College football rankings from 1 to 134 for Week 4: USC, Tennessee can prove playoff billing in road tests

USC is trying to make a grand entrance. Tennessee is trying to spoil the party.

Those top-10 teams – who are almost touchdown favorites on the road in Week 4 – are the teams given the opportunity to make that statement.

The Trojans make their Big Ten debut at Michigan on Saturday.

Is USC a different team under Lincoln Riley this time? The Trojans look like a Big Ten team so far. Miller Moss is an efficient quarterback. Woody Marks leads a physical rushing attack. USC allows 10 points per game with new coordinator D'Anton Lynn.

Between Oklahoma and USC, Riley's best defense was in 2020 – when the Sooners allowed 21.7 ppg. The Trojans allowed 29.2 ppg. in 2022 and 34.4 ppg. in 2023. Given Michigan's offensive struggles, it is a chance to flex.

MORE: Picks against the spread for Week 4 Top 25 games

Speaking of Oklahoma, the Volunteers get the chance to ruin the Sooners' SEC opener. The twist is that comes with coach Josh Heupel, the former Oklahoma QB who led a national championship run in 2000.

Tennessee averages 639.3 yards per game, Nico Iamaleava is a Heisman Trophy candidate. Dylan Sampson leads the rushing attack. The Vols have allowed just 4.3 points per game.

Tennessee is 9-8 against ranked teams under Heupel, and that includes a 51-10 victory against NC State on Sept. 7. This game will determine whether the Vols can make the same noise they did in 2022.

Neither USC nor Tennessee made the four-team College Football Playoff. Wins here would increase their chances of making the 12-team CFP, and they might show evidence they could challenge usual suspects such as Georgia, Ohio State and Alabama down the road.

Here is a closer look at Sporting News 1-134 rankings heading into Week 4:

MORE: College Football Playoff projections after Week 3

College football rankings 2024

Top 25 for Week 3

1. Texas (3-0)

Quinn Ewers? Arch Manning? Ewers (abdominal strain) left in the second quarter against UTSA, and Manning took advantage with five total TDs in a 56-7 blowout victory . The Longhorns average 46.3 points per game and allow 6.3 points per game. That combination feels like Steve Sarkisian has a national championship team, and they have looked the part so far. Texas closes non-conference play in Week 4. Will Manning get his first start?

BENDER: What Arch Manning's arrival means for Texas

2. Georgia (3-0)

The Bulldogs dropped to No. 2 after a 13-12 victory at Kentucky – one in which the Wildcats made a questionable decision to punt late in the fourth quarter. Georgia is one of three schools that still hasn't allowed an offensive TD, but the offense managed just 3.4 yards per carry against the Wildcats. That had an impact on Carson Beck (15 of 24, 160 yards). Georgia has a bye week before the blockbuster matchup against Alabama in Week 4.

3. Ohio State (2-0)

The Buckeyes had an early bye week. Seven offensive players scored TDs in the first two weeks, and freshman Jeremiah Smith leads all players with three TDs. He has caught 11 of 14 targets and averages 19.2 yards per catch. He is the kind of X-factor player that makes a difference in a national championship run. Ohio State – which has not allowed a TD – plays Marshall in Week 4.

4. Alabama (3-0)

Jalen Milroe for Heisman ? The second-year starter has the right mix of dual-threat production right now. Milroe hit 12 of 17 passes for 196 yards and three TDs. He added 75 rushing yards, and Alabama hammered Wisconsin 42-10. Freshman receiver Ryan Williams averages 28.5 yards per catch with four TDs. The defense has allowed just a 15.7% third down conversion percentage through three games. A bye week precedes the showdown with Georgia in Kalen DeBoer's first real test. The Crimson Tide remain a legit national championship contender.

5. Ole Miss (3-0)

Will this be Lane Kiffin's best team? The Rebels lead the FBS in total offense (692 ypg.) and quarterback Jaxson Dart leads the nation in passing yards (1,172) and passing efficiency (222.6). Ole Miss beat Wake Forest 40-6, and they have outscored their first three opponents 168-9. They haven't allowed a TD yet either.The Rebels close their non-conference schedule against Georgia Southern in Week 4.

6. Oregon (3-0)

The Ducks beat Oregon State 49-14 in their in-state rivalry game, and Dillon Gabriel finally turned loose. He finished 20 of 24 passing for 291 yards and two TDs. He added 64 rushing yards and a TD. That loosened up the running game, which piled up 240 yards and 7.5 yards per carry. That is the Ducks' offense we are used to seeing, and Oregon had just six third downs on offense. Oregon has a bye week before the Big Ten opener against UCLA.

7. USC (2-0)

Is Moss the next Heisman Trophy-winning under Riley? He has a 72.7% completion percentage and averages 303.5 passing yards per game through two games. The defense is allowing 100 rushing yards per game – a stat that will be tested at Michigan in Week 4 in the Big Ten opener. These teams haven't met in the regular season since 1958.

8. Tennessee (3-0)

The Heupel offensive machine is back. The Vols beat Kent State 71-0 and put up more than 700 yards of total offense for the second time in three games. Iamaleava owns a 71.6% completion percentage and Sampson averages 7.9 yards per carry. Edge rusher James Pearce does not have a sack yet, but he will get big-stage opportunities against Oklahoma.

9. Miami, Fla. (3-0)

The Hurricanes beat Ball State 62-0 in a game where Cam Ward (19 of 28, 346 yards, 5 TDs) improved his FBS-leading TD pass total to 11. He has 300-plus passing yards in three straight games, and Miami leads the FBS with 9.1 yards per play. That is better than Ole Miss and Tennessee at this point in the season. Given the messy situations at Florida and Florida State right now, Miami has to feel good about where it's at. Miami takes on South Florida in Week 4.

10. Penn State (2-0)

The Nittany Lions had a week to analyze a 34-27 close call against Bowling Green in Week 2. The defense needs to tighten up on third down (39.3%). As long as Nick Singleton (233 yards, 9.0 yards per carry) and Kaytron Allen (121 yards, 5.0 yards per carry) are an effective tag team, Drew Allar will continue to be efficient. Penn State faces Kent State – another MAC opponent – in Week 4.

11. Missouri (3-0)

Missouri is higher in the AP Poll, and they did score a 27-21 victory against a much-improved Boston College in Week 3. The trio of quarterback Brady Cook (21 of 30, 264 yards, TD), running back Nate Noel (22-121) and receiver Luther Burden (6-117, TD) works, and the defense has allowed 7.0 points per game. The SEC opener against Vanderbilt comes in Week 4.

12. Kansas State (3-0)

The Wildcats dominated Arizona 31-7 in a non-conference matchup Friday. Avery Johnson passed for 156 yards and rushed for 110 yards, and Kansas State out-rushed Arizona 237-56. Kansas State hasn't had a turnover the last two weeks heading into a Week 4 matchup at BYU. Is this the best team in the Big 12?

13. Oklahoma State (3-0)

Tulsa loaded up to stop the run, and seventh-year quarterback Alan Bowman made them pay with 396 passing yards, five TDs and an interception in a 45-10 blowout. Ollie Gordon (17-49) has been limited to less than 50 rushing yards each of the last two weeks, but the offense still managed 560 total yards. Penalties remain an issue, but the Cowboys have negotiated a tricky non-conference schedule heading into the Big 12 opener against Utah.

14. Oklahoma (3-0)

The Sooners had to shake off Tulane in the fourth quarter before pulling away in a 34-19 victory. Oklahoma jumped out to a 21-0 lead behind Jackson Arnold, who finished with 169 passing yards, 97 rushing yards and three total TDs, but he threw a costly pick in the second half. The defense looks as advertised after allowing 279 yards and forcing two turnovers. The matchup against Tennessee is the beginning of a high-difficulty SEC schedule.

15. Utah (3-0)

Utah was fine once Isaac Wilson (20 of 33, 239 yards, 3 TDs, INT) settled in as quarterback. Cam Rising's injury is a major hit, but the Utes still beat in-state rival Utah State 38-21. Micah Bernard (17-123, TD) and Mike Mitchell (14-75) were adequate ground support. The Utes open Big 12 play at Oklahoma State – a game in which we will find out if Wilson is for real.

16. LSU (2-1)

The Tigers survived after digging a 17-0 hole at South Carolina in an up-and-down shootout on the road. The good news? LSU won despite two turnovers and 75 penalty yards. Josh Williams' TD run capped a 36-33 victory, and Garrett Nussmeier (24 of 40, 285 yards, 2 TDs, INT) played through an interception and a fumble. LSU is the head of the SEC's second class at this point, and a challenging first month continues against UCLA in Week 4.

17. Clemson (1-1)

The Tigers had an eventful two-week start to the season, but Cade Klubnik is the X-factor in an ACC championship run. He leads the conference with a 76.4% completion percentage, and he is coming off a 378-yard, 5-TD performance in Week 2. Klubnik was 33 of 50 for 263 yards and two interceptions in a 24-17 loss to NC State last season. The Wolfpack visit Death Valley in Week 4.

18. Louisville (2-0)

The Cards entered their bye week with 55.5 points per game – the third-highest total in the FBS. According to Pro Football Focus, Tyler Shough is 6 of 11 for 213 yards and three TDs on passes of 20 yards or more. This is another playoff sleeper that will stick if they can avoid the upset bug in ACC play. The Cardinals face Georgia Tech in Week 4.

19. Nebraska (3-0)

Nebraska cruised to a 34-3 victory against Northern Iowa, and the efficiency in the passing game was the difference. Dylan Raiola (17 of 23, 247 yards, 2 TDs, INT) continues to play well, and the defense is allowing just 2.5 yards per carry. A Friday night test against Illinois is the next barometer. The Illini have won the last two meetings in Lincoln.

20. Notre Dame (2-1)

The Irish responded from their Week 2 loss with a 66-7 blowout against rival Purdue, a game in which Riley Leonard had 100 rushing yards and three TDs by halftime. Leonard was 11 of 16 for 112 yards and still does not have a TD pass, but the Irish limited the Boilermakers to 162 yards and a 1 of 12 conversion rate on third down. The beauty pageant matters for Notre Dame now, and they face Miami, Ohio, in Week 4.

21. Memphis (3-0)

The Tigers scored a 20-12 victory at Florida State – which might have seemed unthinkable before the start of the season. Seth Henigan was solid (25 of 38, 272 yards, 2 TDs, INT) against a defense loaded up to stop the run, and Memphis now takes the lead among the Group of 5 playoff hopefuls. Northern Illinois is right behind them in the rankings, so this hold is tenuous heading into American Athletic Conference play against Navy in Week 4.

22. Michigan (2-1)

The Wolverines beat Arkansas State 28-18, but the offensive issues have not been resolved. Davis Warren (11 of 14, 122 yards, 3 INTs) was benched in the second half in favor of Alex Orji (2 of 4, 12, TD), and tight end Colston Loveland (shoulder) left with an injury. Kalel Mullings (15-153, 2 TDs) was a bright spot. The Wolverines are ranked for one more week, but the reckoning against USC in the Big Ten opener is here.

23. Iowa State (2-0)

The Cyclones had a bye week, and Matt Campbell is back on the national radar. Quarterback Rocco Becht has a 70.5% completion percentage in front of a running game that hasn't taken off yet. The defense has allowed 11 points per game. Iowa State plays Arkansas State in Week 4 and does not have a ranked opponent on the schedule until Nov. 23.

24. Northern Illinois (2-0)

The Huskies had a bye week to celebrate their 16-14 victory against Notre Dame in Week 2, and now the challenge for coach Thomas Hammock is to keep this team focused. A Group of 5 playoff berth is possible if quarterback Ethan Hampton – who leads the MAC in completion percentage (71.8%) – can maintain that mistake-free play that has led to six TDs and zero interceptions. Northern Illinois faces Buffalo in Week 4 before another Power 4 conference test against NC State.

25. UCF (3-0)

The Knights rallied from a three-TD deficit to beat TCU 35-34 in Big 12 play. Gus Malzahn and KJ Jefferson (13 of 22, 230 yards, 3 TDs) are clicking, and RJ Harvey leads the Big 12 with 448 rushing yards and eight TDs on 7.6 yards per carry. The Knights have a bye week before high-visibility games against Colorado and Florida.

College football 1-134 rankings: (1-25)

A look at the top 25 teams in the FBS heading into Week 4:

Rest of FBS (26-134)

Here is a look at the rest of the FBS heading into Week 4: