Week 4 Recap

I have been very impressed with the overall quality of football we’ve had this season in college football. While most of the top teams dominated, or at least won in fairly convincing fashion last week, a few had close calls (looking at you Missouri), and a few got punched in the mouth. Michigan and Utah picked up big ranked wins, while UNC seemed to think it was basketball season already, giving up 70 points while paying JMU half a million dollars. As we move into Week 5, conference season is in full swing and is pulling no punches. Alabama and Georgia highlight a slate of four ranked-on-ranked matchups and a slew of primetime games with the potential to shake out the Power Four and Group of Five pecking order. It’s officially fall, the leaves are turning, and I couldn’t be more excited.

Top 25 Matchups

Rankings are from AP Poll (CFP Poll after release)

Friday September 27:

• Virginia Tech @ #8 Miami, ESPN

Saturday September 28:

12:00-3:00PM

• Kentucky @ #6 Ole Miss, ABC
• Minnesota @ #12 Michigan, FOX
• #20 Oklahoma State @ #23 Kansas State, ESPN

3:30PM-6:30PM

• #22 BYU @ Baylor, FS1
• Wisconsin @ #13 USC, CBS
• #15 Louisville @ #16 Notre Dame, Peacock
• Arkansas @ #24 Texas A&M, ESPN
• #21 Oklahoma @ Auburn
• Mississippi State @ #1 Texas, SECN

7:00-11:00PM

• #3 Ohio State @ Michigan State, Peacock
• Stanford @ #17 Clemson, ESPN
• #18 Iowa State @ Houston, FS1
• #2 Georgia @ #4 Alabama, ABC
• #19 Illinois @ #9 Penn State, NBC
• South Alabama @ #14 LSU, SECN
• Washington State @ #25 Boise State, FS1
• Arizona @ #10 Utah, ESPN
• #8 Oregon @ UCLA, FOX

Most Interesting Matchups

Maryland vs Indiana: The Hoosiers have a surprising 4-0 record and look solid heading into the heart of conference play. Can they keep that train rolling against a Terrapins team looking to maintain legitimacy in the bigger Big Ten?

Oklahoma State vs Kansas State: Two Big 12 teams coming off of tough losses square off in what seems like an early season elimination game. The winner keeps their hopes for a Big 12 championship alive, while the loser faces the very real possibility of playoff elimination.

Louisville vs Notre Dame: The Irish have been more inconsistent than impressive this season, while the Cardinals would like nothing more than to march out of South Bend with a critical win and momentum heading into ACC play.

Illinois vs Penn State: Can the meteoric rise of the Fighting Illini continue under the lights in Beaver Stadium? The last time Illinois visited State College, it resulted in what was one of the dumbest college football games of all time (9 overtimes!). Hopefully for our collective sanity, a more watchable product is in store for us this Saturday evening.

Alabama vs Georgia: Georgia has suddenly been usurped as the clear #1 in the SEC and in the nation, and Alabama wants to prove that they don’t need Nick Saban to win big games. Bulletin board material and feelings of “disrespect” are aplenty, but only one can remain among the ranks of the SEC’s unbeaten.

FCS Game of the Week

North Carolina Central vs Norfolk State , 9/28, 3PM, ESPN+

Two MEAC rivals collide in Lucas Oil Stadium. HBCUs and FCS teams don’t often get the opportunity to play in a NFL stadium, and the Eagles and Spartans should provide a good show on a national stage.

Selected Pick ATS

• Oklahoma State (+4.5) @ Kansas State (-4.5)
• Louisville @ Notre Dame (-6)
• Georgia (-2) @ Alabama
• Illinois (+18.5) @ Penn State