Mixed results for college football conference debuts in Week 4

The GIST: Week 4 had its fair share of blowouts, but heart-stopping game-savers and narrow wins were the name of the game as the rubber hit the road in conference play this weekend.

Conference debuts bring mixed results for ranked squads: One of Saturday’s most exciting games went down at the Big House, where then–No. 18 Michigan spoiled then–No. 11 USC’s Big Ten opener with a 27–24 nail-biter. With the win, the Wolverines surged to No. 12 in yesterday’s poll — one spot above now–No. 13 USC. Drama.

• Then, No. 21 Oklahoma’s coming-out party was ruined by No. 5 Tennessee, who welcomed the Sooners to the SEC with a 25–15 smackdown. The Vols continue to prove they’re the nation’s hottest team, led by quarterback (QB) Nico Iamaleava and an indomitable defense.

• On the other hand, No. 10 Utah burst onto the Big 12 scene with a 22–19 road win over No. 20 Oklahoma State. No Cam Rising? No problem: The Utes’ defense stepped up, holding star OSU running back Ollie Gordon II to just 42 rushing yards and forcing two interceptions.

No. 11 Missouri survives Vanderbilt 30–27 in double-overtime (OT): The Tigers came out on top of their second straight close call, this time by the skin of their teeth: Vandy’s kicker came this close to forcing triple-OT on a last-second field goal. Whew.

Checking in on Arch Manning: All eyes were on the game’s most famous second-string QB for his first career start, and despite tossing two interceptions, the redshirt freshman gave fans plenty to be excited about, leading No. 1 Texas to a 51–3 shellacking of Louisiana-Monroe. Manning outdueled UL-M QB General Booty (yes, really) with a respectable 258 passing yards and two touchdowns.

Welcome, BYU and Boise State: BYU joined the Top 25 at No. 22 thanks to a massive 38–9 upset over then–No. 13 Kansas State, who plummeted to No. 23.

• And claiming a spot in the rankings for the first time since 2020, No. 25 Boise State replaced Northern Illinois as the poll’s only Group of Five team after a 56–14 win over Portland State.