2025 Week 4 College Football Predictions for Every Game
Although it's easy to start peeking ahead to a showdown-packed slate to end September, the Week 4 schedule is littered with storylines.
Sure, there isn't a marquee game between top national contenders. But we certainly aren't complaining about Top 25 clashes in three different leagues, along with a pair of impactful nonconference matchups.
The stakes aren't just rising for strong teams, either.
After seeing two coaches fired in recent days, the carousel has officially started. The impact of every result is rising as hot seats are warming.
Rankings are based on the latest AP Top 25.
Top Matchups for Week 4
1 of 6
No. 17 Texas Tech (3-0) at No. 16 Utah (3-0), Noon ET
This is a classic strength-on-strength battle with a high-scoring Texas Tech offense taking on a sturdy Utah defense. However, it's also a clash of two units—the Tech defense and Utah offense—rebuilt in the transfer portal. Utah seemingly has an edge in that department while at home, but we're going to learn plenty about both programs in this Big 12 showdown.
Prediction: Utah 31, Texas Tech 30
No. 22 Auburn (3-0) at No. 11 Oklahoma (3-0), 3:30 p.m.
Jackson Arnold, the former OU starter, is set to lead Auburn into a Top 25 affair in Norman. That's the main storyline, of course, but the early struggles of Auburn's secondary are a big concern opposite John Mateer and the Sooners' offense—especially with AU on the road.
Prediction: Oklahoma 34, Auburn 24
Tulane (3-0) at No. 13 Ole Miss (3-0), 3:30 p.m.
Seeking a third win over a Power Four opponent, Tulane has a chance to place a flashy bullet point on its resume. Ole Miss, though, is likely to stress an unproven Tulane defense. Even if Austin Simmons is unavailable, Trinidad Chambliss had a tremendous game in his first career start for Ole Miss last week.
Prediction: Ole Miss 36, Tulane 23
Florida (1-2) at No. 4 Miami (3-0), 7:30 p.m.
In losses to South Florida and LSU, Florida scored just 26 points. DJ Lagway threw five interceptions in the recent setback to LSU. But is the UF offense isn't that bad, right? Still, it's tough to believe in a dramatic reversal of fortunes against Miami, on the road, in prime time.
Prediction: Miami 27, Florida 16
No. 9 Illinois (3-0) at No. 19 Indiana (3-0), 7:30 p.m.
So you want to compete in the Big Ten? You need this one. Indiana is favored here, and IU coach Curt "Google Me" Cignetti has earned that respect. Illinois, nevertheless, brings an efficient offense and stout defense. This is a prove-it game for the Illini, a top-10 team for the first time in 24 years.
Prediction: Illinois 29, Indiana 24
Weekday Games
2 of 6
Rice (2-1) at Charlotte (1-2), Thursday, 7:30 p.m.
Prediction: Charlotte 24, Rice 20
Tulsa (1-2) at Oklahoma State (1-1), Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Prediction: Oklahoma State 31, Tulsa 23
Iowa (2-1) at Rutgers (3-0), Friday, 8 p.m.
Prediction: Iowa 20, Rutgers 16
Saturday Early Games
3 of 6
UAB (2-1) at No. 15 Tennessee (2-1), 12:45 p.m. ET
Following an emotional loss to rival Georgia, Tennessee has an ideal opportunity to get back on track. This should be a blowout by halftime.
Prediction: Tennessee 52, UAB 10
Oregon State (0-3) at No. 6 Oregon (3-0), 3 p.m.
The in-state rivalry does not look competitive right now. Given that Texas Tech wrecked Oregon State 45-14 last weekend, it's no surprise Oregon is prohibitive favorite over the reeling Beavs.
Prediction: Oregon 47, Oregon State 13
Syracuse (2-1) at Clemson (1-2), Noon
Prediction: Clemson 28, Syracuse 19
SMU (2-1) at TCU (2-0), Noon
Prediction: TCU 34, SMU 30
Bowling Green (2-1) at Louisville (2-0), Noon
Prediction: Louisville 41, Bowling Green 14
Wofford (0-3) at Virginia Tech (0-3), Noon
Prediction: Virginia Tech 31, Wofford 10
Maryland (3-0) at Wisconsin (2-1), Noon
Prediction: Maryland 27, Wisconsin 21
Arkansas (2-1) at Memphis (3-0), Noon
Prediction: Arkansas 38, Memphis 33
North Texas (3-0) at Army (1-1), Noon
Prediction: North Texas 27, Army 17
South Carolina State (2-1) at South Florida (2-1), Noon
Prediction: USF 45, South Carolina State 7
UNLV (3-0) at Miami (Ohio) (0-2), Noon
Prediction: UNLV 30, Miami 20
Wagner (0-3) at Central Michigan (1-2), 1 p.m.
Prediction: CMU 38, Wagner 10
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Saturday Afternoon Games
4 of 6
Kent State (1-2) at No. 7 Florida State (2-0), 3:30 p.m. ET
As if Florida State needed any additional edge, the Seminoles are well-rested after an idle Saturday. It'll be a rout.
Prediction: Florida State 59, Kent State 7
No. 21 Michigan (2-1) at Nebraska (3-0), 3:30 p.m.
The second game of Michigan coach Sherrone Moore's suspension has always been the potential issue. Now, it's here. Michigan is favored, but a stingy Nebraska defense may frustrate Bryce Underwood similar to how Oklahoma limited the freshman QB. Nebraska wins a hard-fought game at home.
Prediction: Nebraska 20, Michigan 16
Purdue (2-1) at No. 24 Notre Dame (0-2), 3:30 p.m.
Clinging near the edge of the Top 25, Notre Dame should finally put a notch in the win column this weekend. Purdue is a major work in progress offensively.
Prediction: Notre Dame 38, Purdue 14
Temple (2-1) at No. 18 Georgia Tech (3-0), 4:30 p.m.
The hunters are slowly becoming the hunted. Georgia Tech has been a nuisance for ranked ACC opponents, but now the Jackets are a Top 25 team for only the second time in the last decade. Fortunately, though, they're not on a big upset alert opposite a Temple squad that fell to Oklahoma 42-3 last weekend.
Prediction: Georgia Tech 41, Temple 14
North Carolina (2-1) at UCF (2-0), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: UCF 27, UNC 24
James Madison (1-1) at Liberty (1-2), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: JMU 31, Liberty 20
Toledo (2-1) at Western Michigan (0-3), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: Toledo 34, WMU 21
Ball State (1-2) at Connecticut (1-2), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: UConn 28, Ball State 20
Gardner-Webb (2-1) at Ohio (1-2), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: Ohio 34, Gardner-Webb 14
Troy (1-2) at Buffalo (2-1), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: Troy 26, Buffalo 23
Louisiana (1-2) at Eastern Michigan (0-3), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: Louisiana 27, EMU 19
North Carolina State (3-0) at Duke (1-2), 4 p.m.
Prediction: Duke 31, NC State 24
Northern Illinois (1-1) at Mississippi State (3-0), 4:15 p.m.
Prediction: Mississippi State 33, NIU 13
Idaho (2-1) at San Jose State (0-2), 5 p.m.
Prediction: Idaho 20, SJSU 17
Saturday Early Evening Games
5 of 6
South Carolina (2-1) at No. 23 Missouri (3-0), 7 p.m. ET
As of publish time, the status of South Carolina QB LaNorris Sellers is uncertain. Regardless of whether he's able to play, I'm picking Mizzou. But if he's sidelined, it might not be very competitive.
Prediction: Missouri 34, South Carolina 14
West Virginia (2-1) at Kansas (2-1), 6 p.m.
Prediction: Kansas 31, WVU 21
Delaware (2-1) at Florida International (2-1), 6 p.m.
Prediction: Delaware 27, FIU 23
Duquesne (1-2) at Akron (0-3), 6 p.m.
Prediction: Akron 30, Duquesne 14
Arkansas State (1-2) at Kennesaw State (1-2), 6 p.m.
Prediction: Arkansas State 34, Kennesaw State 20
Marshall (1-2) at Middle Tennessee (1-2), 7 p.m.
Prediction: Marshall 26, MTSU 21
UT Martin (0-3) at Missouri State (1-2), 7 p.m.
Prediction: Missouri State 38, UT Martin 14
Murray State (0-3) at Jacksonville State (1-2), 7 p.m.
Prediction: Jax State 45, Murray State 17
Nevada (1-2) at Western Kentucky (2-1), 7 p.m.
Prediction: WKU 37, Nevada 16
Boise State (1-1) at Air Force (1-1), 7 p.m.
Prediction: Boise State 31, Air Force 17
Maine (0-3) at Georgia Southern (1-2), 7 p.m.
Prediction: Georgia Southern 44, Maine 10
Coastal Carolina (1-2) at South Alabama (1-2), 7 p.m.
Prediction: South Alabama 35, Coastal Carolina 20
Saturday Prime-Time and Late Slate
6 of 6
Georgia State (1-2) at No. 20 Vanderbilt (3-0), 7:30 p.m. ET
Not since 2008 has Vanderbilt spent back-to-back weeks in the AP Top 25. Take care of Georgia State as a heavy favorite, and the streak is over.
Prediction: Vanderbilt 38, Georgia State 14
SE Louisiana (2-1) at No. 3 LSU (3-0), 7:45 p.m.
When a defense forces five takeaways and the final score is just 20-10, it's fair to ask a coach some questions about that offense. Fun fact.
Prediction: LSU 48, SE Louisiana 7
Sam Houston (0-3) at No. 8 Texas (2-1), 8 p.m.
The hype train has slowed considerably for Arch Manning and this revamped Texas offense. The bright side for the Longhorns, who should roll Sam Houston, is the defense is living up to its elite-potential billing.
Prediction: Texas 41, Sam Houston 6
Michigan State (3-0) at No. 25 USC (3-0), 11 p.m.
In the "body clock" game of the week, Michigan State travels for a late-night kickoff at USC. This under-the-radar matchup of unbeaten teams likely won't be much of a fight in the fourth quarter.
Prediction: USC 37, Michigan State 17
Stanford (1-2) at Virginia (2-1), 7:30 p.m.
Prediction: Virginia 29, Stanford 24
Washington (2-0) at Washington State (2-1), 7:30 p.m.
Prediction: Washington 34, Washington State 20
Arizona State (2-1) at Baylor (2-1), 7:30 p.m.
Prediction: Baylor 36, Arizona State 31
BYU (2-0) at East Carolina (2-1), 7:30 p.m.
Prediction: BYU 30, ECU 24
Southern Miss (2-1) at Louisiana Tech (2-1), 7:30 p.m.
Prediction: Southern Miss 28, Louisiana Tech 23
McNeese (1-2) at Utah State (2-1), 8 p.m.
Prediction: Utah State 41, McNeese 13
Nicholls (1-2) at Texas State (2-1), 8 p.m.
Prediction: Texas State 45, Nicholls 14
Louisiana-Monroe (1-1) at UTEP (1-2), 9 p.m.
Prediction: UTEP 26, ULM 23
UTSA (1-2) at Colorado State (1-1), 9:30 p.m.
Prediction: Colorado State 31, UTSA 27
Wyoming (2-1) at Colorado (1-2), 10:15 p.m.
Prediction: Colorado 24, Wyoming 16
Cal (3-0) at San Diego State (1-1), 10:30 p.m.
Prediction: Cal 34, SDSU 20
Fresno State (3-1) at Hawaii (3-1), 11:59 p.m.
Prediction: Hawaii 28, Fresno State 24
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