Week 4 of the 2024 college football season brings plenty action with three games featuring top-25 teams squaring off highlighting the weekend slate.
The Wolverines have already lost one top-25 matchup at home this year, so there’s plenty of motivation to knock off a favored Trojans team and keep their College Football Playoff hopes alive.
The winner takes a key step towards College Football Playoff contention.
Be sure to stick with CBS Sports all day Saturday for college football coverage from the opening kickoff onward.
Oklahoma State has shown some real vulnerability in run defense and against mobile quarterbacks, creating opportunities for Rising to attack the edges.
With three games pitting the top-25 teams against one another, the weekend schedule for Week 4 of the 2024 college football season is packed with action. When league play gets underway, a number of programs will be making their official conference debuts, and two games will feature opponents who were ranked among the top-15 in the most recent AP Top 25 poll.
Which also includes the negative. No. 11 USC, who travels to No. 18 Michigan available for use. The Wolverines are highly motivated to upset a favorite Trojans squad and maintain their hopes of making the College Football Playoffs, as they have already dropped one game against a top-25 opponent at home this season.
No. 12 Utah heads to No. 1 in what will be its third conference this century. 14 Oklahoma State in a Big 12 match. Everyone is watching Cameron Rising, the quarterback for the Utah Utes, since he was sidelined during their team’s victory in Week 3 due to a finger injury. Although Rising’s return is anticipated, coach Kyle Whittingham stated that it is still important to keep an eye on the situation.
No, then. No. 15 Oklahoma is the host. 6 Tennessee in a game with a tonne of plots. Oklahoma is playing its first-ever SEC game as Josh Heupel returns to Norman as Tennessee’s coach. By winning, the team advances closer to the College Football Playoffs.
Make sure to stay tuned to CBS Sports for coverage of college football starting with the opening kickoff on Saturday. Let’s examine our professional judgments for the top four Week 4 games.
Confidence odds provided by SportsLine | All times are Eastern.
Marshall, at the No. 3 Ohio State.
Noon | Fox, fubo (Try it free) – It’s possible that Marshall could pull off a surprise, but chances are this will be another heavily biased match. The Buckeyes haven’t given up a touchdown this season, and they’ve managed to score points in each of their first two games despite benching their starters early. With a nonconference schedule like this, the Buckeyes gave themselves a three-game preseason, and they will probably lose this one as well. Tom Fornelli is my pick for Ohio State at -39 points.
Negative. 11 USC at the No. 18, Michigan.
3:30 p.m. me. | CBS, Paramount+ with Showtime, CBSSports.com, CBS Sports App — Michigan is hoping to ignite its offense at quarterback after a concerning start by turning to mobile junior Alex Orji. However, it’s evident that the Michigan coaching staff doesn’t think Orji can throw the football, so the Wolverines will continue to be one-dimensional. With D’Anton Lynn as their first-year coordinator, the Trojans’ defense seems much more capable, and they ought to be able to pile up on the opposition. Along with its offensive prowess, USC can also find weaknesses in Michigan’s defense, which isn’t as strong as it will be in 2023. David Cobb, USC, -5 points, five.
Nope. 12 Utah at position No. State of Oklahoma, 14.
4 p.m. M. Fox, fubo (Try it free) — The Utes are the top-ranked team in the Big 12 for a reason, and now they get to show off their strength by traveling to Stillwater. Rising has opportunities to attack the edges because Oklahoma State has demonstrated some genuine weakness in their run defense and against mobile quarterbacks. Ollie Gordon II can’t get back on track, but the Utes have a good chance to win. Selection: Shehan Jeyarajah — Utah +130.
Nope. 6 Tennessee at position no. 15 Oklahoma.
6:30 p.m. me. | ABC, fubo (Try it free) — Tennessee’s away game raises some questions because, under Josh Heupel, the Volunteers haven’t played well in big road games, and this will be quarterback Nico Iamaleava’s first start in a really hostile environment. However, Tennessee seems to be a perfect fit for this matchup. Oklahoma has struggled with its offensive line. Among the top defensive lines in the nation is the Vols’ lineup. Oklahoma has struggled to consistently put points on the board. Just twice has Tennessee punted. This game may start out as a slugfest because both defenses are excellent, but Tennessee’s offense will score enough points on enough plays to win in Norman. Will Backus is my pick for Tennessee-7.
