Week 4 Bold Predictions: College Football Upsets and Surprises

Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty Eyes 300 Rushing Yards

Through the early parts of this season, Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty has been nothing short of dominant. The preseason All-MW honoree set the bar high with 459 yards rushing at an astonishing 10.2 yards per carry. He also has nine touchdowns in two games, which easily makes him one of college football’s most explosive players so far.

The next challenge for Jeanty comes against Portland State, a team from the Championship Series. Portland State’s last game against South Dakota was called off due to illness, thus not having been tested for a week. In the last game that the Vikings played against Washington State, they allowed 70 points while only maintaining possession of the ball for 19 minutes.

With that said, Jeanty has a legitimate chance to break 300 rushing yards, as no FBS running back was able to achieve this during the 2023 season. If the game state cooperates and he gets enough carries, it could be Jeanty’s big performance of the year.

Oklahoma Faces a Rude SEC Welcome From Tennessee

It was all Oklahoma optimism when they decided to head to the SEC, but Week 4 might make some people second-guess themselves. Tennessee has been nothing short of merciless this year, top in the nation in scoring with 63.7 points per game. The Volunteers also lie second in yards per game with 639.3-layman’s term: their offense will stop for nothing.

Oklahoma, meanwhile, has shown chinks in their armor. The Sooners offense hasn’t found consistency, and may not have the giddyup to keep pace with Tennessee’s ‘attack the line of scrimmage’ method. But what should really ratchet up the hostility factor will be Tennessee coach Josh Heupel returns to old stomping grounds where he became a legend but also had the pain of getting fired.

The Volunteers won’t hold back, as Heupel wants to make an impression. Tennessee seems ready and poised to give the Sooners a rude welcome into the SEC with a commanding win.

Baylor Spoils Colorado’s Big 12 Debut

The Baylor defense has been rock solid through three games, and Colorado, one of the most anticipated storylines this season with its return to the Big 12, is about to get a taste of a team primed to spoil the party with Shedeur Sanders and his high-powered offense.

While Colorado has the talent to win some Big 12 games and even push for bowl eligibility, Baylor’s defense might be a lot for them to handle. A loss here would drop Colorado to 2-2, bringing it back down to earth after a fun start.

On the other hand, if Colorado pulls off a victory, the Buffaloes will be in fantastic position to reach six wins by November. But in this affair, Baylor’s defense might be the difference in keeping Colorado’s offense at bay and making the Buffaloes Big 12 debut miserable.

Miami Faces a Scare From South Florida

The Miami Hurricanes are feeling rather high after a strong 3-0 start propelled them to just outside the top 10 in the US LBM Coaches Poll. But their upcoming game against South Florida could bring some surprises. South Florida has given Alabama tough games in the past two seasons, pushing the Crimson Tide deep into the fourth quarter.

South Florida will have the comfort of the home crowd in Tampa, and Miami could very easily have an eyes-ahead explanation to Virginia Tech a week from now. If so, and the Hurricanes are looking past South Florida, they may well get a dogfight.

It would be so like the Bulls to make things interesting, and it would not be a surprise if Miami needed some late-game heroics from quarterback Cam Ward to emerge undefeated. It has all the makings of a game that could be a lot closer than one might expect, with a perfect record not a given for Miami.

Michigan State Triumphs in Boston College’s Red Bandana Game

One of the sport’s most touching new traditions is Boston College’s Red Bandana Game, honoring 9/11 hero and BC alum Welles Crowther. The Eagles host the undefeated Michigan State Spartans in what could be one of the most underrated matchups this weekend.

Michigan State will enter the contest with a 3-0 record, already staking a Big Ten road win at Maryland. Boston College, meanwhile, has flashed promise with a conference win over Northern Illinois and a one-score loss to Missouri last week. The quarterback for Boston College, Thomas Castellanos, has been particularly impressive, like Michigan State’s Aidan Chiles.

Though Boston College will put a good fight, Michigan State is looking poised to keep their unbeaten streak alive. The Spartans should come out on top, but Boston College will remain a tough opponent in the ACC as the season goes on.

Michigan Looks to Upset USC in Big Ten Debut

Michigan hasn’t looked sharp through its first three games, particularly on offense. USC, however, is 2-0 with a statement win over LSU in the season opener. But the dominance of the Trojans may be as sound as it appears, and Michigan could be poised for an upset.

USC is the favorite heading into their first-ever Big Ten game at Michigan’s Big House, but this matchup has all the feelings of a trap. Michigan could get a boost from a quarterback change – potentially back to Alex Orji, who was believed to be the starter at the beginning of the year.

With talent, it is always tough to go on the road against a team like Michigan. The Wolverines might just catch the Trojans off guard and win in an upset. Although on paper USC has the upper hand, this could be more complicated than expected.

A Weekend Full of Surprises

College football in Week 4 promises thrills, upsets, and lifetime performances. From Ashton Jeanty’s 300-yard game in potential to Michigan’s upset bid over USC, this weekend may very well make some huge changes in the rankings and set the stage for the remainder of the year. Keep an eye on these matchups, since they may very well define paths for several teams as the season progresses.