Another action-packed slate is upon us as we head into Week Four of the college football season, filled with high-stakes matchups that could shape the playoff picture. Let’s dive into the biggest games and key storylines to watch.

Illinois-Nebraska

The week kicks off with an absolute banger of a Friday night Big Ten showdown. Both teams are 3-0 and eager to make a statement in their conference opener. For Illinois, the key to success lies in the ground game. Despite the strong start, running back Kadin Feagin and the Illini rushing attack have been underwhelming, averaging just four yards per carry. That won’t be easy to improve against Nebraska, whose defensive front ranks fourth nationally in opponent rushing yards per attempt, allowing just 1.6 yards per carry. However, Illinois' offensive line will be the toughest Nebraska has faced, making for an intriguing battle in the trenches.

On the Nebraska side, the game depends on ball security. Illinois ranks ninth in the nation with 2.5 forced turnovers per game and has already caught six interceptions. While Nebraska has been careful with the football so far, they’ll be relying on a true freshman quarterback in Dylan Raiola, who is up against the best defense he’s faced. That said, Raiola is no ordinary freshman, and if he can protect the football as he has so far, Nebraska should emerge victorious on a special night celebrating the 400th consecutive sellout at Memorial Stadium.

Prediction: Nebraska 23-20 

Tennessee-Oklahoma

If you love electric atmospheres, Norman, Oklahoma is the place to be on Saturday night. In their first-ever SEC matchup, Oklahoma will take on the sixth-ranked Tennessee Volunteers in a primetime showdown. Adding even more spice to the game, Tennessee’s Head Coach Josh Heupel was once Oklahoma’s offensive coordinator, before a controversial firing in 2014.  With some potential bad blood and all the buzz surrounding Oklahoma’s debut in their new conference, the question is: how will things play out on the field?

Oklahoma may be 3-0, but it has been a shaky start for the Sooners.  Some key injuries at receiver and poor offensive line play has left the offense playing below expectations to start the year.  The defense however, has been excellent and they will need to continue to be if they want to have a shot on Saturday.  Tennessee, on the other hand, has been unbelievable.  Through their first three games, they have outscored opponents 191-13.  Despite that, this is their toughest test to date.

For Oklahoma, slowing down the Tennessee rushing attack will be crucial.  Quarterback Nico Iamaleava is an extremely good player, but he hasn’t had to do very much.  For the most part, it has been Dylan Sampson carrying the load with over 350 yards and nine touchdowns through three games.  If Oklahoma can shut down the rushing attack and force Iamaleava to make plays in his first ever road start, they may have a chance.  They also need the offensive line to play much better than they have.  Tennessee has a legit defensive line with NFL talent littered all over it, and if they can’t give quarterback Jackson Arnold enough time, it’ll be a long night for the Sooners offense.  

Prediction: 31-23 Tennessee 

USC-Michigan

Oklahoma isn’t the only team making their conference debut as USC gets welcomed to the Big Ten with a road matchup against the Michigan Wolverines.  This is a very intriguing matchup because of the contrast in styles from these two teams.  USC, despite an improved defense, remains a Lincoln Riley-led offense that thrives on spreading defenses out and picking them apart through the air. On the flip side, Michigan is built to dominate in the trenches, with a smashmouth, physical approach designed to wear opponents down. The big question: which style will prevail on Saturday?

First, Michigan announced earlier this week that Alex Orji will replace Davis Warren as the starting quarterback this week.  I think this is a move that is long overdue and will at least give the Michigan offense more options with the quarterback run game.  However, I’m not convinced Michigan will score much against a USC defense that has looked far more physical than last season.  On the other side of the ball, Michigan’s defense has shown some vulnerabilities, but with the Wolverines backed into a corner, I expect them to fight hard. Despite many predicting a USC blowout, I think this game will be much closer than expected. That said, Michigan’s offensive struggles will likely keep them from pulling off the upset, and USC should sneak away with a narrow victory.

Prediction: USC 20-17

Utah-Oklahoma state

The final ranked-on-ranked matchup of the week features two of the Big 12 favorites as Utah heads to Stillwater to face Oklahoma State.  For the Utes, it is all about the health of quarterback Cam Rising.  When Rising is in, this offense is among the best in the country, but when he is out, their offensive production seems to fall off a cliff.  According to many sources, Rising will play but the injury is a laceration on his throwing hand so we will have to watch and see how he looks on Saturday.  

For Oklahoma State,finding a way to get Ollie Gordon going will be crucial.  Gordon, tied for third in the country with 62 rushing attempts, has struggled to find consistent success, ranking 56th in total yards and averaging just 3.5 yards per carry.  Much of this is due to the Cowboys’ offensive line, which has struggled so far this season, and facing Utah’s stout defensive front doesn’t provide much hope for improvement this week.  On the flip side, Oklahoma State's defense has shown vulnerability, particularly against the run—something Utah could exploit, with quarterback Cam Rising injured. While this game should be tightly contested, I’m leaning towards Utah pulling out a narrow win.

Prediction: Utah 28-24