Let us call it "legitimacy week".
For many of the teams in Week 4, this was a chance to find out if they were true contenders or pretenders. As expected, this turned out to be one of the most compelling weeks of the season, and we are still getting started.
So, let us recap what we learned.
What Did We Learn From Week 4?
It is really simple. Coach Prime and the Colorado Buffaloes ran into a team that was too big, too strong, and on a different level. The Oregon Ducks proved why they should be considered one of the top three teams in college football. Think of it: before the midway point of the second quarter, it was already 21-0. Even if the Buffaloes had Travis Hunter, they likely would not have stood a chance. It's time for Coach Prime's team to regroup and move on rather than dwell on the lopsided score.
In the case of Ohio State, they are fortunate to have the type of run offense that camouflages the many deficiencies of their quarterback, Kyle McCord. Even with the loss, Notre Dame is better in the long run with Hartman than the Buckeyes with McCord. PS: Ryan Day's postgame speech after the game was inspiring.
If there is any consolation for the Clemson Tigers, we know for certain they could hang with one of the top teams in the nation. What is unsettling is the manner in which they lost this game after being in total control before halftime. As it stands, the Seminoles may very well be the new kings of the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Then again, the Miami Hurricanes may have a say to the throne in the ACC after their impressive win over Temple. Tyler Van Dyke was on fire again, and the defense relegated the Owls offense to just 11 rushing yards. Mario Cristobal has done it again.
Either Penn State is really that good or Iowa is just terrible at producing offensively. Either way, the Nittany Lions are a very dangerous team and are arguably the most balanced team in the Big Ten Conference.
Cameron Ward may be the best quarterback in the nation that few mention. Coming into his contest against Oregon State, he held the longest streak of pass attempts without an interception. On this occasion, he threw for over 400 yards and four touchdowns without an interception. Washington State is lucky to have him because he is an exceptional talent.
Arkansas is one of those teams whose record isn't a fair reflection of their overall talent. The Razorbacks may have lost, but they gave LSU all they could handle. The combination of Jayden Daniels and Malik Nabers is a force to be reckoned with.
While the Big Ten focuses on teams like Michigan and Penn State, Maryland continues to stack wins. Taulia Tagovailoa and his crew made quick work of Michigan State this weekend.
Well, get this: Georgia State is 4-0 and beat a good Coastal Carolina team. Could they be bound to make the AP Top 25? They certainly look like it.
Speaking of 4-0 teams, Air Force continues to run the read/zone option down the throats of opposing defenses and continues to win. It may be ugly football, but it works.
Michigan beat Rutgers. The only thing worth noting is that Jim Harbaugh is back from his suspension.
Jalen Milroe should be Alabama's quarterback going forward. Is he elite? No, but he wins games for Nick Saban. On a side note, the Crimson Tide defense is the real deal; Dallas Turner is arguably the best pass rusher in the nation.
Dillon Gabriel is the heartbeat of the Oklahoma Sooners. In a game that seemed so close at the beginning, his ability to take over was too much for Cincinnati to handle. As long as he stays healthy, this year's Sooners could make a case for a spot in the playoffs.
The Louisville Cardinals deserve a lot more attention than they are receiving. In addition to being 4-0, their offense is as efficient as any in the nation. The tandem of Jawhar Jordan and Jamari Thrash is one of the best in college football and should have everyone on notice.
Week 4 Top Performers
Gold Standard Performers -
QB Cameron Ward - Washington State
RB DJ Gibbons - Kansas State
WR Xavier Legette - South Carolina
QB Dillon Gabriel - Oklahoma State
QB Jace Bauer - Central Michigan
LB Danny Stutsman - Oklahoma
TE Brock Bowers - Georgia
LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr. - Clemson
RB Peny Boone - Missouri
DB Maxwell Hairston - Kentucky
RB Jalen Buckley - Western Michigan
DE Jonah Elliss - Utah
DE Solomon Byrd - USC
QB Jack Plummer - Louisville
LB Dallas Turner - Alabama
QB Jayden Daniels - LSU
Offense -
QB Jordan Travis - Florida State
WR Malik Washington - Virginia
QB Caleb Williams - USC
WR Josh Kelly - Washington State
WR Kyle Williams - Washington State
QB Michael Penix jr. - Washington
QB Joe Milton III - Tennessee
RB Ashton Jeanty - Boise State
WR Brian Thomas Jr. - LSU
WR Malik Nabers - LSU
RB Will Shipley - Clemson
RB Eric Butler - Air Force
WR Troy Franklin - Oregon
QB Rocco Becht - Iowa State
QB Taulia Tagovailoa - Maryland
RB Jawhar Jordan - Louisville
WR Keon Coleman - Florida State
WR Ja'lynn Polk - Washington
WR Rome Odunze - Washington
RB Braelon Allen - Wisconsin
WR Kevin Concepcion - NC State
Defense -
LB Kalen DeLoach - Florida State
S Andre Sam - LSU
LB Nick Jackson - Iowa
LB Tackett Curtis - USC
S Eric Butler - San Diego State
DE Romello Height - USC
CB Cobee Bryant - Kansas
LB Harold Perkins Jr. - LSU
DL Austin Booker - Kansas
DT Aeneas Peebles - Duke
DL Tim Smith - Alabama
CB Ricardo Hallman - Wisconsin
DB Evan Williams - Oregon
EDGE Chris Braswell - Alabama
LB Jeremiah Peters - Toledo
DE Jordan Burch - Oregon
LB Namdi Obiazor - TCU
DE Deshawn Holt - Toledo