The College Football season is ramping up as we head into week four. While there are plenty of games on the schedule worth watching this week, we’ve highlighted four of them below that involve ranked teams on both sides. Additionally, for all of you NFL Draft freaks out there, we’ve also identified 2025 NFL Draft prospects to watch during the action this week.
Be sure to follow NFL Draft Lounge for more coverage on the NFL Draft and week four of the College Football season. As always, you can follow us on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
#24 Illinois Fighting Illini vs #22 Nebraska Cornhuskers
Friday, September 20th at 8:00 PM EST on FOX
Conference play kicks off for these two Big Ten teams in a Friday night matchup. Bret Bielema has the fighting Illini at a 3-0 record, including an impressive home win against Kansas in week two. On the other sideline, we have head coach Matt Rhule and the Cornhuskers, led by true freshman QB Dylan Raiola. Both of these programs are undefeated, which should be a fun watch to kickoff the weekend.
Illinois prospects to watch
JC Davis – Offensive Tackle
Gabe Jacas – Edge
Zakhari Franklin – Wide Receiver
Nebraska prospects to watch
Ty Robinson – Defensive Line
Tommi Hill – Cornerback
#11 USC Trojans vs #18 Michigan Wolverines
Saturday, September 21st at 3:30 PM EST on CBS
Lincoln Riley and the undefeated USC Trojans head to Ann Arbor to take on the 2-1 Michigan Wolverines. The Trojans opened the season winning a tough game against the #13 LSU Tigers. Meanwhile, Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore announced that the team would be making a switch at quarterback, with Alex Orji taking over. If Orji can put it together, it should be a fun contest between these two powerhouse programs.
USC prospects to watch
Bear Alexander – Defensive Line
Jonah Monheim – Offensive Tackle
Miller Moss – Quarterback
Jo’Quavious Marks – Running Back
Michigan prospects to watch
Will Johnson – Cornerback
Mason Graham – Defensive Line
Colston Loveland – Tight End
Kenneth Grant – Defensive Line
Rod Moore – Safety
Donovan Edwards – Running Back
Josiah Stewart – Edge
#12 Utah Utes vs #14 Oklahoma State
Saturday, September 21st at 4:00 PM EST on FOX
Utah QB Cam Rising is expected to play this weekend, despite suffering a hand injury in the season opener against Baylor. However, after attempting just 15 passes in a week two matchup against Southern Utah, keep an eye on his workload. Oklahoma State and Utah are both entering the weekend with a perfect 3-0 record as they open up Big 12 play. Iowa State and Kansas State are also ranked in the division, but a win this weekend would put the Utes or Cowboys in an excellent position to control the conference.
Utah prospects to watch
Lander Barton – Linebacker
Karene Reid – Linebacker
Oklahoma State prospects to watch
Ollie Gordon II – Running Back
Nick Martin – Linebacker
#6 Tennessee Volunteers vs #15 Oklahoma
Saturday, September 21st at 7:30 PM EST on ABC
We close out week four of the College Football season with ABC’s Game of the Week as Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit will call the game. Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel, who won a national championship as Oklahoma’s QB, returns to Norman for the first time since he was fired as offensive coordinator under Bob Stoops in 2014. Sparks should fly as Heupel has the Volunteers ranked sixth in the country, which includes a dominating win against NC State in week two. Meanwhile, Oklahoma will be tested this weekend as they open up conference play since joining the SEC.
Tennessee prospects to watch
James Pearce Jr – Edge
Chris Brazzell – Wide Receiver
Oklahoma prospects to watch
Danny Stutsman – Linebacker
Deion Burks – Wide Receiver
Nic Anderson – Wide Receiver
Billy Bowman – Safety
Dasan McCullough – Edge
Gentry Williams – Cornerback
Jalil Farooq – Wide Receiver
