We’re four weeks into the college football season and there’s no shortage of drama. Coaches have already been fired, major upsets have rocked top programs, and key injuries have some fan bases sweating.
Are we in for more unpredictability in Week 4? There’s a good chance. Here are three ranked teams on upset alert this week.
No. 9 Illinois at No. 19 Indiana
It’s a rare occurrence to see Illinois and Indiana playing a meaningful football game. Losing at the No. 19 team in the country would certainly not be a bad loss, and the Illini will need their best game of the season to avoid their first loss.
The stakes for both teams are high. Illinois is entering a difficult stretch with three of its next four games against ranked opponents, including Oct. 11 at home against No. 1 Ohio State. To stay in the College Football Playoff picture, Illinois can’t afford more than two losses.
For Indiana, the game presents an opportunity to get into the CFP discussion. The Hoosiers have steamrolled their last two opponents and Illinois presents the first real test for Curt Cignetti’s bunch.
Why Illinois could be upset: Take it with a grain of salt because of Indiana’s weak schedule, but the Hoosiers have been explosive on offense thus far. IU is averaging 591.7 yards per game (third in NCAA) and 7.96 yards per play (eighth). In the last two games, Illinois’ offense has gotten off to slow starts. That won’t fly against a team as good as Indiana. Factor in a raucous road environment where Illinois is 1-3 in its last four and the Illini are in for a tough one.
No. 21 Michigan at Nebraska
It feels like Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule and the Husker fan base are due. Nebraska has been oh-so-close in the past few years to a breakthrough, but is 4-10 in one-score games under Rhule.
Can Nebraska contain Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood? The freshman has had his ups-and-downs, and looked his worst in a loss at Oklahoma. He’s completing 57.5% of his passes this season.
Rhule has become known for his Year 3 success and Nebraska hopes he continues the trend. By Year 3 at Temple he had the Owls 10-4. At Baylor he went 11-1. The Huskers are 3-0 and would be ranked with a win.
Why Michigan could be upset: Nebraska’s calling card over the years is its defense. This season, the Huskers have the sixth-best defense in the nation (202 yards per game) and they’ve been especially stingy against the pass, allowing just 66 yards per game through the air. The second-best pass defense in the country? Oklahoma — the team that handled Michigan just two weeks ago.
No. 13 Ole Miss vs. Tulane
Looking for something really crazy? Perhaps Tulane can pull off a stunner in Oxford. The Green Wave are 3-0 with a pair of wins over Power 4 teams (Northwestern, Duke).
Ole Miss cannot afford a slip up with games against No. 3 LSU and No. 5 Georgia in the next month.
Why Ole Miss could be upset: The Rebels defense has been porous this season, ranking 93rd in the country at 381.7 yards per game. It’s led to some close calls. Ole Miss allowed 23 points to Kentucky, but won by a touchdown. Last week, it outlasted Arkansas in a 41-35 shootout. Tulane runs the ball well (222 ypg — 24th in NCAA) and controls the clock well.
