Underdogs Bark Loudly. Overrateds Get Knocked Off.
Week four of any college football season is one of the most intriguing of a particular season because teams start to show themselves. The real ones continue to play well. The fakers fall by the wayside, sometimes in ugly fashion. Underdogs bark loudly. Overrateds get knocked off. Week five, then, presents an even clearer picture for all teams throughout the nation. As such, let’s look back at an eventful week four and preview an OUTSTANDING week five.
Week 4 Players of the Week
Kinder’s Texas Bowl Player of the Week - TCU WR Eric McAlister - The TCU Horned Frogs are one the best comeback stories in college football in 2025 and they dominated SMU thanks to a record-setting day for their star receiver. McAlister racked up eight catches for a whopping 254 yards and three touchdowns. The three touchdowns were 27, 44 and 70 yard receptions to break open the Iron Skillet battle in Fort Worth.
National Player of the Week - Washington QB Demond Williams - In the Apple Cup against Washington State, Williams took over the game with five total touchdowns. Williams accounted for nearly 400 yards total offense (298 through the air, 88 on the ground) as he ran over, around and through the WAZZU defense. He led the Huskies in passing AND rushing, totaling those five touchdowns in the 59-24 win on the road in Pullman, WA.
Week 4 Teams of the Week
Kinder’s Texas Bowl Team of the Week - Texas Tech - I said last week that the least talked about GREAT game in week four was going to be Texas Tech at Utah. I was off a bit because it was one-sided for the most part. The Red Raiders made such a statement that it didn’t feel like a great game. Regardless, it was one heck of a performance for the Red Raiders in a 34-10 win AT Utah. QB Will Hammond replaced injured starter Behren Morton and led the Red Raiders to 24 fourth quarter points in the win. This is one heck of a football squad in Lubbock.
National Team of the Week - Memphis - The Tigers were down for much of the game against Arkansas, but Ryan Silverfield’s Tigers chipped away until late in the fourth quarter. Then, with just under five minutes remaining RB Sutton Smith took a run 64 yards to the house for a 32-31 lead. The defense forced a fumble in the low red zone when it appeared Arkansas would kill the clock and then kick a game winning field goal. But, the defense saved the day! The Tigers are now 4-0 as they enter American Conference play.
Week 4 Kudos
…to Head coach Scott Abell and Rice for a third win in four games to start the 2025 season. The Owls knocked off Charlotte in North Carolina 28-17 to get to 3-1.
…to Tulsa’s Tre Lamb and the Golden Hurricane for knocking off in-state rival Oklahoma State for the first time in 27 years.
…to Indiana for showing that 2024 was no fluke. The Hoosiers HAMMERED Illinois in primetime 63-10, making a SERIOUS statement on Saturday night.
…to Vanderbilt for putting up a 70-burger against another FBS team (Georgia State). Wow.
…to Missouri RB Ahmad Hardy for another stellar performance (22 carries for 138 yards and a TD) in back-to-back weeks. I’m a huge Jeremiyah Love fan, but it’s hard to think Hardy isn’t the best RB in the nation right now. Total stud.
…to Micihgan and interim head coach Biff Poggi for an impressive road win at Nebraska.
…likewise to Michigan RB Justice Haynes for his fourth consecutive 100-yard game, rolling up 149 yards on 17 carries and a touchdown.
…to North Texas for its OT win at Army and a 4-0 start on the 2025 season.
…to Virginia QB Chandler Morris for throwing four TDs and 380 yards on 23 of 31 passing in a convincing primetime win over Stanford.
…to Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables and the Sooners for a gutty, physical win over #22 Auburn in Norman. Unfortunately, star QB John Mateer will be lost for a stretch of time, but that defense was just awesome!
…therefore, to the Oklahoma defense for setting a record for sacks in a game (TEN!) against former Oklahoma QB Jackson Arnold…and that unit played without star DE R Mason Thomas in the first half.
…to the least talked about STUD QB USC’s Jayden Maiava for a stellar 20 for 26, 234 yard, three touchdown performance in a 45-31 win over Michigan State.
Week 5 Preview
#6 (4-0) Oregon at #3 (3-0) Penn State
The last time these two saw each other, they put up a ton of points in the 2024 B1G Championship game in Indianapolis. December. Neutral site. End of the year. This one couldn’t be any more different. 107,000 Penn State fans will make life tough on Oregon QB Dante Moore and the Ducks offense in Happy Valley. But, Penn State head coach James Franklin teams have wilted against top ten teams throughout Franklin’s Penn State coaching career. Can the Nittany Lions channel all of their talent into a quality performance against these confident and talented Ducks?
#4 (4-0) LSU at #13 (4-0) Ole Miss
The Rebels have lived with The One that Got Away last year as LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier led the Tigers to a great win that should’ve been an Ole Miss win in Baton Rouge. Ole Miss players have said this week that they have harbored ill will all summer and can’t wait for this game in Oxford. QB Trinidad Chambliss should probably start again for Ole Miss as starter Austin Simmons didn’t appear to be ready any time soon with that bad ankle. That said, this one is going to be a little bit ugly, a little bit pretty and a 100% COMPETITIVE!
#17 (2-1) Alabama at #5 (3-0) Georgia
The Dawgs went to Tennessee a couple of weeks ago and even though it appeared they were dead in the water, QB Gunner Stockton became a legend, bringing the Dawgs back from behind for a massive win. Now, he gets to face an Alabama team that is still seeking respect after its loss to Florida State in week one. Beat Georgia AT Georgia and people will think differently about the 2025 Crimson Tide. Alabama QB Ty Simpson has improved each week and he certainly took notes as to what Tennessee QB Joey Aguilar did to the Dawgs two weeks ago. This one may not be as fun as last year’s contest, but it’ll be just as intriguing.
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