Week 4 of the college football season features the start of conference play for many teams, and it includes two games between teams ranked in the top 15. Both of those matchups could prove to be crucial at the end of the season.
Here are the biggest games on Saturday.
(All times are Eastern and all odds are from BetMGM.)
Time: Noon | TV: ABC | Line: Clemson -20.5 | Total: 47
Clemson is 1-1 with an ugly loss to Georgia and a blowout win over Appalachian State in Week 2. NC State is also dealing with a rough start to its season with a narrow win over Western Carolina and a blowout loss to Tennessee. Wolfpack QB Grayson McCall will miss Saturday’s game with an injury.
No. 11 USC at No. 18 Michigan
Time: 3:30 p.m. | TV: CBS | Line: USC -6 | Total: 44.5
Michigan will start Alex Orji at quarterback against the Trojans after Davis Warren started the first three games and was mostly ineffective. The Wolverines will likely employ a run-heavy attack that will test a USC defense that suddenly looks very feisty.
No. 12 Utah at No. 14 Oklahoma State
Time: 4 p.m. | TV: Fox | Line: Oklahoma State -2.5 | Total: 52.5
After missing Utah’s Week 3 win over Utah State, all signs point to Cameron Rising playing against the Cowboys. And that’s big news for this game that could go a long way in determining the top of the Big 12 standings. The Cowboys are favored at home after the line had Utah as a small favorite earlier in the week.
No. 6 Tennessee at No. 15 Oklahoma
Time: 7:30 p.m. | TV: ABC | Line: Tennessee -7 | Total: 57.5
Former Oklahoma QB and assistant Josh Heupel returns to Norman as the Volunteers’ head coach on Saturday night. UT QB Nico Iamaleava has become an early Heisman favorite with his play so far, and that high-powered offense will put the pressure on Oklahoma QB Jackson Arnold to get things going in the passing game.
Live20 updates
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Marshall just went for it on fourth-and-1 at its own 45-yard line and did not get it. It was a bold, early call that could end up biting the Thundering Herd.
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Interception Marshall!
The Thundering Herd aren’t backing down early in this one. Marshall’s Josh Moten picks off OSU’s Will Howard with a nice play on a deep ball.
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Clemson forces turnover, scores again
The Tigers forced another fumble and recovered it. One play later, they’re on the board again — this time it’s a 38-yard TD run by Phil Mafah, who is back in the game after the injury scare and appears to be doing just fine. This one is getting out of hand and it’s still only the first quarter.
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Ohio State strikes back!
While the Thundering Herd took 13 plays to score, the Buckeyes’ response was much more efficient. It took them two plays, and Emeka Egbuka did most of the work with a 68-yard TD reception.
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Clemson gets strip sack, scores again
What a disastrous start for the Wolfpack. NC State QB CJ Bailey took a helmet to the back and fumbled the ball, which was recovered by the Tigers deep in Wolfpack territory. Then Clemson added onto its lead with another TD pass from Cade Klubnik to Antonio Williams.
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Touchdown Clemson
On the second possession of the game for the Tigers, Cade Klubnik finds Antonio Williams for a 31-yard touchdown. It’s not all good news though, as RB Phil Mafah went down with an apparent shoulder injury on the drive.
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Touchdown Marshall!
The Thundering Herd are on the board first in Columbus. Ethan Payne caps off a 13-play, 75-yard drive to start the game with a TD plunge. Marshall up 7-0 on Ohio State.
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The Wolfpack made it past midfield before being forced to punt. So the Tigers will have it back deep in their own territory.
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Touchdown Clemson!
And just like that … Clemson QB Cade Klubnik sprints right through the Wolfpack defense 55 yards for a touchdown. What a start for the Tigers!
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We are underway in Death Valley with Clemson and NC State. The Tigers have the ball first
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The best game of the early slate is an ACC showdown between NC State and Clemson, so we’ll be following that for the most part. But we’ll be giving updates from across the country throughout the day.
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No. 24 Illinois stuns No. 22 Nebraska in overtime, off to first 4-0 start since 2011
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What to watch: Week 4 college football viewing guide
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How is Travis Hunter not the Heisman Trophy favorite?
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Arkansas AD says school needs $12 million more per year in NIL donations to be competitive
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Here’s what the 12-team bracket looks like after Week 3
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No, Arch Manning isn’t a serious Heisman contender despite what his odds suggest
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The next wave of realignment is in Memphis’ hands
Click the photo above to read the story. (Chris McDill/Getty Images) -
Good morning folks and welcome to our Week 4 college football live tracker! We’ll be delivering play-by-play and highlights throughout the day on what should be an action-packed Saturday.
The first games kick off in about 30 minutes. In the meantime, read up on everything that’s going on.
