This weekend marks a pivotal point in the 2025 college football season, as numerous teams seek to solidify their standings. With exciting matchups on the calendar, including important games like Oregon at Penn State and Alabama at Georgia set for next week, the focus shifts to Week 4. Several quarterbacks are in the spotlight as they seek redemption, while conference play approaches.
Quarterbacks Under Pressure
As the weekend unfolds, attention will be drawn to a group of struggling quarterbacks, including Arch Manning from Texas and Cade Klubnik of Clemson. Both players face critical moments in their seasons, needing to demonstrate improvement to avoid a disappointing narrative as the season progresses.
In a key matchup, Florida will visit No. 4 Miami at 19:30 (UTC-5). Despite a disappointing performance last week, where DJ Lagway threw five interceptions against LSU, the Florida defense has shown promise, allowing only 38 points in three games. Lagway must find rhythm against a Miami defense that ranks 83rd in yards allowed per dropback. The current line favors Miami by 7.5 points.
Another significant game features Clemson facing Syracuse at noon (UTC-5). Clemson’s Klubnik has struggled without adequate support from his teammates, as the team’s offense ranks 96th in points per drive. With Syracuse offering a subpar defense, this game presents an opportunity for Clemson to regain momentum. The line currently stands at Clemson -16.5.
High-Stakes Showdowns
In the Big Ten, No. 9 Illinois will meet No. 19 Indiana at 19:30 (UTC-5), marking the first matchup of ranked teams since 1950. Both teams boast impressive records, with Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr. and Illinois’ Hank Beatty leading their respective offenses. The current line favors Indiana by 6.5 points.
The Big 12 has its own exciting matchup with No. 17 Texas Tech visiting No. 16 Utah at noon (UTC-5). Texas Tech has dominated weaker opponents, while Utah leads the conference in exceeding SP+ projections. This game promises to showcase the strengths of both teams, with the line set at Utah -3.5.
In the SEC, No. 22 Auburn will challenge No. 11 Oklahoma at 15:30 (UTC-5). Oklahoma’s quarterback, John Mateer, is touted as a leading Heisman candidate, yet the team must improve its turnover rate. The current line favors Oklahoma by 6.5 points.
Group of Five Action
The Group of Five teams are also in the spotlight this weekend. No. 13 Tulane visits Ole Miss at 15:30 (UTC-5), while Memphis takes on Arkansas at noon (UTC-5). Both Tulane and Memphis have high hopes for upsets, as they aim for significant wins that could alter playoff discussions. The line for Tulane is set at Ole Miss -13.5, and Memphis faces Arkansas at -7.5.
This weekend’s slate of games is laden with implications for playoff hopes and individual performances. As the college football landscape continues to shift, the outcomes from these matchups may prove crucial as teams look to establish themselves in the hierarchy of the sport.
