Top five Week 4 college football games: TV info, predictions

Here comes conference season for college football. While nonconference matchups can be fun, the conference slate is what drives college football. Week 4 is the first big week of conference games, and a quartet of ranked matchups highlights the calendar.

Here are the five best games of the weekend ranked in inverse order.

5. NC State at No. 21 Clemson | Saturday | noon ET | ABC

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney seemed a bit prickly after his team’s season-opening loss to then-No. 1 Georgia. Since then, his Tigers dominated App State and enjoyed a bye week in preparation for NC State. The Wolfpack’s defense hasn’t been as stingy as it was the past three seasons, and is allowing 244 yards per game through the air (100th in the nation). Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik has been fairly sharp through two games with five touchdowns and one interception. If that continues, a win shouldn’t be a problem.

Prediction: Klubnik keeps the critics quiet, orchestrating a 27-17 win for Clemson.

4. No. 24 Illinois at No. 22 Nebraska | Friday | 8 p.m. | Fox

Two programs looking to fight their way into the national picture square off under Friday night lights in Lincoln. Illinois is 3-0 with a big win over then No. 19 Kansas under its belt. Nebraska has hardly been challenged through its first three games, which includes a 28-10 win over Colorado. Don’t expect a lot of points in this one. The ‘Huskers defense allows just 255.3 yards per game while Illinois’ allows 274.7.  Both defenses are in the top 33 in the country. Freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola will be the difference maker for Nebraska.

Prediction: Nebraska handles Illinois behind its defense, winning 24-10. Is it time to start thinking College Football Playoff yet?

3. No. 11 USC at No. 18 Michigan | Saturday | 3:30 p.m. | CBS

The new kid on the block versus the defending national champions. Two historic programs meeting for the first time as conference foes makes this one a must-watch. Michigan doesn’t look right to open the season and ranks 90th in the nation in passing yards allowed per game (234.3). That’s problematic with USC’s Miller Moss settling into his starting quarterback role. He’s 11th in the country with a completion percentage of 72 percent, and the Trojans offense as a whole ranks 16th in the country at 495.5 yards of total offense.

Prediction: USC leaves the Big House with a big W, 31-20

2. No. 12 Utah at No. 14 Oklahoma State | Saturday | 4 p.m. | Fox

The College Football Playoff is months away, but this game has big implications on seeding. These two will finish near the top of the Big 12 standings and hope to get the automatic bye as a top-four seed. The winner Saturday will be in the driver’s seat for a spot in the Big 12 Championship. Prepare for offense in this one. Oklahoma State quarterback Alan Bowman has thrown eight touchdown passes in three games. Utah quarterback Cam Rising has needed only two games to throw seven. Rising missed last week’s win over Utah State, but is expected to play Saturday.

Prediction: Behind a superb game from Rising, Utah gets a massive road win, 31-30.

1. No. 6 Tennessee at No. 15 Oklahoma | Saturday | 7:30 p.m. | ABC

This is the perfect opportunity for Oklahoma to announce its arrival to the SEC. The Sooners’ SEC debut comes against one of their former greats. Josh Heupel, who was once an OU quarterback who finished runner-up for the 2000 Heisman Trophy, now coaches Tennessee. Heupel’s offense is high-powered and it’s the reason he and the Vols will leave Norman with a win. So far, nobody has had an answer for Tennessee’s offense, which ranks second overall at 639.3 yards per game. UT is one of six schools averaging over eight yards per play. 

Prediction: Norman is rocking, but it doesn’t matter. Tennessee leaves with a win, 37-24, adding to its CFP resume.