Week 4 brings the strongest collection of games we have seen so far this season. Sportsvival’s Top 25 will be tested with six ranked matchups, including three games between teams ranked inside our Top 20.
Texas faces its first true road test, Ole Miss tries to avoid an emotional letdown, and Oregon gets an opportunity to prove it remains a serious Big Ten and College Football Playoff contender. We also have important games in Ann Arbor, Baton Rouge and Starkville.
Here is Sportsvival’s Week 4 Pick 6.
1. No. 1 Texas at No. 14 Tennessee
Saturday, Noon ET, Neyland Stadium
Texas remained No. 1 in the Sportsvival Top 25, but the Longhorns did not look particularly dominant in a 30-6 victory over UTSA. Now Arch Manning and the Longhorns must play inside one of the loudest stadiums in college football.
Tennessee quarterback Faizon Brandon gives the Volunteers a dangerous dual-threat weapon. Tennessee cannot allow Texas defensive standout Colin Simmons to take over the game off the edge. If the Volunteers protect Brandon and create some early explosive plays, the crowd could become a major factor.
Manning does not need to win the game by himself. Texas needs to remain balanced, protect the football and avoid giving Tennessee short fields. This feels like the type of game that will reveal whether Texas is truly the best team in the country.
Prospects and players to watch: Texas QB Arch Manning, Texas EDGE Colin Simmons, Texas WR Ryan Wingo, Tennessee LB Arion Carter and Tennessee WR Mike Matthews.
Sportsvival prediction: Texas 27, Tennessee 23
Texas survives, but Tennessee makes the Longhorns earn every yard.
2. No. 2 Ole Miss at No. 24 Florida
Saturday, Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
Ole Miss moved all the way to No. 2 in the Sportsvival rankings after beating LSU, 32-24. Trinidad Chambliss has played himself into the middle of the Heisman Trophy conversation and is rapidly improving his NFL Draft stock.
The biggest concern for the Rebels is an emotional letdown after last week’s huge victory. Ole Miss must now enter The Swamp and face a physical Florida team led by Sportsvival’s Week 3 Impact HVAC Player of the Week, running back Jadan Baugh.
The health of Ole Miss running back Kewan Lacy will be important. Lacy suffered a shoulder injury against LSU and entered the week with an uncertain status. If he is limited, even more responsibility will fall on Chambliss.
Florida will try to slow down the game, feed Baugh and keep Chambliss on the sideline. Ole Miss has the better quarterback, but Florida may have the perfect formula to pull off the upset.
Prospects and players to watch: Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss EDGE Suntarine Perkins, Ole Miss DT Will Echoles, Florida RB Jadan Baugh and Florida LB Myles Graham.
Sportsvival prediction: Florida 27, Ole Miss 24
The Swamp claims another highly ranked opponent, and Sportsvival’s No. 2 team goes down.
3. No. 18 Oregon at No. 11 USC
Saturday, Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
Oregon enters this matchup ranked No. 18 in the Sportsvival Top 25, but the Ducks have an opportunity to remind everyone that they remain a serious Big Ten contender. USC is ranked No. 11, but the Trojans needed everything they had to escape Rutgers last weekend.
Oregon must play with a physical edge from the opening kickoff. The Ducks have enough speed to match USC’s explosive offense, but the biggest difference could be Oregon’s ability to control the line of scrimmage. If the Ducks pressure quarterback Jayden Maiava and prevent him from extending plays, USC could struggle to consistently move the football.
Dante Moore needs to remain patient, protect the football and take advantage of USC’s defense when opportunities for explosive plays become available. Oregon should also lean on its running game to control the clock and keep Maiava on the sideline.
This feels like a statement opportunity for Oregon. The Ducks play tough, win the battle at the line of scrimmage and leave Los Angeles with an impressive road victory.
Prospects and players to watch: USC QB Jayden Maiava, USC WR Makai Lemon, Oregon QB Dante Moore, Oregon EDGE Matayo Uiagalelei and Oregon WR Dakorien Moore.
Sportsvival prediction: Oregon 34, USC 24
Oregon plays its most complete and physical game of the season, controls the second half and wins by 10 points.
4. No. 19 Iowa at No. 15 Michigan
Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, Michigan Stadium
This game may not produce as many points as Oregon-USC, but it should be one of the most physical matchups of Week 4.
Iowa rushed for 422 yards against Northern Iowa, with three different running backs reaching 100 yards. Quarterback Hank Brown has completed the nonconference portion of the schedule without committing a turnover.
Michigan counters with a defense that completely shut down UTEP after allowing a 73-yard touchdown on the opening possession. Wolverines quarterback Bryce Underwood also appeared more comfortable last week, completing 19 of 25 passes for 223 yards and two touchdowns.
Turnovers remain a concern for Michigan. Iowa’s entire identity is built around forcing opponents to become impatient and make mistakes. This game could come down to field position, special teams and which quarterback protects the football.
Prospects and players to watch: Michigan QB Bryce Underwood, Michigan RB Jordan Marshall, Michigan WR Andrew Marsh, Iowa OL Kade Pieper and Iowa DB Koen Entringer.
Sportsvival prediction: Michigan 20, Iowa 16
Underwood makes just enough plays for the Wolverines to survive a difficult Big Ten opener.
5. No. 20 Texas A&M at No. 12 LSU
Saturday, Tiger Stadium
Texas A&M needs an immediate response after suffering a stunning 31-21 home loss to Kentucky. The Aggies entered last weekend ranked ninth in the Sportsvival Top 25, but their playoff margin for error has already become dangerously small.
LSU is also trying to recover. The Tigers lost at Ole Miss after quarterback Sam Leavitt threw a late interception in the end zone. LSU still has one of the most talented rosters in the country, led by offensive tackle Jordan Seaton, tight end Trey’Dez Green and edge rusher Jordan Ross.
Texas A&M must establish its running game and avoid placing the entire offense on the shoulders of quarterback Marcel Reed. LSU’s defense will attempt to keep Reed inside the pocket and make him win with consistent, accurate throws.
This is close to an elimination game. The loser will leave Week 4 with two losses and a very difficult road back into the playoff race.
Prospects and players to watch: LSU QB Sam Leavitt, LSU OT Jordan Seaton, LSU TE Trey’Dez Green, Texas A&M QB Marcel Reed and Texas A&M RB Le’Veon Moss.
Sportsvival prediction: LSU 30, Texas A&M 24
The Tigers rebound at home, while Texas A&M falls to 2-2 after opening the season with playoff expectations.
6. No. 21 Missouri at No. 25 Mississippi State
Saturday, 7:45 p.m. ET, Davis Wade Stadium
Mississippi State has become one of the best early stories in college football. The Bulldogs are 3-0 after rallying past South Carolina, 41-34, behind another impressive performance from quarterback Kamario Taylor.
Taylor threw for 251 yards and four touchdowns against the Gamecocks. His combination of arm strength, athletic ability and confidence has made Mississippi State one of the SEC’s most dangerous offensive teams.
Missouri is also 3-0, but the Tigers were not overly impressive in a 27-17 victory over Troy. Quarterback Austin Simmons must be more productive against a Mississippi State team capable of scoring quickly.
Missouri’s defense needs to contain Taylor and force the Bulldogs into long third-down situations. If Taylor consistently escapes the pocket and creates plays outside the structure of the offense, Mississippi State will control the game.
Prospects and players to watch: Mississippi State QB Kamario Taylor, Mississippi State WR Brenen Thompson, Missouri QB Austin Simmons and Missouri EDGE Damon Wilson II.
Sportsvival prediction: Mississippi State 35, Missouri 27
Taylor delivers another big performance and pushes Mississippi State further into the national conversation.
Sportsvival’s Week 4 Pick 6 Predictions
Texas over Tennessee, 27-23
Florida over Ole Miss, 27-24
Oregon over USC, 34-24
Michigan over Iowa, 20-16
LSU over Texas A&M, 30-24
Mississippi State over Missouri, 35-27
Week 4 should bring movement throughout the Sportsvival Top 25. Texas faces its first major road challenge, Ole Miss tries to protect its No. 2 ranking, and at least one playoff contender is likely to leave the weekend with its season in trouble.
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