Top 5 underrated matchups CFN fans shouldn't miss out in Week 4 ft. Michigan State vs. Boston College
While college football's Week 4 has some big games, way too much attention goes to the top 25 battles. Sure, Tennessee vs. Oklahoma, Illinois vs. Nebraska, USC vs. Michigan and Utah vs. Oklahoma State are exciting, but there are plenty of other worthy games.
Here are five underrated matchups that don't involve top 25 teams.
Top five underrated Week 4 college football matchups
#5 Baylor vs. Colorado
A pair of 2-1 Big 12 teams will battle for an upper hand in the league battles. The winner has an excellent shot at a bowl bid, while the loser might not. Baylor took a tough loss at Utah, while Colorado was thumped at Nebraska. Of course, Colorado is notable for the Sanders show, but a shaky defense and an absent run game.
Baylor, meanwhile, has a QB battle, as dual-threat transfer DeQuan Finn has struggled. Both Finn and backup Sawyer Robertson are likely to see some action. At home, the Buffs are a two-point favorite, but this should be a very competitive game.
#4 Kansas vs. West Virginia
A couple of disappointing 1-2 Big 12 squads will also do battle in another Week 4 game that could end up being a post-season elimination battle. Kansas has lost at Illinois and at home to UNLV. QB Jalon Daniels has struggled, throwing six interceptions in 71 passing attempts.
West Virginia has had its own issues, losing to Penn State and in a 38-34 decisioin at Pitt. The Mountaineer defense is 13th in the 16-team league in yardage allowed. West Virginia is a two-point home favorite, but anybody could win this one.
#3 Arkansas vs. Auburn
A pair of 2-1 SEC teams play an intriguing game. Auburn took a shocking home loss to Cal in Week 2 but has otherwise been explosive. Against two poor opponents, Auburn gained 628 and 503 yards, but against Cal, the Tigers gained 286 total yards.
Meanwhile, Arkansas blew an early lead in a double-overtime loss to Oklahoma State. The Hogs are 11th in the nation in rushing yardage (259 yards per game). Running back Ja'Quinden Jackson's 397 rushing yards lead the SEC, while dual threat QB Taylen Green is eighth in that category.
Arkansas's defense has been pretty mediocre, though. The Hogs are a 2.5 point home favorite.
#2 Iowa vs. Minnesota
A pair of defensive-minded Big Ten contenders that are each 2-1 seems worth watching in Week 4. Iowa lost by a point against Iowa State, while Minnesota lost by two points in Week 1 to North Carolina. The Gophers had shutouts in their next two games, while the Hawkeye defense is always stout.
This game is the No. 3 and No. 6 defenses in the Big Ten in total yardage allowed. The difference could be Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson, who leads the Big Ten with 479 rushing yards. Iowa is a 2.5 point road favorite.
#1 Michigan State vs. Boston College
The loan split-conference battle on this list presents a pair of surprising teams. Few would have predicted the teams would be a combined 5-1 going into this game.
State is in its first full year under Jonathan Smith and has impressed, going 3-0, including a Week 2 win at Maryland. Boston College upset Florida State and gave No. 7 Missouri a battle in a one-score loss.
Both teams have stout defenses. State is fourth in the Big Ten in yardage allowed, while BC is fourth in the ACC in scoring defense. Boston College is a 6.5 point home favorite, with QB Thomas Castellanos potentially making the difference in this Week 4 game.
Which under-the-radar Week 4 games are you excited to see? Share your picks below in the comments section: