Week 4 College Football: Upsets, Rankings, and Key Matchups Recap
Week 4 of the college football season was exhilarating, with dramatic upsets, thrilling comebacks, and historic performances. The latest scores and results have already shifted the landscape of college football. From ranked matchups to unranked upsets, here’s a look at the key events that could shape the upcoming AP Poll and the rest of the season.
Top Matchups and Their Impact on Rankings
Several high-stakes games between ranked teams had a big impact on the AP Poll picture this week. The biggest was No. 1 Texas surviving a tough road test against No. 14 Tennessee, winning 20-17.
The victory should help Texas hold onto the top spot, especially after receiving 58 first-place votes last week.
Key Results from Ranked Matchups
- No. 1 Texas defeated No. 14 Tennessee 20-17.
- No. 17 Iowa triumphed over No. 18 Michigan with a walk-off touchdown, marking their first win in Ann Arbor since 2010.
- No. 21 Florida dominated No. 4 Ole Miss 52-28, showing it could break into the top 10.
- No. 20 Oregon knocked off No. 12 USC 41-27, continuing their dominance over the Trojans.
- No. 24 Mississippi State outlasted No. 19 Missouri 31-24, marking their first win over a ranked team since 2014.
Significant Upsets and Surprises
Week 4 also brought several upsets, as unranked teams defeated ranked opponents. The results could bring a significant shake-up in the rankings.
Unranked Teams Making Headlines
- Wisconsin rallied from a 17-0 halftime deficit to upset No. 13 Penn State 24-20, marking their first win in Happy Valley since 2003.
- Wake Forest edged out No. 16 Louisville by three points, potentially pushing the Cardinals out of the rankings.
- Stanford overcame a 10-point halftime deficit to defeat Georgia Tech 34-27, thanks to a career-high performance from quarterback Davis Warren.
- Air Force secured a double-overtime victory against Nevada, with a game-winning touchdown run by Rocco Conti.
Teams to Watch in the Upcoming Rankings
With several ranked teams losing, the edge of the top 10 could have some new faces. No. 21 Florida could make a significant jump after its convincing win over No. 4 Ole Miss.
No. 17 Iowa and No. 20 Oregon are also likely to climb after their impressive wins.
Potential New Entrants
- Kentucky, Oklahoma State, and Boise State are the top candidates to enter the rankings this week.
- Mississippi State could climb into the top 15, moving up more than 10 spots after its win over Missouri.
Noteworthy Individual Performances
Several players came through with standout performances that helped their teams win. Those efforts could also affect the players’ future prospects and award chances.
Star Players of the Week
- Davis Warren of Stanford threw for a career-high 396 yards and three touchdowns in their comeback win over Georgia Tech.
- Eli Gilman from Montana set a school record with 275 rushing yards and four touchdowns against UC Davis.
- Kamario Taylor of Mississippi State surpassed 1,000 yards for the season with a three-touchdown performance against Missouri.
- Sam Leavitt from LSU threw for 312 yards and two touchdowns despite an injury, leading his team to a dominant win over Texas A&M.
FCS Highlights
The FCS had its share of thrilling games and surprising results, too. No. 4 Montana dominated No. 9 UC Davis, while No. 1 Montana State held off No. 17 Northern Arizona to extend its winning streak to 19 games.
Key FCS Results
- Montana defeated UC Davis 62-22, with Eli Gilman’s record-setting performance.
- Northern Iowa stunned Illinois State 28-21, marking their first win over a top-5 opponent since 2021.
Conclusion
Week 4 of the college football season brought unforgettable moments and major shifts in the rankings. As we wait for the AP Poll, this week’s results look set to shape the rest of the season.
For more detailed updates and live scores, visit the NCAA’s live updates page.
