College Football 2024: Week 4 Predictions for Every Game
While a handful of college football teams have played a notable game, the schedule truly starts to intensify in Week 4.
Most notably, the slate includes four Top 25 matchups with several important debuts. USC's first Big Ten game is at Michigan, Utah opens Big 12 action at Oklahoma State and SEC newcomer Oklahoma hosts Tennessee.
Plenty of other programs are kicking off conference play, and these results will begin to heavily impact a team's upside.
In short: The race toward the College Football Playoff is picking up speed.
Along with a preview of each Top 25 team, we've predicted every game involving a Football Bowl Subdivision school.
AP Nos. 25-21
1 of 8
Bowling Green (1-1) at No. 25 Texas A&M (2-1), 7:30 p.m. ET
In a surprise start, freshman quarterback Marcel Reed propelled Texas A&M to a comfortable win at Florida. Given his strong performance, the Aggies won't be rattled if Conner Weigman is out again this weekend.
Prediction: Texas A&M 41, Bowling Green 14
Buffalo (2-1) at No. 23 Northern Illinois (2-0), 3:30 p.m. ET
Though the Huskies joined the AP Top 25 last week, Saturday is the program's first game as a ranked team since 2013. Pretty neat accomplishment for NIU after stunning Notre Dame. As long as a talented defense keeps playing well, the Huskies will be tough to beat.
Prediction: NIU 27, Buffalo 17
No. 22 Illinois (3-0) at No. 24 Nebraska (3-0), Friday, 8 p.m. ET
Speaking of defense, Illinois and Nebraska have yielded only 26 and 20 points, respectively, in early victories. This matchup looks like it could be a low-scoring slugfest, so you could probably convince me either way. Nebraska's home-field advantage helps decide a tight one.
Prediction: Nebraska 23, Illinois 20
North Carolina State (2-1) at No. 21 Clemson (1-1), Noon ET
Clemson lost at North Carolina State last season, but revenge may be in order this weekend. Not only has NC State endured a slow start, but quarterback Grayson McCall will be sidelined for the ACC clash. Clemson kicks off conference play with a much-needed win.
Prediction: Clemson 28, NC State 16
AP Nos. 20-16
2 of 8
Arkansas State (2-1) at No. 20 Iowa State (2-0), 2 p.m. ET
Like I mentioned in last week's predictions, don't be quick to call for a blowout. I'm not saying there is immense upset potential, but Iowa State is similar to Michigan in being a defense-driven team with inefficiency issues that flare on offense. Comfortable, not lopsided, win.
Prediction: Iowa State 34, Arkansas State 17
Georgia Tech (3-1) at No. 19 Louisville (2-0), 3:30 p.m. ET
Florida State has plummeted from the ACC radar—partially thanks to Georgia Tech—so this is an especially valuable game for both programs. Louisville's early explosiveness makes me lean the Cardinals' way, although GT's offense is good enough to keep it close.
Prediction: Louisville 33, Georgia Tech 28
No. 11 USC (2-0) at No. 18 Michigan (2-1), 3:30 p.m. ET
For prediction, see No. 11 USC.
Miami (Ohio) (0-2) at No. 17 Notre Dame (2-1), 3:30 p.m. ET
Notre Dame learned its lesson about #MACtion, right? The dominant effort at Purdue was a great response after such a disappointing loss, so the concern level around the Fighting Irish shouldn't be terribly high.
Prediction: Notre Dame 45, Miami 10
UCLA (1-1) at No. 16 LSU (2-1), 3:30 p.m. ET
Not exactly a convincing start for UCLA, which barely won in Hawai'i and lost by 29 points at home against Indiana. LSU is still looking for its first complete game but deserves to be a heavy favorite here.
Prediction: LSU 36, UCLA 20
AP Nos. 15-11
3 of 8
No. 6 Tennessee (3-0) at No. 15 Oklahoma (3-0), 7:30 p.m. ET
For prediction, see No. 6 Tennessee.
No. 13 Kansas State (3-0) at BYU (3-0), 10:30 p.m. ET
Ranked team on the road against a solid defense? This is screaming trap game. I'll ignore what my brain is saying—perhaps out of pride because I'm a believer in Kansas State. However, the 'Cats played so well in a rout of Arizona last Friday that I'll stick with K-State.
Prediction: Kansas State 29, BYU 24
No. 12 Utah (3-0) at No. 14 Oklahoma State (3-0), 4 p.m. ET
The expectation is Utah quarterback Cam Rising will play. If he doesn't, flip this prediction to Oklahoma State. The challenge with OSU, so far, is a veteran offensive line and All-American running back Ollie Gordon II have produced just 3.5 yards per carry together. Should we project a change opposite Utah's stout defense? Too brave for me.
Prediction: Utah 27, Oklahoma State 23
No. 11 USC (2-0) at No. 18 Michigan (2-1), 3:30 p.m. ET
Michigan is turning to Alex Orji at quarterback in hopes of sparking a quiet passing attack. Those offensive woes are a major problem. I can't quit the Wolverines because of their defensive upside, but USC should win if Michigan struggles to run the ball effectively.
Prediction: USC 28, Michigan 21
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AP Nos. 10-6
4 of 8
Kent State (0-3) at No. 10 Penn State (2-0), 3:30 p.m. ET
I requested the football gods to have mercy on Kent State last weekend, and Tennessee won 71-0. Welp.
Prediction: Penn State 56, Kent State 10
No. 9 Oregon (3-0), Idle
No. 8 Miami (3-0) at South Florida (2-1), 7 p.m. ET
South Florida gave Alabama a difficult game, so Miami shouldn't be overlooking the Bulls. Ultimately, however, talent prevailed in Tuscaloosa. That story will probably happen again on Saturday, especially since Miami quarterback Cam Ward has looked unstoppable so far.
Prediction: Miami 41, USF 24
Vanderbilt (2-1) at No. 7 Missouri (3-0), 4:15 p.m. ET
After notching a quality win over Boston College, Missouri needs to avoid a letdown in its SEC opener. Fortunately for the Tigers, that danger looks pretty low. Vanderbilt pulled off a surprise with an upset of Virginia Tech in Week 1 but just lost at Georgia State.
Prediction: Missouri 37, Vanderbilt 20
No. 6 Tennessee (3-0) at No. 15 Oklahoma (3-0), 7:30 p.m. ET
I am concerned about an OU offense that mustered 4.4 yards per play in uninspiring wins over Houston and Tulane. While it's true Tennessee has played two easy opponents, the Vols absolutely dominated both games and also steamrolled NC State. In short: How you play is typically more important than who you play. Give me UT.
Prediction: Tennessee 34, Oklahoma 24
AP Nos. 5-1
5 of 8
Georgia Southern (2-1) at No. 5 Ole Miss (3-0), 7:45 p.m. ET
Ole Miss wraps up nonconference action with a chance for another lopsided win. Georgia Southern has already ceded 651 yards in a loss to Boise State and 498 in a tight win at Nevada. Heading into Week 4, Ole Miss is merely the nation's most productive offense.
Prediction: Ole Miss 56, Georgia Southern 14
No. 4 Alabama (3-0), Idle
Marshall (1-1) at No. 3 Ohio State (2-0), Noon ET
Two weeks ago, Marshall put up a respectable fight in a road loss to Virginia Tech. However, it's tough to see a passing attack that labored to 3.6 yards per throw suddenly carving Ohio State's elite defense.
Prediction: Ohio State 52, Marshall 10
No. 2 Georgia (3-0), Idle
Louisiana-Monroe (2-0) at No. 1 Texas (3-0), 8 p.m. ET
I cannot say it enough: Quinn Ewers will be the Longhorns' quarterback when healthy. Also, hey, I'm pretty excited to see Arch Manning as the starter for Texas. He's an incredible talent! Manage the hype, but enjoy a preview of what's to come in 2025.
Prediction: Texas 49, ULM 7
Rest of the Slate, Part I
6 of 8
South Alabama (1-2) at Appalachian State (2-1), Thursday, 7:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: App State 37, South Alabama 24
Stanford (1-1) at Syracuse (2-0), Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: Syracuse 34, Stanford 20
San Jose State (3-0) at Washington State (3-0), Friday, 10 p.m. ET
Prediction: Washington State 38, SJSU 21
James Madison (2-0) at North Carolina (3-0), Noon ET
Prediction: North Carolina 33, JMU 17
Charlotte (1-2) at Indiana (3-0), Noon ET
Prediction: Indiana 42, Charlotte 10
Villanova (3-0) at Maryland (2-1), Noon ET
Prediction: Maryland 41, Villanova 14
Kansas (1-2) at West Virginia (1-2), Noon ET
Prediction: West Virginia 31, Kansas 26
Houston (1-2) at Cincinnati (2-1), Noon ET
Prediction: Cincinnati 24, Houston 20
Florida (1-2) at Mississippi State (1-2), Noon ET
Prediction: Florida 27, Mississippi State 23
Tulane (1-2) at Louisiana (2-0), Noon ET
Prediction: Tulane 31, Louisiana 24
Rice (1-2) at Army (2-0), Noon ET
Prediction: Army 28, Rice 13
Ohio (2-1) at Kentucky (1-2), 12:45 p.m. ET
Prediction: Kentucky 38, Ohio 14
Ball State (1-1) at Central Michigan (1-2), 1 p.m. ET
Prediction: CMU 34, Ball State 28
Virginia (2-1) at Coastal Carolina (3-0), 2 p.m. ET
Prediction: Virginia 31, Coastal Carolina 27
Utah State (1-2) at Temple (0-3), 2 p.m. ET
Prediction: Utah State 28, Temple 20
St. Francis (PA) (1-2) at Eastern Michigan (2-1), 2 p.m. ET
Prediction: Eastern Michigan 37, St. Francis 13
Rest of the Slate, Part II
7 of 8
Eastern Washington (1-2) at Nevada (1-3), 3 p.m. ET
Prediction: Nevada 29, EWU 23
Southern Miss (1-2) at Jacksonville State (0-3), 3 p.m. ET
Prediction: Southern Miss 31, Jax State 28
Rutgers (2-0) at Virginia Tech (2-1), 3:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: Rutgers 27, Virginia Tech 24
Youngstown State (1-2) at Pitt (3-0), 3:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: Pitt 48, Youngstown State 21
Arizona State (3-0) at Texas Tech (2-1), 3:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: Texas Tech 34, Arizona State 31
Arkansas (2-1) at Auburn (2-1), 3:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: Auburn 33, Arkansas 28
Memphis (3-0) at Navy (2-0), 3:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: Memphis 31, Navy 17
Houston Christian (1-2) at UTSA (1-2), 3:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: UTSA 34, Houston Christian 20
Central Connecticut (2-1) at Massachusetts (0-3), 3:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: UMass 23, Central Connecticut 17
Duke (3-0) at Middle Tennessee (1-2), 4 p.m. ET
Prediction: Duke 41, MTSU 14
TCU (2-1) at SMU (2-1), 5 p.m. ET
Prediction: TCU 31, SMU 23
UTEP (0-3) at Colorado State (1-2), 5 p.m. ET
Prediction: Colorado State 36, UTEP 16
East Carolina (2-1) at Liberty (3-0), 6 p.m. ET
Prediction: Liberty 38, ECU 24
Monmouth (1-2) at Florida International (1-2), 6 p.m. ET
Prediction: FIU 28, Monmouth 20
Rest of the Slate, Part III
8 of 8
Cal (3-0) at Florida State (0-3), 7 p.m. ET
Prediction: Florida State 24, Cal 23
Northwestern (2-1) at Washington (2-1), 7 p.m. ET
Prediction: Washington 31, Northwestern 13
Florida Atlantic (1-2) at Connecticut (1-2), 7 p.m. ET
Prediction: FAU 28, UConn 20
Wyoming (0-3) at North Texas (2-1), 7 p.m. ET
Prediction: North Texas 38, Wyoming 21
Tulsa (1-2) at Louisiana Tech (1-1), 7 p.m. ET
Prediction: Louisiana Tech 33, Tulsa 24
New Mexico State (1-2) at Sam Houston (2-1), 7 p.m. ET
Prediction: Sam Houston 27, NMSU 17
Toledo (3-0) at Western Kentucky (2-1), 7 p.m. ET
Prediction: Toledo 34, WKU 30
Florida A&M (2-1) at Troy (0-3), 7 p.m. ET
Prediction: Troy 45, FAMU 17
Iowa (2-1) at Minnesota (2-1), 7:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: Iowa 24, Minnesota 14
Akron (1-2) at South Carolina (2-1), 7:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: South Carolina 40, Akron 13
Michigan State (3-0) at Boston College (2-1), 8 p.m. ET
Prediction: Boston College 27, Michigan State 23
Baylor (2-1) at Colorado (2-1), 8 p.m. ET
Prediction: Colorado 31, Baylor 28
Purdue (1-1) at Oregon State (2-1), 8:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: Oregon State 38, Purdue 28
Fresno State (2-1) at New Mexico (0-3), 8:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: Fresno State 41, New Mexico 21
Portland State (0-2) at Boise State (1-1), 9:45 p.m. ET
Prediction: Boise State 56, Portland State 14
Northern Iowa (2-1) at Hawaii (1-2), 11:59 p.m. ET
Prediction: Hawaii 27, Northern Iowa 17
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