NCAAF · 11 minutes ago

5 Bold Predictions for College Football Ahead of Week 4

TJ Inman

Host · Writer

5. Louisville and Wake Forest Go Way Over
Whenever the Louisville Cardinals take the field, expect a high-scoring affair.

Louisville Cardinals Team Profile
- Head Coach: Jeff Brohm (4th Year)
- Offensive Coordinator: Brian Brohm
- Defensive Coordinator: Mark Ivey, Steve Ellis
- Conference: ACC
- Location: Louisville, Kentucky
- Stadium: L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium
- 2026 Record: 2-1
- AP Top 25 Ranking: No. 16
Last week, the Cardinals and SMU Mustangs played a back-and-forth game that combined for more than 70 points. In Week One, it was an explosion of big plays against Ole Miss. Jeff Brohm has a really good offense, a quarterback who looks like the real deal, and a couple of running backs who keep churning out big runs. However, Brohm's defense gives up big plays and routinely picks up awful penalties.

Wake Forest Demon Deacons Team Profile
- Head Coach: Jake Dickert (1st Season)
- Offensive Coordinator: Rob Ezell
- Defensive Coordinator: Scottie Hazelton
- Conference: ACC
- Location: Winston-Salem, North Carolina
- Stadium: Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium
- 2026 Record: 2-1
- AP Top 25 Ranking: NR
Wake Forest has put up offensive numbers in every game this season, including last week against Miami. Gio Lopez has been impressive, and I think this game will go well over 60 points.
1. Utah Sends a Message, Wallops Iowa State
The Utah Utes open Big 12 play with a test at Iowa State. The Utes are currently one of the top choices to win the Big 12, but still behind Texas Tech and BYU. I think they will emerge as the best team in the league, and this weekend will see others start to recognize that too.

Utah Team Profile
- Head Coach: Morgan Scalley (1st Season)
- Offensive Coordinator: Kevin McGiven
- Defensive Coordinator: Colton Swan
- Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
- 2026 Record: 3-0
- AP Top 25 Ranking: No. 15
I know Utah has not played anyone yet, but I have been extremely encouraged on both sides of the ball. The rushing attack has been dominant, and the Utes have plenty of weapons to get the ball to. Iowa State is not a bad team, but they do not have the size or speed to keep up with Utah for 60 minutes. I think Utah wins big in Ames and starts to look like a real threat to Texas Tech in the Big 12.
2. Iowa Upsets Michigan and Goes Over the Total
One of the most popular jokes in college football discourse is: “Whatever the expected total is for the Iowa and Michigan game, expect it to go under!”

Iowa Hawkeyes Team Profile
- Head Coach: Kirk Ferentz (27th Season)
- Offensive Coordinator: Tim Lester
- Defensive Coordinator: Phil Parker
- Location: Iowa City, Iowa
- Stadium: Kinnick Stadium
- 2026 Record: 3-0
- AP Top 25 Ranking: No. 17
I get it, but I think this game will be higher scoring than the experts think, and I like the Iowa Hawkeyes to pull off the upset in Ann Arbor. I actually don’t hate what we’ve seen from the Iowa offense through three games. Hank Brown is emerging as the better option at quarterback, and Iowa has a good stable of running backs that can really test the Michigan defense. I’m not suggesting this game will be much fun to watch or that there will be a points explosion, but I like Iowa to reach 24 points and get a big road win.
3. Mississippi State and Missouri Combine for 850+ Yards
One of the weekend's most exciting games might be taking place in Starkville.

Mississippi State Team Profile
- Head Coach: Jeff Lebby (2nd Season)
- Offensive Coordinator: N/A
- Defensive Coordinator: Zach Arnett
- Location: Starkville, Mississippi
- 2026 Record: 3-0
- AP Top 25 Ranking: 24
The Mississippi State Bulldogs are 3-0 after back-to-back road wins against Minnesota and South Carolina, and they now return home to face a ranked opponent in Austin Simmons and the Missouri Tigers. Jeff Lebby’s team has some holes: the defense isn’t great, and the left tackle position looks like a real problem. Kamario Taylor, a really fun offensive system, and some very good skill-position weapons go a long way toward addressing those issues.

Missouri Team Profile
- Head Coach: Eliah Drinkwitz (7th Season)
- Offensive Coordinator: Chip Lindsey
- Defensive Coordinator: Corey Batoon
- Conference: SEC
- Location: Columbia, Missouri
- 2026 Record: 3-0
- AP Top 25 Ranking: No. 19
Austin Simmons is a promising quarterback in his own right, and I have zero doubt the Tigers will hit some explosive plays in this game. I think this game will be a fireworks show, with both teams totaling more than 400 yards.
4. Oregon Crushes USC
The USC Trojans are up to No. 12 in the country.

USC Trojans Team Profile
- Head Coach: Lincoln Riley (4th Season)
- Offensive Coordinator: Luke Huard
- Defensive Coordinator: Gary Patterson
- Conference: Big Ten
- Location: Los Angeles, California
- Stadium: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
- 2026 Record: 4-0
- AP Top 25 Ranking: No. 12
Lincoln Riley talked a lot all offseason about how much the program's culture had changed and how much emphasis had been placed on getting tougher and more defense-minded. USC handled San Jose State before surrendering some points late, then shut out Fresno State, and it was starting to look like Riley would be right. In the past two weeks, they have given up 30 points to Louisiana and then 35 to Rutgers (the same team that lost to UMass and Boston College). I think the Trojans are exactly who we thought they were.

Oregon Ducks Team Profile
- Head Coach: Dan Lanning (5th Season)
- Offensive Coordinator: Drew Mehringer
- Defensive Coordinator: Chris Hampton
- Conference: Big Ten
- Location: Eugene, Oregon
- Stadium: Autzen Stadium
- 2026 Record: 2-1
- AP Top 25 Ranking: No. 20
Oregon has a loss to Oklahoma State and hasn't looked good against any FBS team yet, but that changes Saturday night at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. I think Oregon punks USC by beating them up on the lines of scrimmage, and the Ducks win comfortably. With upcoming games against Washington, Penn State, Ohio State, and Indiana, Lincoln Riley’s seat will warm up quickly.
5. Louisville and Wake Forest Go Way Over
Whenever the Louisville Cardinals take the field, expect a high-scoring affair.

Louisville Cardinals Team Profile
- Head Coach: Jeff Brohm (4th Year)
- Offensive Coordinator: Brian Brohm
- Defensive Coordinator: Mark Ivey, Steve Ellis
- Conference: ACC
- Location: Louisville, Kentucky
- Stadium: L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium
- 2026 Record: 2-1
- AP Top 25 Ranking: No. 16
Last week, the Cardinals and SMU Mustangs played a back-and-forth game that combined for more than 70 points. In Week One, it was an explosion of big plays against Ole Miss. Jeff Brohm has a really good offense, a quarterback who looks like the real deal, and a couple of running backs who keep churning out big runs. However, Brohm's defense gives up big plays and routinely picks up awful penalties.

Wake Forest Demon Deacons Team Profile
- Head Coach: Jake Dickert (1st Season)
- Offensive Coordinator: Rob Ezell
- Defensive Coordinator: Scottie Hazelton
- Conference: ACC
- Location: Winston-Salem, North Carolina
- Stadium: Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium
- 2026 Record: 2-1
- AP Top 25 Ranking: NR
Wake Forest has put up offensive numbers in every game this season, including last week against Miami. Gio Lopez has been impressive, and I think this game will go well over 60 points.
1. Utah Sends a Message, Wallops Iowa State
The Utah Utes open Big 12 play with a test at Iowa State. The Utes are currently one of the top choices to win the Big 12, but still behind Texas Tech and BYU. I think they will emerge as the best team in the league, and this weekend will see others start to recognize that too.

Utah Team Profile
- Head Coach: Morgan Scalley (1st Season)
- Offensive Coordinator: Kevin McGiven
- Defensive Coordinator: Colton Swan
- Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
- 2026 Record: 3-0
- AP Top 25 Ranking: No. 15
I know Utah has not played anyone yet, but I have been extremely encouraged on both sides of the ball. The rushing attack has been dominant, and the Utes have plenty of weapons to get the ball to. Iowa State is not a bad team, but they do not have the size or speed to keep up with Utah for 60 minutes. I think Utah wins big in Ames and starts to look like a real threat to Texas Tech in the Big 12.