2025 Week 4 College Football Recap And Top Performers

We’ve reached the quarter mark of the college football season, and the landscape is already beginning to take shape. The contenders are separating themselves from the pretenders, and the race for a playoff spot is already heating up. As we do each week, here’s a breakdown of what we learned from another action-packed weekend on the gridiron.

For the record, this week featured as many game delays as we've seen in recent memory.

What Did We Learn In Week 4?

• It’s hard to imagine Dabo Swinney brushing this one off with his usual optimism. Clemson’s loss to Syracuse wasn’t just another stumble—it was a full-on unraveling. The Orange outplayed them in every phase, and not even a weather delay could shift the momentum. Swinney will likely point to execution, missed opportunities, and the need for leadership, but the reality is this: Clemson looks miles away from the championship-caliber team they were expected to be.

  
  

• Despite all the media criticism, Texas quarterback Arch Manning has handled it as well as any young player could. Rather than letting the noise affect him, he responded with a breakout performance against Sam Houston—throwing for over 300 yards and racking up five total touchdowns. Count him out at your own risk; the best may still be ahead.

  
  

• Most of us didn’t expect Indiana to dominate a solid Illinois team the way they did—but it happened, and it definitely got our attention. If you haven’t been paying attention, Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza is the real deal. After his standout performance against the Fighting Illini, he may be on the QB1 radar of several NFL teams.

  
  

• It's time we give credit where it's due—the 2025 USC Trojans are the real deal. One of the best things to happen to head coach Lincoln Riley in a long time is quarterback Jayden Maiava, and let’s be clear: this kid is the truth. Over the next three weeks, we'll find out if this squad is ready to level up from exciting to elite—and make a serious run at postseason glory.

  
  

• Texas Tech pulled off a statement win against Utah, but it came at a cost. Starting quarterback Behren Morton exited early after absorbing a questionable hit, casting a shadow over the Red Raiders’ victory. While backup Will Hammond has the tools to step in and lead, there’s no denying that the team’s rhythm and success have revolved around Morton’s command of the offense.

  
  

• Another week, another victory for quarterback Joey Aguilar and the Tennessee Volunteers. Despite last week's hard-fought loss to Georgia—arguably the most thrilling matchup of the season—the Vols remain a formidable force on the gridiron. No team takes them lightly, and with Aguilar under center, Tennessee continues to be one of the most dangerous squads in college football.

  
  

• The Memphis Tigers may not be ranked just yet, but after a gritty win over a tough Arkansas squad, they’re making a strong case for national attention. The last time Memphis opened the season 4-0 was in 2019—a campaign that ended with a 12-2 record and a trip to the Cotton Bowl. This year’s team isn’t just bowl-bound; they’re playing with the kind of swagger and consistency that could earn them a spot in the College Football Playoff conversation.

  
  

• Florida State returned from their bye week with authority, steamrolling Kent State in a game that was essentially decided by the end of the first quarter. Outside of Miami, no ACC team looks as complete or as dangerous right now. The Seminoles are making a strong case as the conference’s top contender.

  
  

• We can talk about John Mateer all day, but Oklahoma’s win over Auburn came down to one thing: defense. The Sooners racked up 10 sacks, turning Jackson Arnold’s return to Gaylord Family Stadium into a nightmare. Simply put, they dominated the trenches and set the tone from start to finish.

  
  

• As good as quarterback Dylan Raiola was against Michigan, the Wolverines’ defense was better—racking up seven sacks in their win over the Cornhuskers. While still a work in progress, interim head coach Biff Poggi has stepped in admirably, guiding the team to a 2-0 record during Sherrone Moore’s suspension. No coaching controversy yet, but keep this post bookmarked.

  
  

• Ole Miss has something special in quarterback Trinidad Chambliss. His performance last week wasn’t a one-off—he’s looking like the real deal. Lane Kiffin may have uncovered a true gem, one who could help propel the Rebels to a deep postseason run.

  
  

• Missouri quarterback Beau Pribula didn’t have his best outing against South Carolina, but he didn’t need to—star running back Ahmad Hardy carried the load in a dominant win over the Gamecocks. Now sitting at 4-0, the Tigers are firmly in the driver’s seat in the SEC.

  
  

• Notre Dame finally notched their first win of the season in impressive fashion against Purdue. Still, with two early losses on the books, the Irish face an uphill climb if they hope to claw their way into College Football Playoff contention. The margin for error is gone—and every game from here on out is must-win.

  
  

• At this point, the only shocker left in Florida football would be if head coach Billy Napier keeps his job after his team's humiliating performance against Miami.

  
  

• One thing’s for sure about Georgia Tech: quarterback Haynes King is the engine that drives the Yellow Jackets. He once again put the team on his back against Temple, accounting for three touchdowns and commanding the offense with poise. If he keeps this up, they might just start carving out space for a statue when his college career wraps.

  
  

• We generally don't talk about TCU but quarterback Josh Hoover and receiver Eric McAlister lit up SMU, proving they’re one of the most explosive duos in college football.

  
  

• Hello, Iowa Hawkeyes! Not only did they notch their second consecutive win, but this also marks their third game of the season scoring 30 or more points. For the first time in ages, Kirk Ferentz’s crew is showing real signs of offensive firepower. The black and gold are buzzing—and it’s not just the defense doing the heavy lifting anymore.

  
  

• Meanwhile in Stillwater... At this point, the only scenario that might justify Mike Gundy retaining his head coaching role is if his Oklahoma State Cowboys catch lightning in a bottle, go on a massive winning streak, and somehow punch a ticket to the playoffs. Otherwise, this season feels like the closing chapter of the Gundy era

Week 4 Top Performers

Offense -

QB Arch Manning - Texas

RB Dylan Riley - Boise State

QB Fernando Mendoza - Indiana

QB Josh Hoover - TCU

WR Eric McAlister - TCU

RB Ahmad Hardy - Missouri

QB Jayden Maiava - USC

QB Diego Pavia - Vanderbilt

WR Omari Kelly - Michigan State

WR Makai Lemon - USC

QB Haynes King - Georgia Tech

QB Kaidon Salter - Colorado

WR Kaden Wetjen - Iowa

QB Dante Moore - Oregon

QB Garrett Nussmeier - LSU

QB John Mateer - Oklahoma

QB Dylan Raiola - Nebraska

WR Jacory Barney Jr. - Nebraska

RB Justice Haynes - Michigan

QB Cade Klubnik - Clemson

QB LaNorris Sellers - South Carolina

RB Sutton Smith - Memphis

RB Jeremiyah Love - Notre Dame

QB Byrum Brown - South Florida

QB Athan Kaliakmanis - Rutgers

RB Dominic Richardson - Tulsa

Defense -

DL Jayden Jackson - Oklahoma

DL R Mason Thomas - Oklahoma

LB Mac Harris - USF

DB Boo Carter - Tennessee

LB Keyshaun Elliott - Arizona State

DB Jalen McMurray - Tennessee

LB Daniel Wingate - Maryland

DL Mario Landino - Indiana

DL Jackie Marshall - Baylor

EDGE Arden Walker - Colorado

DB Devin Grant - Syracuse

LB Nicholas Rodriguez - Missouri

DL Quincy Rhodes Jr. - Arkansas

LB Ray Coney - Tulsa

S Nate Ritchie - Utah

DB Malik Spencer - Michigan State

EDGE Mohamed Toure - Miami

EDGE J'Dan Burnett - Tulsa

DB Jalen Huskey - Maryland

S Parker Robertson - Oklahoma State

DB TJ Hall - Iowa

DB Zach Lutmer - Iowa

LB Cole Sullivan - Michigan