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CFB Week 4: More Dramatic Than An Italian Opera
Colorado says their prayers, BYU lives mas, and JMU shows they belong.
Christian Medley & Noah Sausville
September 23, 2024
College Football programs put their best foot forward in Week 4, delivering performances that would garner attention from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. There were nail-biting endings, rags-to-riches underdog stories, and performances from teams that showed they’ll make 2024 a year to remember.
There were more unconventional stories as well, including a bet that involved Kansas State losing and Taco Bell (we’ll let you seek out the details). Below is all you need to know about Week 4:
1. #15 Louisville Cardinals 3-0 (1-0) |
2. Boston College Eagles 3-1 (1-0) |
3. Virginia Cavaliers 3-1 (1-0) |
4. #17 Clemson Tigers 2-1 (1-0) |
5. Stanford Cardinal 2-1 (1-0) |
6. Syracuse Orange 2-1 (1-1) |
7. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 3-2 (1-2) |
8. Florida State Seminoles 1-3 (1-2) |
9. Duke Blue Devils 4-0 |
10. #7 Miami Hurricanes 4-0 |
11. Pittsburgh Panthers 4-0 |
12. North Carolina Tar Heels 3-1 |
13. SMU Mustangs 3-1 |
14. Virginia Tech Hokies 2-2 |
15. California Golden Bears 3-1 (0-1) |
16. NC State Wolfpack 2-2 (0-1) |
17. Wake Forest Demon Deacons 1-2 (0-1) |
Key Performances
Clemson 59 - 35 NC State | QB Cade Klubnik and the Tigers have been on a warpath since their blowout loss to Georgia. This week they responded with a blowout of their own against a struggling NC State. In a season where the Wolfpack were expected to contend for the CFP, head coach Dave Doeren’s team has not answered the bell. They trailed 28-0 after the first quarter. Klubnik accounted for 270 total yards and 4 TDs; he’s scored 11 total TDs in his last two games.
Louisville 31 - 19 Georgia Tech | Despite being outgained by the Yellow Jackets, Louisville made key plays on both sides of the ball to secure the victory. Seven TFLs, a fumble-return TD, a blocked FG return for TD, and an insane spinning TD catch by Cardinals WR Ja’Corey Brooks helped outlast GT. Questionable decision-making by head coach Brent Key has hindered the Yellow Jackets in both of their ACC losses.
Notable Developments
Stanford demoralizes Syracuse | The Orange are back down-to-earth after a field goal as time expired sealed Stanford’s 26-24 road victory. The Cardinal dominated the entire first half, but ‘Cuse made it interesting from then on. A go-ahead TD from Orange QB Kyle McCord with 3:13 left certainly added some drama, however a 27-yard completion on 4th-and-9 to star WR Elic Ayomanor setup Stanford’s game-winning kick.
Florida State spoils Cal’s ACC debut | The Seminoles finally got their first win of the season in a 14-9 victory over new ACC member, Cal. Star DE Patrick Payton had three of Florida State’s seven sacks in a stifling effort by their defense. The Golden Bears failed to deliver despite an impressive victory against Auburn and hype generated by their fanbase on Twitter.
SMU dominates the “Battle for the Iron Skillet” | The Mustangs dominated TCU 66-42 in a matchup that saw former SMU and current TCU head coach Sonny Dykes get ejected for critiquing officials. SMU’s statement comes after a close loss to BYU, and was keyed by 127 yards and 3 TDs from RB Brashard Smith and 4 TDs from their defense/special teams.
Look Ahead to Week 5
Virginia Tech @ #7 Miami (-19), Friday 7:30pm ET | After early-season losses to Vanderbilt and Rutgers, Virginia Tech will need to start their ACC campaign off on the right foot. The Hokies will not face a tougher test than Friday, when they visit Heisman contending QB Cam Ward and the Miami Hurricanes.
#15 Louisville @ #16 Notre Dame (-5.5), Saturday 3:30pm ET | Notre Dame will be looking for revenge after an embarrassing loss to Louisville derailed their season in 2023. Cardinals head coach Jeff Brohm will look to re-bottle last year’s formula to overcome the Fighting Irish’s advantage at Notre Dame Stadium.
1. #19 Illinois Fighting Illini 4-0 (1-0) |
2. Indiana Hoosiers 4-0 (1-0) |
3. Iowa Hawkeyes 3-1 (1-0) |
4. #12 Michigan Wolverines 3-1 (1-0) |
5. Michigan State Spartans 3-1 (1-0) |
6. Washington Huskies 3-1 (1-0) |
7. #3 Ohio State Buckeyes 3-0 |
8. #8 Oregon Ducks 3-0 |
9. #9 Penn State Nittany Lions 3-0 |
10. Rutgers Scarlet Knights 3-0 |
11. Wisconsin Badgers 2-1 |
12. Purdue Boilermakers 1-2 |
13. Maryland Terrapins 3-1 (0-1) |
14. Nebraska Cornhuskers 3-1 (0-1) |
15. #13 USC Trojans 2-1 (0-1) |
16. Minnesota Golden Gophers 2-2 (0-1) |
17. Northwestern Wildcats 2-2 (0-1) |
18. UCLA Bruins 1-2 (0-1) |
Key Performances
Michigan 27 - 24 USC | The Wolverines sent the Big House into a frenzy after a go-ahead TD with 37 seconds left. USC was not ready for Michigan’s smashmouth running attack led by budding star RB Kalel Mullings (159 yards and 2 TDs) and their smothering defense. Head coach Lincoln Riley and the Trojans start off their inaugural Big Ten campaign with a loss, while Michigan rebounded after getting embarrassed by Texas.
Illinois 31 - 24 Nebraska | QB Luke Altmyer and the Fighting Illini continue to prove doubters wrong. Friday gave Illinois their first signature win of the season on the road versus Nebraska, behind Altmyer’s 215 yards and 4 TDs. The Cornhuskers led for most of the game thanks to an impressive performance by true freshman QB Dylan Raiola, but giving up three sacks on their only overtime possession sealed their fate.
Notable Developments
Rutgers rescues win versus VT | Head coach Greg Schiano and the Scarlet Knights rescued a 26-23 win on the road versus the Hokies behind a game-winning field goal. Rutgers dominated for three quarters leading 23-7, but squandering multiple possessions let Virginia Tech hang around and claw their way back into the game. Rutgers CB Robert Longerbeam sealed the victory by tipping an interception to himself.
Ohio State showcases versatile offense | The Buckeyes showed exactly why they are Big Ten frontrunners in a 49-14 victory over Marshall. Star RBs Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson rushed for 249 total yards and 2 TDs each, and star WR Emeka Egbuka and true freshman Jeremiah Smith both caught long TDs. Ohio State looks spoilt with weapons going into Big Ten play; they open next Saturday versus Michigan State.
Look Ahead to Week 5
Washington @ Rutgers (1.5), Friday 8:00pm ET | Head coach Greg Schiano and the Scarlet Knights will look to hand new head coach Jedd Fisch and Washington their first Big Ten loss in a primetime matchup. SHI Stadium will be rocking on the banks of the Raritan River, and Sharpshooter Sports will have boots on the ground.
#19 Illinois @ #9 Penn State (-17), Saturday 7:30pm ET | The Fighting Illini will have a chance to prove they belong in the CFP discussion when they visit Penn State at Beaver Stadium. Penn State will hope their offense can build on the momentum they’ve gained through their first three games.
Shooting Our Shot
BIG 12 CONFERENCE
1. #22 BYU Cougars 4-0 (1-0) |
2. #10 Utah Utes 4-0 (1-0) |
3. UCF Knights 3-0 (1-0) |
4. Cincinnati Bearcats 3-1 (1-0) |
5. Colorado Buffaloes 3-1 (1-0) |
6. Texas Tech Red Raiders 3-1 (1-0) |
7. West Virginia Mountaineers 2-2 (1-0) |
8. #18 Iowa State Cyclones 3-0 |
9. Arizona Wildcats 2-1 |
10. #23 Kansas State Wildcats 3-1 (0-1) |
11. Arizona State Sun Devils 3-1 (0-1) |
12. #20 Oklahoma State Cowboys 3-1 (0-1) |
13. Baylor Bears 2-2 (0-1) |
14. TCU Horned Frogs 2-2 (0-1) |
15. Houston Cougars 1-3 (0-1) |
16. Kansas Jayhawks 1-3 (0-1) |
Key Performances
Utah 22 - 19 Oklahoma State | Utah picked up a huge conference win at Oklahoma State in their Big 12 debut. Ute RB Micah Bernard ran for 182 yards and TE Brant Kuithe accounted for both of Utah’s TDs. Freshman QB Isaac Wilson, brother of Zach Wilson, threw for 207 YDS and 1 TD as he continued to fill in for the ailing Cam Rising. Utah dominated most of this game, holding the Cowboys to 3 points through three quarters.
Kansas State 9 - 38 BYU | After building a 6-0 lead, Kansas State found themselves outscored 38-3 the rest of the way. BYU QB Jake Retzlaff and company took care of business for the Cougars. K-State QB Avery Johnson threw for 130 yards and 2 INTs. Interestingly, the Wildcats out-gained the Cougars 367-241. But costly turnovers and special teams blunders were too much for them to overcome.
Notable Developments
Colorado outlasts Baylor in OT after miracle Hail Mary | The Colorado haters are going to have to wait another week. With zero time left on the clock, QB Shedeur Sanders connected with LaJohntay Wester for a 43-yard Hail Mary TD to send the game to OT. On Baylor’s OT drive, Colorado DB Travis Hunter knocked the ball out at the goal line to secure the win. Love them or hate them, the Buffaloes’ two most notorious players continue to make plays.
Kansas free-fall continues vs West Virginia | After starting 1-0, the Jayhawks dropped their 3rd straight game Saturday and have fallen to the bottom of the Big 12 standings. Kansas held a 28-17 lead late in the 4th quarter. They allowed West Virginia to march down the field and score twice to take the lead with 26 seconds remaining in the game. If the Jayhawks can’t turn their season around soon, Lance Leipold’s seat might start to get hot.
Look Ahead to Week 5
#22 Oklahoma State @ #23 Kansas State (-6), Saturday 12:00pm ET | Two of last week’s losers look to rebound in another heavily-anticipated Big 12 bout. The Cowboys of Oklahoma State will travel to Manhattan, Kansas to take on the Wildcats of Kansas State. Both quarterbacks, Alan Bowman and Avery Johnson, will need to perform better than they did last week if they want to give their team a chance to win.
Colorado @ UCF (-14), Saturday 3:30pm ET | After last week’s miracle win against Baylor, the Buffaloes will travel to the sunshine state to take on the undefeated UCF Knights. UCF is currently a 13.5 point favorite over Colorado, per FanDuel.
1. Arkansas Razorbacks 3-1 (1-0) |
2. #2 Georgia Bulldogs 3-0 (1-0) |
3. #14 LSU Tigers 3-1 (1-0) |
4. #11 Missouri Tigers 4-0 (1-0) |
5. #5 Tennessee Volunteers 4-0 (1-0) |
6. #24 Texas A&M Aggies 3-1 (1-0) |
7. Florida Gators 2-2 (1-1) |
8. South Carolina Gamecocks 3-1 (1-1) |
9. #4 Alabama Crimson Tide 3-0 |
10. #6 Ole Miss Rebels 4-0 |
11. #1 Texas Longhorns 4-0 |
12. Auburn Tigers 2-2 (0-1) |
13. Kentucky Wildcats 2-2 (0-2) |
14. Mississippi State Bulldogs 1-3 (0-1) |
15. #21 Oklahoma Sooners 3-1 (0-1) |
16. Vanderbilt Commodores 2-2 (0-1) |
Key Performances
Tennessee 25 - 15 Oklahoma | The Volunteers picked up a second ranked win on the road and spoiled Oklahoma’s SEC home-opener this weekend. Oklahoma QB Jackson Arnold was benched for true freshman Michael Hawkins Jr. Tennessee out-gained Oklahoma 345 to 222 and never trailed in the game in route to their first conference win.
Vanderbilt 27 - 30 Missouri | The jury is still out on the Missouri Tigers. It took them two overtimes and a missed FG to beat the Commodores, at home nonetheless. Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia (14/23, 178 yards, 2 TDs) & Missouri QB Brady Cook (23/37, 226 yards, 2 TDs) both turned in solid performances while Mizzou WR Luther Burden III caught 6 balls for 76 yards and 2 TDs.
Notable Developments
Texas’s dominance continues in Manning’s 1st career start | There were growing pains for Texas QB Arch Manning in his 1st career start Saturday against UL-Monroe. After a first-drive INT, Arch settled in to throw for 258 yards and 2 TDs as Texas rolled to a 51-3 win. Texas RB Jaydon Blue accounted for 127 total yards and 3 TDs as the #1 team in the country moved to 4-0.
A&M narrowly escapes Bowling Green in College Station | Redshirt freshman QB Marcel Reed continued to lead the Aggies on Saturday in the absence of the injured Conner Weigman. He helped them to successfully outlast the Falcons from Bowling Green. The Aggies, who were 22.5 point favorites, could never grow their lead to larger than 10. But they were able to hold on for a win, thanks to a pair of 4th quarter FGs from Randy Bond.
Look Ahead to Week 5
#2 Georgia (-2) @ #4 Alabama, Saturday 7:30pm ET | Two of the most dominant college football programs of this century meet Saturday in Tuscaloosa for the first time since last year’s SEC Championship game. The game that sent Alabama to the CFP and Georgia to the Orange Bowl. Alabama will face its biggest test so far under Kalen DeBoer as two Heisman contenders (QBs Carson Beck & Jalen Milroe) will battle it out in the week’s biggest matchup.
Arkansas @ #24 Texas A&M (-4), Saturday 3:30pm ET | Both teams are fresh off a win and starting 1-0 in conference play. The Razorbacks travel to College Station to face the Aggies. A&M QB Conner Weigman’s status for the game is TBD, but with the way Marcel Reed is playing, the Aggies faithful don’t need to hold their breath.
Best of the Rest
Key Performances
Washington State 54 - 52 San Jose State | The Cougars outlasted the Spartans in the most explosive matchup of the 2024 season so far. This game had everything: 1,118 yards, 106 points, 5 turnovers, and 4 overtime possessions. After two interceptions on the first two overtime drives, John Mateer capped a legendary performance (390 yards passing, 111 yards rushing, 5 total TDs) by running in the mandatory two-point conversion.
James Madison 70 - 50 UNC | The Dukes looked like a Power 4 program in a matchup where it never felt close versus North Carolina. James Madison solidified themselves as a dark horse CFP contender in only their second FBS season. They scored 53 points in the first half, forced five turnovers, and were propelled by an inspiring performance from QB Alonza Barnett III (487 total yards and 7 TDs).
Notable Developments
Northern Illinois falls to Buffalo | Oh, how the tables have turned. In their first game since upsetting Notre Dame in South Bend, the Huskies of Northern Illinois fell short in their bout against Buffalo. After a game-tying FG by Kanon Woodill with 24 seconds left, Buffalo K Upton Bellenfant knocked in a 37-yard game winner for the Bulls in OT. And just like that, Northern Illinois’s CFP aspirations have vanished.
Pitt moves to 4-0 with 73-point outburst | No, college basketball has not started yet. The Pittsburgh Panthers football team ran/passed for a combined 644 yards in their 73-17 blowout of Youngstown State. This win pushes Pitt to 4-0 and they finished their non-conference schedule undefeated for the first time in program history. Watch out ACC, the Panthers are coming.
Look Ahead to Week 5
Northern Illinois @ NC State (-7), Saturday 12:00pm ET | After upsetting Notre Dame, the Huskies have a chance to make lightning strike twice when they visit NC State on Saturday. The Wolfpack have struggled in every game so far in 2024, so expect a close, nail-biting contest.
Washington State @ #25 Boise State (-7.5), Saturday 10:00pm ET | The Cougars travel to face the Broncos in what should be a must-see matchup that features two explosive offenses. BSU RB Ashton Jeanty and WSU QB John Mateer have both stuffed the stat sheet in 2024, and a win for either program could set them up nicely to be in the CFP conversation.
Honorable Mention:
Liberty (-3.5) @ App State, Saturday 3:30pm ET
USF @ Tulane (-6.5), Saturday 12:00pm ET
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