7 College Football Teams In The Top 25 Most Likely To Lose In Week 4

The first three weeks of the 2024 college football season are officially in the books, and by this point, it’s become a bit easier to separate the contenders from the pretenders while getting a clearer picture of who the best teams in the country really are.

There’s already been a fair amount of movement in the Top 25 compared to how things were shaping up when the season kicked off, and there are plenty of reasons to believe there will be some more significant reshuffling when the Week 4 slate wraps up.

Week 4 of the college football season features four games between ranked teams, which means there’s a ton of potential for drama between squads that have shown they have what it takes to hang with the best.

Some of those teams may have the edge on paper, but there are plenty of reasons to believe we could be treated to some notable upsets by the time everything is said and done.

#11 USC

Do I think USC will end up losing to #18 Michigan? No, but it’s still in the realm of possibility.

The Trojans took care of business against LSU in Week 1, but the only other game they’ve played so far was against a Utah State team they predictably dispatched with ease in a 48-0 win.

USC is a 6.5.-point favorite, but I think it’s foolish to count out the Wolverines entirely when you consider the Trojans will be on the road against a perennial contender.

#12 Utah

Utah may be ranked higher than #14 Oklahoma State, but I can’t say I disagree with the sportsbooks who’ve listed the Cowboys as 2.5-point favorites ahead of the game.

The Utes have a 3-0 record, but all of their wins have come against pretty mediocre teams (the Utah State team that got blown out by USC comparatively held its own in a 38-21 loss).

This is their first real test of the season, and it won’t be surprising to see them fail it.

#14 Oklahoma State

You could argue Oklahoma State also hasn’t faced any incredibly stiff competition, but their win over Arkansas showed they have what it takes to beat an (admittedly mediocre) SEC team.

The Cowboys also have home-field advantage on their side, and while the Utes will get a boost from the return of Cam Rising, Oklahoma State has an equally formidable QB in Alan Bowman and more than enough talent to hand with Utah.

#15 Oklahoma

The Sooners are facing a major uphill battle while going up against #6 Tennessee, and I find it very hard to believe the Volunteers aren’t going to emerge victorious.

Oklahoma is listed as a 7.5-point underdog on their home turf, although their defense has shown it has the potential to make life difficult for Nico Iamaleava and the Tennessee offense.

However, the Vols still seem to have an edge on both sides of the ball, and it’ll be their game to lose.

#18 Michigan

As I alluded to above, I almost hesitated to put USC on this list in the first place, as I don’t think Michigan is going to have what it takes to pull off the win.

The Wolverines are in a transitional year with first-year head coach Sherrone Moore, and while I don’t want to hold their loss against Texas against them too much based on the caliber of the Longhorns, they got absolutely dominated in the only game they’d played against a P4 opponent so far.

They’ll have The Big House on their side, but I don’t think a home crowd will be enough to propel them to the upset.

#22 Nebraska

Nebraska leaped into the Top 25 with a win over Colorado in Week 2, and their matchup with Illinois marks the first time they’ll be taking on a team in the Top 25 this year.

The Cornhuskers are expected to win as 8.5-point favorites thanks in no small part to their fairly suffocating defense, but the Illini are also pretty impressive on that side of the ball.

The play of freshman QB Dylan Raiola will be one of the biggest factors, and while the highly-touted recruit has looked good so far, his lack of experience could end up being an issue.

#24 Illinois

Nebraska has Raiola and home-field advantage on its side, and while Illinois was able to spoil the season for a #18 Kansas team that fell to the Fighting Illini in front of a stunned crowd, they’re probably going to need the Cornhuskers to make a bunch of mistakes while capitalizing on them if they’re going to pull off a sequel to that performance.