Welcome to the best week of the college football season so far.
Week 4 has it all. Two College Football Playoff regulars are in must-win situations at home. A top-10 showdown between storied programs, and a ranked matchup between two more programs who aren't sure which conference they'll be in next season. There's a “Whiteout,” and of course, Coach Prime on network TV. That's all part of a week that will have huge conference and playoff implications across the country.
It's appointment viewing from start to finish with six matchups between teams in the AP Top 25. How awesome is Saturday going to be? A look at the best games:
Week 4 best college football games
| MATCHUP | TIME | TV |
| No. 4 Florida State at Clemson | 12 p.m. | ABC |
| No. 15 Ole Miss at No. 13 Alabama | 3:30 p.m. | CBS |
| No. 22 UCLA at No. 11 Utah | 3:30 p.m. | Fox |
| No. 19 Colorado at No. 10 Oregon | 3:30 p.m. | ABC |
| No. 14 Oregon State at No. 21 Washington State | 7 p.m. | Fox |
| No. 6 Ohio State at No. 9 Notre Dame | 7:30 p.m. | NBC |
| No. 24 Iowa at No. 7 Penn State | 7:30 p.m. | CBS |
No. 4 Florida State at Clemson: Will Noles eliminate Clemson?
Florida State survived a 31-29 victory at Boston College, and that might have some second-guessing whether Jordan Travis can lead the Seminoles to a victory in Death Valley. Florida State still won, however, and Travis has one of the nation's best receiving tandems in Johnny Wilson and Keon Coleman – though Coleman did not have a catch against the Eagles.
Clemson has won the last seven meetings in the series, and the Tigers have won back-to-back blowouts since the season-opening 28-7 loss to Duke. This is a redemption game for quarterback Cade Klubnik, and a chance for Dabo Swinney to play the underdog card. Is this the Tigers' last stand as a CFP contender in 2023?
Given the improvement of other contenders in the ACC, there is no guarantee that this will be a rematch in the ACC championship game. This is a great table-setter for the rest of Saturday's action.
No. 15 Ole Miss at No. 13 Alabama: Who will start at QB for Bama?
Remember when Lane Kiffin was the one who had three quarterbacks to choose from in fall camp. Will he loan one to Nick Saban for this game?
Alabama quarterbacks Tyler Buchner and Ty Simpson combined to hit 10 of 23 passes for 107 yards in an ugly 17-3 victory against South Florida in Week 3. What happened to Jalen Milroe? Will Saban turn back to his original starter against the Rebels?
This quarterback drama is bound to dominate the narrative heading into this game. When was the last time Saban had it this bad at the most-important position?
Kiffin said "Get your popcorn ready" in a pregame interview before the last meeting at Bryant-Denny Stadium in 2021, and the Crimson Tide jumped out to a 28–0 first-half lead in a 42-21 victory. Last year's game was closer at 30-24, but Kiffin has yet to beat his mentor Saban.
MORE: Saban discusses QB situation after USF win
No. 22 UCLA at No. 11 Utah: Which freshman QB will steal show?
The Bruins scored 28 second-half points in a 42-32 victory against Utah last year.
Now, can Chip Kelly repeat that feat on the road? The Bruins have been a complete team through three weeks. Freshman quarterback Dante Moore has 615 passing yards on an average of 17 yards per completion this season, and the Bruins have that vintage two-back attack with Ball State transfer Carson Steele and TJ Harden.
Winning at Utah, however, is another story. Cam Rising is still rehabbing a torn ACL, and that might mean a start for Nate Johnson, who had 193 passing yards, 71 rushing yards and two TDs in a 31-7 victory against Weber State in Week 3. Underestimate Utes coach Kyle Whittingham at your own risk.
No. 19 Colorado at No. 10 Oregon: How will Deion Sanders make it personal?
Remember when Oregon coach Dan Lanning said this about Colorado when the Buffaloes left the Pac-12 for the Big 12?
1. Oregon coach Dan Lanning's reaction to Colorado leaving the Pac-12:
— RJ Young (@RJ_Young) September 14, 2023
2. "I'm trying to remember what they won to affect this conference and I don't remember ... I don't remember them winning anything."
3. Colorado goes to Oregon next Saturday.pic.twitter.com/UDBgQY2Nzs
Deion Sanders might be back with Nike, but you don't have to wonder whether he will take this personally given the last few weeks. Oregon routed Hawaii 55-10 in Week 3. Colorado beat Colorado State 43-35 in double overtime thanks to Shedeur Sanders' heroics. The Pac-12 opener should carry high ratings with the marquee afternoon spot. What will the Buffaloes do this week?
The quarterback matchup between Sanders and Bo Nix should be superb. The Ducks will be favored – and there might be more on the line for Lanning given those comments back in July.
No. 14 Oregon State at No. 21 Washington State: Who wins 'Left Behind Bowl?'
Oregon State and Washington State – the last two remaining teams in the Pac-12 – are fighting for the right to be the adopt-an-underdog for the rest of the season. The Beavers and Cougars were left out of the realignment shuffle, and both schools have responded with style.
This is a battle of transfer quarterbacks who found the right home. Oregon State's DJ Uiagalelei – a Clemson transfer – is coming off his first rough start of the season against San Diego State. He needs to be better than his 61.7% completion percentage against Washington State. Cam Ward averages 328.7 passing yards per game with nine TDs and no interceptions for the Cougars, and he's been as advertised in his second year with Jake Dickert.
Don't let this game get lost in the prime-time shuffle.
No. 6 Ohio State at No. 9 Notre Dame: Will Irish upset Buckeyes?
Notre Dame beat Ohio State in the schools' first two meetings in 1935-36.
In the modern era, however, Ohio State has won five meetings by an average of 14.6 points per game.
This is the Irish's best chance to end that streak with the big-play passing game of quarterback Sam Hartman – who averages 265.3 passing yards with 13 TDs and no interceptions through four games.
Ohio State's offense, however, started clicking in a 63-10 blowout against Western Kentucky on Saturday. Kyle McCord – who averages 271.7 passing yards with six TDs and one interception – has settled in as the starting quarterback. Is Notre Dame cornerback Benjamin Morrison the answer for Marvin Harrison Jr. on the perimeter?
Which coach needs this one more? Will Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman – a former Ohio State linebacker – score his first signature victory? Or will Ohio State coach Ryan Day improve to 17-6 against ranked teams with top-10 showdowns against Penn State and Michigan looming later this season?
No. 25 Iowa at No. 7 Penn State: Hawkeyes face the 'Whiteout'
Iowa beat Penn State 23-20 on Oct. 9, 2021, but that's not what both sides remember. Coaches James Franklin and Kirk Ferentz had a considerable back and forth on Iowa fans booing injured Nittany Lions' players.
"We don't coach it, haven't really been exposed to it," Ferentz said afterward. "But our fans thought they smelled a rat, I guess, I don't know, so they responded the way they responded."
Now, the Hawkeyes will step into a "Whiteout" for the first time since 2009. It's one of the greatest spectacles in college football, but the hidden fact is Penn State is 7-7 against ranked teams in "Whiteout" situations. The Nittany Lions have looked the part of playoff contender with new quarterback Drew Allar and a talented defense that has outscored opponents 131-35 through three games, but this is the first real test.
Penn State will be a heavy favorite, but Iowa quarterback Cade McNamara led Michigan to a victory in his last start at Beaver Stadium in 2021. Four of the last five meetings have been decided by one score, too.
