College Football Week Four: Rising and Falling Teams

As college football enters week four, the atmosphere feels akin to a dynamic golf tournament. It’s an exciting time, with some teams climbing the ranks while others stumble.

From this point, let’s look at three teams that impressed and three that struggled.

“We broke their will and just slapped them,” remarked Indiana head coach Kurt Signetti after his team handed Illinois a significant defeat, ending the game at 63-10. Illinois, ranked ninth, faced Indiana, which was 19th. The Hoosiers turned the game around decisively in the second quarter.

This marked Indiana’s first win over a top-10 team in five years and extended their home winning streak to 12 games.

The Hoosiers made some pivotal plays, scoring a touchdown on a blocked punt. After blocking an attempt from Illinois kicker Pantani Coraditic, Dangelo Pond picked up the loose ball. Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza didn’t hold back, tossing five touchdown passes during the blowout.

Signetti expressed enthusiasm about the win, saying, “We’re going to attract people’s attention with this. The team truly put it all on the line tonight. It feels amazing to hold a substantial lead in the second half.” It certainly caught the attention of many.

On the flip side, Illinois head coach Brett Bielema was at a loss for words post-game.

His quarterback, Luke Altmeyer, faced significant pressure, being sacked seven times. Although he managed to connect with Colin Dixon for a 59-yard touchdown that briefly tied the game, that was the only time Illinois managed to reach the end zone.

“We just didn’t respond well to adversity. It all started with that blocked punt,” Bielema lamented. “I’m embarrassed and really don’t know what to say.” After winning their first three non-conference games, Illinois now faces a challenging road ahead in the Big Ten, with a tough matchup against 4-0 USC coming next weekend.

“This defines us. Today was tough, and it’s something we’ll have to get past. It’s disappointing for everyone involved,” Bielema added, stressing the need for a positive response moving forward.

Could next week be a pivotal moment for Illinois? Or will this recent loss linger?

Meanwhile, Indiana wasn’t the only ranked team in action during week four. In a Big 12 clash, Utah hosted Texas Tech, where Utah was ranked 16th and Texas Tech was coming in hot. The Red Raiders proved their mettle, scoring 24 unanswered points in the fourth quarter, ultimately securing a 34-10 victory.

After starting quarterback Belem Morton was sidelined with a head injury, backup Jamon Hammond stepped up, leading the team and throwing a touchdown pass that ignited four scoring drives in the second half.

Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire had high praise for his backup, declaring, “He’s a man. Coaches share a lot, but the standard remains the same. When you step onto the field wearing that double T, there’s only one way to play.” He appreciated Hammond’s ability to execute plays effectively under pressure.

Meanwhile, for Utah, the loss was attributed to a lack of execution, with the team committing four turnovers, including an interception by quarterback Devon Dampier.

“We didn’t showcase what we’re truly capable of,” Dampier reflected post-game. Coach Kyle Whittingham summarized their struggles, admitting his team “didn’t do anything” to assist themselves, particularly on offense.

“The first quarter was a disaster, and we didn’t manage to establish any rhythm,” Whittingham noted. “We never expected to lose the line of scrimmage like we did.”

In other action, the Memphis Tigers have emerged as contenders, moving to 4-0 after a dramatic victory against Arkansas, highlighted by a game-changing 64-yard touchdown run from Sutton Smith, clinching a 32-31 win.

Smith posted impressive numbers, finishing with a career-high 147 rushing yards. While the Tigers have yet to encounter their toughest competition, they have a challenging schedule ahead, facing top AAC teams in the weeks to come.

On the other hand, Wisconsin’s story looks less optimistic as they opened their Big Ten campaign with a loss to Maryland, resulting in a final score of 27-10. The Badgers struggled throughout, with fans expressing frustration and calling for a change.

Athletic Director Chris McIntosh remained supportive of head coach Luke Fickell despite the loss. “It’s vital we back our players when they face adversity,” he emphasized.