2012 » minors.Cessa made an impressive debut in Ne

College football is off to a roaring start, with a Kickoff Week for the ages and a Week 5 that ... well, its one for the ages too. Week 5 is the first time since 1978 that weve had three conference matchups of top-10 teams and the first time since 2002 that weve seen three top-10 games of any kind on the same Saturday.That means a slew of stars will collide on the field this Saturday. What better time to reboot our preseason #CFBrank and see how our experts assess the nations best players after the first month of the season?We asked 10 writers to grade players from across the country on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the best early season performance possible. We ended up with a clear No. 1 player, a guy who has scored 25 touchdowns in four games and netted 10 perfect 10 scores from our panel.After Louisvilles breakout Lamar Jackson, though, things got interesting. Here are our top 50 players after four weeks.Lamar Jackson Louisville Cardinals Sophomore | Quarterback Score: 10.0 Preseason rank: 51Jackson has scored 25 total touchdowns this year (13 passing, 12 rushing), emerging as a top Heisman candidate through four games. He has more touchdowns than 123 FBS teams. -- Andrea AdelsonChristian McCaffrey Stanford Cardinal Junior | Running back Score: 9.6 Preseason rank: 3Through three games (the Cardinal had a Week 2 bye), McCaffrey is leading the Pac-12 with an average of 145.3 rushing yards per game. With three rushing touchdowns and a fourth receiving TD, hes the centerpiece of the offense in the run and pass game, with a team-high 12 catches for 119 yards. -- Kevin GemmellMyles Garrett Texas A&M Aggies Junior | Defensive lineman Score: 9.5 Preseason rank: 5The junior defensive end is off to a solid start pressuring the passer this season. He has picked up three sacks, five tackles for loss and six quarterback hurries in the Aggies first four games. --Sam Khan Jr.Jabrill Peppers Michigan Wolverines Junior | Linebacker Score: 9.4 Preseason rank: 9Michigan players have run out of adjectives for the versatile sophomore linebacker. Whenever he wows the team now, they just turn to one another and say, Jabrill is really good at football. With the most tackles for loss and punt return yards in the nation through four weeks, Peppers teammates have had a lot of reasons to say that recently. -- Dan MurphyJ.T. Barrett Ohio State Buckeyes Junior | Quarterback Score: 9.3 Preseason rank: 12Completely healthy and unchallenged as the starter, Barrett is again breaking records while leading Ohio States high-octane offense. With 10 touchdown passes already, its just a matter of time before he becomes the most prolific passer in the schools storied history. -- Austin WardJonathan Allen Alabama Crimson Tide Senior | Defensive lineman? Score: 9.2 Preseason rank: 15Coming back for another season seems like a risk worth taking, now that Allen is playing even better than he did the past season. Not only has he continued to play well against the run, but he has also already tallied three sacks and four quarterback hurries. -- Alex ScarboroughArden Key LSU Tigers Sophomore | Defensive end Score: 9.1 Preseason rank: 60Key said before the season that he wants to record 20 sacks this season, and we laughed. Maybe it wasnt so funny after all. The LSU sophomore leads the SEC with 6.5 sacks through four games, so hes right on pace. -- David ChingGreg Ward Jr. Houston Cougars Senior | Quarterback Score: 9.05 Preseason rank: 27Ward has been the catalyst for Houstons high-powered offense that has the No. 6 Cougars at 4-0, starting with an upset of Oklahoma. He has thrown for five TDs and run for three more so far this season.Derwin James Florida State Seminoles Sophomore | Defensive back Score: 9.0 Preseason rank: 16James got hurt in Week 2 against Charleston Southern, and his absence has made it abundantly clear how valuable he is. Without him, the Seminoles struggled defensively against Louisville and USF. -- Andrea AdelsonDerek Barnett Tennessee Volunteers Junior | Defensive end Score: 8.95 Preseason rank: 23His typical sack total isnt there yet, but Barnett has been a regular presence in opponents backfields. The Tennessee defensive end ranks fourth in the SEC with six tackles for loss and is always priority No. 1 for opposing tackles. -- David ChingDeMarcus Walker Florida State Seminoles Senior | Defensive end Score: 8.9 Preseason rank: 61Walker is tied for the ACC lead with 5.5 sacks, and 4.5 of them came in a comeback win over Ole Miss. He has been the most consistent lineman for the Seminoles this season. -- Andrea AdelsonPat Elflein Ohio State Buckeyes Senior | Offensive lineman Score: 8.85 Preseason rank: 25The move from guard to center has perhaps gone even better than the Buckeyes imagined. There have been no issues with Elfleins snapping, his surgically repaired shoulder is back to full strength, and his veteran leadership has been invaluable for a unit with three new starters on the line. -- Austin WardMalik McDowell Michigan State Spartans Junior | Defensive lineman Score: 8.8 Preseason rank: 24The massive middle of Michigan States defensive line is a game plan-altering force for anyone who faces the Spartans. McDowells eight tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss dont tell the full story of how much he can affect a game. -- Dan MurphyRaekwon McMillan Ohio State Buckeyes Junior | Linebacker Score: 8.75 Preseason rank: 17The steady centerpiece of one of the nations toughest defenses continues to be a tackling machine, making the most of any play that comes his way. A couple blowouts have given McMillan breathers late in games, but he has still racked up 20 tackles and a forced fumble already for the Buckeyes. -- Austin WardDesmond King Iowa Hawkeyes Senior | Defensive back Score: 8.7 Preseason rank: 8Opponents have mostly given up on throwing the ball in Kings direction. The senior has 19 tackles through four games and has broken up two passes. Hes also averaging 30 yards per kick return, on which its harder to keep the ball away from him. -- Dan MurphyEvan Engram Ole Miss Rebels Senior | Tight end Score: 8.65 Preseason rank: UnrankedEverybody talked up Alabamas O.J. Howard after last seasons national championship game, but its Engram who leads all tight ends nationally with 26 receptions, 397 yards and three touchdowns through the first four games. -- Greg OstendorfDevonte Fields Louisville Cardinals Senior | Linebacker Score: 8.6 Preseason rank: 45Fields has been a big reason the Louisville defense has been so dominant in the early part of the season. So far, he has 20 tackles, two sacks and a team-high three pass breakups. -- Andrea AdelsonEddie Jackson Alabama Crimson Tide Senior | Defensive back Score: 8.55 Preseason rank: 33The senior has emerged as the heart and soul of the Alabama secondary. He has also become quite the playmaker, with a pick-six and a punt return for a touchdown. -- Alex ScarboroughDalvin Cook Florida State Seminoles Junior | Running back Score: 8.5 Preseason rank: 4Cook got off to a slow start but posted his best game of the season against USF, running for 267 yards and two touchdowns. It was his first game this season with 100 or more yards rushing. -- Andrea AdelsonCarl Lawson Auburn Tigers Junior | Defensive lineman Score: 8.45 Preseason rank: 31Fully healthy, Lawson has been a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks this season. Through the first four games, he has eight QB hurries and three sacks, including a critical one at the end of Saturdays game against LSU. -- Greg OstendorfMalik Hooker Ohio State Buckeyes Sophomore | Defensive back Score: 8.4 Preseason rank: UnrankedThere might not be a first-time starter anywhere in the country who has burst onto the scene quite like the game-changing safety has for the Buckeyes. The Ohio State secondary could have easily battled growing pains after losing three starters to the NFL draft, but Hooker was apparently just biding his time. He has nabbed three interceptions and a touchdown return in just three games. -- Austin WardTeez Tabor Florida Gators Junior | Defensive back Score: 8.35 Preseason rank: 20He didnt have his best day against Tennessee, but its hard to deny that Tabor ranks among the SECs top cornerbacks. Tabor has picked off two passes and broken up one in three games for a star-studded Florida secondary. -- David ChingDeshaun Watson Clemson Tigers Junior | Quarterback Score: 8.3 Preseason rank: 1Through four games, we have not yet seen the best out of Watson, though he did throw for more than 300 yards against Georgia Tech. His production in the run game is down compared to where it was a year ago. -- Andrea AdelsonLeonard Fournette LSU Tigers Junior | Running back Score: 8.25 Preseason rank: 2He isnt even healthy, and Fournette still leads the SEC in rushing. Against Wisconsin, Fournette reinjured the ankle he hurt during preseason practice. Even so, hes averaging 128.7 rushing yards per game and is one of the lone bright spots for LSUs offense. -- David ChingBen Boulware Clemson Tigers Senior | Linebacker Score: 8.2 Preseason rank: UnrankedBoulware has been the heart of another top-notch Clemson D, with 23 tackles in three games (he missed one because of an injury). Clemson ranks No. 1 in total defense. -- Andrea AdelsonTreDavious White Auburn Tigers Senior | Defensive back Score: 8.15 Preseason rank: 35White seems to have made a good decision by returning for his senior season. He ranks among the SECs top cover corners and has already scored two touchdowns, one after an interception and one on an amazing, 60-yard punt return. -- David ChingDonnel Pumphrey San Diego State Senior | Running back Score: 8.1 Preseason rank: 90Pumphrey is finally getting some well-deserved Heisman hype. He leads the nation with 599 rushing yards, is averaging a robust 8.2 yards per carry and has found the end zone seven times. Fun note: Pumphreys 199.76 yards per game average is more than that of 83 FBS teams. As his own team, hed rank 46th nationally. He wears on opponents, as 400 of his 599 yards have come in the second half. -- Kevin GemmellPatrick Mahomes II Texas Tech Junior | Quarterback Score: 8.05 Preseason rank: 42Mahomes is putting up monster numbers, with 1,493 passing yards, 18 total touchdowns and just two interceptions. If he can win some big games, hell be in the Heisman hunt. -- Max OlsonCalvin Ridley Alabama Crimson Tide Sophomore | Wide receiver Score: 8.0 Preseason rank: 14After a slow start against USC, the former Freshman All-American is back on track, as he leads Alabama in receptions (20) and receiving yards (224). As the passing game picks up steam under true freshman QB Jalen Hurts, so should Ridleys numbers. -- Alex ScarboroughChristian Wilkins Clemson Tigers Sophomore | Defensive lineman Score: 7.95 Preseason rank: 85Wilkins has shown his versatility for the Tigers, playing both defensive end and defensive tackle with exceptional results. He has five tackles for loss, two sacks and four quarterback pressures. -- Andrea AdelsonAdoree Jackson USC Trojans Junior | Defensive back Score: 7.9 Preseason rank: 21The do-it-all Jackson has been one of the few bright spots for the Trojans this year. As a defensive back, hes fourth on the team with 19 stops, an interception and one recovered fumble. But his impact has really been felt on special teams, where he has returned a punt and a kickoff for touchdowns. He has been quiet offensively, with no catches and one rush for 11 yards. -- Kevin GemmellChad Kelly Ole Miss Rebels Senior | Quarterback Score: 7.85 Preseason rank: 40After the first month of the season, Kelly is behind Missouris Drew Lock in passing yards (1,235) and touchdowns (12), but considering the caliber of opponents Kelly has faced, its hard to argue that Kelly isnt still the SECs best quarterback. -- Greg OstendorfMike Williams Clemson Tigers Junior | Wide receiver Score: 7.8 Preseason rank: 48Williams returned after missing nearly all of the past season because of a neck injury, and he leads the Tigers with 303 yards receiving. He has one touchdown catch on the season. -- Andrea AdelsonSeth Russell Baylor Bears Senior | Quarterback Score: 7.75 Preseason rank: 36Russell came back strong from his neck injury and has the Bears rolling at 4-0, with 1,294 total yards and 14 touchdowns. He is now 12-0 as a starter. -- Max OlsonJake Butt Michigan Wolverines Senior | Tight end Score: 7.7 Preseason rank: 54Butts first two catches of the season were touchdowns. Since then, he has led Michigans passing attack with 19 catches for 234 yards through four games. He has proven to be the reliable, middle-of-the-field threat the Wolverines expected. -- Dan MurphyMarshon Lattimore Ohio State Buckeyes Sophomore | Defensive back Score: 7.65 Preseason rank: UnrankedThe Buckeyes have long raved about Lattimores potential impact in the secondary, if he could just stay healthy, and he has more than lived up to the billing through three games at full strength to open the season. With three interceptions and a touchdown to Lattimores credit, testing him has been a bad idea for opposing quarterbacks. -- Austin WardDan Feeney Indiana Hoosiers Senior | Offensive lineman Score: 7.6 Preseason rank: 37Indianas stalwart offensive lineman suffered a concussion in the first half of his second game of the year. He didnt play in a loss to Wake Forest the following week, and his status for Saturday is still up in the air. -- Dan MurphyNick Chubb Georgia Bulldogs Junior | Running back Score: 7.55 Preseason rank: 11Chubb failed to break the 100-yard mark in the past three games, but Georgias opener against North Carolina was an instant reminder of his greatness. He ran for 222 yards and two touchdowns against the Tar Heels in his return from injury. -- David ChingRoyce Freeman Oregon Ducks Junior | Running back Score: 7.5 Preseason rank: 7A leg injury has slowed Freeman this season. But when healthy, he has been efficient per usual. Hes averaging 8.8 yards per carry with 325 yards and four rushing touchdowns. Despite missing almost two full games, hes still among the Pac-12 leaders in rushing and one of just two backs in the league who averages more than 100 yards per contest. -- Kevin GemmellJosh Reynolds Texas A&M Aggies Senior | Wide receiver Score: 7.45 Preseason rank: UnrankedReynolds has quietly had a stellar opening month to the season, with 17 receptions (tied for third in the SEC) for 370 yards (also third) and three touchdowns. When accounting for games against only Power 5 opponents, no SEC receiver has more yards than Reynolds (317). -- Sam Khan Jr.James Washington Oklahoma State Cowboys Junior | Wide receiver Score: 7.4 Preseason rank: UnrankedOne of the games best home-run threats has 488 receiving yards on just 25 catches, including a 296-yard performance against Pitt. -- Max OlsonMarquis Haynes Ole Miss Rebels Junior | Defensive lineman Score: 7.35 Preseason rank: UnrankedHaynes does not receive as much attention as the SECs top pass rushers, but he should. Blessed with dynamic speed off the edge, Haynes already has two sacks, three tackles for loss and a forced fumble. --?David ChingJake Browning Washington Huskies Sophomore | Quarterback Score: 7.3 Preseason rank: 93Washingtons offense rolled through a weak nonconference schedule, and Browning didnt play down to the competition. The Huskies hit a road bump in their first conference game against Arizona but still emerged 4-0. Through four games, Browning has been stellar, tossing 14 touchdowns and just two interceptions while completing 70.5 percent of his throws. -- Kevin GemmellChad Hansen California Golden Bears Junior | Wide receiver Score: 7.25 Preseason rank: UnrankedHansen is the national leader with 50 catches (a whopping 12.5 per game) so far, and he already has 656 receiving yards and six touchdowns, tied for second nationally. Within the conference, hes miles ahead of any other receiver. Hansen averages 164 yards per game; the next is 96.2. -- Kevin GemmellTommy Armstrong Jr. Nebraska Cornhuskers Senior | Quarterback Score: 7.2 Preseason rank: UnrankedOne of the best offensive Big Ten players of the season thus far, Armstrong has contributed 12 touchdowns and more than 1,000 yards of offense so far. Hes leading an undefeated team that is averaging nearly 40 points per game. -- Dan MurphyCurtis Samuel Ohio State Buckeyes Junior | Running back Score: 7.15 Preseason rank: UnrankedMost of the attention might focus on quarterback J.T. Barrett, but Samuels versatility has perhaps made him every bit as valuable for the explosive Buckeyes. Samuel leads Ohio State in receptions after lining up at receiver, he has been more involved as a rusher, with 32 carries already, and hes even taking snaps as a Wildcat quarterback as part of his impressive start to the season. -- Austin WardKD Cannon Baylor Bears Junior | Wide receiver Score: 7.1 Preseason rank: 71Cannon has been slowed by a groin injury but has still put up 360 receiving yards and four scores in limited action. -- Max OlsonJayon Brown UCLA Bruins Senior | Linebacker Score: 7.05 Preseason rank: UnrankedBrown picked up right where he left off the past season, when he was plugged in as Myles Jacks replacement and flourished. He leads the Bruins with 33 tackles, including 23 solo. He also has a sack and 1.5 tackles for a loss. He has been extremely effective in coverage, where he has broken up three passes. -- Kevin GemmellCordrea Tankersley Clemson Tigers Sophomore | Wide receiver Score: 7.0 Preseason rank: UnrankedTankersley has drawn praise from coach Dabo Swinney for his ability to match up one-on-one. He leads the team with four pass breakups. -- Andrea AdelsonKalen Ballage Arizona State Sun Devils Junior | Running back Score: 6.95 Preseason rank: UnrankedBallage fit a career into one game. Against Texas Tech, he matched an NCAA record by scoring eight touchdowns, including seven on the ground, as the Sun Devils won 68-55 in an offensive extravaganza. But Ballage isnt trading on that one game. He has also scored against UTSA and Northern Arizona, which gives him 10 touchdowns in four games. -- Kevin GemmellAuthentic Under Armour UK . 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Cheap Under Armour Shoes UK For Sale .Y. -- Buffalo Bills coach Doug Marrone has drawn on his Syracuse connections once again by hiring Rob Moore to take over as receivers coach.NEW YORK -- In three weeks, Gary Sanchez has helped the New York Yankees stay within striking distance in the race for the American League wild card.Sanchez and the Yankees get an opportunity to inch closer to a team holding one of the wild-card spots when they open a three-game series with the Baltimore Orioles on Friday night at Yankee Stadium.The Yankees will face the Orioles in each of the next two weekends and begin 4 1/2 games out of the second wild-card spot.When Sanchez was promoted from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes Barre, the Yankees were 53-53 and 5 1/2 games behind the Boston Red Sox for the second wild-card spot. Their smallest deficit since Sanchez was called up was 3 1/2 games from Aug. 11-13.Since his promotion, Sanchez has hit nine home runs and New York has won 12 of its last 20 games to get to 65-61. Sanchezs latest home run occurred during Wednesdays 5-0 win in Seattle, which capped a 4-2 West Coast trip.Sanchez has become the Yankees regular catcher while moving veteran Brian McCann to being the regular designated hitter. After his latest home run, Sanchez is batting .389 with an OPS of 1,297.You feel like hes going to hit the ball hard is what you feel, New York manager Joe Girardi said. And youre not sure where its going to end up but you feel like hes going to hit the ball real hard. Hes been locked in and its been fun to watch.Sanchez is one of five major leaguers since 1913 with nine or more home runs in his first 21 games. He also is one of nine with 15 or more extra bases in his first 21 games.As much as fans enjoy hearing those things, none of those accolades matter to Sanchez.I understand it, but the focus is not about me, its about winning games here, Sanchez said through a translator. Thats where my focus is, go out there, play hard and win some games.The Yankees did some winning in their last encounter with the Orioles by taking the first three games by a 14-2 margin before Chris Tillman pitched seven outstanding innings in Baltimores 4-1 win on July 21.To demonstrate how much has changed since those games, 10 players who were on New Yorks active roster will not be with the team Friday due to injuries, demotions or trades.Baltimore moved into first place with its second series win against the Yankees June 3-5 but when it left the Bronx it was a half-game out of first place. Thhe Orioles (70-57) have spent 111 days in first place, have not held a share of the division lead since Aug.dddddddddddd 15 and trail the Blue Jays and Red Sox by one game.The Orioles dropped 2 1/2 games out when it gave up 32 runs in a three-game sweep by the Houston Astros last weekend. Baltimore recovered decently by scoring 22 times in taking three of four against the Washington Nationals.Chris Davis, Manny Machado, Jonathan Schoop and Mark Trumbo homered in the series. The quartet has combined for 118 of Baltimores major league-leading 197 home runs. Neither player connected Thursday as the Orioles struck out 10 times and mustered three hits in a 4-0 loss.Good series for us, Baltimore center fielder Adam Jones said. We took it to a good team and tonight they took it to us. I think overall it was a good series. We played well. Pitchers threw the ball extremely well. Now lets go to New York and do the same thing. Important series.Jones had one of those hits before leaving with a leg cramp but he said he expects to play Friday.Jones and the Orioles will be healthier than their last visit to New York when a flu bug hit the team and forced Machado, Davis and Showalter to miss games.While Sanchez is part of the Yankees attempt to get younger bats in their lineup, Luis Cessa is making his second career start out of necessity. Cessa and Chad Green are in the Yankees rotation because Nathan Eovaldi is having elbow surgery and Luis Severino is in the minors.Cessa made an impressive debut in New Yorks rotation last Saturday when he allowed two hits in six shutout innings during a 5-1 win at the Los Angeles Angels.For all its prowess at the plate, Baltimore has struggled on the mound at times by posting a 4.38 ERA. Those struggles include Yovani Gallardo, who starts Friday and has a 5.08 ERA.Gallardo is 1-4 with a 4.66 ERA in his last 10 starts though he has pitched decently in four starts this month. Gallardo has allowed three earned runs or less in four straight starts, including Sunday against Houston when he allowed three earned runs and seven hits in seven innings.Gallardo faced the Yankees July 20 in New York and allowed four runs and five hits in seven innings of a 5-0 loss. ' ' '