College Football Bye Week 4: Key Teams Taking a Break and What It Means for Their Season
Week 4 of the 2024 college football season kicked off on Thursday. Through three weeks, teams already know where they stand and their expectations for the season. College football teams have two open weeks a year and Week 4 is a perfect time for their first one.
College football teams with a bye in Week 4 and what they're working on
Georgia Bulldogs
The Georgia Bulldogs dropped to No. 2 in the AP Top 25 poll, and won't have a chance to improve on that in Week 4.
Georgia has its first open week of the season, and this is a perfect spot for the Bulldogs to get an off week. Georgia is coming off a lackluster 13-12 win over Kentucky and goes on the road to play No. 4 Alabama in Week 5.
The Bulldogs will use this open week to try and heal up from injuries, as quarterback Carson Beck has a minor injury on his non-throwing shoulder.
“They’re all working to come back. They’re all doing the rehab process, Warren’s (Brinson) really close, he’s out there doing stuff now. Mykel’s (Williams) running, Jordan’s (Hall) running, so we’re hoping to get those guys back,” Smart said, via UGAWire.
Georgia will also use the open week as extra preparation to prepare for Alabama.
Alabama Crimson Tide
The Alabama Crimson Tide also have their open week ahead of their massive showdown at home against the Georgia Bulldogs.
Alabama vs. Georgia will be the game of the week in Week 4 and the Crimson Tide can use the off to help up injuries. Coach Kalen DeBoer can also get extra time to game plan for Georgia who is one of the favorites to win the national championship.
Alabama and Georgia are the only ranked teams to have an open week in Week 4.
UCF Knights
The last notable team on an open week in Week 4 is the UCF Knights. UCF is 3-0 and coming off a 35-34 road upset win over TCU in Week 3.
UCF gets the bye in a good spot, as this week could have been a letdown spot after its win over the Horned Frogs. The Knights also have a massive game against Colorado in Week 5 which they can use the open week to prepare for.
Other teams with a bye in Week 4 include Oregon, Wisconsin, Arizona and Wake Forest.