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College Football Playoff Rankings 2017: Projected top four after Week 4

By Rob Wolkenbrod

NASHVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 23: Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide runs onto the field with his team prior to a game against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the first half at Vanderbilt Stadium on September 23, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 23: Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide runs onto the field with his team prior to a game against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the first half at Vanderbilt Stadium on September 23, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /
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Heisman Trophy Watch - Saquon Barkley
IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 23: Running back Saquon Barkley #26 of the Penn State Nittany Lions rushes up field during the first quarter past defensive back Miles Taylor #19 of the Iowa Hawkeyes on September 23, 2017 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /
4

Penn State Nittany Lions 4-0

Last week: Win at Iowa, 21-19
Last rank: 4th

A Penn State vs. Iowa game will always be tough. That was seen on Saturday night, as the Hawkeyes took the Nittany Lions to the brink. It was 19-13, until the PSU offense led a late drive down the field and scored on a Trace McSorely touchdown pass as time expired. He hit seven of 11 pass attempts for 68 yards and the score to close the game.

If Penn State failed on that final play, their College Football Playoff chances would be slim, unless they tore through the rest of their schedule. However, they won by a thread and remain at the No 4 spot. That’s despite USC’s 10-point win over Cal.

Through four games, the Lions were all about running back Saquon Barkley. He carried the offense on Saturday night, with 211 rushing yards and 94 receiving yards (11 receptions). His Heisman campaign was boosted significantly here, and arguably made him the favorite to win in December, if that wasn’t the case already.

Barkley is a special player that will be the backbone of Penn State, if they make the College Football Playoff. He’ll run their way into the postseason. It hinges on games against Michigan and Ohio State, which come back-to-back on Oct. 21 and 28. If James Franklin’s team survives, then a College Football Playoff spot will be locked up.

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