College Football Rankings Week 4: The Top 25 Teams' Upset Alert Status

With Week 4 of the college football season approaching, the games are getting tougher as the top 25 teams start losing big games.

Nowadays in the NCAA, there is enough parity to keep every team on their toes. Whether the opponent is a fellow ranked team or just a conference rival, there are no easy games.

Most teams are in action on Saturday, but which teams should be more scared than others?

Here is a list of every team's game and how nervous their fans should be come the weekend.

25. Georgia Tech

Opponent: North Carolina

Is the ACC back?

Georgia Tech was one of the teams that showed on Saturday that the conference is deeper than just Florida State and Virginia Tech.

Last week, it pounded Kansas 66-24 and rushed for 604 yards and seven touchdowns. 

However, North Carolina is also ranked in the coaches poll and is off to a good start this season. It should be able to keep it close, but Georgia Tech should prevail.

Upset Alert Level: Medium

24. Illinois

Opponent: Western Michigan

Illinois upset the Arizona State Sun Devils last weekend and looked impressive while doing it.

The Illini have played spectacular defense so far this season, averaging fewer than 11 points allowed per game. Western Michigan should not be able to do much better.

Playing at home against an inferior opponent should not pose too much of a problem for this Illinois football team.

Upset Alert Level: Low

23. USC

Opponent: Arizona State

USC is still ineligible for the postseason due to its probation, but it remains a team that can win a lot of games.

Lane Kiffin had a disappointing record last season at 8-5, but the Trojans seem poised to stay on the right track for next season.

On Saturday they play their second Pac-12 opponent (having beaten Utah in Week 2). They travel to Arizona State, who was just recently dropped from the rankings. Despite the loss, the Sun Devils have loads of talent and definitely have the ability to beat the Trojans.

Matt Barkley is a serious talent, but he will need to play at his best to win on the road this weekend.

Upset Alert Level: High

22. Michigan

Opponent: San Diego State

Despite coming into the game 3-0, San Diego State does not have much of a chance at coming into the Big House and upsetting Michigan.

The Wolverines had a major confidence builder in their come-from-behind win against Notre Dame two weeks ago. Last week, there was a chance at a let down, but they came out strong against Eastern Michigan. 

Michigan looks ready to once again compete for a Big Ten title, and it should not be challenged until it faces rival Michigan State on the road in a few weeks.

Upset Alert Level: Low

21. Clemson

Opponent: Florida State

The Clemson Tigers are the first team on this list looking for an upset. They host No. 11 Florida State, a team looking to rebound after a disappointing loss to the Oklahoma Sooners.

Clemson, on the other hand, is coming off a big win over defending national champion Auburn. Although Auburn is young this year, the game showed that Clemson is capable of beating any team in the country on its home turf.

Clemson could beat the Seminoles at home, but it also has a game at Virginia Tech looming on the horizon.

If the Tigers pull of the win, they should be in line for an appearance in the ACC Championship Game. 

Upset Alert Level: High

20. TCU

Opponent: Portland State

Despite losing their opening game at Baylor, TCU has been able to get back on track to its winning ways.

Few teams on the Horned Frogs' schedule pose a threat to defeat last year's Rose Bowl winner. That is, at least, until they travel to Boise State in November.

This week, the Horned Frogs should be able to beat Portland State with ease.

Upset Alert Level: Low

19. Texas

Opponent: Bye

The Texas Longhorns have an off week before traveling to Iowa State. They are off to a good start so far, but they are most likely looking forward three weeks to face their ultimate rival: Oklahoma.

The bye comes at a good time, as the Longhorns should be able to spend the next couple of weeks game planning to take on the best team in the country in the Red River Rivalry.

18. South Florida

Opponent: UTEP

South Florida became the second Big East team to join the top 25 rankings a couple of weeks ago, and it is out to show it is a deeper league than critics give it credit for.

After putting up 70 points on Florida A&M, the Bulls look to continue their dominance against UTEP. The Miners have one of the lowest scoring offenses in the league and will not be able to hang with South Florida for four quarters.

The only chance UTEP has is hoping that South Florida is looking past them towards the prime-time matchup at Pittsburgh next week.

Upset Alert Level: Low

17. Baylor

Opponent: Rice

After scoring 50 points in an upset over TCU in Week 1, Baylor was able to put up 48 points in its second game of the season against Stephen F. Austin.

The difference is that it was also a shutout.

The Bears are rolling into the Big 12 regular season, but first have a tune-up against the Rice Owls. Despite beating Purdue at home this season, Rice is not likely to put up much of a fight.

Upset Alert Level: Low

16. West Virginia

Opponent: LSU

This is another example of a lower-ranked team hoping for an upset.

West Virginia plays host to the No. 2-ranked LSU Tigers in what should be an electric atmosphere in Morgantown.

The Mountaineers escaped a furious comeback by Maryland last week, but they showed enough in their offense to believe they could give LSU a run for their money.

Quarterback Geno Smith is a legitimate star, but LSU has one of the best defenses in the country. If they can get their passing game going, there could be an upset in the making.

Upset Alert Level: High

15. Florida

Opponent: Kentucky

Florida is coming off a tough win against rival Tennessee, but it is not stopping there. The Gators need to take care of business against Kentucky because their next two games can cause any team trouble.

Florida hosts Alabama and then travels to LSU in consecutive weeks. That is enough to make any coach lose his mind, let alone a first-year coach in Will Muschamp.

Being asked to replace a two-time national championship coach is as tough as replacing a two-time national championship quarterback in Tim Tebow. John Brantley has played well, but he cannot stop doing what he is doing if the Gators want to go far this season.

For Florida's sake, they better not look past the Wildcats on the road. They are an inferior team, but are more than capable of surprising people.

Upset Alert Level: Medium

14. Arkansas

Opponent: Alabama

Arkansas has a very good team this year and seeks to make a serious run at a BCS bowl. Unfortunately, going into Tuscaloosa and winning is a tall order for any team.

Tyler Wilson has had a good start to the season in an attempt to replace Ryan Mallet, but the team is yet to leave its home stadium.

While Alabama has not truly been tested this season, the Tide should be able to take care of business against the Razorbacks. Their defense is just too strong, and Trent Richardson has been a touchdown machine.

Upset Alert Level: Medium

13. Virginia Tech

Opponent: Marshall

Virginia Tech has slowly been climbing the rankings this year, and it is quietly becoming favorites to win the ACC yet again.

Although they play a road game this week at Marshall, the Hokies' opponent, the Thundering Herd, got blown out 44-7 by Ohio. And no, that does not say Ohio State.

Virginia Tech should have an easy road to victory as it prepares for Clemson next week.

Upset Level Alert: Low

12. South Carolina

Opponent: Vanderbilt

Although South Carolina has had three tough games so far this season, the Gamecocks have come away with three wins. They are a good, young team led by the "Old Ball Coach," Steve Spurrier.

Vanderbilt has had a good start to the season, as it has also started 3-0. Unfortunately, it does not have the talent it would take to stay with the Gamecocks.

With the game being in its home stadium, South Carolina should be able to knock Vanderbilt off for its first loss of the season.

Upset Alert Level: Low

11. Florida State

Opponent: Clemson

The Seminoles are hurting after a tough loss to the No. 1 team in the country, Oklahoma. However, they better not rest up too much before taking on their next opponent.

The Clemson Tigers have enough talent and momentum to defeat Florida State, especially at home in Memorial Stadium.

Florida State will need E.J. Manuel to play despite an injury to his shoulder that he suffered on Saturday. Otherwise it will leave the reigns to untested freshman Clint Trickett. Clemson is a tough place to make a first career start.

The Seminoles seem likely to lose their second straight game after starting the season in the top five.

Upset Alert Level: High

10. Oregon

Opponent: Arizona

Arizona continues a brutal stretch of its schedule, as it will face its third top-10 team in as many weeks. After losing to Stanford and Oklahoma State, the Wildcats hope the game against Oregon will have different results.

Sorry, Arizona fans, but that is not going to happen.

Oregon has been rolling since its opening-day loss to LSU. The offense has been clicking and seems ready to start running all over the Pac-12.

The Ducks will play in their first true road game of the season, but Arizona will not be able to keep up with the high-speed offense that Oregon runs.

Upset Alert Level: Low

9. Nebraska

Opponent: Wyoming

Yes, Nebraska is traveling on the road against an undefeated team. However, the Cowboys should barely put up a fight against the talented Cornhuskers.

Taylor Martinez is one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the country, and he can legitimately lead this team to a national championship.

Wyoming will be just a blip on the radar by the time halftime hits.

Upset Alert Level: Low

8. Texas A&M

Opponent: Oklahoma State

There are no upsets involved in this game. This should be a great game between two very good Big 12 teams. 

Texas A&M has not been tested yet this season, but being at home in College Station should be enough to put it over the top. The home of the 12th man has always been a tough challenge for opponents. 

An even tougher challenge is Texas A&M being as good as it is.

If the Aggies are able to slow the passing game down, they will be victorious on Saturday.

Upset Alert Level: High

7. Oklahoma State

Opponent: Texas A&M

From Oklahoma State's perspective, the Cowboys do not think anyone can stop their passing game. Wide receiver Justin Blackmon is probably the best in the country at his position, and he keeps putting up ridiculous stats every week.

As a team, the Cowboys have the top-ranked passing offense in the nation, and they hope they can continue playing at that level as the season progresses.

The problem is that they have to go into Kyle Field in College Station, a place that has had a very good home-field advantage over the years.

This will be a great game between some outstanding teams, but Texas A&M should be able to edge out Oklahoma State in a close one.

Upset Alert Level: High

6. Wisconsin

Opponent: South Dakota

If there is a ranked team with an easier Week 4 matchup, I don't know who it could be.

The Wisconsin Badgers take on South Dakota, an FCS opponent whose most recent opponent was Northwestern Oklahoma State.

The addition of Russell Wilson has made Wisconsin into immediate contenders for the national championship this season, and its next game against Nebraska will show if it really is elite.

Unfortunately, there are better games to watch on Saturday.

Upset Alert Level: Low

5. Stanford

Opponent: Bye

Stanford is on its way to a bright season led by one of the best players in the country in Andrew Luck. 

The Cardinal should use this week to continue perfecting their defense, which is already ranked seventh in the nation in points against.

A home game against UCLA looms in a few weeks that should not cause them too much trouble.

4. Boise State

Opponent: Tulsa

Boise State has an extra day of practice after beating Toledo on Friday night. It will not be necessary.

After defeating the Georgia Bulldogs in their home stadium in Week 1, the Broncos do not have another challenge until hosting TCU on Nov. 12.

Kellen Moore will be able to use this game to fill up the stat sheet as he attempts an outside shot as a Heisman candidate.

Upset Alert Level: Low

3. Alabama

Opponent: Arkansas

Alabama hosts a very good Arkansas team on Saturday in what will be its biggest test of the season. The Crimson Tide struggled a bit in their trip to Penn State, but they still won easily.

At home, Alabama rarely loses. The more than 100,000 fans that will be in Tuscaloosa will be all over Tyler Wilson in his first year as a starter since replacing Ryan Mallet.

The Crimson Tide also sports one of the best defenses in the country and have only allowed six points per game this season.

If Arkansas has any chance in this game, it will need to continue running the ball well to keep a balanced offense.

Upset Alert Level: Medium

2. LSU

Opponent: West Virginia

LSU continues its tough non-conference schedule this season, as it travels on the road to face West Virginia.

The Tigers have already defeated Oregon on a neutral field, and now they have to go into a hostile environment against a team with a very high-powered offense.

LSU has already proven it can slow a talented offense, but Geno Smith adds a dimension LSU has not faced yet this season. He is now throwing at it a completion percentage of almost 70 percent. The Tigers will need to focus on stopping him and the rest will be easy.

Les Miles should led his team to a victory in Morgantown, but it will not be easy.

Upset Alert Level: High

1. Oklahoma

Opponent: Missouri

The Sooners took care of business on the road against a very good Florida State team. Now they can relax at home against a weaker Missouri team.

Oklahoma is the No. 1-ranked team for good reason. Landry Jones is ready to take the next step in his career and lead his team to an undefeated season.

The Sooners have already taken care of the one of the toughest matchups on the schedule in Florida State and should fly past Missouri and Ball State on their way to the always-important game versus Texas.

Upset Alert Level: Low