Week 4 College Football: Key Highlights, Upsets, and Rankings Shifts
Week 4 of the college football season was thrilling, with ranked matchups, upsets, and standout performances that could shake up the AP Poll. Texas held onto its top spot with a win over Tennessee, while Florida dominated Ole Miss. It was a rollercoaster of a weekend for fans and teams alike. Let’s look at the highlights, surprises, and potential ranking shifts.
Top Performances and Key Wins
This week was packed with ranked matchups, making it a pivotal moment in the season. The No. 1 Texas Longhorns secured a road win against No. 14 Tennessee, likely earning more first-place votes in the upcoming AP Poll. Texas had 58 first-place votes last week, and the victory should help them stay at the top.
Florida’s Statement Win
No. 21 Florida delivered the weekend’s most shocking result, steamrolling No. 4 Ole Miss 52-28 in Gainesville. The win improves Florida to 4-0 and raises questions about where Ole Miss will land in the rankings. The Rebels are likely to drop significantly after such a heavy loss, even with their head-to-head win over LSU last week.
LSU’s Redemption
No. 10 LSU made a strong case for a rankings rise by routing No. 23 Texas A&M 35-6. LSU has a loss to Ole Miss, but its commanding performance against the Aggies could help it leapfrog several teams, including BYU, which had a bye week. The LSU defense was sharp: 16 different defenders recorded solo tackles, and the Aggies managed just two field goals.
Upsets and Surprises
The weekend also brought several upsets that will shake up the rankings. Unranked Wisconsin came back from a 17-0 halftime deficit to upset No. 13 Penn State, winning 24-20. It was Wisconsin’s largest comeback since 2006 and its first win in Happy Valley since 2003.
Stanford’s Comeback
Stanford overcame a 10-point halftime deficit to beat Georgia Tech 34-27. Quarterback Davis Warren threw for a career-high 396 yards and three touchdowns, leading the Cardinal to victory.
Mississippi State’s Historic Win
No. 24 Mississippi State outlasted No. 19 Missouri 31-24 in a thrilling game. The win marks the Bulldogs’ first victory over a ranked team since 2014 and their first 4-0 start in consecutive seasons since 1944-45. Quarterback ‘Super’ Kamario Taylor threw for 312 yards and three touchdowns, setting a program record for consecutive games with three touchdown passes.
Teams on the Rise
Several teams could climb the rankings after impressive performances. No. 17 Iowa and No. 20 Oregon both picked up ranked wins, putting them in a good position to move into the top 15. Iowa won on a dramatic walk-off touchdown against No. 18 Michigan, earning its first victory in Ann Arbor since 2010. Oregon beat No. 12 Southern California, extending its winning streak against the Trojans to five games.
Florida’s Potential Leap
No. 21 Florida could make the biggest jump of any team this week. Its 24-point win over No. 4 Ole Miss and undefeated record make a strong case for a top 10 ranking. The Gators’ performance looks even better when compared with common opponents. For instance, No. 10 LSU lost to a team Florida defeated.
Louisville’s Strong Resume
No. 16 Louisville could become the first two-loss team to be ranked this year. The Cardinals have a head-to-head win over ranked SMU and another loss to a ranked Mississippi squad, despite a narrow three-point loss to Wake Forest. Their strong strength of schedule and overall resume could keep them in the rankings.
Teams Falling Out
The weekend’s results also spell trouble for some teams. No. 23 Texas A&M and No. 18 Michigan are almost certain to fall out of the rankings. The Aggies have lost back-to-back games and dropped 14 spots after their last loss. Michigan, still dealing with its debacle against Western Michigan, suffered another loss and is unlikely to stay ranked.
Potential New Entrants
Kentucky, Oklahoma State, and Boise State are the leading candidates to enter the rankings this week. Each team has put together strong performances and could benefit from the vacancies left by teams falling out.
FCS Highlights
The FCS also had some thrilling action, particularly in the Big Sky Conference. No. 4 Montana dominated No. 9 UC Davis 62-22, with Eli Gilman rushing for a school-record 275 yards and four touchdowns. No. 1 Montana State held off No. 17 Northern Arizona 28-14, extending its winning streak to 19 games.
UNI’s Major Upset
In another significant upset, the University of Northern Iowa stunned No. 3-ranked Illinois State in the Stats Perform poll, winning 28-21. UNI controlled the game from the first quarter and never gave up its lead. It was the team’s first win over a top-5 opponent since 2021.
The weekend showed just how unpredictable and exciting college football can be. With so many ranked teams losing and others making strong statements, the upcoming AP Poll will be one to watch. For a detailed recap of all the action, visit the NCAA’s official update page.
