Notable College Football Games – Week 4

Does the bye week have you down, Alabama fans?

Get our free mobile app

Don't fret, even though your beloved Crimson Tide isn't playing, there are still several key games to keep an eye on around the SEC and the world of college football. Some games matter for SEC standings and Alabama's future opponents, while others are notable for the race to the College Football Playoff.

What are some of the key games to keep an eye on while Alabama rests up before they play the Georgia Bulldogs?

College Football

No. 24 Illinois at No. 22 Nebraska - Friday, September 20, 7:00 p.m. FOX

The Fighting Illini and the Cornhuskers are both ranked and undefeated. Freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola for Nebraska has been a nice addition to college football and has the Huskers hoping for a bowl appearance and potentially more in his first season in Lincoln, Nebraska. Nebraska has a tough home stretch, with road games at Ohio State, USC, and Iowa, and a home date with Wisconsin, who is down their starting quarterback, Tyler Van Dyke. A win to move to 4-0 on the young season would be beneficial for Nebraska to stay in the Big 10 hunt.

Yet somehow, Illinois drew an even tougher slate. They'll hit the road next week against Top-10 Penn State and have back-to-back dates with Michigan and at Oregon in October. Getting past an early season test at Nebraska would be a good jump-start in momentum for their season.

No. 11 USC at No. 18 Michigan - Saturday, September 21, 2:30 p.m. CBS

The Trojans are riding high with a 2-0 start on the season that featured a big win in Week One against top-20 LSU. Opening conference play with the defending national champions is less than ideal, but if USC can beat Michigan, it puts to bed the doubters who said they couldn't win in the Big 10 without Caleb Williams. It could also rocket quarterback Miller Moss into a Heisman conversation if he has a big day at the Big House.

Michigan is still licking its wounds after a beatdown by Texas, and three weeks into the season, the Wolverines decided to make a quarterback switch to Alex Orji. Michigan needs some positive momentum heading into the midway point of the season, and an upset of the No. 11 team in the country could be what jump-starts the Wolverines. With two more top-10 games on the schedule with Oregon and Ohio State, Michigan needs positive momentum this season if they hope to return to the College Football Playoffs.

No. 12 Utah at No. 14 Oklahoma State - Saturday, September 21, 3:00 p.m. FOX

It's a potential preview of the Big 12 Championship game with Utah and Oklahoma State. Utah dominated the Pac-12 physically, and Oklahoma State has probably the best running back in the country with Ollie Gordon. If Utah can make it out of the next two weeks with just one loss or undefeated, then the path is clear for the Utes heading into postseason play. Cam Rising is the most veteran quarterback in college football, and the Utes will look to lean on him for success in this game.

The Cowboys also have a tough two-week stretch, but this game could determine who controls the Big 12 title race, with a rematch in December setting the stage for who makes the College Football Playoff and earns the first-week bye.

SEC

No. 6 Tennessee at No. 15 Oklahoma - Saturday, September 21, 6:30 p.m. ABC

Tennessee faces its first road test of the season, opening SEC play at Oklahoma. Josh Heupel is returning to Norman, Oklahoma for the first time since being let go by the Sooners program, and Tennessee is the type of program that if they can run up the score, they will. Nico Iamaleava will face his first road test as a starting quarterback. Tennessee could rely on Dylan Sampson, who currently has 357 yards and nine touchdowns, to ease the burden on the young quarterback. If Tennessee can defeat Oklahoma on the road, their path to a strong season becomes clear, hosting Alabama on October 19 and heading to Georgia late in the season being the two biggest tests.

Oklahoma has struggled at home, escaping Houston in week two and Tulane scaring them in the third quarter in week three. The Sooners will get some stars back offensively this week, and Jackson Arnold has to be grateful. It could turn into a shootout, and with Oklahoma facing big games against Texas and Alabama later in the year, the Sooners need a strong introduction into the SEC.

Vanderbilt at No. 7 Missouri - Saturday, September 21, 3:15 p.m. SEC Network

Vanderbilt is entering SEC play as the likely bottom feeder of the conference, while Missouri is riding high at 3-0 and pushing for a playoff bid with veteran quarterback Brady Cook and Biletnikoff candidate Luther Burden III. While this game will likely be a blowout in favor of Missouri, this game features two teams on Alabama's future schedule, so it will be a good litmus test for a couple of Crimson Tide opponents.

UCLA at No. 16 LSU - Saturday, September 21, 2:30 p.m. ABC

LSU seems to have found a rhythm offensively this season, despite a loss to USC and a near-loss at South Carolina. LSU has a good quarterback in Garrett Nussmeier, and Kyren Lacy has found a good connection with him in the receiving game. LSU is struggling to run the football, but UCLA is struggling even more as a team. LSU is likely to get a good win here and a win over South Alabama before a home date with top-five Ole Miss.

Akron at South Carolina, Saturday, September 21, 6:30 p.m. ESPNU

LaNorris Sellers left South Carolina's loss to LSU in the first half, and his status is in doubt for the Gamecocks matchup with Akron. Even still, Robbie Ashford should be more than enough to help the Gamecocks bounce back from a should-have-been win turned loss to LSU.

Arkansas at Auburn - Saturday, September 21, 2:30 p.m. ESPN

This is an intriguing game. Arkansas has looked much better on offense with the addition of former head coach Bobby Petrino as the offensive coordinator. Despite a loss to Oklahoma State, Arkansas has to feel confident in its offense in 2024 with Taylen Green and Ja'Quinden Jackson leading the charge at quarterback and running back, respectively. Auburn is feeling good about quarterback Hank Brown following a win over a struggling New Mexico team. Arkansas has a strong pass rusher in Landon Jackson, so Auburn could be tested on the offensive line on The Plains on Saturday.