USC’s loss to Michigan highlights college football’s Week 4 winners and losers
For much of the second half in Michigan Stadium, it appeared that No. 12 Southern California was adapting well to life in the Big Ten.
Despite trailing 14-3 at halftime and struggling offensively, the Trojans turned things around in the second half against No. 17 Michigan, coming close to starting their new conference journey with a win.
However, the Wolverines managed to score a touchdown with just 36 seconds to go, thanks to a 1-yard run by Kalel Mullings, clinching a 27-24 victory that keeps the defending national champions in the race for the College Football Playoff, while leaving USC coach Lincoln Riley and his team disappointed over a lost opportunity.
There were positive aspects for the Trojans in their Big Ten opener. The noticeable increase in toughness and effectiveness on both sides of the ball during the second half indicated that USC is prepared for the physical play typical of this conference.
Add to that the solid performance of quarterback Miller Moss, who, despite being relentlessly pursued by Michigan’s defense, threw for 283 yards and three touchdowns. Conversely, Michigan’s starting quarterback Alex Orji, making his debut, only managed 32 passing yards and 43 rushing yards.
With the hiring of new defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn from UCLA this past winter, the Trojans are experiencing an upturn in performance that could position them favorably for an at-large playoff spot.
Yet, several questions remain unanswered. Chief among them is whether the Trojans can effectively protect their quarterback; Saturday’s performance raised doubts about that. Additionally, it’s uncertain if they can afford another slow start against teams like No. 10 Penn State, who will visit the Coliseum on Oct. 12. While they managed to restrict Michigan’s ground game for long stretches, the defense permitted three significant plays, including a 63-yard run by Kalel Mullings during the decisive drive. Michigan finished with 290 rushing yards overall.
There are also concerns regarding what this loss means for USC against Michigan. The Wolverines struggled offensively and clearly do not appear to be contenders for another national title. Nevertheless, when it mattered, they succeeded in delivering a tough loss for USC as they adjust to their new conference.
This week, the Trojans, Michigan, and Utah stand out as key figures among college football’s winners and losers:
Winners
Utah
No. 10 Utah secured a 22-19 victory over No. 15 Oklahoma State, positioning themselves alongside No. 14 Kansas State as the top teams in the Big 12, slightly ahead of No. 21 Iowa State and Central Florida, who are undervalued. Notably, Utah achieved this without their quarterback Cam Rising, who has faced persistent injury issues. Coach Kyle Whittingham relied on backup Isaac Wilson, who threw two interceptions but benefited from running back Micah Bernard’s impressive performance of 182 yards on 25 carries. Defensively, Utah dominated, breaking down two OSU quarterbacks, allowing only 38 rushing yards, proving they are ready to contend for a playoff spot.
Clemson
No. 19 Clemson bounced back impressively, scoring 45 points in the first half to defeat North Carolina State 59-35, just weeks after scoring 56 first-half points against Appalachian State. Following a tough 34-3 loss to Georgia in the opener that raised concerns about their offense, Clemson has shown remarkable form, establishing themselves as a serious ACC contender and potential playoff participant. Quarterback Cade Klubnik threw for 209 yards and four total touchdowns against NC State, accumulating 11 touchdowns in the last two games.
Indiana
Indiana’s victories may not appear impressive at first glance—over Florida International, Western Illinois, UCLA, and Charlotte with scores of 31-7, 77-3, 42-13, and 52-14—but they are noteworthy. Under the guidance of transfer quarterback Kurtis Rourke, the Indiana offense looks poised to be among the best in recent years. New coach Curt Cignetti has made an inspired start, leading the Hoosiers to an unbeaten record through four games for the first time since the 2020 season, marking Cignetti’s inaugural tenure with a 4-0 start, an unprecedented feat in the program’s history.
Losers
Memphis
After their significant win against Florida State, which elevated them in the Group of Five rankings, No. 23 Memphis squandered that momentum by suffering a 56-44 defeat to Navy. The drastic shift from one of the biggest victories in program history to facing an option team on the road proved to be a challenging transition. The Midshipmen relied heavily on their running game, amassing 361 rushing yards on 39 carries, including a 90-yard touchdown run by quarterback Blake Horvath in the fourth quarter.
North Carolina
How did North Carolina allow 70 points at home against James Madison? A total of five turnovers, the highest number for the program in a game since September 27, 2018, played a major role. These mistakes positioned James Madison with two starting drives inside the Tar Heels’ 35-yard line, both leading to touchdowns. Additionally, they conceded one touchdown from a blocked punt and another from a pick-six. However, the most alarming aspect of the game was how poorly UNC performed defensively, yielding 611 yards with an average of 8.4 yards per play. This game resulted in a significant victory for new coach Bob Chesney and pushed JMU into the playoff conversation.
Mississippi State
Things couldn’t be more troubling for Mississippi State: they are performing worse than Florida. How much worse? They lost by 17 points, in their own stadium. Florida’s win, powered by 201 passing yards and three touchdowns from Graham Mertz, gives the Gators and coach Billy Napier a much-needed lift early in the season, slightly improving their chances for six wins and a bowl game. Meanwhile, losing to a struggling opponent at home raises questions about the Bulldogs’ future under new coach Jeff Lebby. After winning his debut against Eastern Kentucky, Lebby’s team has since suffered losses at Arizona State, a home defeat to Toledo, and a decisive loss to the Gators.
Kansas
One downside of being a successful football program — something Kansas struggled with for a long time — is the heightened expectations that accompany success. After consecutive bowl appearances and a nine-win season in 2023, the Jayhawks are now viewed as one of the biggest disappointments in the Power Four. They lost 32-28 to West Virginia, falling to 1-3, and this loss could have easily been avoided—they had leads in the fourth quarter of all their games. Against the Mountaineers, Kansas was ahead 28-17 after scoring with 5:39 left but allowed two late scoring drives, resulting in a setback in their Big 12 opener and jeopardizing their bowl eligibility.
