College Football Week 4: Standout Performers, Stunning Upsets and Lingering Concerns

The fourth week of the college football season delivered exactly the kind of drama fans crave — top-ranked squads suffered heavy defeats, others collapsed in the final seconds, and the playoff picture began to take a sharper shape. Here is a look at the weekend’s biggest victors, losers, and the questions that remain as we approach the season’s midpoint.

What to do with the Hoosiers?

Indiana scraped by a spirited Northwestern side, but the overall display raised more doubts than it resolved for Curt Cignetti. Was Aidan Chiles simply having a career night, or does this roster lack the depth of last year’s championship-caliber unit? A true measure will come when they travel to Lincoln to face Nebraska — a matchup that could pit two 5-0 teams against each other.

Florida is the real deal.

Sep 26, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Aaron Philo (12) celebrates while going to the locker room after a game against the Mississippi Rebels at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images

I was thoroughly mistaken about this Florida group. They are physical, relentless, and possess a ground game that overwhelms opponents. Aaron Philo and Jadan Baugh have emerged as legitimate stars, and with Lacy sidelined, Ole Miss may still rank in the top 10, but Florida is squarely in playoff contention under Jon Sumrall.

The Clock Struck Midnight in Ann Arbor

Michigan will rue every second of a loss that felt preventable against Iowa. For nearly 60 minutes they outplayed their opponent, yet Iowa seized a road victory and cemented themselves as a genuine playoff threat. The Hawkeyes’ upcoming clash with Ohio State — a College Gameday arrival — will test whether that secondary can contain Jeremiah Smith after a shaky outing against Bryce Underwood.

Texas A&M had No Business Being Ranked

Aggies Quarterback Marcel Reed 10, The LSU Tigers take on the Texas A&M Aggies. September 19, 2026; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; at Tiger Stadium.

LSU redirected its frustrations squarely at Texas A&M, and the result exposed every flaw in the Aggies’ ranking. Marcel Reed offered little resistance, and the defense crumbled against Sam Leavitt. Another challenging stretch awaits in College Station, while Lane Kiffin’s Tigers earned a vital bounce-back win.

Texas will go as far as Arch Manning Takes Them

Texas fields one of the nation’s deepest rosters, but quarterback remains the achilles heel. If opposing defenses can keep Manning contained in the pocket, the Longhorns are far less dangerous. Steve Sarkisian has simplified the scheme to accommodate his signal-caller, and that approach kept the game closer than it should have been — a pattern that may persist unless Manning elevates his play dramatically.

Source link