Week 4 Recap
No. 1 Texas faced No. 14 Tennessee in Rocky Top in a defensive battle. Neither team could find much momentum as both offenses struggled to get going. The Longhorns led 10–3 at halftime, but they couldn't pull away. Tennessee tied the game early in the third quarter when Qua Moss returned a punt 57 yards for a touchdown.
Texas responded with another touchdown and extended its lead to 20–10 before the Vols scored again and then recovered their own onside kick, giving them one final opportunity. Quarterback Faizon Brandon moved Tennessee into Texas territory, but the Longhorn defense stopped the comeback when his final pass into the end zone fell incomplete. A few days later, the SEC issued a statement clarifying that the onside kick had been incorrectly officiated and Tennessee should never have regained possession. Since the Vols failed to capitalize on the opportunity anyway, it didn't change the outcome, aside from causing Texas fans plenty of stress during the final minute.
The Longhorns survived a late Tennessee comeback at Neyland Stadium, escaping with a 20–17 victory in the first SEC meeting between the two teams. The sold-out crowd of 101,915 watched the Longhorns improve to 4–0 and 1–0 in conference play, while Tennessee fell to 3–1. Texas recorded 10 sacks, with five of them belonging to Colin Simmons, who tied the school record for most sacks in a single game.
“It’s not about me,” the Texas quarterback said. “I didn’t play very well, but our team played great. Defense played well.”
Nearly two weeks ago, Florida won its first conference game at Auburn, carrying some confidence into its matchup against Ole Miss. Still, the No. 4 Rebels were expected to provide a much tougher test. The Gators didn't flinch. Florida led from start to finish, dismantling Ole Miss 52–28 in the Swamp. Florida is now 4–0 and 2–0 in the SEC, while the Rebels dropped to 3–1 and 1–1 in conference play.
Ole Miss was without elite running back Kewan Lacy, who was sidelined with a shoulder injury and left a significant gap in the Rebels' production. But even without Lacy, this shouldn't have been a blowout.
“That was old-fashioned butt-whupping,” said Ole Miss coach Pete Golding.
After losing to Ole Miss in Oxford in Week 3, LSU responded with a dominant win over Texas A&M. The Tigers' defense was suffocating, allowing the Aggies to score only two field goals and no touchdowns. Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed struggled, completing 10-of-26 passes for 106 yards, while LSU's Sam Leavitt delivered another strong performance, completing 17-of-23 passes for 312 yards.
The Aggies' second consecutive loss knocked them out of the AP Top 25 and made a potential CFP appearance a long shot.
Unranked Wisconsin shocked No. 13 Penn State at Beaver Stadium as the Badgers outlasted the Nittany Lions 24-20. No. 24 Mississippi State upset No. 19 Missouri 31-24, while No. 17 Iowa edged No. 18 Michigan 20-19 after the Hawkeyes’ quarterback Hank Brown connected with wide receiver Reece Vander Zee in the end zone as the time expired for a walk-off touchdown.
The storyline of the weekend belonged to Oregon and quarterback Dante Moore. The Ducks played USC on the road, and the 12th-ranked Trojans were looking to improve to 5-0. Oregon opened the contest with a successful field goal, but USC responded with a touchdown early in the second quarter. Then, the course of the game completely changed. With 10 minutes left in the first half, Moore received the snap, found a seam in the Trojans’ defense, and took off.
Seeing linebacker Desman Stephens coming to stop him, Moore slid, ending the play. But Stephens kept going, lowered his shoulder, and struck Moore with a nasty hit to his head.
Moore immediately received medical attention and was taken off the field by an ambulance. Stephens was ejected for targeting, and because he was celebrating after hitting Moore, a brawl broke out, and players had to be separated.
Both teams received penalties for unsportsmanlike conduct. Nebraska transfer Dylan Raiola stepped in and led the Ducks to a 41-27 victory after throwing for 289 yards and two touchdowns.
Another weekend, another round of thrilling games. With the playoff picture beginning to take shape and conference races heating up, what contests are worth watching in Week 5?
#7 Alabama vs. #16 Mississippi State
The Bulldogs host the Crimson Tide in arguably the most anticipated matchup of the week. Fans should witness an epic battle between two undefeated SEC teams fighting to keep their perfect records intact. Mississippi State has been one of the biggest surprises of the season, while Alabama continues to play at a championship level.
With two explosive offenses and two young quarterbacks taking center stage, this could be a thrilling, high-scoring game.
Alabama's offense has been nearly unstoppable early in the season, averaging 47.7 points per game. Quarterback Keelon Russell has taken a major step forward over the last two games, combining for 776 total yards and nine touchdowns without a turnover.
The Crimson Tide have scored at least 45 points in every game this season.
The Bulldogs are equally as dynamic on offense. Mississippi State averages 43.0 points and 533.2 total yards per game, while quarterback Kamario Taylor has thrown for 1,192 yards and 14 touchdowns through his first four games. He has also received significant help from running back Fluff Bothwell and explosive receiver Anthony Evans III. For Alabama, it is going to be critical to stop Mississippi State’s passing attack.
The Bulldogs rank among the nation's best in passing production, while Alabama has allowed 221.5 passing yards per game.
The Crimson Tide carries a significant mental crutch into the game - Alabama has won 16 straight meetings, with Mississippi State's last victory coming in 2007. Can the Bulldogs finally snap the streak and upset Alabama at home?
Focus point: Imagine being a sophomore quarterback and a first-time starter, only four games into your first season leading an SEC offense. Then Nick Saban, arguably the most accomplished coach in college football history, compliments your play and says that if he were still coaching, he would try to recruit you into the transfer portal. Ironically, the destination would be Alabama. Taylor has been sensational so far, and he is the player to watch. If he can maintain his composure and continue making explosive plays, he could give the Bulldogs a chance to pull off one of the biggest wins of the season.
When: Saturday, October 3, 2026, at 12 p.m. ET
Where: Davis Wade Stadium, Starkville, Mississippi
Pitt vs. Virginia Tech
This is an unranked clash of undefeated teams with major ACC implications. Both teams are 4–0 and have received votes in the latest AP Top 25 voting. After his fiery exit from Penn State last fall, Hokies head coach James Franklin continues to make his mark at his new school. Virginia Tech will have the home-field advantage while hosting its first conference game of the season.
If the Hokies win, they will improve to 5–0 for the first time since 2005.
The Panthers beat Syracuse 27-13 in their ACC opener and shut down Bucknell 56-0 a week later. Quarterback Mason Heintschel has been sensational - so far, he has completed 88-of-130 passes (67.7%) for 1,191 yards, 13 touchdowns, and one interception. His contribution will be critical against Virginia Tech’s dominant defense that ranks third in the country in total sacks (17).
However, the Hokies are yet to face an offense quite as explosive as Pitt.
The Panthers have the statistical edge on both sides of the ball. Pitt is averaging 6.4 yards per play against FBS opponents while allowing just 4.6, compared with 5.2 and 5.6 for Virginia Tech. Pitt also has the ACC's top-ranked defense entering the game. But the Hokies’ offense is averaging 43.3 points per game and will keep Pitt’s defense busy.
With a game projected to be extremely close, playing on the home field might give Virginia Tech the edge.
Focus point: This isn’t just an ordinary ACC game. While not a traditional, trophy-named rivalry, the Panthers and Hokies share a long history as conference foes dating back to their days in the Big East and continuing into the ACC. They met for the first time in 1993, and Virginia Tech leads the series 12-11. This week's game marks a unique piece of modern college football history: it is the first matchup ever between two unranked 4-0 major conference teams. The winner will establish himself as an ACC frontrunner.
When: Friday, October 2, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. ET
Where: Lane Stadium, Blacksburg, Virginia
Navy vs. Air Force
The first meeting between service academies of the year is here. Navy visits Air Force, where two programs that have the triple option down to a T will clash for bragging rights in the military sphere. Is this going to be the most exciting matchup in terms of pure football skills and talent? No. But when the academies compete, it’s deeper than just football.
It’s respect. Sportsmanship. Honor. Integrity. Furthermore, the game sparks the annual competition for the
Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy awarded to the winner of the series among the Army, Navy, and Air Force. All programs face each other every year.
Navy enters at 1–2, while Air Force is 2–1, and the Falcons have home-field advantage in Colorado Springs. It is the 59th meeting between the service academies, with the Air Force leading the all-time series 34–24. The Falcons are coming off two consecutive losing seasons, and they lost to the Midshipmen twice in a row. Navy currently holds the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy after winning it each of the past two seasons.
The Falcons are looking to rebound and restore the winning culture from 2023 - the Falcons were ranked as high as No. 19 in the AP Top 25 and started the season 8-0 before losing their last four contests.
Navy is going to be a tough test. After finishing last season as No. 23 in the country, the Midshipmen returned 47% of total production, looking to pick up where they left off. That’s why we predicted that Navy will win the American Conference. The Midshipmen boast a tremendous defense that makes everything tough for the opposing offense. Compared to Air Force, Navy allows 2.6 fewer yards per rush.
The Midshipmen excel at pass rushing and also have 10 sacks this season, which ranks among the best in the country. It is going to be a run-heavy, low-scoring game.
Focus point: Navy suffered a massive blow early after quarterback Braxton Woodson hurt his ankle in Week 2. The MRI came back negative for major structural issues, and he has been week-to-week. He is a senior captain and heart and soul of the program. After he exited in the third quarter, Navy lost to FAU, then to UAB as Woodson sat on the sideline. He’s a terrific offensive weapon - in 2025, he rushed for 414 yards and six touchdowns while averaging an impressive 9.4 yards per carry. If Navy gets him back for the rivalry game against Air Force, their chances of winning will go up tremendously.
When: Saturday, October 3, 2026, at 12 p.m. ET
Where: Falcon Stadium, Colorado Springs, Colorado
North Dakota State vs. Wyoming
The FBS has a new rivalry! NDSU and Wyoming announced the establishment of the Battle of the Basins. Saturday's game is going to be the inaugural game starting the new series. The winner takes home a traveling trophy featuring a wooden base, the NDSU logo, Wyoming's Steamboat logo, and a replica oil drill bit on top.
The Bison will also host their first Mountain West conference matchup. NDSU continues impressing the FBS in its debut season, winning all four games so far. The Bison have been receiving AP Top 25 votes and currently are believed to be a Mountain West title contender.
Wyoming comes into Fargo at 2–2, but the Cowboys are coming off a 27–10 victory over Hawai'i to snatch their first conference win of the year. Their biggest challenge will be dealing with the Fargodome environment. Wyoming head coach Jay Sawvel called it the most difficult road environment his team will face in the Mountain West, with a sellout crowd expected.
The Cowboys rely on quarterback Tyler Hughes, who threw for 2,330 yards and ran for 670 yards at William & Mary last season. But NDSU has been particularly strong defensively, ranking near the top of the FBS in takeaways and red-zone defense. NDSU's defense and home-field advantage should be the difference. The Bison have already shown they can handle FBS competition, and playing inside the Fargodome should make things even more difficult for Wyoming. The Bison are on track to be 5-0.
Focus point: Quarterback Nathan Hayes has emerged as one of North Dakota State's key playmakers during its transition to the FBS, completing 67% of his passes for 808 yards, seven touchdowns, and just two interceptions through four games. He is playing in his first season as a starter and didn’t need any time getting used to the big stage. He’s proven he can be a dual threat - he rushed for 43 yards and a touchdown on the ground. He’s a big reason for the Bison’s success, and if he keeps playing at this level, NDSU can compete for the Mountain West crown.
When: Saturday, October 3, 2026, at 3:30 p.m. ET
Where: Fargodome, Fargo, North Dakota