College Football Week 4: Upsets, Injuries, and Historic Wins Define a Chaotic Saturday
Week 4 delivered six ranked matchups, resulting in major upsets for Penn State, Louisville, and Michigan, while Florida and Mississippi State secured historic victories. Injuries sidelined key quarterbacks for Oregon and LSU, but both teams won. No. 1 Texas survived a tight game against Tennessee, and Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith posted a career-best performance.
Key points
- No. 1 Texas beat No. 14 Tennessee 20-17 in a close contest, with Colin Simmons recording five sacks to tie the school record.
- Unranked Wisconsin upset No. 13 Penn State 24-20, ending a six-game losing streak against the Nittany Lions.
- No. 21 Florida dominated No. 4 Ole Miss 52-28, marking the first 4-0 start for the Gators since 2019.
- No. 20 Oregon defeated No. 12 USC 41-27 despite starting quarterback Dante Moore being hospitalized after a hit; backup Dylan Raiola led the win.
- No. 24 Mississippi State beat No. 19 Missouri 31-24, their first win over a ranked team since 2014.
- No. 17 Iowa beat No. 18 Michigan 20-19 on a walk-off touchdown, their first win in Ann Arbor since 2010.
Background
Week 4 featured the most ranked matchups since December 2023, with six games involving AP Top 25 teams. Prior to the weekend, Texas had reclaimed the No. 1 spot, and analysts predicted close contests in the SEC and Big Ten. The weekend's results significantly impacted College Football Playoff standings, with several top teams suffering unexpected losses.
How outlets are covering it
NCAA.com emphasized the historic nature of the upsets and the resilience of teams like Florida and Mississippi State. The secondary source, Roll 'Bama Roll, focused on the viewing schedule and fan reactions, particularly noting the disappointment of Michigan's loss and the strong performance of Florida. ESPN was unavailable due to a 403 error, so no additional perspective could be synthesized from that outlet.
Why it matters
The upsets and injuries will reshape the College Football Playoff landscape, with teams like Florida and Mississippi State gaining momentum and others like Penn State and Michigan facing significant setbacks. The weekend's results will influence rankings and playoff seeding in the coming weeks.
What to watch
The AP Top 25 rankings will be released on Sunday, reflecting the weekend's results. Teams like Florida and Mississippi State will look to maintain their momentum, while others like Penn State and Michigan will need to rebound. The next week will feature key matchups, including Ohio State vs. Iowa and Georgia vs. Oklahoma.
- College football Week 4: Live updates, schedule, scores, rankings NCAA.com
- What we know through CFB's Week 4, plus Kamario Taylor's rise and Michigan's karma ESPN
- College football Week 4: Recaps, highlights, rankings and scores NCAA.com
- College football scores, live updates: Oregon vs. USC, Texas A&M vs. LSU and more Yahoo Sports
- Wake Up! Week 4 Viewing Guide and Morning Open Thread Roll 'Bama Roll
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