Week 4 of college football has come and gone, meaning it’s time to revisit our Top 25 rankings. Once again, we have a few new faces joining the fray while some of the top teams begin to round into form. The final four likely won’t see much change unless a major upset occurs prior to the playoffs. But there are sharks in the water that will pounce if they smell blood.
PFN’s Top 25 college football rankings following Week 4
1. Alabama Crimson Tide
Alabama vs. Vanderbilt went exactly as you’d expect it to go — a 55-3 Crimson Tide thrashing. Bryce Young continued his QB1 ways, tossing 385 yards and four TDs.
Jahmyr Gibbs has seemingly taken a backseat in the backfield to Jase McClellan, who has outproduced the famed transfer on the ground. But Gibbs is — without a doubt — the top receiving back in the 2023 NFL Draft. And while Jermaine Burton hasn’t gained traction since landing in Tuscaloosa, Ja’Corey Brooks exploded for 117 yards and a score on six catches against the Commodores.
2. Ohio State Buckeyes
I truly believed Wisconsin would give Ohio State’s offense at list a modicum of trouble. Well, I was wrong, as C.J. Stroud and the Buckeyes dropped 52 points on the Badgers. With Jaxon Smith-Njigba still on the sideline with a knee injury, Emeka Egbuka put up 118 yards and two scores on six catches.
On the ground, TreVeyon Henderson (21-121) and Miyan Williams (11-102-2) cut through Wisconsin’s defense like a hot knife through butter. OSU truly may not be challenged until they take on Penn State at the end of October.
3. Georgia Bulldogs
Stetson Bennett had his worse game of the season thus far, and Georgia still handled Kent State 39-22. Brock Bowers is proving to be a true Heisman contender, taking a jet sweep 75 yards for a score while also recording 60 yards receiving. Nevertheless, the Bulldogs were supposed to win this matchup with relative ease, and they did just that.
4. Michigan Wolverines
J.J. McCarthy completed 18 of 26 passes for 220 yards and two TDs. R.J. Moten and DJ Turner snatched interceptions. But Michigan’s top performer against Maryland was RB Blake Corum. Exploding through holes created by his offensive line, Corum bulldozed the Terrapins for 243 yards and two scores on 30 carries.
It was the Wolverine’s toughest test to date, and the offense will face stiff competition in Iowa next week. Nevertheless, the Wolverines don’t seem like they are slowing down anytime soon.
5. North Carolina State Wolfpack
In unsurprising news, North Carolina State had no issue dispatching UConn in Week 4. They decided to win via air, with Devin Leary completing 25 of 32 passes for 275 yards and three TDs by halftime. Although it wasn’t against the strongest opponent, it was valuable reps for a signal-caller who hasn’t thrown more than 33 passes in a game since last November.
WR Thayer Thomas benefited the most from the open passing game, hauling in four passes for 106 yards and a score heading into the third quarter.
6. USC Trojans
USC bested Oregon State in a defensive slugfest, which actually boosted their standing in my eyes. We know the Trojans can score points. But the defense — even with their opportunistic nature — was considered the weaker link. The roles were flipped Saturday night, with Caleb Williams having his worst outing in the red and gold. The defense pulled in four INTs and limited the Beavers to 14 points, their lowest total this season by 20 points.
7. Clemson Tigers
I’ve been hesitant with this Clemson team due to their offense. But DJ Uiagalelei and Co. showed up against Wake Forest, generating 559 total yards and 51 points. DJU looks poised under center and is operating the unit at a high level. As for the defense, the front seven is among the best in the nation. But the secondary has room to improve and may prove to be this team’s Achilles’ heel.
8. Kentucky Wildcats
While Will Levis played well against Northern Illinois, nearly all his production came from two receivers: Tayvion Robinson (7-147-2) and Barion Brown (4-102-2). The final score of 31-23 paints a close picture, but NIU posted 10 of their points in garbage time. The Wildcats passed their first test of the year (Florida in Week 2), and their next one is on the horizon (Ole Miss in Week 5).
9. Oklahoma State Cowboys
It was a bye week for Oklahoma State, but they still move up the rankings following Oklahoma’s loss. The Cowboys are now the team to beat in the Big 12, and everyone in the conference will hope to be the giant slayer each week. They will get their first taste of in-conference play next week when they pay Baylor a visit.
10. Minnesota Golden Gophers
Minnesota has featured in our 2022 Top 25 rankings since its inception, and they should receive national recognition following their 34-7 drubbing of Michigan State. It’s been the Mohamed Ibrahim show, as he rushed for his fourth straight 100+ yard games this season.
But QB Tanner Morgan had an outing reminiscent of his 2019 self. He tossed three TDs and 268 yards on 23 of 26 passing. The defense also flexed their muscle, shutting out the Spartans until under two minutes left in the fourth quarter.
11. Ole Miss Rebels
It wasn’t always pretty, but Ole Miss took care of business against Tulsa. After exploding for 28 points in the second quarter, they were held scoreless in the entire second half. It was yet another lackluster showing from the passing game, but Lane Kiffin hasn’t pressed the issue due to his rushing attack.
Quinshon Judkins (27-140-2), Jaxson Dart (12-116), and Zach Evans (10-48-1) powered the offense to the 35-27 victory. While a win is a win, the Rebels will need to throw — a lot — against stiffer SEC competition. Can they keep up?
12. Tennessee Volunteers
Hendon Hooker came out on top against Anthony Richardson in one of the best QB battles of the season thus far. Even with his No. 1 target out (Cedric Tillman), Hooker was able to connect with Bru McCoy for 102 yards and a score. And despite having possession for nearly 10 minutes less than the Gators, the Vols put up 38 points and 576 yards and faced just nine third downs. Tennessee’s offense is legitimate, and they aren’t even at full force.
13. Washington Huskies
Before the season, I had Stanford as my dark horse to win the Pac-12 crown — I was wrong. That honor should’ve belonged to Washington. HC Kalen DeBoer and QB Michael Penix joined forces in what has been a match made in heaven. The passing game didn’t even need to fire on all cylinders, with Wayne Taulapapa netting 100+ yards on the ground. The Huskies have my attention, and UCLA will probe their defense next week.
14. Florida State Seminoles
The Seminoles are 4-0 and used Boston College as a statement game. Jordan Travis resumed his march toward the NFL draft relevance, needing just 16 completions to notch 321 passing yards. But RB Trey Benson was the story of the night, totaling 78 yards and two TDs on just 10 carries and returning a kick 93 yards for his third score.
15. Penn State Nittany Lions
I’ve been out on Penn State simply due to Sean Clifford being the team’s QB. However, he has proved me wrong through four weeks, leading his team to impressive wins over Purdue and Auburn. It also helps he hands off to a pair of electric freshmen running backs in Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen. Additionally, Mitchell Tinsley and Parker Washington are reliable targets on the outside. And I’d be remiss not to mention rising star Olu Fashanu at left tackle.
16. Kansas Jayhawks
It’s time to give Kansas their due respect. Don’t look now, but Jalon Daniels may push Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud in the Heisman race. He’s completed 67% of his passes for 566 yards, seven TDs, and one INT while rushing for 237 yards and three more scores. The Jayhawks have knocked off West Virginia, Houston, and a previously 3-0 Duke squad. Circle their matchup with Oklahoma on October 15.
17. Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Wake Forest nearly pulled off the upset over Clemson but fell short 51-45 in double overtime. That’s the most points the Tigers have allowed since the 2020 semifinal vs. Ohio State. The Demon Deacons’ offense is the real deal, as is QB Sam Hartman. He had just nine incompletions to six touchdowns, two of which went to Jahmal Brooks, who broke out with six catches and 141 yards.
18. Oklahoma Sooners
Everyone talks about the Pac-12 being a cannibalistic conference, but the Big 12 isn’t too far behind. Kansas State has upset multiple teams over the years while getting upset themselves. The contest ended with back-to-back-to-back-to-back touchdowns and the Wildcats reigning victorious.
Although QB Dillon Gabriel and RB Eric Gray were efficient in their respective phases, K State QB Adrian Martinez proved too much for the Sooners’ defense to handle. Oklahoma has a date with TCU next week before hosting Texas in the Red River Showdown.
19. North Carolina Tar Heels
Notre Dame entered the season as a top-10 team and showed why against North Carolina. Drake Maye still launched five touchdowns but barely completed 50% of his passes and lost a fumble. Furthermore, the Fighting Irish held up-and-coming freshman Omarion Hampton to just 28 yards on the ground. The defensive side has been the cause for hesitancy regarding the Tar Heels’ ranking, but with Maye at QB, UNC will always have a puncher’s chance.
20. Arkansas Razorbacks
Despite KJ Jefferson’s best effort, Arkansas fell to Texas A&M after leading 14-0 in the second quarter. The defense shut out the Aggies in the bookend quarters, and the Razorbacks left the game in the leg of their kicker. Unfortunately, the kick doink right off the top of the right crossbar. Had it been an inch to the left and/or above, the outcome would’ve been vastly different. Nonetheless, this may be Arkansas’ last week in the Top 25 as they host Alabama next week.
21. Oregon State Beavers
Oregon State lost, but it was about as “good” a loss as you can have. They forced Caleb Williams into a frustrating night and held one of the country’s top 5-10 offenses to 17 points. The fact that Chance Nolan tossed four picks makes the defense’s performance even more impressive. That, of course, is a massive negative for the offense, and if the Beavers want to maintain a spot in the Top 25, he has to take care of the football.
22. Utah Utes
They were missing a few key offensive pieces, but Utah met little resistance from an ailing Arizona State program following the firing of their head coach. Cameron Rising kicked off the fireworks with a 29-yard strike to Dalton Kincaid and hit his big target for another highlight-reel TD in the end zone. With a vaunted Oregon State team coming to town in Week 5, the Utes will need all their pieces 100%.
23. Pittsburgh Panthers
Kedon Slovis returned this week but wasn’t asked to do too much against Rhode Island. Israel Abanikanda carried the offense, generating 177 yards and four touchdowns on 19 attempts. Meanwhile, CB M.J. Devonshire took a punt return for an 82-yard house call, becoming the first Pitt player to return an interception and punt for a touchdown in the same season since Darrelle Revis (2006).
24. BYU Cougars
Jaren Hall has kept the BYU offense humming, registering one of his most potent games through the air against Wyoming. The Cowboys have stunned some in the Mountain West, but the Cougars halted their upswing. BYU needs wins over quality opponents, and they will get their chance with bouts against Notre Dame and Arkansas to kick off next month.
25. Baylor Bears
Baylor outlasted a surprisingly strong Iowa State team 31-24. The defense bent but never broke, producing two interceptions and four sacks. Offensively, Blake Shapen completed 73% of his passes for 238 yards and three scores. Next up: a home bout with top-10 ranked Oklahoma State.
Teams on the outside looking in
- Syracuse Orange
- TCU Horned Frogs
- UCLA Bruins
- Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
- Oregon Ducks