Mel & Todd's top four after the top four

Throughout the college football season, Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay kick off each week by settling a debate, looking at emerging NFL prospects and peeking ahead to next week. This week's topic: After the current top four of Alabama, Ohio State, Michigan and Clemson, what should 5-8 look like?

Top four after the top four

Kiper

1 (5). Washington: The Huskies looked dreadful in a home loss to USC, but they bounced back and rolled Arizona State on Saturday. Now the Apple Cup sets up as the play-in game for the Pac-12 title game. If the Huskies win, they're in, and could get a rematch with the Trojans, who need Colorado to lose in order to win the Pac-12 South. If Washington beats Wazzu and either Colorado or USC, the Huskies have to be in the College Football Playoff.

2 (6). Wisconsin: Michigan and Ohio State are getting all of the publicity in the Big Ten, but watch out for the Badgers. A path to the playoff could still be paved. They need to beat Minnesota at home this weekend, and then wait out the Big Ten East race. They'll face Penn State, Michigan or Ohio State in the Big Ten title game.

3 (7). Oklahoma: With eight wins in a row, and coming off an impressive blowout victory at West Virginia, the Sooners are one of the hottest teams in the country. The offense is much improved after early losses to Houston and Ohio State, though the defense is still suspect. Is there a better QB-WR combo in the country than Baker Mayfield and Dede Westbrook? Westbrook can fly. The Sooners have an outside shot at the playoff, but they need some help, and they need to win Bedlam at home against Oklahoma State in two weeks.

4 (8). USC: Yes, the Trojans beat Washington, but they have three losses and the Huskies have one. I can't put USC over Washington here, though the Trojans have turned things around after a 1-3 start, winning seven straight. Quarterback Sam Darnold is a big reason why. The freshman has a bright future. No one wants to play USC right now. However, it needs Colorado to blow it at home versus Utah to have a shot at the Pac-12 title.

McShay

1 (5). Wisconsin: Wisconsin's offense doesn't stack up with any of the top-four teams, but its defense is outstanding. The Badgers have allowed just one team (Ohio State) to score more than 20 points on them this season, and they really have no weaknesses on that side of the ball. They rank in the top 10 in Total QBR allowed and rushing yards per game allowed.

2 (6). USC: All three of the Trojans' losses came in September against top-25 teams away from home (Alabama, Stanford and Utah). Darnold replaced Max Browne as the starter in that Utah game and the offense has ignited under his leadership. USC is averaging 37.4 yards per game over their past seven contests (all victories), and the defense has shown a ton of improvement after a lackluster start.

3 (7). Washington: Yes, I know USC has two more losses than Washington, but the Trojans beat the Huskies head-to-head in Seattle, and Washington has played a pretty weak overall schedule. Washington is strong in the trenches and balanced on offense. The Huskies have probably their toughest road game all year this Saturday (at Washington State) with a trip to the Pac-12 title game on the line.

4 (8). Oklahoma: This was a close call between Oklahoma and Colorado for me. Both teams had really impressive wins this past Saturday -- the Sooners blew out West Virginia on the road and Colorado upended Washington State at home. I like the way Bob Stoops' team rebounded after losing two of its first three games (Houston and Ohio State).

Prospect on the rise

Kiper: Caleb Brantley, DT, Florida

Brantley's performance Saturday in the Gators' win over LSU was what I had been waiting for all season from him. He blew up the talented Tigers offensive line on several occasions and was a huge part of the upset victory. He had three tackles for loss and a forced fumble -- the first of his career -- which came when LSU had a first-and-goal in the second quarter. A fourth-year junior, Brantley's issue is consistency. At 6-foot-2, 300 pounds, he flashes the upside and talent of a top-10 pick. But he only had 3.5 tackles for loss in the previous nine games this season, and he isn't dependably disruptive. Brantley could be a bigger name in the NFL than he was in college. He'll be in the next update of my Big Board.

McShay: Dede Westbrook, WR, Oklahoma

Westbrook struggled early this season while playing on a gimpy hamstring, but he has 100-plus receiving yards in seven of his past eight games, totaling 15 TDs during that span. The speedster is averaging 19.3 yards per catch this season, and he showed off his big-play ability against West Virginia with a 75-yard touchdown. Westbrook finds a bunch of ways to contribute -- as a receiver, an occasional rusher and a returner (he has one punt return for a touchdown this season).

Almost famous

Kiper: DeAngelo Henderson, RB, Coastal Carolina

With 4,500 rushing yards and 57 rushing touchdowns in his career, Henderson has off-the-charts production for the Chanticleers. He also has six receiving TDs on 95 career catches. At 5-8, 205 pounds, Henderson packs a punch. He has quick feet and speed to get to the perimeter. He can break some tackles and rack up yards after the catch. He's a patient runner, and that's helped by his low running base (he disappears behind blockers sometimes). His receiving skills stand out, too. That's where he's really valuable. Dealing with an injured shoulder this season, he still has more than 1,000 rushing yards and 17 total touchdowns. One drawback for Henderson is he's not a kick returner, so he's not as valuable as other small backs. Coastal Carolina has a history of running backs getting drafted (the Ravens took Lorenzo Taliaferro in the fourth round of the 2014 draft). I think Henderson is in that range for next year's draft.

McShay: Justin Crawford, RB, West Virginia

The Mountaineers might have lost to Oklahoma, but don't overlook Crawford's breakout performance. The junior college transfer posted 331 yards rushing, by far the highest total of his young West Virginia career. While he's not much of a threat as a pass-catcher, Crawford is a big-play rusher, producing nearly 14 yards per carry this past Saturday and 7.6 ypc for the season.

The big question for next week

Kiper: Who will win the battle of the trenches in the Iron Bowl?

Auburn averages 297.8 rushing yards per game, while Alabama averages 249.8. The Tigers allow 117.7 rushing yards per game, while the Crimson Tide allow a ridiculous 68.9, which is No. 1 in the nation by almost 25 yards. Auburn's only chance in this game is to have success running the ball. Alabama's defense is so dominant. There are some great matchups to keep an eye on. Auburn guard Braden Smith vs. Alabama defensive linemen Jonathan Allen and Dalvin Tomlinson. Auburn defensive tackle Montravius Adams vs. the interior of the Alabama O-line, led by center Bradley Bozeman. Then there's Auburn pass-rusher Carl Lawson vs. Alabama tackle Cam Robinson -- both could be first-round picks in April. This is a fun matchup.

McShay: Can Michigan muster enough offense to beat Ohio State in Columbus?

The Wolverines are in a tough spot with starting QB Wilton Speight's status for Saturday's game in doubt because of a shoulder injury. His replacement, John O'Korn, totaled just 75 yards in Michigan's 20-10 win over Indiana on Saturday, as the offense looked more limited than we've grown to expect out of the Wolverines. Ohio State has NFL talent all over the defense, and if Speight can't play, O'Korn will need to make a few throws to keep the Buckeyes from crowding the line of scrimmage to stop RB De'Veon Smith.