College Football 24-25: Week 4 Review

Welcome to the Neighborhood, New Kids 
#18 Michigan 27, #11 USC 24- In a matchup worthy of the Rose Bowl, new conference foes squared off at The Big House in Ann Arbor. The Trojans looked impressive in their first two games of the season, while the defending champions suffered a significant tumble against Texas two weeks ago before narrowly defeating Arkansas State last week. With Alex Orji getting the start for Michigan, they stayed true to their ground-and-point game. Michigan jumped out to an early 14-0 lead, but USC was on the verge of a huge road victory midway through the fourth quarter. Instead, Kalel Mullings ran one in with 37 seconds left to regain the lead and earn a redemptive win.  
#6 Tennessee 25, #15 Oklahoma 15- Josh Heupel's ties to Norman are extensive, winning a national championship in 2000 and serving as their offensive coordinator until he was fired in 2014. Oklahoma, playing their first game as an SEC member, didn't put up much of a fight in the first half, falling behind 19-3 at halftime. They tried to make it look closer in the fourth quarter, scoring two touchdowns late, but Tennessee proved too tough for the new guy, earning a second win over a Top 25 team this season.

Primetime Heroics from Primetime's Team (Colorado 38, Baylor 31 (OT))
The Buffaloes showed a flair for the dramatic on Saturday. For starters, they were down two touchdowns in the second quarter before tying the game in the third. Then, they needed a Shedeur Sanders Hail Mary as time expired in regulation to save the game. Micah Welch opened overtime with a one-yard touchdown run before Travis Hunter made an incredible play on defense, knocking the ball out as Baylor was about to tie the game to force a fumble and secure the victory.

Friday Night Fun in Lincoln (#24 Illinois 31, #22 Nebraska 24 (OT))
Before the chaos of Saturday night, #22 Nebraska hosted #24 Illinois in Lincoln on Friday. Luke Altmyer and Dylan Raiola went toe-to-toe as the two undefeated teams came to blows. The two sides fought back and forth without either side gaining total control. Raiola showed incredible poise, throwing 297 yards and three touchdowns. Altmyer finished the night with four touchdown passes, the final of which won Illinois the game in overtime before the defense put the game away by chasing Raiola backward. 

The Dukes of Chapel Hill (James Madison 70, North Carolina 50)
Usually, the only Dukes we're talking about with North Carolina are the Blue Devils right up the road. On Saturday, James Madison stormed into Chapel Hill and laid the smackdown on the Tar Heels. While UNC kept it relatively close early, the Dukes scored 28 unanswered points before halftime, capped by a pick-six to make it 53-21 at the break. The Tar Heels outscored James Madison in the second half, but it didn't stop them from putting up 70 points on the road to remain undefeated. 

My Top 25
1. Texas (4-0)
2. Georgia (3-0) 
3. Ohio State (3-0)
4. Alabama (3-0)
5. Tennessee (4-0)
6. Ole Miss (4-0)
7. Missouri (4-0)
8. Oregon (3-0)
9. Miami (4-0)
10. Utah (4-0)
11. Penn State (3-0)
12. Michigan (3-1)
13. LSU (3-1)
14. USC (2-1)
15. Notre Dame (3-1)
16. Oklahoma (3-1)
17. Oklahoma State (3-1)
18. Clemson (2-1)
19. Kansas State (3-1)
20. Iowa State (3-0)
21. Illinois (4-0)
22. Louisville (3-0)
23. BYU (4-0)
24. Texas A&M (3-1)
25. Arizona (2-1)

My 12-Team Playoff Bracket
1. Texas (SEC)
2. Ohio State (Big Ten)
3. Miami (ACC)
4. Utah (Big 12)

5. Georgia (SEC) vs. 12. Boise State (MWC)
6. Alabama (SEC) vs. 11. Penn State (Big Ten)
7. Tennessee (SEC) vs. 10. Oregon (Big Ten)
8. Ole Miss (SEC) vs. 9. Missouri (SEC)

13. Michigan
14. LSU
15. USC

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