Conference realignment in college football can often be criticized for prioritizing financial gain over tradition. However, Week 4 of the season presents exciting matchups that demonstrate the potential of these changes. Notable games include No. 6 Tennessee facing off against No. 15 Oklahoma in the Sooners’ first Southeastern Conference match, and No. 11 Southern California visiting No. 18 Michigan in USC’s Big Ten debut. While these matchups may have been influenced by financial motives, they offer exciting prospects for fans.
USC and Michigan have a history of playing each other, primarily at the Rose Bowl, with their last meetings on each other’s fields dating back to the late 1950s. Conversely, the Volunteers and Sooners have met four times, with OU sweeping their most recent home-and-home series in 2014 and 2015. While these new conference rivalries may require some adjustment, they undoubtedly rank among the most intriguing games of the weekend.
In other matchups, No. 11 USC is favored against No. 18 Michigan, with a prediction favoring the Trojans 24-21. No. 24 Illinois faces No. 22 Nebraska, with Nebraska expected to win 23-16. No. 6 Tennessee is predicted to triumph over No. 15 Oklahoma with a score of 31-17. No. 12 Utah is favored against No. 14 Oklahoma State, with a projected score of 28-23. No. 8 Miami is expected to win against South Florida with a score of 45-20.
Throughout the weekend, several other games featuring ranked teams will take place. Notable matchups include No. 1 Texas against Louisiana-Monroe, No. 3 Ohio State against Marshall, No. 5 Mississippi against Georgia Southern, and No. 7 Missouri against Vanderbilt. These games, along with many others, are anticipated to provide thrilling moments and competitive clashes for college football fans.
The predictions for this week’s games with ranked teams vary, offering insights into the potential outcomes. Despite the uncertainties in college football, these matchups present opportunities for teams and players to showcase their skills and strive for victory.