College Football 2024: Winners and Losers from Week 4
The march toward the College Football Playoff hit a landmark as conference play ramped up around the nation in Week 4.
Illinois kicked off the weekend in style, going on the road and upsetting Nebraska in overtime. Elsewhere in the Big Ten, Michigan squeezed out a thrilling victory over newcomer USC. Clemson downed North Carolina State in its ACC opener, too.
Later on Saturday, Tennessee takes on SEC debutant Oklahoma in the prime-time showdown of the week.
Oh, and you know there were upsets, too.
Bleacher Report is following all the action on a busy weekend and offering rapid reactions on the most significant results.
Winner: Illinois Steals Nebraska's Thunder
1 of 10
In a matchup of 3-0 teams, either result would have sparked a hype train. But there's no question it would've been a bit louder if Nebraska left the showdown with a victory.
Illinois spoiled the party—in Lincoln, no less.
Luke Altmyer tossed four touchdowns in the 31-24 triumph, outdueling star Nebraska freshman Dylan Raiola in a thrilling Friday night game. The contest went to overtime, where U of I scored immediately before Nebraska's drive went to the wrong side of midfield. And, yes, that possession starts at the 25-yard line. It was a disaster.
Not only are the Fighting Illini now 4-0, they've already defeated a pair of ranked opponents. Bret Bielema wasn't exactly on a hot seat, but a poor season at least risked the possibility of that opinion shifting.
So far, no worries.
Illinois, which closes the month at Penn State, is firmly in position to make a bowl appearance after falling shy in 2023.
Loser: North Carolina's Absolute Mess
2 of 10
To say "nothing went right" for North Carolina is unfair, considering the Tar Heels totaled 616 yards and 50 points.
That, objectively, is a lot.
The problem is UNC needed to chase that production because of comprehensive issues. Every phase—offense, defense and special teams—fought through a horrendous day in a 70-50 loss to James Madison.
Down to third-string quarterback Jacolby Criswell, the offense committed five turnovers—including a soul-crushing pick-six right before halftime. Entering the locker room, the Tar Heels had already surrendered 53 points. That sentence does not feel possible.
Nevertheless, it was reality. JMU racked up 611 offensive yards and returned a punt for a touchdown. Noe Ruelas even buried a 50-yard field goal. Everything went right for James Madison.
North Carolina will attempt to rebound next Saturday when it begins ACC action with a short trip to rival Duke.
Winner: Clemson Wrecks NC State
3 of 10
If you ran an errand as the earliest window began, you might've missed the competitive portion of this ACC clash.
Clemson wasted no time cruising past North Carolina State, rolling to four touchdowns in the first quarter alone. Cade Klubnik scampered 55 yards for the opening score and passed for two more in the frame, propelling the Tigers to what became a very comfortable win.
Although the score read 59-35, Clemson built a 59-14 advantage before garbage time. NC State had struggled with quarterback Grayson McCall in previous weeks but endured an even tougher game without him.
Now, the question is simple: What do we think of Clemson?
In the opener, the Tigers couldn't find an answer—especially on offense—against Georgia. That performance made Clemson's national outlook a substantial concern.
But in the ACC? With a schedule that doesn't include a sizzling Miami team? Don't hate it for Dabo Swinney's crew.
Loser: Memphis' Encore
4 of 10
After taking down Florida State in Tallahassee, Memphis solidified itself as a prime contender to represent the Group of Five in the expanded College Football Playoff. This weekend, the Tigers went to Navy as a clear favorite.
So much for that!
Navy quarterback Blake Horvath ripped apart the Memphis defense, throwing for 192 yards and running for 211. He totaled six touchdowns in a thrilling 56-44 victory for the Midshipmen.
Memphis had a chance at a miracle. Whew, it was right there. The team fought back from a 49-30 deficit, made it 49-44, recovered an onside kick and drove to Navy's 26-yard line. But then, Rayaun Lane III intercepted a Seth Henigan pass and took it 86 yards for a score.
One loss doesn't ruin the Tigers' potential, but it definitely trims the margin for error—particularly since it was a conference game.
Winner: Michigan's One-Dimensional Survival
5 of 10
Michigan jumped out to a 14-0 edge and later led 20-10 after Will Johnson's pick-six in the third quarter. Plus, as USC neared the end zone, Miller Moss lost a fumble that Michigan recovered.
As the Wolverines rallied to defensive tackle Kenneth Grant, there's no question that the hearts of USC fans had deflated.
Total chaos ensued from there.
Running back Woody Marks sprinted back and ripped the ball out of Grant's arms. Suddenly, the Trojans had possession again. Two plays and one busted coverage later, USC closed the margin to 20-17. The teams traded a few punts, then USC recovered a fumble and took a 24-20 advantage. There's no question the hearts of Michigan fans had deflated.
My friends, the roller coaster continued.
Michigan back Kalel Mullings bolted for a 63-yard gain, setting up his go-ahead touchdown on fourth-and-goal in the final minute of regulation.
Alex Orji, who replaced Davis Warren, only threw for 32 yards as the Wolverines rushed for 290 in the dramatic 27-24 win. But it was enough. Somehow, it was enough for Michigan to clip USC.
Loser: Nice Knowing You, NIU
6 of 10
As the clock struck zero on Northern Illinois' win at Notre Dame, the MAC program demanded a ton of attention. The upset catapulted the Huskies into the AP Top 25 for the first time in 11 years.
Some stories are short-lived unfortunately.
Buffalo came to DeKalb as a 12.5-point underdog but embraced the spoiler role—just as NIU had done in South Bend. In the cruelest irony possible, a blocked field goal doomed the Huskies—just as the now-23rd-ranked Huskies had done at Notre Dame.
On the opening drive of overtime, Marquis Cooper stormed around the edge to knock aside NIU's 42-yard attempt. Buffalo kicker Upton Bellenfant slid a 37-yard try inside the left upright for the 23-20 upset.
The loss should not diminish what NIU accomplished two weeks ago, but the Huskies will no longer be on the national radar.
Winner: Cam Rising-Less Utah
7 of 10
First, an aside: My kingdom for a healthy Cam Rising. He missed the entire 2023 campaign while recovering from a serious knee injury and has missed two-and-a-half games so far because of a hand issue.
Yet again, though, Utah found a way to win. If you don't already believe Kyle Whittingham is an elite coach, hop on board, friends.
Led by their defense, the Utes traveled to Oklahoma State and absolutely locked down the 14th-ranked hosts in a 22-19 victory.
Utah played so well that OSU briefly benched Alan Bowman, turning to Garrett Rangel until he went 3-of-11. Overall, the Utes limited the Pokes' QBs to a 19-of-44 line for just 237 yards with two interceptions while holding All-American back Ollie Gordon II to 42 yards.
Rising must be healthy for Utah to legitimately be a CFP threat. But if that defense keeps showing up when he's back, the Utes are dangerous.
Loser: Oklahoma's Offense
8 of 10
The warning signs were there. Unspectacular wins against Houston and Tulane created some discomfort around Oklahoma's offense.
And after Week 4, it's bordering on panic.
Not only did Tennessee control the entire game, the Vols flummoxed a reeling OU offense. Jackson Arnold only completed 7-of-16 throws for 54 yards, throwing one interception and losing two fumbles before the coaching staff benched him at halftime.
In his place, Michael Hawkins Jr. at least led a touchdown drive. Still, the Sooners mustered a dreadful 150 yards on 15 non-garbage-time possessions in a 25-15 loss to UT.
Hawkins might not start moving forward—though it may be considered—but OU is clearly at risk of wasting a stout defense.
Winner: Ole Miss Train Rolling On
9 of 10
We can start here: The schedule has been Charmin soft. It's OK to acknowledge that reality.
One refrain I will continually say, though, is that how you play can often be more significant than who you play. Through four weeks, Ole Miss is a prime example of that difference.
Seriously, the Rebels are just scorching anything in their path.
In a 52-13 rout of Georgia Southern, Jaxson Dart threw 382 yards—extending his early streak of 377-plus in each week—and the rushing attack surpassed 200 yards for the fourth consecutive game. Consider this: The offense's 607 yards was a season-low output.
The level of competition rises sharply in Week 5 as Kentucky comes to town, but Ole Miss enters SEC play on a torrid run.
Winner: Colorado's Miracle Finish
10 of 10Down by seven, two seconds left. Ball at the 43-yard line.
No idea how many times I threw this kind of game-winning touchdown in my backyard, and you might have, too. Colorado managed to pull off that miracle in real life against Baylor.
Shedeur Sanders rolled left, launched a pass toward the end zone and found a diving LaJohntay Wester for a game-tying score as regulation expired. Folsom Field erupted as CU stunningly forced overtime, and the Buffs ultimately won 38-31 in the extra period.
Look, you might be tired of the constant CU news that can be attributed solely to Deion Sanders' presence. I get it.
But this one? Incredible.
.jpg?w=600 "Titans President Steps Down")
.png?w=600 "LeBron Addresses MJ Comps 🐐")
