2026 Week 4 College Football Predictions for Every Game

Much of the Football Bowl Subdivision is diving into conference play. That has resulted in a Week 4 slate packed with big-time matchups.

Seriously, y'all, this Saturday is stacked.

Within the SEC alone, five games—from top-ranked Texas at Tennessee to Missouri heading to upstart Mississippi State—feature a pair of Top 25 teams. The Big Ten also features two other ranked showdowns.

No matter what happens around the country this weekend, there will certainly be significant movement in the polls.

Rankings are based on the AP Top 25.

Top Matchups for Week 4

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Arch Manning

No. 1 Texas (3-0) at No. 14 Tennessee (3-0), Noon ET

Hey, uh, Arch Manning: Are we doing this again? After a dramatic win over Ohio State, the Texas passing game struggled last week despite the comfortable margin. I'm sticking with the Horns because of their sturdy defense, but there are very clear warning signs for Texas—especially on the road.

Prediction: Texas 26, Tennessee 23

No. 4 Ole Miss (3-0) at No. 21 Florida (3-0), 3:30 p.m.

Likely surprising to some, Florida is a slight favorite. The staff overhaul has generated a surge in the UF offense, which is averaging 54.0 points per game and nearly eight yards per snap. Throw in Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss, and it'll likely be a high-scoring afternoon in Gainesville. My tilt is generally toward the known commodity, so Ole Miss it is. This is a key opportunity for UF, though.

Prediction: Ole Miss 41, Florida 37

No. 17 Iowa (3-0) at No. 18 Michigan (3-0), 3:30 p.m.

On the complete other end of the spectrum, the scoreboard probably won't get a workout in Ann Arbor. Both teams have strong defenses. The offenses—well, they are unproven. It's difficult to trust Michigan because of Bryce Underwood's issues against top competition, but the Wolverines can survive at home as long as they limit Iowa's running game.

Prediction: Michigan 20, Iowa 16

No. 23 Texas A&M (2-1) at No. 10 LSU (2-1), 7:30 p.m.

So far this season, Texas A&M has mustered just 6.0 yards per pass attempt. That's a highly concerning number for an offense with a veteran QB, a standout receiver duo and a new-look yet experienced blocking unit. Disregarding that trend as A&M travels to a top-10 opponent feels unwise.

Prediction: LSU 27, Texas A&M 20

No. 20 Oregon (2-1) at No. 12 USC (4-0), 7:30 p.m.

This is easily the Narrative Game of the Week. Entering the season, most expected Oregon to contend for a national title with USC as a borderline CFP team. However, if USC wins, it'll suddenly be the championship threat with a hyped Oregon roster already fighting for its postseason life. I'm hesitant to take USC because of its secondary, but be ready for some hot takeaways if Oregon drops a second game in September.

Prediction: Oregon 37, USC 31

Weekday Games

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Charlie Becker

Northwestern (2-0) at No. 5 Indiana (3-0), Friday, 8 p.m. ET

At the very least, Northwestern's rout of Colorado last weekend makes previewing this Big Ten contest a bit more interesting. Indiana still should win comfortably at home because of its offensive firepower and disruptive defense, though.

Prediction: Indiana 45, Northwestern 17

Liberty (2-1) at Coastal Carolina (1-2), Thursday, 7:30 p.m.
Prediction: Coastal Carolina 27, Liberty 24

Army (1-1) at Temple (1-2), Friday, 4 p.m.
Prediction: Army 28, Temple 21

Howard at Rutgers (0-3), Friday, 7 p.m.
Prediction: Rutgers 52, Howard 10

Navy (1-1) at UAB (1-2), Friday, 7 p.m.
Prediction: Navy 28, UAB 24

Clemson (2-1) at California (2-1), Friday, 10:30 p.m.
Prediction: Cal 30, Clemson 23

Saturday Early Games

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Julian Sayin

Illinois (2-1) at No. 7 Ohio State (2-1), Noon ET

In earlier games against UAB and Duke, the Illinois defense ceded at least 5.2 yards per play. That's not a promising sign against Ohio State, which has a fine running game and is dynamic through the air. Illinois should put together a few scoring drives, but keeping OSU off the board will be the problem.

Prediction: Ohio State 38, Illinois 20

Wake Forest (2-1) at No. 16 Louisville (2-1), Noon

In short, Wake Forest is a pest. The offensive scheme is annoying—meant as a compliment—and the defense has a wide range of packages to create pressure. Louisville will probably win, given its talent edge, offensive balance and home-field advantage. Wake, though, will be a pest.

Prediction: Louisville 36, Wake Forest 30

Sam Houston (1-2) at No. 11 Texas Tech (3-0), Noon
Prediction: Texas Tech 45, Sam Houston 7

Virginia Tech (3-0) at Boston College (2-1), Noon
Prediction: Virginia Tech 34, BC 17

Colorado (2-1) at Baylor (2-1), Noon
Prediction: Baylor 33, Colorado 20

Bucknell at Pitt (3-0), Noon
Prediction: Pitt 59, Bucknell 3

Colorado State (2-1) at UTSA (2-1), Noon
Prediction: UTSA 41, CSU 30

San Diego State (1-2) at Toledo (2-1), Noon
Prediction: Toledo 26, SDSU 21

UNLV (1-2) at Akron (1-2), Noon
Prediction: UNLV 34, Akron 17

Ball State (1-2) at Kent State (1-2), Noon
Prediction: Kent State 27, Ball State 23

South Alabama (2-1) at Kentucky (2-1), 12:45 p.m.
Prediction: Kentucky 36, South Alabama 13

Lindenwood at Eastern Michigan (1-3), 1 p.m.
Prediction: EMU 45, Lindenwood 7

UCLA (3-0) at Maryland (2-1), 1:30 p.m.
Prediction: UCLA 29, Maryland 24

No. 3 Notre Dame (3-0) at Purdue (1-2), 2 p.m.
Prediction: Notre Dame 45, Purdue 10

Northern Illinois (0-3) at Georgia State (2-1), 2 p.m.
Prediction: Georgia State 27, NIU 20

Central Arkansas at Florida State (1-2), 3 p.m.
Prediction: FSU 48, Central Arkansas 7

Hawaii (1-2) at Wyoming (1-2), 3 p.m.
Prediction: Hawaii 24, Wyoming 16

Saturday Afternoon Games

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Gunner Stockton

Oklahoma (2-1) at No. 2 Georgia (3-0), 3:30 p.m. ET

When your offense is a mess and your coach refuses to say nice things about his coordinator, the cure is definitely to play on the road against one of the nation's best defenses. Oh boy. Godspeed, OU.

Prediction: Georgia 28, Oklahoma 13

No. 15 Utah (3-0) at Iowa State (2-1), 3:30 p.m. ET

Iowa State has outclassed two overmatched teams and stuck with Iowa, yielding less than 300 yards in that rivalry loss. Is this defense for real? Utah, led by dual-threat QB Devon Dampier, is a major stress test for a new-look ISU roster.

Prediction: Utah 27, Iowa State 22

TCU (2-1) at UCF (2-1), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: UCF 27, TCU 23

William & Mary at Duke (3-0), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: Duke 52, William & Mary 7

Boise State (2-1) at Western Michigan (2-1), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: Boise State 28, WMU 24

Connecticut (2-1) at Miami (Ohio) (1-2), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: Miami U 27, UConn 20

New Mexico (2-1) at New Mexico State (1-2), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: New Mexico 34, NMSU 19

Robert Morris at Buffalo (1-2), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: Buffalo 45, RMU 10

Stonehill at Ohio (1-2), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: Ohio 41, Stonehill 7

Gardner-Webb at Marshall (2-1), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: Marshall 42, Gardner-Webb 10

No. 25 Houston (2-1) at Georgia Southern (1-2), 4 p.m.
Prediction: Houston 37, Georgia Southern 17

North Carolina Central at East Carolina (1-2), 4 p.m.
Prediction: ECU 41, NC Central 13

Vanderbilt (3-0) at Auburn (2-1), 4:15 p.m.
Prediction: Auburn 34, Vandy 24

Wisconsin (2-1) at No. 13 Penn State (3-0), 5 p.m.
Prediction: Penn State 26, Wisconsin 13

Nebraska (3-0) at Michigan State (2-1), 5 p.m.
Prediction: Nebraska 27, MSU 17

South Florida (3-0) at Bowling Green (0-3), 5 p.m.
Prediction: USF 30, BGSU 14

Saturday Evening Games, Part I

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Malachi Toney

Central Michigan (2-1) at No. 6 Miami (3-0), 6:30 p.m. ET

Due to a scheduling quirk, this is the first Saturday game of the season for Miami. Felt like sharing that. Anyway, a straightforward win for the 'Canes, who are quietly dealing with a string of notable injuries.

Prediction: Miami 47, CMU 10

South Carolina (2-1) at No. 8 Alabama (3-0), 7 p.m. ET

Despite knocking off both Kentucky and Florida State, Alabama started slowly in both victories. With five straight Top 25 opponents on the horizon after hosting South Carolina, this is a critical get-right moment for the Tide.

Prediction: Alabama 34, South Carolina 17

Delaware (2-1) at Virginia (2-1), 6 p.m.
Prediction: Virginia 38, Delaware 13

James Madison (3-0) at Old Dominion (1-2), 6 p.m.
Prediction: JMU 27, ODU 19

Incarnate Word at Texas State (1-2), 6 p.m.
Prediction: Texas State 41, Incarnate Word 14

Long Island at Florida International (1-2), 6 p.m.
Prediction: FIU 45, Long Island 10

Louisiana (2-1) at Charlotte (0-3), 6:30 p.m.
Prediction: Louisiana 33, Charlotte 17

Kansas State (3-0) at Cincinnati (3-0), 7 p.m.
Prediction: Kansas State 27, Cincinnati 24

Oklahoma State (2-1) at West Virginia (3-0), 7 p.m.
Prediction: Oklahoma State 34, WVU 30

Southern Miss (1-2) at Tulane (1-2), 7 p.m.
Prediction: Tulane 34, Southern Miss 20

Kennesaw State (1-2) at Arkansas State (1-2), 7 p.m.
Prediction: Arkansas State 28, Kennesaw State 23

Middle Tennessee (2-1) at Jacksonville State (2-2), 7 p.m.
Prediction: Jax State 27, MTSU 21

Mercyhurst at Western Kentucky (0-3), 7 p.m.
Prediction: WKU 48, Mercyhurst 6

Saturday Evening Games, Part II

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Kamario Taylor

No. 19 Missouri (3-0) at No. 24 Mississippi State (3-0), 7:45 p.m. ET

There is mounting buzz on both programs, largely due to their competence at quarterback. Ole Miss transfer Austin Simmons has been an upgrade at Mizzou, while MSU's Kamario Taylor has soared into early Heisman Trophy conversations. I'll jump aboard the Taylor bandwagon, but Mizzou's defense—which has five takeaways in the last two games—can flip the result with a turnover or two.

Prediction: Mississippi State 34, Missouri 29

Arizona (2-1) at Washington State (1-2), 7:30 p.m.
Prediction: Arizona 30, Washington State 23

Appalachian State (3-0) at North Carolina State (1-2), 7:30 p.m.
Prediction: NC State 34, App State 24

Troy (2-1) at Utah State (0-3), 7:30 p.m.
Prediction: Utah State 27, Troy 24

Houston Christian at North Texas (1-2), 7:30 p.m.
Prediction: North Texas 48, Houston Christian 14

Tulsa (3-0) at Arkansas (1-2), 8 p.m.
Prediction: Arkansas 26, Tulsa 23

Florida Atlantic (2-1) at Louisiana-Monroe (0-3), 8 p.m.
Prediction: FAU 35, ULM 20

Missouri State (2-1) at No. 22 SMU (2-1), 9 p.m.
Prediction: SMU 41, Missouri State 17

Oregon State (1-2) at UTEP (1-2), 9 p.m.
Prediction: Oregon State 34, UTEP 19

Massachusetts (3-0) at Sacramento State (1-3), 9 p.m.
Prediction: UMass 24, Sac State 16

Rice (1-2) at Fresno State (2-1), 10 p.m.
Prediction: Fresno State 31, Rice 17

Georgia Tech (1-2) at Stanford (1-2), 10:30 p.m.
Prediction: Georgia Tech 27, Stanford 20

Air Force (1-1) at Nevada (1-2), 10:30 p.m.
Prediction: Air Force 31, Nevada 24

Minnesota (2-1) at Washington (3-0), 11 p.m.
Prediction: Washington 30, Minnesota 21