This article is part of our The Spread Offensive series.
I'm sorry, Florida State fans. Lamar Jackson is for real. Former Virginia Tech star quarterback Michael Vick, an electric dual-threat option even before his time in the NFL, says Jackson is five times better than he was in college. While I'd love to see Vick's math, there's no denying Jackson is taking college football by storm. He scored five times in Louisville's 63-20 rout over Florida State, then the No. 2 team in the country. It was the most points the Seminoles have ever given up in a game. Louisville has emerged as a legitimate title contender; nevertheless, the Cards have road games at Clemson and at Houston on their schedule, so let's not get ahead of ourselves.
Still, it is important to reiterate that this was not some patsy, not some cupcake opponent with no chance of matching Jackson's talent. FSU coach Jimbo Fisher has done a marvelous recruiting job during his time as the head man in Tallahassee, and the Noles are stacked on defense. Sure, safety Derwin James was missing, and he may be the best player on defense for Florida State. Still, one player does not a defense make, and certainly the 63 points put up by Jackson and the Cards should serve notice that James may not have had much of an impact anyway. Jackson had his way with one of the nation's best defensive fronts.
Meanwhile, the video-game numbers continued for Jackson. He has 18 total touchdowns through three games. Jackson has rushed for
I'm sorry, Florida State fans. Lamar Jackson is for real. Former Virginia Tech star quarterback Michael Vick, an electric dual-threat option even before his time in the NFL, says Jackson is five times better than he was in college. While I'd love to see Vick's math, there's no denying Jackson is taking college football by storm. He scored five times in Louisville's 63-20 rout over Florida State, then the No. 2 team in the country. It was the most points the Seminoles have ever given up in a game. Louisville has emerged as a legitimate title contender; nevertheless, the Cards have road games at Clemson and at Houston on their schedule, so let's not get ahead of ourselves.
Still, it is important to reiterate that this was not some patsy, not some cupcake opponent with no chance of matching Jackson's talent. FSU coach Jimbo Fisher has done a marvelous recruiting job during his time as the head man in Tallahassee, and the Noles are stacked on defense. Sure, safety Derwin James was missing, and he may be the best player on defense for Florida State. Still, one player does not a defense make, and certainly the 63 points put up by Jackson and the Cards should serve notice that James may not have had much of an impact anyway. Jackson had his way with one of the nation's best defensive fronts.
Meanwhile, the video-game numbers continued for Jackson. He has 18 total touchdowns through three games. Jackson has rushed for more than 100 yards in each of those first three contests. He rushed for four touchdowns two weeks ago. He rushed for four touchdowns again last week. He is about as shifty as they come running the ball, and the scary part is he only just may be scratching the surface of his potential in terms of passing.
There's a long way to go this season. The Cards have plenty of difficult games left on their schedule. That said, Jackson's ascension to college football superstardom should no longer be doubted after this rousing performance.
First Nominee for Best Game, Week 4: Wisconsin at Michigan State
While Jackson has gotten the pub, and rightly so, the Big Ten has made its case as the best conference in college football. Ohio State and Michigan join Wisconsin and Michigan State in the top 15 entering this weekend's games. Wisconsin beat LSU in Week 1, while Michigan State held on at Notre Dame in Week 3.
That sets up an undefeated clash between Bucky and Sparty in East Lansing. In a game that should be an epic defensive struggle, the running game will figure most prominently. Corey Clement is finally getting his chance to shine at running back for the Badgers, though he is listed as questionable for this weekend's tilt. His status will be a big storyline as the game creeps closer. Meanwhile, L.J. Scott has emerged as perhaps the next Le'Veon Bell for Michigan State.
These two teams have curiously not played since 2012. Which inexperienced quarterback can make the most plays (and limit mistakes) will determine the outcome of this clash.
Second Nominee for Best Game, Week 4: Florida at Tennessee
Is this the year the Vols finally exercise their demons? This bitter rivalry is on the schedule every season. Tennessee hasn't beaten Florida in 11 years. Yes, you read that correctly. Many of the losses have come in excruciating fashion. Last year was supposed to be the year the Vols topped the Gators, only to see UT's hearts ripped out from its still-beating chests yet again. Florida wideout Antonio Callaway hauled in a 63-yard touchdown with 1:26 left to give Florida the 28-27 lead. Quarterback Josh Dobbs got the Vols in field goal range. Kicker Aaron Medley missed a 55-yard try, only to have it called back when UF coach Jim McElwain called a field goal to ice the kicker. It was of no consequence, though, as Medley missed the second attempt too.
After the game, McElwain perhaps said it best in regard to how this rivalry has felt in recent years: "I think down deep, you just don't lose to Tennessee."
The stars could be aligning for the Vols, though. Tennessee is undefeated (despite two lackluster wins over non-Power 5 schools). In addition, Florida quarterback Luke Del Rio is unlikely to play due to a knee injury. That would leave former Purdue starter Austin Appleby as the man under center. Appleby has a lackluster 19:19 TD:INT for his collegiate career.
However, Florida's defense has been lights out to begin the year, allowing 14 points through three games. Expect a low-scoring contest with the winner likely the offense which can run the ball most effectively.
The "No Heisman Has Ever Been Awarded in September" Rankings
1. Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville - See gushing above.
2. Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford - The preseason favorites made their mark this weekend. McCaffrey racked up 260 all-purpose yards, including 165 on the ground, in the 27-10 win over USC. Perhaps no player is more valuable to his squad than C-Mac.
3. J.T. Barrett, QB, Ohio State - Barrett made mincemeat of the Oklahoma defense on the road in Norman, completing 14-of-20 throws and finding the end zone four times. Barrett has quietly racked up 13 total touchdowns through three games.
4. DeShone Kizer, QB, Notre Dame - A 1-2 record will hurt Kizer's case, though he still passed for 344 yards and scored four total touchdowns against one of the best defenses in the country in Michigan State.
5. Jake Browning, QB, Washington - How about some love for the Huskies? A top-10 ranking and 12 passing touchdowns through three games should get Browning some pub, though admittedly they haven't played anyone yet (sorry Rutgers).
Others receiving "votes:" Leonard Fournette, Deshaun Watson, Mark Walton, Davis Webb, James Washington, Jabrill Peppers
Fantasy Recommendations of the Week
Kani Benoit, RB, Oregon - How serious is the injury to Royce Freeman? Backup Tony Brooks-James scored three times for the Ducks in the absence of Freeman at Nebraska on Saturday, but it was Benoit who led the Ducks in rushing. He flashed his homerun threat ability in rushing six times for 100 yards and a touchdown. The Ducks face a Colorado squad this weekend that surrendered 168 yards and three scores on the ground to Michigan in their last game.
Mitch Trubisky, QB, UNC - After a rough opening loss to Georgia, Trubisky bounced back with seven touchdowns over the next two tilts. North Carolina faces Pitt this weekend; the Panthers have been surprisingly lackluster on the defensive end, allowing 39 points to Penn State and then 45 points to Oklahoma State. Expect Trubisky to have his way with the Panthers; senior wideout Mack Hollins has scored in consecutive games and also makes for a sneaky play.
Noel Thomas, WR, UConn - The Huskies are not know for their passing prowess, but Thomas has snared 26 passes for 277 yards and a touchdown through three games. The Huskies play host to Syracuse this weekend, with the Orange having surrendered a staggering 107 points in their last two contests.
Next Week: Why is everyone dropping the ball before the goal line? There are no style points for epically failing to score a touchdown.
