| Sign up for the Until Saturday newsletter | Jayna Bardahl and The Athletic’ s college football staff deliver expert analysis on the biggest CFB stories five days per week. Get it sent to your inbox. |
College football’s Week 4 schedule is packed with six top-10 matchups: No. 6 Ohio State at No. 9 Notre Dame; No. 7 Penn State vs. No. 24 Iowa; No. 10 Oregon vs. No. 19 Colorado; No. 11 Utah vs. No. 22 UCLA; No. 13 Alabama vs. No. 15 Ole Miss; and No. 14 Oregon State at No. 21 Washington State.
Check back throughout the day, and we’ll have updates from our writers on the top matchups. (For coverage of Colorado-Oregon and Ohio State-Notre Dame, go to our live blogs for each game: Colorado-Oregon; Ohio State-Notre Dame).
Here’s the full top-25 schedule:
No. 1 Georgia vs. UAB, 7:30 p.m., ESPN2
No. 2 Michigan vs. Rutgers
No. 3 Texas at Baylor, 7:30 p.m., ABC
No. 4 Florida State at Clemson
No. 5 USC at Arizona State, 10:30 p.m., Fox
No. 6 Ohio State at No. 9 Notre Dame, 7:30 p.m., NBC
No. 7 Penn State vs. No. 24 Iowa, 7:30 p.m., CBS
No. 8 Washington vs. Cal, 10:30 p.m., ESPN
No. 10 Oregon vs. No. 19 Colorado, 3:30 p.m., ABC
No. 11 Utah vs. No. 22 UCLA, 3:30 p.m., Fox
No. 12 LSU vs. Arkansas, 7 p.m., ESPN
No. 13 Alabama vs. No. 15 Ole Miss, 3:30 p.m., CBS
No. 14 Oregon State at No. 21 Washington State, 7 p.m., Fox
No. 16 Oklahoma at Cincinnati
No. 17 North Carolina at Pitt, 8 p.m., ACC Network
No. 18 Duke at UConn, 3:30 p.m., CBSSN
No. 20 Miami (Fla.) at Temple, 3:30 p.m., ESPN2
No. 23 Tennessee vs. UTSA, 4 p.m., SEC Network
No. 25 Florida vs. Charlotte, 7 p.m., ESPN+
Check out the full schedule here.
College Station: City of Brotherly Love
In a game that’s been defined by some combination of outstanding defense and inept offense, Texas A&M scores the first touchdown by way of a throw from quarterback Max Johnson to tight end, and brother, Jake Johnson. After coming in for an injured Connor Weigman, Johnson & Johnson made the most of the Aggies’ first possession of the third quarter, and they lead 13-3 over Auburn. — Catherine Briley
Big-time kick
Cincinnati kicker Carter Brown nails a career-long 54-yard field goal, cuts Oklahoma’s lead to 10-6 midway through the 3rd quarter. Some redemption for Brown, who missed on a 26-yarder just before halftime. —Justin Williams
Bama’s new digs
That looks nice!
Got a chance to tour Alabama’s new NIL space ‘The Advantage Center’. Included: podcast studios, green screens, office spaces and more.
Also: financial literacy help, pro legal services (via UA law) + more.
AD Greg Byrne: “This is the first of its kind in the country.” pic.twitter.com/74TXsZowKG
— Kennington Lloyd Smith III (@SkinnyKenny_) September 23, 2023
Clemson’s Jonathan Weitz hits FG, 2 XPs
Clemson kicker Jonathan Weitz, who came out of retirement this past week to return to the Tigers, hit a field goal and two extra points in the first half as Clemson leads Florida State 17-14. Read more here. — Grace Raynor
Aggies’ defense steps up
Texas A&M’s defense has held Auburn to an average of 3.5 yards per play and has recored four sacks and six tackles for loss … and the Aggies lead the Tigers 6-3 at halftime.
Despite the wealth of offensive talent at its disposal, the A&M offense has sputtered. Quarterback Conner Weigman has missed on at least three throws, all four of A&M penalties have been committed by the offense and the last three drives of the first half were all three-and-outs.
Auburn is struggling to move the ball consistently but was able to squeak out a field goal at the end of the half and, even though the Tigers have seemed overwhelmed at times by the A&M defense, Auburn is very much in this game. — Sam Khan Jr.
Sooners on top of Bearcats
Oklahoma leads Cincinnati 10-3 at halftime as Cincinnati’s red-zone woes continue. A nine-play drive just before half stalls and ends with a 26-yard missed field goal by Carter Brown. The Bearcats had a prime chance to tie or trim the lead but instead enter the locker room with Oklahoma up by seven.
Both teams committed first-half mistakes, with Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel coughing up a first-quarter fumble in the redzone a few plays after missing a receiver on a wide-open touchdown. Gabriel still managed to complete 15 of 23 for 212 yards and one touchdown. Cincinnati quarterback Emory Jones threw a second-quarter interception at the goal line from just outside the red zone as well.
The Sooners outgained the Bearcats 247 yards to 175, but the two teams combined for seven punts, two turnovers and one missed field goal. — Justin Williams
What a way to end the half!
You don’t see these hit very often, so it’s exciting when they do. Troy QB Gunnar Watson threw up a 41-yard Hail Mary on the final play of the first half against Western Kentucky and got lucky to take a 10-7 lead into halftime. — Max Olson
Q2 0:00 CHRIS LEWIS OH MY GOD😱😱 Gunnar Watson unloads a Hail Mary to Chris Lewis in the end zone to score as the clock expires.
🔴: 7
⚔️: 10#RiseToBuild | #OneTROY ⚔️🏈 pic.twitter.com/MYudr6cV3Y— Troy Trojans Football 7x⚔️ (@TroyTrojansFB) September 23, 2023
Travis beat up, but churning
Jordan Travis is all beat up — banged up left shoulder, bleeding from his right hand — and he’s still churning. Travis trimmed Clemson’s lead to 17-14 with 22 seconds left in the half on a short run. It was the 81st touchdown of his career at FSU, tying Chris Weinke’s program record. — Manny Navarro
Weigman banged up
Conner Weigman just took a big hit low, and he’s hobbling quite a bit. Something to monitor. Texas A&M still leads Auburn 6-0 with 4:42 left in the second quarter. Weigman now going to the locker room and Max Johnson is warming up. — Chris Vannini
Where is FSU’s defense?
It’s only been three weeks since Clemson-Duke, but that’s the kind of drive that shows a ton of maturity from the Tigers’ offense. When things got dicey against Duke, the Tigers folded. This week, after FSU settled in behind Travis and that scoring drive, Clemson methodically went right back downfield and kept its composure. It ended with a nice little route from Will Shipley and seven more points. — Grace _ _Raynor
It’s officially time to start worrying about FSU’s defense. Clemson is averaging 6.5 yards per play and Jared Verse still doesn’t have a sack THIS SEASON. — Manny Navarro
Impressive response
That was such an impressive drive from Travis and the Seminoles. He doesn’t look 100 percent, but was gritty and methodical in a way that silenced Death Valley. Some really pretty throws in there. — Grace _ _Raynor
FSU back in it
Florida State is right back in it now. Jordan Travis led the Seminoles on a 13-play, 75-yard touchdown drive to cut Clemson’s lead to 10-7. Michigan State transfer Keon Coleman got wide open on third-and-goal, great stacked route combination to free him up. Clemson has had such a significant time of possession advantage, so a solid six-minute scoring drive makes a big difference. Great response from FSU. — Max Olson
Noles in trouble?
Florida State’s officially in Trouble Watch. Clemson goes up 10-0 after a seven-play, 51-yard touchdown drive that ended with a Cade Klubnik QB sneak early in the second quarter. The Seminoles have 21 yards of offense in this game and 61 yards during their past seven drives dating back to last game, as noted by my colleague Manny Navarro. — Chris Vannini
Aggies on top early
Texas A&M leads Auburn 6-0 after an eventful first quarter, although it feels like the Aggies have dominated much more than the score reflects. A&M seems to have the clear talent advantage but miscues on their first two drives — including three false starts — have kept them from finding the end zone.
The Aggies were on the verge of taking a 13-0 after a 63-yard scoop-and-score by linebacker Edgerrin Cooper, but officials ruled Auburn QB Payton Thorne’s pitch to Damari Alston was a forward pass, not a lateral, making Alston’s drop an incomplete pass instead of a fumble. — Sam Khan Jr.
Sooners respond
No. 16 Oklahoma takes a 7-3 lead over Cincinnati on a touchdown drive late in the 1st quarter. Dillon Gabriel found Nic Anderson for a 5-yard touchdown pass one drive after Gabriel coughed up a fumble in the red zone. — Justin Williams
Travis banged up?
Jordan Travis wore a brace on his left shoulder — which he banged up in the win over Boston College last week — to start Saturday’s game, but took it off after the opening drive according to ABC/ESPN sideline reporter Molly McGrath. Travis was nearly intercepted on an errant pass on FSU’s first drive. Jeremiah Trotter sacked Travis on third down to end FSU’s second drive. FSU was outgained 104-21 in the first quarter. — Manny Navarro
Clemson moving the ball
Florida State’s defense came into Saturday’s game having allowed 5.84 yards per play (99th) among FBS programs. So far, Clemson is averaging 5.2 yards per play and FSU trails 3-0. — Manny Navarro
Bearcats up early
Big play for Cincinnati, forcing Oklahoma into a red-zone turnover. Bryon Threats drills Dillon Gabriel to force a fumble, recovered by Jack Dingle. Bearcats up 3-0 early on the Sooners. — Justin Williams
Big-time prospects
One of the best NFL prospect matchups today is any time Florida State WR Keon Coleman and Clemson CB Nate Wiggins face off.
Both are potential top-20 draft picks and NFL starters next year. — Dane Brugler
Are you a real football fan?
Our Chris Vannini certainly is.
Let’s goooooooo pic.twitter.com/fd3ESvofMj
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) September 23, 2023
Must win for Aggies?
It’s hard to say there are “must-win” games in September, but this might be one for Jimbo Fisher and Texas A&M as the Aggies host Auburn to open SEC play.
The Aggies (2-1) have looked great in two games against Group of 5 competition but lost their only Power 5 game to date, a 48-33 road decision to Miami. In a pivotal year for Fisher, who’s in his sixth year, it’s critical that the Aggies get off to a good start in SEC play, lest the angst around the program’s direction grow to a fever pitch.
Auburn beat A&M last season under interim coach Cadillac Williams, and the Tigers are 4-1 at Kyle Field in the series since the Aggies joined the SEC (A&M is 4-2 at Jordan-Hare Stadium since joining the conference). New coach Hugh Freeze brings in a 3-0 Auburn team that had to grind out a 14-10 road win two weeks ago against Cal, its only Power 5 opponent so far this season. Auburn routed Samford in Week 3, while A&M dominated Louisiana-Monroe.
Of note: Freeze’s last SEC win came against Texas A&M at Kyle Field in 2016 when Freeze was at Ole Miss and then-quarterback Shea Patterson made his first career start. — Sam Khan Jr.
Bearcats’ first Big 12 game
Cincinnati (2-1) hosts No. 16 Oklahoma (3-0) for Fox’s “Big Noon” kickoff in the Bearcats’ inaugural Big 12 conference matchup as the Sooners begin their final season of Big 12 play.
Oklahoma’s Dillon Gabriel has been one of the best quarterbacks in the country this season for a program that looks much improved from last year’s 6-7 record in Year 1 under Brent Venables and has its eyes on a Big 12 championship run before departing for the SEC.
The Bearcats lost to Miami (Ohio) last week, snapping a 16-game win streak against the RedHawks, but it didn’t dampen the spirits of the horde of fans who showed up early this morning for the Big Noon pregame show on campus. Cincinnati will be without starting DB Deshawn Pace, who head coach Scott Satterfield announced has been suspended for a violation of team rules. — Justin Williams
Welcome to the Big 12, Cincinnati. #Bearcats pic.twitter.com/SlzP8OK2lv
— Justin Williams (@Williams_Justin) September 23, 2023
Cincinnati star DB suspended today
Cincinnati starting defensive back Deshawn Pace will not play today against Oklahoma for a violation of team rules, Cincinnati coach Scott Satterfield has announced. — Justin Williams
Clemson offense shorthanded
Two Clemson offensive starters aren’t expected to play today vs. FSU: OL Walker Parks, WR Antonio Williams. Andrew Makuba is expected to return. — Daniel Shirley
Tigers in an upset?
I’ve listened to a bunch of college football podcasts previewing this weekend’s games and every single person has picked Florida State. You know what that means. — Ari Wasserman
Badgers take care of Big Ten opener on Friday
Wisconsin took care of Purdue 38-17 to open Big Ten play on Friday night in a game that demonstrated what the Badgers are capable of when everything begins to click under a new coaching staff. The Badgers lost one of their top players in running back Chez Mellusi, who sustained a left leg injury during the fourth quarter and was carted off the field. Still, it was largely an encouraging performance as Wisconsin enters its idle week with a win. Read more here. — Jesse Temple
(Photo: Rick Osentoski / USA Today)
