Week 4 of the 2025 college football season brought us one week closer to a full slate of conference matchups, though there still were some key conference meetings on Saturday.
The Indiana Hoosiers provided easily the most surprising outcome of the weekend, as they secured a 53-point victory over the ninth-ranked Illinois Fighting Illini. Meanwhile, the Oklahoma Sooners and Auburn Tigers battled it out while the Utah Utes and Texas Tech Red Raiders met in a game rife with College Football Playoff implications.
Our college football power rankings, powered by PFSN College Impact metrics, stack all 136 teams, with analysis on the top 25 teams in the country.
25) Notre Dame Fighting Irish
- Offense Rank: 29th (84.0)
- Defense Rank: 71st (75.7)
- Playoff Odds: 2.6%
The Fighting Irish notched their first win against Purdue, highlighted by their talent in the backfield. Running backs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price combined for 231 rushing yards and five touchdowns, beginning what Notre Dame hopes is a streak of wins to keep them in the hunt for a College Football Playoff berth.
24) Vanderbilt Commodores
- Offense Rank: 3rd (94.4)
- Defense Rank: 24th (86.7)
- Playoff Odds: 30.4%
Last season, Georgia State defeated the Commodores. This season, Vanderbilt flipped that result by hanging 70 points on the Panthers and coming away with a 49-point victory. With one more presumed win against Utah State next week, Vanderbilt will enter SEC play with a 5-0 record and believe they can contend for a conference title.
23) Missouri Tigers
- Offense Rank: 10th (89.8)
- Defense Rank: 14th (89.9)
- Playoff Odds: 42.8%
Missouri continued to hand the ball to star running back Ahmad Hardy on Saturday, as he piled up 138 yards and a touchdown. That allowed the Tigers to possess the ball for 35:26, a dominant display of ball control that allowed them to hold the Gamecocks to just 20 points.
22) USC Trojans
- Offense Rank: 4th (93.1)
- Defense Rank: 37th (83.8)
- Playoff Odds: 33.8%
The Trojans held off a late surge from the Spartans and finished with a two-score win. Without wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane, fellow wideout Makai Lemon caught eight passes for 127 yards and a touchdown. USC is much more physical in 2025 than in years prior, giving them hope of contending in a packed Big Ten.
21) Michigan Wolverines
- Offense Rank: 46th (81.6)
- Defense Rank: 35th (84.1)
- Playoff Odds: 19.5%
Michigan got its third win of the season against Nebraska, as it dominated at the line of scrimmage. While rushing for 290 yards, the Wolverines held the Cornhuskers to just 43 yards on the ground. Associate head coach Biff Poggi had the team ready to play, and the win was hardly ever in doubt.
20) Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
- Offense Rank: 25th (84.6)
- Defense Rank: 47th (80.9)
- Playoff Odds: 33.0%
It was an easy win for the Yellow Jackets, who have blasted out to a 4-0 start to the season. Quarterback Haynes King has been the headliner with his arm and, more importantly, his legs. He’s one of the most dynamic players in the country. It’s not inconceivable for King to carry Georgia Tech to an ACC title.
19) Louisville Cardinals
- Offense Rank: 54th (80.1)
- Defense Rank: 17th (89.3)
- Playoff Odds: 21.4%
A soft schedule has led to three convincing wins for the Cardinals, who are getting good play out of transfer quarterback Miller Moss. Against Bowling Green, the former USC passer completed 23 32 passes for 316 yards and marched the offense up and down the field.
18) BYU Cougars
- Offense Rank: 31st (83.8)
- Defense Rank: 6th (92.2)
- Playoff Odds: 23.0%
The Cougars, traveling to East Carolina in Week 4, took care of business and came away with a three-score victory. True freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier, donning the number 47, continues to get comfortable as he threw for 246 yards, a touchdown, 26 rushing yards and another score.
17) Iowa State Cyclones
- Offense Rank: 44th (81.9)
- Defense Rank: 41st (82.3)
- Playoff Odds: 37.6%
The Cyclones took advantage of a much-needed bye week in Week 4, as they’ve emerged with a 4-0 record after defeating Kansas State in Week 0. Though he lost his top wide receiver to the NFL Draft, quarterback Rocco Becht has been on fire this season, tossing seven touchdowns versus just one interception.
16) Arizona State Sun Devils
- Offense Rank: 56th (79.1)
- Defense Rank: 48th (80.8)
- Playoff Odds: 23.7%
The Sun Devils continue to live life on the edge. They traveled to Baylor and escaped with a three-point win thanks to a game-winning field goal. Quarterback Sam Leavitt, who impressed greatly last season, has gotten off to a slow start, and weapons outside of star wideout Jordan Tyson have yet to emerge.
15) Texas A&M Aggies
- Offense Rank: 30th (83.9)
- Defense Rank: 43rd (82.0)
- Playoff Odds: 37.4%
After an intense battle in which quarterback Marcel Reed threw a game-winning touchdown against Notre Dame, the Aggies had the weekend off. Their next stretch of games will be key to their legitimacy as CFP contenders, as they should win each of their next four games, all against non-ranked SEC foes.
14) Indiana Hoosiers
- Offense Rank: 6th (91.3)
- Defense Rank: 2nd (96.6)
- Playoff Odds: 38.9%
Perhaps the biggest surprise of Week 4 was Indiana’s absolute beatdown of the Fighting Illini. Illinois never had a chance, as both the offense and defense were on point for the Hoosiers, who notched a 53-point win over a top-10 team.
Indiana must be considered a serious threat to returning to the CFP and contending for a Big Ten title.
13) Texas Tech Red Raiders
- Offense Rank: 15th (87.5)
- Defense Rank: 10th (90.7)
- Playoff Odds: 46.0%
When quarterback Behren Morton went down with an injury in the second half, hope seemed to fall for the Red Raiders. But backup Will Hammond was ready, completing 13 of 16 passes for 169 yards and two touchdowns as Texas Tech blew the game wide open in the fourth quarter.
12) Oklahoma Sooners
- Offense Rank: 41st (82.3)
- Defense Rank: 1 (97.9)
- Playoff Odds: 38.2%
The Sooners endured a physical game against SEC opponent Auburn in earning their fourth win of the season. Once again, quarterback John Mateer was relied upon to make plays–and he did, passing for 271 yards and a touchdown while leading the team in rushing and converting another score.
11) Alabama Crimson Tide
- Offense Rank: 8th (90.8)
- Defense Rank: 25th (86.7)
- Playoff Odds: 17.6%
Alabama seemed to get its swag back over the past two weeks, outscoring UL Monroe and Wisconsin 111-14. They’ll kick off a difficult four-game stretch beginning next weekend with a trip to Athens and the Georgia Bulldogs before taking on Vanderbilt, Missouri, and Tennessee. It’s not easy in the slightest.
10) Miami Hurricanes
- Offense Rank: 20th (85.5)
- Defense Rank: 13th (90.2)
- Playoff Odds: 32.9%
The Hurricanes continued their impressive start to the season, handling the Gators by holding them to just 141 total yards. Florida quarterback DJ Lagway finished with just 61 passing yards on 12 of 23 attempts, a dominant display of defense from Miami’s secondary. They’ve emerged as the clear favorite in what is a wide-open ACC.
9) Florida State Seminoles
- Offense Rank: 2nd (96.0)
- Defense Rank: 12th (90.3)
- Playoff Odds: 31.5%
Florida State’s offense has been brilliant early this season, scoring 66-plus points for the second time in two weeks after defeating Alabama in Week 1. Quarterback Tommy Castellanos hasn’t had to do much, but he’s been excellent when asked to throw. The offensive line is standing out as potentially one of the best in the country.
8) Ole Miss Rebels
- Offense Rank: 16th (87.4)
- Defense Rank: 38th (83.1)
- Playoff Odds: 67.0%
The Trinidad Chambliss show continued in Week 4, as the former Division-II passer finished with 419 total yards and two passing touchdowns. Head coach Lane Kiffin has this team playing good football as they enter SEC play.
7) Tennessee Volunteers
- Offense Rank: 11th (87.9)
- Defense Rank: 55th (87.9)
- Playoff Odds: 37.9%
The Volunteers rebounded after a disappointing loss to Georgia in Week 3 with a strong effort against UAB. The running game wasn’t to be stopped, as it finished with 239 yards and four scores. Tennessee, despite already having a loss, has established itself as one of the best teams in the SEC.
6) LSU Tigers
- Offense Rank: 43rd (82.1)
- Defense Rank: 15th (89.8)
- Playoff Odds: 56.4%
The Tigers finally broke the top off of their offense in scoring 56 points, albeit against an inferior opponent in Southeast Louisiana. Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier was in rhythm for the first time all season, completing 25 of 31 passes for 273 yards and three touchdowns. At 4-0, LSU has to be considered one of, if not the favorite, to win the conference.
5) Georgia Bulldogs
- Offense Rank: 24th (84.7)
- Defense Rank: 31st (84.5)
- Playoff Odds: 59.0%
A win in a raucous environment at Tennessee proved the Week 4 bye very important for the Bulldogs, who will be gearing up for SEC play. Though the defense has had issues, quarterback Gunner Stockton has validated the program by entrusting him with the starting position and letting Carson Beck walk.
4) Penn State Nittany Lions
- Offense Rank: 49th (81.1)
- Defense Rank: 5th (92.5)
- Playoff Odds: 36.0%
The Nittany Lions, coming off three easy wins, spent the week preparing for their biggest game of the season: a home test against the Oregon Ducks. The matchup will be full of CFP and Big Ten title implications, including revealing the true colors of both teams as each has cruised to an undefeated record.
3) Texas Longhorns
- Offense Rank: 55th (79.5)
- Defense Rank: 4th (93.0)
- Playoff Odds: 42.3%
Quarterback Arch Manning seemed to get his mojo back against Sam Houston, as he finished with five touchdowns, including a taunting penalty in which his competitive nature was on full display. They’ll have a Week 5 bye week before Manning and the Longhorns begin a tough slate in the SEC.
2) Oregon Ducks
- Offense Rank: 7th (90.8)
- Defense Rank: 21st (87.2)
- Playoff Odds: 52.3%
Despite a slow start, the Ducks blew out their in-state rival, Oregon State. Quarterback Dante Moore had a career day, throwing over 300 yards and four touchdowns. The junior passer is seeing his draft prospects rise exponentially, with some believing he could come out as soon as 2026.
1) Ohio State Buckeyes
- Offense Rank: 12th (87.7)
- Defense Rank: 3rd (95.0)
- Playoff Odds: 62.0%
The Buckeyes have left no doubt about them being the top team in the nation — on both sides of the ball. Defensively, they held the Longhorns to just seven points in the season-opener and scored 70 points the following week against Grambling. They should cruise until they meet with Penn State on Nov. 1.
College Football Power Rankings | Best of the Rest
26) Utah Utes
27) Illinois Fighting Illini
28) South Carolina Gamecocks
29) Baylor Bears
30) Syracuse Orange
31) Washington Huskies
32) Iowa Hawkeyes
33) Auburn Tigers
34) Clemson Tigers
35) TCU Horned Frogs
36) Arizona Wildcats
37) Mississippi State Bulldogs
38) Minnesota Golden Gophers
39) SMU Mustangs
40) Kansas State Wildcats
41) Kansas Jayhawks
42) Pitt Panthers
43) Nebraska Cornhuskers
44) Boston College Eagles
45) Rutgers Scarlet Knights
46) Cal Golden Bears
47) Cincinnati Bearcats
48) Arkansas Razorbacks
49) Duke Blue Devils
50) Maryland Terrapins
51) Houston Cougars
52) North Carolina State Wolfpack
53) Virginia Cavaliers
54) Tulane Green Wave
55) UCF Knights
56) Colorado Buffaloes
57) West Virginia Mountaineers
58) Michigan State Spartans
59) Boise State Broncos
60) Florida Gators
61) Kentucky Wildcats
62) North Carolina Tar Heels
63) Wisconsin Badgers
64) Memphis Tigers
65) USF Bulls
66) UNLV Rebels
67) Purdue Boilermakers
68) Wake Forest Demon Deacons
69) James Madison Dukes
70) North Texas Mean Green
71) Virginia Tech Hokies
72) Navy Midshipmen
73) Texas State Bobcats
74) New Mexico Lobos
75) Utah State Aggies
76) Fresno State Bulldogs
77) Oklahoma State Cowboys
78) Stanford Cardinal
79) Washington State Cougars
80) Army Black Knights
81) Northwestern Wildcats
82) Ohio Bobcats
83) South Alabama Jaguars
84) Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
85) Bowling Green Falcons
86) Toledo Rockets
87) East Carolina Pirates
88) Miami-OH RedHawks
89) Old Dominion Monarchs
90) Western Michigan Broncos
91) Oregon State Beavers
92) UTSA Roadrunners
93) Rice Owls
94) UCLA Bruins
95) Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
96) Troy Trojans
97) Temple Owls
98) Appalachian State Mountaineers
99) Georgia Southern Eagles
100) Jacksonville State Gamecocks
101) San Diego State Aztecs
102) Buffalo Bulls
103) Central Michigan Chippewas
104) Hawaii Rainbow Warriors
105) Colorado State Rams
106) Connecticut Huskies
107) Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles
108) Liberty Flames
109) Northern Illinois Huskies
110) Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks
111) Arkansas State Red Wolves
112) Florida Atlantic Owls
113) San Jose State Spartans
114) Eastern Michigan Eagles
115) Air Force Falcons
116) Delaware Blue Hens
117) Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns
118) Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
119) Tulsa Golden Hurricane
120) Georgia State Panthers
121) Kennesaw State Owls
122) Wyoming Cowboys
123) UTEP Miners
124) Charlotte 49ers
125) FIU Panthers
126) Sam Houston Bearkats
127) Akron Zips
128) Missouri State Bears
129) Ball State Cardinals
130) New Mexico State Aggies
131) UAB Blazers
132) Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
133) Nevada Wolf Pack
134) Kent State Golden Flashes
135) Marshall Thundering Herd
136) UMass Minutemen
