Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 5
Next
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) /
1

Alabama Crimson Tide 4-0

Last week: Win at Vanderbilt, 59-0
Last rank: 1st

Remember when Vanderbilt looked legitimate and a team that could put up a defensive fight with Alabama? If you didn’t and saw Saturday’s game, then this might sound comical.

Alabama never let Vandy into the game from the start. It began with a 21-0 lead at the end of the first quarter and only continued. Six players ran for at least 40 yards during the game, with four of them over 50 and one over 100. Damien Harris had 151 yards and three touchdowns, while Bo Scarbrough had 79 yards and two scores. Even freshman sensation Najee Harris had 70 yards of his own.

Two different quarterbacks played and were effective, too. Most importantly, it led to a long look at freshman signal-caller Tua Tagovailoa. He completed eight of his 10 pass attempts for 103 yards and two touchdowns. The future is bright for this kid, but it will take plenty to knock off Jalen Hurts from the starting spot.

Outside of them, the defense excelled. They allowed just 38 passing yards and 40 on the ground. Anyone who propelled Vanderbilt to victory in the first three weeks was shut down and didn’t stand a chance. which made for an equally bad game on offense.

Next: College Football's 25 Best Rivalries

This performance showed there’s no chance of Alabama falling off the No. 1 ranking. They were overwhelming and deserve to keep their spot, at least for this week. It will be in jeopardy if Clemson knocks off another ranked team in Week 5, so that look for another powerful performance from Nick Saban’s squad against Mississippi.

Home/College Football Playoff