of a rivalry as of late. The Florida Gators have won the last 11 meetings dating back to when Tim Tebow was taking snaps and Urban Meyer roamed the sideline.

Every year as of late it seems that every one gets very hyped on Tennessee early. During SEC media day Tennessee gets thrown around as a possible dark horse or even as a good pick to win the SEC East division. Yet each year they seem to never quite meet the expectations put on them. This year is no different. Starting the year ranked No. 9 in the country, Tennessee pulled out a less than impressive victory at home over Appalachian State. Tennessee is now 3-0 and is going into their match up with the No. 19 Florida Gators. Florida has been the Vols’ achilles heel for the past 11 years. I see that changing this year.

Tennessee has good senior leadership at the most important position. Quarterback Joshua Dobbs knows how important this game is, not only for him but for the Tennessee football program. Taking a 12th straight loss to a division rival is something Tennessee can’t afford. Dobbs will look to avenge the 1-point loss Tennessee took last year in Gainsville while also getting his first win against Florida as Tennessee’s quarterback.

Look for Dobbs to make his presences felt early and often. He’ll throw for 200 yards and 3 touchdowns while also running in a score. This game will be at home and will also be this week’s home for College football GameDay. The timing seems right for Tennessee to break the streak.

Sep 17, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets running back Clinton Lynch (22) celebrates his touchdown catch with wide receiver Jalen Camp (80) during the fourth quarter of their game against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Bobby Dodd Stadium. The Yellow Jackets won 38-7. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

1. Georgia Tech upsets No. 5 Clemson

Clemson has yet to truly look like a championship team. Only beating Auburn by six and barely winning their home opener against Troy. Meanwhile Georgia Tech has won their first three games including a 31-point win over Vanderbilt and a win over Boston College, an ACC opponent.

Clemson’s offense has looked shaky to start the year. Lots of drops against Troy and not very stable play from their O-line have put Deshaun Watson in some tough spots real early in the year. Georgia Tech held Florida State to just 16 points last year, so they have the ability to pull the upset. Georgia Tech will count on the duel threat of quarterback Justin Thomas to provide enough offense for them to stick around with Clemson

Much like they did 2 years ago when they beat Clemson, Georgia Tech will rely on their defense to make big plays and keep the score low. If the defense is playing well then that means Clemson isn’t scoring. If the Justin Thomas and the offense can take care of the ball and keep it out of Deshaun Watson’s hands, then that means that Clemson isn’t scoring.

With Clemson’s big game with Louisville looming next week, their minds might be elsewhere this week. Everything is falling into place for Georgia Tech to pull the upset. All they have to do is play their game. This is easier said than done. If Clemson’s head is really elsewhere and thinking about next week, then Georgia Tech can win a rather close game.