College football overreactions after Week 4: USC won’t change under Lincoln Riley

College football overreactions after Week 4: USC won’t change under Lincoln Riley

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College football overreactions after Week 4: USC won’t change under Lincoln Riley

There were six ranked matchups in Week 4 of college football this past weekend and almost all of them lived up to the hype. Three of them were one-score games and both Texas-Tennessee and Iowa-Michigan came down to the final play.

The Volunteers almost made an incredible comeback, but Texas won 20-17 in Knoxville, while Iowa upset Michigan in Ann Arbor, 20-19.

Here are four overreactions from the weekend.

MORE: College football top 25 rankings 2026: AP Top 25 poll entering Week 5

Iowa can contend for the Big Ten

The Iowa football team swarms onto the field during the Cy-Hawk football game against the Iowa State Cyclones Sept. 12, 2026 at

The Iowa football team swarms onto the field during the Cy-Hawk football game against the Iowa State Cyclones Sept. 12, 2026 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

How about those Iowa Hawkeyes? Despite being outgained 429-285 yards against Michigan on Saturday, Iowa found a way to win. The Hawkeyes drove the ball 91 yards on their final possession to throw a game-winning touchdown and beat the Wolverines, 20-19.

It wasn’t pretty, but it was a gritty Iowa win, and that’s what we’ve come to know. The Hawkeyes will rarely impress with their offense, but if the opposition wants to make mistakes and keep Iowa in the game, the Hawkeyes will gladly make you regret it.

Aside from Ohio State, the Big Ten looks very even. Indiana is also a good team, but the Hoosiers don’t appear to be as dominant as they were a season ago, and we know what Oregon has been about this season. We are going to really find out more about the Hawkeyes this week when they host the Buckeyes.

Time for Oklahoma to move on from John Mateer

NCAA Football: Oklahoma at Georgia

Sep 26, 2026; Athens, Georgia, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) throws a pass against Georgia Bulldogs safety Rasean Dinkins (14) during the first half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Oklahoma made the College Football Playoff last season and that was with an injured John Mateer at quarterback. This was supposed to be the Sooners’ year with Mateer back and fully healthy. But, in fact, it’s been worse.

We thought the Sooners were a good team when they went into Ann Arbor and lost to Michigan. But after struggling to beat New Mexico in Week 3 and then getting crushed by Georgia this past week, the Sooners are a shell of what they should be.

Sitting at 2-2 and games against Texas, Florida, and Ole Miss, among others, left on the schedule, Oklahoma might struggle to back a bowl game. This is Mateer’s last season and he turned the ball over three times against the Bulldogs — in inexcusable fashion.

At this point, Mateer is in his own head, and another loss or two could force Oklahoma to turn to sophomore Whitt Newbauer, or freshman Bowe Bently, who is probably the future.

Same old USC team

NCAA Football: Southern California at Rutgers

Sep 19, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley reacts during the second half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

It’s Lincoln Riley’s fifth season at USC and he has one double-digit win season under his belt, which came in Year 1. The Trojans lost a lot of their playmakers from last season, but USC returned quarterback Jayden Maiava, along with a lot of defensive personnel.

However, the Trojans’ defense can’t stop teams from scoring, and Riley can’t win the big games. USC suffered a 41-27 loss to Oregon, at home, this past weekend, and it turns out that it’s the same old Trojans team.

To make matters worse, Dante Moore was knocked out of the game early, and the Trojans’ defense still couldn’t stop backup Dylan Raiola, who threw for 289 yards and two scores.

Kamario Taylor is the most electrifying player in college football

NCAA Football: Missouri at Mississippi State

Sep 26, 2026; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Kamario Taylor (1) passes the ball during warm ups prior to the game against the Missouri Tigers at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Mississippi State hasn’t been on the college football map for quite some time, but there is one player who is keeping the Bulldogs alive. Quarterback Kamario Taylor is must-see television and it was the first time since 2014 that a ranked Mississippi State team beat another ranked opponent.

Taylor is tied with USC quarterback Jayden Maiava and Miami gunslinger Darian Mensah with 14 passing touchdowns on the season. He has just two interceptions to his name, and he has 185 rushing yards with one touchdown on the ground.

This past week, Taylor threw for 360 yards, three touchdowns, and one pick. Mississippi State is now ranked No. 16 and has beaten one ranked team, along with Minnesota and South Carolina. The Bulldogs will take on Alabama this week, and all eyes should be on Taylor.

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