College football Week 4 was a rollercoaster of triumphs and disappointments, highlighting the programs that are surging and those in trouble. Oklahoma’s defensive line wreaked havoc, Texas Tech pulled off a statement win over No. 16 Utah, and Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza lit up the scoreboard in a 63-10 thrashing of No. 9 Illinois. Meanwhile, powerhouse programs like Clemson and Florida faltered, Oklahoma State suffered a shocking loss at home, and Wisconsin’s struggles intensified amid fan unrest. From breakout performances to shocking collapses, Week 4 delivered a clear snapshot of who’s ascending, who’s in peril, and which coaching seats might be heating up.
Big Winners of Week 4
Texas Tech – The Red Raiders dominated No. 16 Utah 34-10, validating their offseason investments in the trenches. Backup QB Will Hammond stepped in after an injury to Behren Morton and led a 24-7 second-half run. The defense smothered Utah’s quarterback, holding him to 4.2 yards per pass attempt, signaling Texas Tech as a Big 12 contender.
Indiana (#Heismendoza) – QB Fernando Mendoza was unstoppable, completing 21-of-23 passes for 267 yards and five touchdowns against No. 9 Illinois. The Hoosiers’ 63-10 win has NFL draft analysts projecting Mendoza as a top prospect, while Indiana’s program gains national attention.
Oklahoma Defensive Line – The Sooners racked up a school-record 10 sacks against Auburn, showcasing depth and dominance. Defensive ends R. Mason Thomas and Jayden Jackson combined for 4.5 sacks, while seven linemen contributed at least once, making OU a defensive nightmare moving forward.
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Memphis – The Tigers edged Arkansas 32-31 on a late 64-yard touchdown, boosting their playoff chances in the American Conference. Memphis forced key interceptions and had multiple 100-yard rushers, positioning themselves as a strong contender.
TCU – Josh Hoover threw for 379 yards and five touchdowns in a 35-24 win over SMU. TCU’s defense held SMU to 94 rushing yards, showcasing the balance needed to compete in Big 12 play.
Vanderbilt – The Commodores crushed Georgia State 70-21, scoring 70 points for the first time since 1918. QB Diego Pavia returned to lead a dominant ground game, improving Vanderbilt to 4-0 for the first time since 2008.
Rice – The Owls surged to 3-1 under Scott Abell, fueled by a gun-option offense ranking No. 12 nationally in rushing. Wins over Charlotte and Louisiana hint at Rice’s first winning season since 2014.
Big Losers of Week 4
Clemson – After falling to Syracuse, the Tigers are 1-3, trailing by seven or more points in every game this season. Dabo Swinney faces mounting pressure with no apparent solutions on the horizon.
Florida QB DJ Lagway – Lagway struggled in a 26-7 loss to Miami, completing just 12-of-23 passes for 61 yards. Following a five-interception game against LSU, Florida’s historically poor offensive output raises questions about both the QB and coach Billy Napier.
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Wisconsin – The Badgers were dominated by Maryland, held scoreless into the third quarter. QB Billy Edwards’ injury compounded issues, while rushing averaged under 1.5 yards per carry. Fan frustration reached a peak with chants of “Fire Fickell.”
Oklahoma State Coach Mike Gundy – After a 66-point loss to Oregon last week, OSU lost at home to Tulsa for the first time since 1951. Fans booed Gundy, highlighting growing dissatisfaction and a program in decline.
North Carolina – The Tar Heels were routed 34-9 by UCF, totaling only 217 yards and 2.5 yards per carry. Coach Scott Frost faces a massive rebuilding task, with conference wins looking increasingly unlikely.
