Week 4 of college football delivers a loaded slate featuring critical showdowns, including Oregon’s clash with USC that could shape the College Football Playoff bracket. This edition also tests Texas’ dominance against Tennessee and Michigan’s resilience against Iowa, while expert analysts share their consensus picks across the nation’s top matchups.
A robust Week 4 schedule offers numerous high-stakes games, with experts breaking down their predictions and key matchups to monitor throughout the weekend.
Jeremiah Smith and Ohio State defeated Illinois, 34-16, in 2025. (Photo by Ben Jackson/Getty Images)
When: Saturday, noon p.m. ET (FOX)
Where: Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
Line: Ohio State -27.5
Experts overwhelmingly favor Ohio State in this matchup, citing the Buckeyes’ superior talent and historical dominance over Illinois, which struggled to match Ohio State’s level in 2024.
Arch Manning will make his first career start in Knoxville against Tennessee, where his uncle, Peyton, attended college. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
When: Saturday, noon p.m. ET (ABC)
Where: Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, Tennessee
Line: Texas -4.5
Texas enters as slight favorites despite Tennessee’s home-field advantage, with experts emphasizing the experience gap between Arch Manning and Tennessee’s true freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon.
Quarterback Bryce Underwood will make his first start against Iowa in his college career. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)
When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (CBS)
Where: Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Line: Michigan -5.5
Iowa’s defensive strength and Michigan’s offensive inconsistency make this a tight contest, with experts splitting on whether Michigan’s quarterback development will overcome Iowa’s stingy defense.
Oklahoma coach Brent Venables leads the Sooners into their first game against Georgia since joining the SEC. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Where: Sanford Stadium, Athens, Georgia
Line: Georgia -14
Georgia’s dominance continues as experts project a decisive victory over Oklahoma, whose offense has struggled to make a mark this season.
Trinidad Chambliss will try to remain the Heisman favorite against Florida on Saturday. (Photo by Austin McAfee/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
Where: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, Florida
Line: Florida -3.5
Ole Miss is viewed as the stronger team despite Florida’s home edging, with experts highlighting Trinidad Chambliss’s Heisman-level performance and the Rebels’ ability to score against strong defenses.
Morgan Scalley is off to a 3-0 start as Utah’s head coach. (Photo by Bryan Byerly/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (FOX)
Where: Jack Trice Stadium, Ames, Iowa
Line: Utah -8.5
Utah’s early dominance and consistent execution under first-year coach Morgan Scalley make them clear favorites against Iowa State’s less impressive squad.
Rocco Becht is off to a 3-0 start in his first season as Penn State’s head coach. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (Peacock)
Where: Beaver Stadium, University Park, Pennsylvania
Line: Penn State -10
Penn State’s strong start under Rocco Becht continues as they meet Wisconsin in what promises to be an uncomfortable game for the Badgers, whose offense lacks firepower compared to Penn State’s balanced attack.
Dan Lanning is 2-0 against USC as Oregon’s head coach. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images)
When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET (NBC)
Where: Los Angeles Coliseum, Los Angeles, California
Line: Oregon -3
Oregon seeks to solidify its playoff resume in a pivotal home clash, with USC aiming to silence doubters after a nail-biter against Rutgers. The Ducks’ disciplined defense and home crowd advantage may prove decisive.
LSU coach Lane Kiffin looks to get his team back on track after losing to his former team, Ole Miss, in Week 3. (Photo by Gus Stark/LSU/University Images via Getty Images)
When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
Where: Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Line: LSU -8.5
LSU returns to form at home against Texas A&M, leveraging their storied rivalry and defensive prowess to overcome a rebounding Aggies squad.
Quarterback Kamario Taylor broke out with 251 yards and four touchdowns against South Carolina in Week 3. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
When: Saturday, 7:45 p.m. ET (SEC Network)
Where: Davis Wade Stadium, Starkville, Mississippi
Line: Mississippi St. -6.5
Mississippi State’s explosive offense led by quarterback Kamario Taylor dominates Missouri, with experts citing Starkville’s electric atmosphere and Taylor’s Heisman-level playmaking as keys to victory.
