Week 4 of the college football season features several ranked matchups in the Big Ten, SEC, and Big 12 conferences.
No. 9 Illinois will face No. 17 Indiana in a key Big Ten game for two teams looking to prove their contender status.
Other notable games include No. 25 Auburn at No. 12 Oklahoma and No. 16 Texas Tech at No. 18 Utah.
You’ll have to wait a week for the next top-five blockbuster of the college football season. But fret not, fans. As we’ve said before, there’s no such thing as an uneventful week in this sport.
This Saturday’s slate features ranked matchups in the Big Ten, SEC, and Big 12 conferences. There are also a couple of non-league games that could have long-term implications. There are even a few rivalry contests that don’t appear on this list but might be of interest to you if your favorite team is involved. As always, keep the remote within easy reach and enjoy the day.
Here are our picks for the top games in Week 4.
No. 9 Illinois at No. 17 Indiana
Time/TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBC.
Why watch: This game involves none of the Big Ten’s trio of top-five squads. But make no mistake – it is huge. The Fighting Illini had lofty expectations heading into the season and look to demonstrate those were well-founded, while the Hoosiers are just as motivated to prove last year’s 10-win campaign wasn’t just an aberration. Neither team has experienced fourth-quarter drama thus far, though Illinois challenged itself more by taking a trip to Duke. Illini QB Luke Altmyer has eight scoring throws without a pick in the young season, a figure Hoosiers CB D’Angelo Ponds hopes to change. The duo of RB Kaden Feagin and Ca’Lil Valentine will provide ground support for the Illini. Newly arrived Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza is also interception-free entering the contest, but his biggest concern might be avoiding Illinois LB Gabe Jacas. Big-play threats for the Hoosiers include WR Omar Cooper Jr. and RB Roman Hemby.
Why it could disappoint: As mentioned, neither team has encountered much adversity yet, so it’s possible one of them could experience a snowball effect if things start to go badly. It’s also possible that one team will establish physical superiority once the ball is snapped. Both those scenarios seem unlikely though, as both appear to be ready for the prime-time spotlight.
No. 25 Auburn at No. 12 Oklahoma
Time/TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC.
Why watch: The long march through the SEC for these two hopefuls begins. Both have solid non-league wins in the bank, though it remains to be seen whether Oklahoma’s home triumph against Michigan or Auburn’s road win at Baylor will ultimately become more valuable. What we do know is both teams are capable of scoring in bunches, which in truth came as a pleasant surprise on both campuses. Sooners QB John Mateer has accounted for nine total TDs since taking over in Norman, but the guy he replaced, Jackson Arnold, has thrived with the Tigers. The OU defense, featuring LB Sammy Omosigho, has yet to force a turnover but is holding opponents to a 17% conversion rate on third down. Auburn hasn’t been quite as stingy, but LB Keyron Crawford is a disruptive playmaker.
Why it could disappoint: Should OU’s defense prove to be a decisive advantage, this might turn into a one-sided affair. It’s up to the Tigers to demonstrate they can move the sticks or get stops to keep the game close.
No. 16 Texas Tech at No. 18 Utah
Time/TV: noon ET, Fox.
Why watch: A key September contest in a wide-open Big 12 highlights the day’s early slate. The Red Raiders bring their high-octane offense west, where the revitalized Utes are back in the Top 25 after a rare down year in 2024. Texas Tech’s quick-strike attack is directed by QB Behren Morton, whose arsenal includes big-play WR Coy Eakin, reliable TE Terrance Carter, and workhorse RB Cameron Dickey. Admittedly the Red Raiders’ first three opponents provided little resistance, which figures to change against the likes of Utes’ DE John Henry Daley and DB Jackson Bennee. Utah has also found its spark on offense with the arrival of QB Devon Dampier. He isn’t averse to running himself, but RB Wayshawn Parker is there to help in the backfield. Downfield threats include WR Ryan Davis and TE Dallen Bentley, who can expect frequent encounters with Red Raiders LBs Jacob Rodriguez and John Curry.
Why it could disappoint: It shouldn’t, though again it’s hard to know how either team will handle in-game stress. In theory the Utes are more battle tested having gone on the road a couple of times, but the Texas Tech offense still represents a major upgrade in competition.
No. 24 South Carolina at No. 22 Missouri
Time/TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN.
Why watch: The Gamecocks must move past their loss to Vanderbilt in a hurry as they travel to the SEC’s other Columbia. Mizzou is facing its first conference opponent of the season but does have a solid result against Kansas on its resume. The major concern for South Carolina is the status of QB LaNorris Sellers, who was knocked out of the Vandy game with a possible concussion. He is officially listed as questionable, and his actual availability will not be known until game time. Either Sellers or backup Luke Doty could have a hard time against LB Josiah Trotter and the active Mizzou front. Tigers QB Beau Pribula has a solid 76.4% completion rate with seven TD throws. His top priority, however, might be keeping drives alive to avoid punting to the Gamecocks DB Vicari Swain.
Why it could disappoint: South Carolina’s lofty poll position from last week might have been a wee bit inflated. The Gamecocks weren’t exactly an offensive juggernaut even with Sellers at full speed, and Mizzou’s third-down defense has been outstanding thus far.
No. 20 Michigan at Nebraska
Time/TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS.
Why watch: ‘Prove it’ time has arrived for Nebraska, as we’re about to find out if the rebuilding Cornhuskers are ready to take on the big names in the Big Ten. The Wolverines’ loss at Oklahoma has no impact on their conference mark, of course, but they would also like to make a statement that they still belong in the league’s upper tier. Michigan QB Bryce Underwood took advantage of last week’s mismatch against Central Michigan to shake off his rough outing at Oklahoma. But the level of competition ramps up again as he looks to steer clear of Cornhuskers LB Dasan McCullough. Nebraska QB Dylan Raiola and RB Emmett Johnson have respectable numbers but struggled to keep the sticks moving in their lone true test against Cincinnati back in Week 1. LB Jaishawn Barham and the Michigan front could also pose problems if the ‘Huskers are unable to stretch the field.
Why it could disappoint: We’ll know soon enough if it will. A close contest will likely mean a low-scoring one, but that might be the best recipe for fourth-quarter suspense.
Florida at No. 6 Miami (Fla.)
Time/TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, ABC.
Why watch: There’s no sugarcoating it – the Gators’ season is teetering on the edge of the proverbial abyss. They won’t expect any sympathy bouquets from the Hurricanes, who look to continue their conquest of the Sunshine State and beyond. Hurricanes QB Carson Beck has perhaps been even better than advertised since transferring in from Georgia, making excellent use of weapons like WRs Malachi Toney and CJ Daniels. LB Myles Graham and the Florida defense have done remarkably well despite frequently being put in bad spots. That brings us to the trials and tribulations of Gators QB DJ Lagway, who now has more interceptions (six) than touchdowns (five). Miami DE Rueben Bain could make it another long night for him.
Why it could disappoint: It will be another long night for Florida if the offense continues its trend of empty possessions. Beck’s prior SEC experience and familiarity with Florida should serve the Hurricanes well.
Tulane at No. 11 Mississippi
Time/TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN.
Why watch: With wins against Big Ten and ACC members already in hand, the Green Wave now look to cap a strong non-conference run with a road win in SEC territory. It will not be easy, as the Rebels have been putting up points at a rapid clip. Since arriving at Tulane, former BYU QB Jake Retzlaff has been a good system fit. He has run for six TDs and thrown for two more without a pick, but Ole Miss DL Zxavian Harris and LB TJ Dottery will do their best to keep him bottled up. The Rebels’ backfield tandem of QB Austin Simmons and RB Kewan Lacy have had success moving the ball even against SEC defenses. Simmons is expected back from an ankle injury, but both he and backup Trinidad Chambliss must beware of Green Wave DB Javion White, who has already swiped three passes on the young season.
Why it could disappoint: This is a sandwich game for Ole Miss between last week’s shootout with Arkansas and the coming date with LSU, so the Green Wave might not have the Rebels’ full attention. The hosts would like to disprove this theory as quickly as possible, but things could get dicey if Tulane is still hanging around after intermission.