Week 4 of the college football season marks the beginning of conference play for many teams, and it features two games between teams ranked in the top 15. Both games could prove crucial toward the end of the season.
These are the biggest matches on Saturday.
(All times are Eastern and all odds are from BetMGM.)
Clemson is 1-1 with a nasty loss to Georgia and a blowout win over Appalachian State in Week 2. NC State is also having a rough start to the season with a narrow win over Western Carolina and a blowout loss to Tennessee. Wolfpack QB Grayson McCall will miss Saturday’s game with an injury.
Michigan will start Alex Orji at quarterback against the Trojans after Davis Warren started the first three games and was largely ineffective. The Wolverines will likely deploy a run-heavy attack that will test a USC defense that suddenly looks very competitive.
Time: 4:00 PM | TV: Fox | Line: Oklahoma State -2.5 | Total: 52.5
After missing Utah’s Week 3 win over Utah State, all signs point to Cameron Rising playing the Cowboys. And that’s big news for a game that could go a long way in determining the top of the Big 12 standings. The Cowboys are the home favorites after the line had Utah as a slight favorite earlier in the week.
Former Oklahoma QB and assistant Josh Heupel returns to Norman on Saturday night as the Volunteers’ head coach. UT QB Nico Iamaleava has become an early Heisman favorite with his play thus far, and that high-powered offense will put pressure on Oklahoma QB Jackson Arnold to get things going in the passing game.
Six plays later, the Buckeyes find themselves in the end zone on a goal line plunge by Will Howard for Ohio State’s first lead of the game.
Marshall simply went for it on fourth-and-1 at his own 45-yard line and didn’t get it. It was a bold, early decision that could end up costing the Thundering Herd dearly.
Interception Marshall!
The Thundering Herd didn’t give up immediately in this game. Marshall’s Josh Moten intercepted OSU’s Will Howard on a nice play on a deep ball.
Clemson forces turnover, scores again
The Tigers forced another fumble and got it back. One play later, they’re back on the board — this time a 38-yard TD run by Phil Mafah, who’s back in the game and seems to be doing just fine. This one gets out of hand, and it’s only the first quarter.
Ohio State Strikes Back!
While it took the Thundering Herd 13 plays to score, the Buckeyes’ response was much more efficient. It took them two plays, with Emeka Egbuka doing most of the work with a 68-yard TD reception.
Clemson gets strip sack, scores again
What a disastrous start for the Wolfpack. NC State QB CJ Bailey took a helmet to the back and dropped the ball, which the Tigers picked up deep in Wolfpack territory. Clemson then extended its lead with another TD pass from Cade Klubnik to Antonio Williams.
Touchdown Clemson
On the Tigers’ second possession, Cade Klubnik finds Antonio Williams for a 31-yard touchdown. It’s not all good news, however, as RB Phil Mafah injured his shoulder on the drive.
A touchdown, Marshall!
The Thundering Herd get on the board first in Columbus. Ethan Payne finishes a 13-play, 75-yard drive to open the game with a TD dive. Marshall leads Ohio State 7-0.
The Wolfpack got past midfield before they were forced to punt, so the Tigers have it back deep in their own territory.
Clemson’s touchdown!
And just like that… Clemson QB Cade Klubnik sprints right through the Wolfpack defense, 55 yards for a touchdown. What a start for the Tigers!
We’re on our way to Death Valley with Clemson and NC State. The Tigers have the ball first
The best game of the early bracket is an ACC showdown between NC State and Clemson, so we’ll be following that for the most part. But we’ll be providing updates from around the country throughout the day.
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