As we roll into Week 4 of the college football season, the easy wins are gone and conference play is here. This is when September narratives start to harden into reality. Contenders rise, pretenders fade, and some programs face make-or-break moments. Here are the biggest questions heading into the weekend.
Can Nebraska jump back into national prominence?
When Dylan Raiola flipped his commitment from Georgia to Nebraska, it was clear he wanted to create his own legacy. His goal: to be the quarterback who drags the Cornhuskers back to relevance. This week gives him the chance. Nebraska has not beaten a ranked team since 2016, when they toppled Oregon. The Scott Frost era buried the program, but Matt Rhule now has the chance to rewrite the script. Hosting 21st-ranked Michigan in their Big Ten opener, this is the stage Raiola came to Lincoln for.
Is Auburn or Oklahoma a true SEC contender?
It is homecoming for Jackson Arnold. Auburn’s quarterback has regained some confidence, but he has yet to see a defense like Oklahoma’s. Arnold has been dangerous with his legs but inconsistent through the air. He has only thrown for more than 150 yards once this season, and that came against Ball State. In his other two games he has just one touchdown pass. If Auburn wants this win, Arnold must stretch the field vertically.
Oklahoma sees this as payback for Arnold’s portal exit. The Sooners already own a marquee win over Michigan, but questions remain about how strong those Wolverines really are. The road ahead is brutal with matchups still looming against the 8th, 13th, 15th, 14th, 23rd, and 3rd-ranked teams in the AP Poll. Taking care of Auburn would give them momentum before that gauntlet.
Is Clemson still top tier in the ACC?
At 1–2, Clemson is in do-or-die mode. They get a rebound shot against Syracuse, a sneaky dangerous opponent led by Steve Angeli, who tops the nation with 1,072 passing yards. Dabo Swinney knows what is at stake. A loss would drop the Tigers to 1–3 overall and 0–2 in the ACC, a near-death sentence for their playoff hopes. Clemson still has the talent, but it is time to prove it on the field.
Who is the Big 12 favorite?
Utah and Texas Tech are both listed among the betting favorites, and conveniently, they play each other this week.
Utah’s Devon Dampier has reignited the program with 628 passing yards, seven touchdowns, and nearly 200 rushing yards through three weeks. He is even sneaking into Heisman conversations. Texas Tech’s Behren Morton has been equally impressive, throwing for 923 yards and an FBS-leading 11 touchdowns. Joey McGuire reloaded the Red Raiders with a top-three transfer portal class, going all in for this season.
Both teams are loaded, but this is the first real test. Whoever comes out on top will likely become the favorite to win the conference.
Is Billy Napier completely done?
Billy Napier is clinging to his job. The loss to USF in Week 2 turned up the heat, and last week’s road loss to LSU only made it worse. The problem is not just losing, it is how they lost. DJ Lagway threw five interceptions, a crushing blow for a fanbase that pinned its hopes on him.
The Gators face Miami this weekend, and while they are not expected to win, they cannot afford to be embarrassed. Even a competitive effort might not be enough to save Napier long term. His miracle run last year bought him time, but it feels like the clock is running out.
Was Arizona State a Cinderella Story That Reached Midnight?
The defending Big 12 champions entered 2025 without Cam Skattebo but still carried sky-high expectations. They returned Sam Leavitt and Jordyn Tyson, one of the best duos in the country, and added transfer running back Kanye Udoh. On paper, the offense should hum.
Instead, the Sun Devils were upset by Mississippi State in Week 2 and have looked far less explosive. This week they face Baylor and quarterback Sawyer Robertson, who has lit up defenses in his first season as a starter. Arizona State needs this win to show last year was no fluke.
Was Indiana a one-hit wonder? And is Illinois actually a playoff contender?
Both Indiana and Illinois outperformed expectations last season. Indiana even made the playoff, while Illinois finished 16th in the rankings.
Curt Cignetti has sparked life into Indiana, but history is hard to ignore. The Hoosiers lead the FBS in all-time losses, and critics see last year as an outlier. A win this weekend would go a long way toward proving otherwise.
Illinois has the opposite narrative. They entered 2025 with heavy media hype, returning a veteran core that wants to prove it belongs in the playoff picture. Saturday’s primetime showdown offers both programs the chance to redefine themselves.
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