[INTRODUCTION]
Week 4 was the beginning of most team’s conference schedules and had a lot of great matchups that started to sort out the rankings of each team.
To find out where your team stands in this week’s Top 5 Rankings scroll down and take a look.
Scroll to the bottom to see how Rivalry Sports did on their picks for the Week 4 games and to see a summary of this week’s picks!
Win/Loss Records of the picks for Week 4 :
| Picker | Rivalry Sports – Dustin Kirby | Guest Picker |
| Win – Loss Record Week 4 | 11 – 2 | 10 – 3 |
| Overall Won/Loss Record on Picks this Season | 57 – 8 | 55 – 10 |
Guest Picker Won/Loss Records
| Guest Picker | Week | Won/Loss Record on Picks | Winning Percentage |
| Stephanie Kirby | 1 | 16 – 3 | 84.2% |
| Stephanie Kirby | 2 | 17 – 2 | 89.5% |
| Stephanie Kirby | 3 | 12 – 2 | 85.7% |
| Stephanie Kirby | 4 | 10 – 3 | 76.9% |
RIVALRY SPORTS LOCK PICK OF THE WEEK
| Week | Rivalry Sports Game Score Pick | Actual Result |
| 1 | #5 Alabama over Western Kentucky 45 – 13 | #5 Alabama over Western Kentucky – 63 – 0 |
| 2 | #6 Ole Miss over MTSU 48 – 10 | #6 Ole Miss over MTSU 52 – 3 |
| 3 | #17 Michigan over Arkansas State 38 – 10 | #17 Michigan over Arkansas State 28 – 18 |
| 4 | #8 Miami over South Florida 41 – 10 | #8 Miami over South Florida 50 – 15 |
| 5 | #8 Oregon over UCLA 34 – 17 |
Check out last week’s Top 5 Rankings
Weekly Rivalry Sports Top 5 for each Power Conference
SEC TOP FIVE
The SEC is a POWERHOUSE conference again this year! This coming week will pit two of the top 5 teams in the country against each other in Georgia vs Alabama! Any of these Top 5 SEC teams could make a serious run for the national championship this year!
1. Georgia (3 – 0) AP Ranking – # 2
Coming out of their bye week the Dawgs have one thing on their mind… Alabama. This week Georgia travels to Alabama to take on their old foe. The winner of this game gets a huge jump in the chase for the SEC conference crown.
Last Week SEC Ranking: # 1
Week 3 Opponent: @ #4 Alabama at 7:30 PM EDT Saturday 9/28/24
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
2. Ole Miss (4 – 0) AP Ranking – # 6
Ole Miss was on autopilot against another team that was overmatched in Week 4 when they destroyed Georgia Southern 52 – 13. Ole Miss holds onto their spot in the SEC rankings, but Texas and Tennessee are nipping on their heels with better wins than the Rebs have so far this season.
This week Ole Miss takes on an up and down Kentucky team and we will see how Ole Miss looks against a fellow SEC team.
Last Week SEC Ranking: # 2
Week 3 Opponent: vs Kentucky at 12:00 PM EDT Saturday 9/28/24
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
3. Texas (4 – 0) AP Ranking – # 1
The Longhorns were without star QB Quinn Ewers, but with the best backup QB in the country in Arch Manning they handled ULM by the score of 51 – 3. Texas really looks like a complete team and this week should add another win to their total when Mississippi State comes to town.
Last Week SEC Ranking: # 3
Week 3 Opponent: vs Mississippi State at 4:15 PM EDT Saturday 9/28/24
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
4. Tennessee (4 – 0) AP Ranking – # 5
The Volunteers had one of the best wins of the season so far when they went to Oklahoma and beat a good Sooner team 25 – 15. We already knew Tennessee would have a very good offense, but what is making them look like an elite team is a dominate defense!
The Volunteers deserve to move up the rankings, but none of the teams above them faltered this week. With any slippage above them, Tennessee will move up the rankings.
Last Week SEC Ranking: # 4
Week 3 Opponent: Bye Week
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Bye
5. Alabama (3 – 0) AP Ranking – # 4
The Tide come off the bye week ready for their biggest game of the year to date when the Dawgs come to town! This is both an important game this year in the race for the SEC and in coach Kalen DeBoer’s Alabama regime after taking over for the GOAT.
Last Week SEC Ranking: # 5
Week 3 Opponent: vs #2 Georgia at 7:30 PM EDT Saturday 9/28/24
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Loss
Dropped from SEC Top 5 Rankings:
N/A
Big Ten TOP FIVE
There was only one big game in the B1G this week, but it was a big one with defending National Champion Michigan welcoming USC to the Big Ten.
1. Ohio State (3 – 0) AP Ranking – # 3
The Buckeyes continued to quietly look like one of the top teams in the country when they demolished Marshall 49 – 14 in Week 4. In Week 5 the competition gets tougher when Ohio State travels to take on Michigan State in a night game.
Last Week B1G Ranking: # 1
Week 3 Opponent: @ Michigan State at 7:00 PM EDT Saturday 9/28/24
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
2. Oregon (3 – 0) AP Ranking – # 8
The Ducks come out of their bye week ready to take on fellow B1G newcomer UCLA. For the Ducks to continue to prove they are a top 10 team they need to come out of the bye week firing on all cylinders.
Last Week B1G Ranking: # 2
Week 3 Opponent: @ UCLA at 11:00 PM EDT Saturday 9/28/24
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
3. Penn State (3 – 0) AP Ranking – # 9
The Nittany Lions blasted another overmatched team when they took down Kent State 56 – 0 in Week 4. Penn State will get a true test of how good they are this week when a tough Illinois team comes to town.
Last Week B1G Ranking: # 4
Week 3 Opponent: vs #19 Illinois at 7:30 PM EDT Saturday 9/28/24
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
4. Michigan (3 – 1) AP Ranking – # 12
Michigan decided to commit to the run against USC and even without the threat of a real passing game the Wolverines were able to rely on their toughness and grit to grind out a 27 – 24 win over a very good USC team.
The Wolverines cannot sustain an offense that gets 32 passing yards a week, but if they can pick up the passing game a little while still focusing on the running game and the D, this team can be a tough team again this year.
Last Week B1G Ranking: # 5
Week 3 Opponent: vs Minnesota at 12:00 PM EDT Saturday 9/28/24
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
5. USC (2 – 1) AP Ranking – # 13
USC comes off a tough loss to Michigan in Week 4. The Trojans actually played very well on defense besides allowing three long runs, but nonetheless were out toughed by a proud Michigan team. USC will look to regroup quickly as Wisconsin comes to town this week.
Last Week B1G Ranking: # 3
Week 3 Opponent: vs Wisconsin at 3:30 PM EDT Saturday 9/28/24
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
Dropped from Big 10 Top 5 Rankings:
N/A
BIG-12 TOP FIVE
Two of the Big 12’s AP top 15 ranked teams lost this week. One was a loss to fellow AP top 15 team Utah, but Kansas State dropped the ball and got embarrassed by BYU.
1. Utah (4 – 0) AP Ranking – # 10
The Utes went on the road and beat a very good Oklahoma State team by the core of 22 – 19. Utah even did that with their backup QB! If Utah continues to play great D and run the ball well, then when they get star QB Cam Rising back they will truly be a CFP contender!
This week Utah takes on a talented Arizona team so there is no time to lose focus.
Last Week BIG-12 Ranking: # 1
Week 3 Opponent: vs Arizona at 10:15 PM EDT Saturday 9/28/24
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
2. Oklahoma State (3 – 1) AP Ranking – # 20
The Cowboys had a chance to take possession of first place in the Big 12, but were not able to capitalize on the opportunity and lost to Utah. It is concerning that Oklahoma State hasn’t been able to get star RB Ollie Gordon II on track this year and when QB Alan Bowman struggled also against a tough Utah defense, it was too much to overcome.
The Cowboys are still a good team that can get better, but their offense needs to become more balanced in order to reach their potential.
Last Week BIG-12 Ranking: # 2
Week 3 Opponent: @ #13 Kansas State at TBD PM EDT Saturday 9/28/24
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
3. Kansas State (3 – 1) AP Ranking – # 23
The Wildcats looked great in Week 3 with their big win over Arizona, but in Week 4 they laid a dud in losing 38 – 9 to BYU. The Wildcats get a chance to show which which team they are, they team from Week 3 or the team from Week 4 when Oklahoma State comes to town this week.
Last Week BIG-12 Ranking: # 3
Week 3 Opponent: vs Oklahoma State at TBD PM EDT Saturday 9/28/24
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Loss
4. UCF (3 – 0) AP Ranking – # Unranked
The Knights come off their bye week with a big game against Colorado this week. In order to truly be considered a Big 12 contender this is a must win game for UCF.
Last Week BIG-12 Ranking: # 4
Week 3 Opponent: vs Colorado at TBD PM EDT Saturday 9/28/24
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
5. Iowa State (3 – 0) AP Ranking – # 18
Iowa State has cracked the Big 12 Top 5 after three straight wins to start the season, including last week’s 52 – 7 domination of Arkansas State!
The Cyclones also have a win over Big Ten rival Iowa this year and will look to keep the winning going when they go on the road to take on Houston this week.
Last Week BIG-12 Ranking: # Unranked
Week 3 Opponent: @ Houston at TBD PM EDT Saturday 9/28/24
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
Dropped from BIG-12 Top 5 Rankings:
Arizona (2 – 1) AP Ranking – # Unranked
ACC TOP FIVE
The ACC has Miami in the driver’s seat for the conference crown, but their are lots of good teams nipping at their heels.
1. Miami (4 – 0) AP Ranking – # 7
Another week, another big win for Miami. The Hurricanes destroyed USF 50 – 15 and continue to look like a serious CFP team this year. With QB Cam Ward leading the way, Miami is not a team that anyone wants to play right now.
The week the Hurricanes take on a good Virginia Tech team, but expect the Hurricanes to continue to roll!
Last Week ACC Ranking: # 1
Week 3 Opponent: vs Virginia Tech at 7:30 PM EDT Friday 9/27/24
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
2. Clemson (2 – 1) AP Ranking – # 17
Clemson came out firing against NC State in Week 4 and scored 28 pts in the first quarter! The 59 – 35 win over the Wolfpack wasn’t even as close as the score indicates. Clemson started the season in a tough position taking on perennial top team Georgia, but the Tigers seem to be getting better and could be real CFP contenders if this keeps up.
This week Clemson will need to stay focused when Stanford comes to town.
Last Week ACC Ranking: #2
Week 3 Opponent: vs Stanford at 7:00 PM EDT Saturday 9/28/24
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
3. Louisville (3 – 0) AP Ranking – # 15
The Cardinals have quietly looked very impressive this year. That continued with a 31 – 19 win over Georgia Tech in week 4.
If QB Tyler Shough, a good defense, and a collection of athletes can keep improving then the Cardinals could make a run at the ACC crown this year. First though, they have a huge game this week when they go on the road to take on Notre Dame.
Last Week ACC Ranking: # 3
Week 3 Opponent: @ #17 Notre Dame at 3:30 PM EDT Saturday 9/28/24
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
4. Boston College (3 – 1) AP Ranking – # Unranked
Boston College squeaked out a win against a scrappy Michigan State team in Week 4 by the score of 23 – 19. This BC team is tough and well coached and looks to continue to add to the win column when they take on Western Kentucky this week.
Last Week ACC Ranking: 4
Week 3 Opponent: vs Western Kentucky at 12:00 PM EDT Saturday 9/28/24
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
5. Pittsburgh (4 – 0) AP Ranking – # Unranked
Pitt looks like a team that has flown under the radar, but could end the season in the AP top 25. They continued winning in Week 4 when they demolished Youngstown State 73 – 17. With a tough defense and a gritty QB in Eli Holstein, the Panthers are a good team.
This week they have a bye week, then after the bye they go on the road to take on a North Carolina team that just gave up 70 points to James Madison!
Last Week ACC Ranking: Unranked
Week 3 Opponent: Bye week
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Bye
Dropped from ACC Top 5 Rankings:
Syracuse (2-1)
NOTABLE Week 3 GAMES
Take a look at some of the highest ranked or most intriguing games of the week listed below.
- #2 Georgia @ #4 Alabama – The biggest game so far this year pits two powerhouse teams against each other!
- #19 Illiniois @ #9 Penn State – Two tough minded teams that like to run the ball. We will see where each team stands this year.
- #15 Louisville @ #16 Notre Dame – Will the Cardinals show they are for real and ND is a pretender, or will Notre Dame step up and get the win?
- #20 Oklahoma State @ #23 Kansas State – A loss by either team puts them far behind Utah in the race for the Big 12 crown. Important game for both programs.
Rivalry Sports Lock Pick of the Week – #8 Oregon over UCLA 34 – 17
Rivalry Sports Underdog Pick of the Week – #15 Louisville over #16 Notre Dame
Check back in for updated Top 5 Rankings next week!
Week 5 Game Picks
| Game (Home Team listed 2nd) | Rivalry Sports Pick – Dustin Kirby | Guest Picker – Stephanie Kirby |
| #2 Georgia @ #4 Alabama | Georgia | Alabama |
| Kentucky @ #6 Ole Miss | Ole Miss | Ole Miss |
| Mississippi State @ #1 Texas | Texas | Texas |
| #3 Ohio State @ Michigan State | Ohio State | Ohio State |
| #8 Oregon @ UCLA | Oregon | Oregon |
| #19 Illinois @ #9 Penn State | Penn State | Penn State |
| Minnesota @ #12 Michigan | Michigan | Michigan |
| Wisconsin @ #13 USC | USC | USC |
| Arizona @ #10 Utah | Utah | Utah |
| #20 Oklahoma State @ #23 Kansas State | Oklahoma State | Kansas State |
| Colorado @ UCF | UCF | Colorado |
| #18 Iowa State @ Houston | Iowa State | Iowa State |
| Virginia Tech @ #7 Miami | Miami | Miami |
| Stanford @ #17 Clemson | Clemson | Clemson |
| #15 Louisville @ #16 Notre Dame | Louisville | Louisville |
| Western Kentucky @ Boston College | Boston College | Boston College |
| Total |
WEEK 4 PICKS REVIEWED
| Week 1 Pick Results by Conference | Record |
| SEC | 3 – 0 |
| B1G (Big Ten) | 3 – 0 |
| Big – 12 | 1 – 1 |
| ACC | 4 – 1 |
| Total | 11 – 2 |
Week 4 GAME PICK RESULTS
| Game (Home Team listed 2nd) | Rivalry Sports Pick – Dustin Kirby | Guest Picker – Stephanie Kirby | Winner |
| Georgia Southern @ #5 Ole Miss | Ole Miss | Ole Miss | Ole Miss |
| UL-Monroe @ #1 Texas | Texas | Texas | Texas |
| #6 Tennessee @ #15 Oklahoma | Tennessee | Tennessee | Tennessee |
| Marshall @ #3 Ohio State | Ohio State | Ohio State | Ohio State |
| #11 USC @ #18 Michigan | Michigan | USC | Michigan |
| Kent State @ #10 Penn State | Penn State | Penn State | Penn State |
| #12 Utah @ #14 Oklahoma State | Utah | Utah | Utah |
| #13 Kansas State @ BYU | Kansas State | Kansas State | BYU |
| #8 Miami @ South Florida | Miami | Miami | Miami |
| NC State @ #21 Clemson | Clemson | Clemson | Clemson |
| Georgia Tech @ #19 Louisville | Louisville | Louisville | Louisville |
| Michigan State @ Boston College | Boston College | Boston College | Boston College |
| Stanford @ Syracuse | Syracuse | Syracuse | Stanford |
| Total | 11 | 10 | 13 |
