ATLANTA — College football’s Week 4 reminded everyone why Saturdays in the fall feel like organized chaos. The powerhouses rested on byes, the middle tier fought for respect, and more than a few programs got exposed under the bright lights. Upsets piled up across the country, coaches felt the temperature of their seats rise, and the overall state of quarterback play — once billed as the sport’s strongest asset — has left fans scratching their heads.
The weekend didn’t deliver seismic changes to the national title race just yet, but it did set the stage for an absolutely loaded Week 5. For now, the storylines of Sept. 20 are worth untangling.
Texas Tech Leaves Utah in the Dust
Texas Tech rolled into Salt Lake City and dominated Utah, 34-10, handing the Utes a humbling home loss. The Red Raiders imposed their will at the line of scrimmage and turned the game into a statement win in the 4th quarter. Utah never looked comfortable, struggling to move the ball and repeatedly coming up empty on key drives.
For Tech, the victory isn’t just about padding the win column. It’s about proving that this team can travel, control tempo, and dictate terms against a ranked opponent. At 4-0, the Red Raiders are quickly emerging as one of the sport’s most intriguing storylines and will only get better as the NIL money comes pouring in for transfers and recruiting.
Miami Punches Florida, Napier Feels the Heat
The rivalry showdown in Miami carried more weight than usual, and the Hurricanes made sure Florida left battered in more ways than one. A 26-7 win vaulted Miami upward and shoved Florida further into a mess of its own making.
Billy Napier is officially on the hottest of hot seats. Florida’s 1-3 start isn’t just disappointing — it’s disastrous. The Gators’ schedule has been brutal, sure, but excuses don’t matter in the SEC when you’re getting pushed around by your rivals and failing to inspire confidence on either side of the ball. Napier’s future in Gainesville now feels like a week-to-week proposition.
The luster of a strong finish to 2024 is now gone and DJ Lagway no longer looks like the answer to save a reeling program. Rest easy, Gator fans, Todd Golden and the defending national champions take the court soon.
Michigan Survives Nebraska
Michigan fans probably thought they’d get a comfortable road win in Lincoln. Instead, they got a nail-biter. The Wolverines held on for a 30-27 victory, clinging to momentum despite Nebraska’s second-half surge.
For Michigan, it wasn’t pretty, but in September, style points matter less than the record. The Wolverines are 3-1 and still alive in the Big Ten hunt, though sharper play will be required with tougher tests looming.
Memphis Stuns Arkansas
If you fell asleep early, you missed one of the best finishes of the weekend. Memphis erased an 18-point deficit to shock Arkansas, 32-31, capping the comeback with a long touchdown run and a late defensive stand.
Arkansas, meanwhile, has no excuse. A collapse like this at home raises eyebrows about discipline and leadership. For Memphis, it’s a program-defining win that could set the tone for a big season.
Syracuse Topples Clemson
Clemson’s season spiraled further Saturday with a 34-21 home loss to Syracuse. The Tigers are now 1-3, their worst start under Dabo Swinney, and all the usual bravado around Death Valley is evaporating. Syracuse didn’t just sneak out a win — they controlled the game from start to finish.
The Orange played fearless football, while Clemson looked tentative, error-prone, and lacking the spark fans had come to expect during the playoff years. If Swinney thought last year’s noise was frustrating, he hasn’t heard anything yet.
The worst part for Tiger fans? It appears the team is only getting worse each week.
Cade Klubnik was supposed to lead Clemson to an ACC title and a deep playoff run with Wesco and company in the passing game. Now, it’s not even October and Clemson’s season is toast.
A pair of early ACC losses coupled with a loss to LSU and a struggle win vs. Troy. You’d think Clemson would wake up eventually, but this is just who they are.
Can the Tigers rattle off 8 straight wins to finish the season? Sure, but that might not even be enough at this point. With a two-game deficit in the ACC and Georgia Tech holding a tiebreak, it looks nearly impossible to make Charlotte, let alone the playoff.
Don’t hold your hopes for another stolen bid in the Upstate this season. Klubnik and Clemson are cooked. Could the Tigers somehow go from preseason top 5 to missing a bowl game? With trips to Louisville and a home game vs. FSU still to go, Clemson better wake up fast.
What the heck happened on Lake Hartwell?
Oklahoma Escapes Auburn
The Sooners had to earn every inch in their 24-17 win over Auburn. Oklahoma’s defense saved the day with relentless pressure, racking up a school-record 10 sacks. The offense sputtered at times, but when it mattered, the Sooners found just enough answers to avoid disaster, depending on who you ask. Auburn fans (and coaches) are losing sleep over a pair of questionable calls from Saturday and for once, they might have pretty good reason.
For Auburn, the loss stings, but there are real positives. The Tigers looked physical and competitive against a top-tier opponent. If they build on this, Auburn could be much better than many expected by season’s end.
Home games against Georgia and Alabama still loom. All is not lost on the Plains just yet.
The Blowouts: Vols, Rebels, Hokies
Not every game was close. Tennessee obliterated UAB, 56-24, flexing offensive muscle while creating defensive havoc. Ole Miss flattened Tulane, 45-10, looking every bit like a team ready to challenge in the SEC.
Elsewhere, Georgia Tech hammered Temple in a one-sided affair. None of these wins will change playoff debates, but they serve notice that these programs are taking care of business in dominant fashion.
Tulsa Shocks Oklahoma State, Maryland Humbles Wisconsin
Two results stood out as quietly massive. Tulsa took down Oklahoma State, a result that may sting for weeks in Stillwater. Mike Gundy’s tenure is certainly coming to an end soon, with the only question remaining on when that may be.
Meanwhile, Maryland went into Madison and smacked Wisconsin, 27-10. The Terps looked faster, sharper, and hungrier, while Wisconsin looked flat. The boos inside Camp Randall weren’t just frustration — they were warning signs. Luke Fickell didn’t work out for the Badgers, somehow, and there really may not be a way up from here.
Weird times in the Badger State.
Quarterbacks Failing to Deliver
Heading into 2025, quarterbacks were the talk of the sport. Heisman campaigns, draft hype, endless highlight reels — fans were promised fireworks. Through four weeks, though, QB play has been shaky across the board. Preseason Heisman darlings have flopped, big-name transfers have struggled, and passing attacks have too often looked out of sync. For now, defenses are winning the chess match, and the “Year of the Quarterback” is anything but.
Looking Ahead to Week 5
If Week 4 was about surprises and coaching panic, Week 5 is about sheer star power. The slate on Sept. 27 is loaded with matchups that could define the playoff race:
- Georgia vs. Alabama — The SEC’s heavyweight rivalry takes center stage.
- Oregon vs. Penn State — West Coast speed against Big Ten grit.
- LSU vs. Ole Miss — A must-watch in the SEC with real stakes.
- Washington vs. Ohio State — Two potential playoff teams colliding.
- USC vs. Illinois — A chance for the Trojans to prove they can win in the Midwest as the Illini look to bounce back.
After a week of wild results, the football giants are back on the field. Expect fireworks, frustration, and maybe another coach or two feeling the pressure come Sunday morning.
Final Word
Week 4 reminded fans that college football is as much about chaos as it is about coronations. Memphis, Syracuse, and Maryland proved the gap between haves and have-nots is thinner than many believe. Florida and Clemson found themselves on the wrong end of ugly truths. And while quarterbacks across the nation continue to sputter, the game itself feels more unpredictable than ever.
Now comes Week 5, and with it, the kind of marquee matchups that will separate pretenders from contenders. The chaos has only just begun.
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