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After a tumultuous Week 3 highlighted by Ole Miss’ revenge on Lane Kiffin, Kentucky’s top-10 upset over Texas A&M and Vanderbilt’s wild last-second win, Week 4 arrives with plenty of storylines of its own. As conference play begins to take shape, several teams across the country face crucial matchups that could define the direction of their seasons and shake up the college football landscape once again.
Week 4 presents duels between historic rivals, Heisman candidates seeking to strengthen their cases and dark horses looking to burst onto the scene. With the 2026 season starting to ramp up, The Hustler is here to discuss what to watch for this week.
College GameDay heads to Knoxville, Tennessee, as top-ranked Texas takes on Tennessee in just its fourth-ever matchup and first since 1969. Both teams enter the week 3-0, looking to open SEC play with a win after strong nonconference showings. The Volunteers are seeking their first win against an AP No. 1 team in 41 years, while the Longhorns hope to add a second ranked win to their resume — two weeks after defeating Ohio State in a thrilling fourth-quarter comeback.
Tennessee came into the season with several questions as it possesses one of the youngest rosters in the country after losing key players like Joey Aguilar, Chris Brazzell II and Colton Hood. However, not all hope was lost; five-star freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon came into town, hoping to define a new era of Tennessee football. So far, Brandon has done just that, scoring nine touchdowns and leading the offense to 47.7 points per game, solidifying his squad as a legitimate playoff contender.
Despite the promising start, injuries will be an area of concern for Tennessee going into this game. The Volunteers are already thin at the tight end position after Ethan Davis suffered an ACL injury during Week 2’s victory over Georgia Tech, and things only got worse as their running back room took a hit last weekend. Star ball carrier DeSean Bishop injured his hip in the first half against Kennesaw State, then reaggravated it later on. His availability this week is still unknown, per head coach Josh Heupel. Bishop has totaled nearly 300 rushing yards on over six yards per carry, and his presence has been incredibly important in relieving pressure from his freshman quarterback. His injury status will be something to look out for as the Volunteers attempt a historic upset.
Texas enters this matchup feeling as confident as ever, two weeks after avenging multiple big losses to Ohio State in improbable fashion. The Longhorns are led by quarterback and potential 2027 NFL No. 1 pick Arch Manning, who is seeking to take down the school his uncle, Peyton, starred at over 25 years ago. But this Longhorns team is more than just its quarterback and his last name; they spent big this offseason, stacking talent at every position. Its transfer class is led by receiver Cam Coleman, running back Hollywood Smothers and linebacker Rasheem Biles — all of whom have already had a significant impact this season.
Texas will certainly be favored heading into this game, but it will have to overcome the daunting task of playing at Neyland Stadium, which possesses one of the best home-field advantages in the country. The keys to victory for Tennessee will be to dominate on the ground in order to keep Brandon comfortable, as well as to maintain its elite red zone efficiency, making sure it doesn’t leave points on the table against a strong defense. For the Longhorns, they must start fast and take the air out of the Neyland crowd, in addition to limiting explosive plays from the Volunteers (six 40+ yard plays this season). Both teams are looking for a statement win in a conference that is shaping up to be a bloodbath this season.
Texas and Tennessee will kick off Saturday at 11 a.m. CDT on ABC in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Ole Miss got its revenge. It took out Lane Kiffin and his LSU Tigers in one of the most highly anticipated games of the year. Now, the Rebels look to win on the road in a tough matchup with Florida. Both teams will aim to push their record to 4-0.
Florida has been playing good football to start the 2026-27 season. The team is 3-0 with blowout wins over FAU and Campbell, as well as a hard-fought win at Auburn last week. The Gators are aiming for a rebound year after finishing 4-8 last season.
The catalyst for Florida is Jadan Baugh. The Gators’ running back has been nothing short of dominant to start his junior year. After running for over 1,100 yards last season, Baugh already has an SEC-leading 458 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns. Last week, he carried Florida to victory — rushing for 162 yards and 3 touchdowns on 26 carries. Another name to watch for the Gators is wideout Eric Singleton Jr. Singleton has not played a game to date in his senior season, and head coach Jon Sumrall has listed him as a game-time decision for the contest.
Ole Miss is trying to cement its new place in the SEC conversation after the abrupt departure of Lane Kiffin during last year’s College Football Playoff. The Rebels are coming off their storybook win at home last week, beating LSU 32-24. They won a big game in Week 1 as well, beating the No. 16 Louisville Cardinals team on a game-winning field goal.
Trinidad Chambliss has been one of the best quarterbacks in college football these past three weeks, throwing for over 900 yards and 9 total touchdowns. However, the key to the game for Ole Miss could be the availability of Kewan Lacy. The third-year running back has been a steadfast part of the Ole Miss run game but sustained a shoulder injury in the team’s win over LSU. Lacy is considered a game time decision this week.
This in-conference SEC game will have pride on the line for both teams. In the all-time series, the two are tied at 13-13-1. Last year, Ole Miss got the better of the Gators, but whoever wins this week will hold bragging rights until the two teams meet again.
This SEC showdown will kick off at 2:30 p.m. in Gainesville, Florida on ABC.
Week 4 marks a critical matchup in the Big 10. Oregon and USC are both dynamic powerhouses in one of college football’s best conferences. USC will try to use its home field advantage to push for its fifth win of the season. Meanwhile, the Ducks are searching for a win to push their record to 3-1 after a tough loss versus Oklahoma State.
These two teams share a deep history, and this week’s game marks their 65th clash all-time. USC holds the all-time edge, 38-24-2 vs. Oregon. However, the last four matchups have all gone to the Ducks, with this contest being anyone’s game.
Oregon is trying to right the ship after a 2-1 start to the season. Coming into the season, the Ducks were ranked No. 2 in the preseason AP Poll. However, after a close Week 1 victory against Boise State, Oklahoma State shocked Oregon by pulling off a massive upset at home, causing the Ducks to drop all the way to No. 21 in the rankings. After blowing out Portland State at home, Oregon is looking to right the ship and pick up a crucial win.
The key this week for Oregon’s squad is Dante Moore. He’s played great in the team’s two wins but had a disastrous showing against Oklahoma State. Moore has more to play for than college, as he is a top contender for the number one pick in the NFL Draft, so he will want to show out in a nationally televised game. Oregon’s passing attack could also be limited by the availability of its players. Tight end Jamari Johnson has missed the last two games and is unlikely to play. Jeremiah McClellan is another major name to watch. Entering Week 3 as Oregon’s leading receiver, he injured his foot prior to Oregon’s victory over Portland State. His availability could prove to be a difference-maker.
The Trojans aim to keep their hot streak. They have accumulated a 4-0 start to the season, including victories against San Jose State and Rutgers. However, they aim to play better than their previous performance, having beaten Rutgers by only 7 points despite being the 21-point favorites.
USC will aim to beat Oregon through the air. Senior Quarterback Jayden Maiava leads the FBS in passing yards and touchdowns. Sophomore running back King Miller will look to continue his strong performance on the field, averaging over five yards per carry through the first four games. Injured players will be critical for USC as well. Wide receiver Trent Mosley and defensive end Jahkeem Stewart both have injury questions heading into the Week 4 matchup, and their availability will be critical after they both missed the Trojans’ previous matchup.
This is a critical conference game for both teams. Oregon and USC have the third and fourth best odds to win the Big 10, and whichever wins this pivotal matchup will gain an edge in trying to win this power conference.
The Ducks will head to Los Angeles to face the Trojans Saturday, Sept. 26, kicking off at 6:30 p.m. CDT on NBC and Peacock.
Mississippi State is ranked for the first time since 2022, and the cowbells will be ringing louder than ever as Missouri comes into Starkville. The Bulldogs are led by sophomore quarterback Kamario Taylor and an explosive offense coached by Jeff Lebby, but will be met by an also-undefeated Missouri squad. The Tigers won their first two games, including a big win over rival Kansas, but struggled mightily in their Week 3 victory over Troy. They’ll look to right the ship this weekend, which will be no easy task.
Taylor has taken the college football world by storm this season, solidifying himself as a legitimate Heisman contender. He’s racked up over 1000 yards and 12 touchdowns in his first three games, leading the Bulldogs to the No. 2 offense in the country. His performances have led to comparisons to legends like Cam Newton, and some people are already penciling him in as the No. 1 pick in the 2028 draft. But Mississippi State is more than just its star quarterback; they already have seven players who have picked up over 100 yards this year, and their receivers have speed that can burn just about every secondary in the nation deep. Along with the offense, the Bulldogs have one of the strongest defensive back rooms in the SEC, led by seniors Kelley Jones and Isaac Smith.
Mississippi State is coming off a thrilling 41-34 victory at South Carolina, during which it fell to a 16-0 deficit but ultimately rallied in the second half. The offense continued to do what it does best, beating the Gamecocks deep with a plethora of receivers and pounding the rock with Fluff Bothwell. Anthony Evans, Zion Ragins and Sanfrisco Magee each had over 50 receiving yards with a touchdown on a defense that had given up just 4.5 points per game. The Bulldogs’ defense, after giving up 23 first-half points, tightened up in the second half, intercepting LaNorris Sellers twice and not giving up any more points until after the game was out of reach. Mississippi State has looked the part of a playoff contender, and they’ll have the chance to prove it this weekend against a ranked opponent.
Missouri, on the other hand, comes into this matchup with a bit more concern. As previously mentioned, it was forced to grind out a 10-point victory over Troy, a game it was favored to win by 27.5 points. If that wasn’t bad enough, there are still no positive updates regarding the physical status of superstar running back Ahmad Hardy, who seems increasingly unlikely to play at all this season. Hardy was the key to victory last season against the Bulldogs, rushing for 300 yards in a blowout win. He’s been replaced this season by Jamal Roberts, who’s had a great start, but is probably not the gamebreaker that Hardy proved to be in 2025.
The Tigers will need to rely more on quarterback Austin Simmons, who transferred from Ole Miss after being replaced by Heisman favorite Trinidad Chambliss. Simmons had an elite start to the season against UAPB and Kansas but raised some doubts after his performance last week. Despite this, Missouri will likely still aim to beat Mississippi State through the air, utilizing the connection between Simmons and fellow Ole Miss transfer Cayden Lee to get back on track. Coach Eli Drinkwitz has led his team to 32 wins since 2023 and the Tigers will need his expertise to pick up a strong road win for their resume.
In a conference where every week matters, both Mississippi State and Missouri will need to bring their A-game this weekend.
The Bulldogs will host the Tigers Saturday night in Starkville, Mississippi at 6:45 p.m. CDT on SEC Network.
The FBS slate kicks off Thursday night with Liberty going on the road to face Coastal Carolina. Enjoy what will be a great week of football!
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This Week in College Football Week 4: Top talent in Knoxville – The Vanderbilt Hustler
