The drudgery of facing weak out-of-conference opposition finally comes to an end next week for teams like Ohio State and Ole Miss after a series of blowout wins for both programs early in the 2024 season. The Buckeyes will open Big Ten play at Michigan State after improving to 3-0 with a 49-14 Week 4 drubbing of Marshall.
Ole Miss will host Kentucky after beating Georgia Southern 52-13. It's an "all-in" type of season for both the Buckeyes and the Rebels as both teams went hard in the transfer portal to supplement strong returning talent cores. For that reason, we're grading both on a championship-level curve this season.
Neither team is going to receive an automatic 'A' just for a blowout victory. We're going to hold them to a higher standard. As such, it should be pointed out that Ole Miss and Ohio State finally allowed touchdowns for the first time this season in Week 4. Both starting quarterbacks also threw interceptions.
If it seems like nitpicking, it is. But when you aim to be hoisting trophies, you should welcome the scrutiny and understand that something close to perfection is expected in these buy games against overmatched foes. With that, here are the grades from Week 4 for each team with national title odds of +5000 or better.
Bye weeks: Georgia (+400 ), Alabama (+750 ), Oregon (+950)
Ohio State
Grade: B-
Title odds: +330
Ohio State beat Marshall 49-14. However, the Buckeyes' final tune-up before the start of Big Ten play wasn't perfect. The Thundering Herd scored touchdowns on drives of 75 and 65 yards in the first half, and quarterback Will Howard threw his first interception as a Buckeye. A B- might seem harsh, but we're grading this team on a "national title or bust" scale. Read more from Bucknuts on Ohio State's secondary needing to tighten up, and more.
Texas
Grade: B+
Title odds: +500
Texas just needs to focus on getting to the Red Rivalry on Oct. 12 in one piece. Hobbled starting quarterback Quinn Ewers got the week off as the Longhorns crushed UL-Monroe 51-3. Backup Arch Manning threw a couple of interceptions but handled the offense fine in his first career start. The defense surrendered only seven first downs. Read more from Horns247 on Texas' stifling defense, led by Anthony Hill Jr.
Ole Miss
Grade: A-
Title odds: +1200
Ole Miss must be getting bored with this schedule. At least the Rebels finally get an SEC opponent next week as Kentucky comes to town. Even that may not be a challenge at this rate. Following Saturday's 52-13 win over Georgia Southern, coach Lane Kiffin's squad has outscored its opponents 220-22.
Tennessee
Grade: B+
Title odds: +1200
Much of Tennessee's 25-15 win at Oklahoma can be attributed to the Sooners' ineptitude. OU couldn't get out of its own way, particularly in the second and third quarters. The Volunteers dominated defensively, but the Sooners were so hapless for such a long stretch of the game that it feels like Tennessee should have won by more.
Miami
Grade: A-
Title odds: +1800
Miami fell behind 15-14 in the second quarter at South Florida before rallying to win 50-15. While that's impressive on the surface, the Hurricanes fall short of a full 'A' due to their lack of success in the traditional run game. Freshman running back Jordan Lyle popped off a 91-yard touchdown run. Otherwise, the offense consisted of star quarterback Cam Ward playing hero ball.
Penn State
Grade: A-
Title odds: +2000
Penn State eventually got around to obliterating Kent State 56-0 behind a 718-67 edge in yards and a 40-6 advantage in first downs. But the Nittany Lions only get an A- since they sputtered a bit out of the gate with an interception and a punt among their three possessions. Kent State is dead last in the CBS Sports Bottom 25. Read more from Lions247, including Tyler Warren emerging as possibly the best tight end in college football.
Clemson
Grade: A
Title odds: +4000
Clemson led 52-7 in the third quarter before taking its foot off the gas in a 59-35 win over NC State. The offensive explosion served as further validation that the Tigers have significantly more juice than originally thought. Six of their first seven drives went for touchdowns, and they were turnover-free in an authoritative win.
Missouri
Grade: C
Title odds: +5000
Missouri needed a missed Vanderbilt field goal in overtime to escape with a 30-27 win after entering as a three-touchdown favorite. The Tigers were gashed repeatedly on the ground by Vandy quarterback Diego Pavia and missed three field goals of their own. After an uninspiring Week 3 win over Boston College, the Tigers are struggling to look the part of a CFP team.
LSU
Grade: C+
Title odds: +5000
LSU let an overmatched UCLA team hang around in Death Valley before pulling away late for a 34-17 win. The Tigers continued to struggle running the football and let the Bruins accumulate a season-high 281 yards passing. If there's an elite gear inside of these Tigers, they better find it soon. Read more from Geaux247 on LSU's offense finding a successful recipe.
USC
Grade: C+
Title odds: +5000
USC's defense actually handled Michigan's physical rushing attack fairly well on a down-to-down basis during a 27-24 loss at the Big House. But the Trojans were crushed by three 40-plus yard explosive rushes from the Wolverines that kept them from earning another statement victory. Read more from USCFootball.com on how the Trojans should never be beaten by a team with Michigan's gameplan.
Utah
Grade: B+
Title odds: +5000
Utah went to Oklahoma State without starting quarterback Cam Rising and beat one of the Big 12's top title contenders 22-19. The Utes led 22-3 late in the fourth quarter before a late rally from the Cowboys made the final score more respectable. It wasn't beautiful -- is it ever with Utah? -- but the Utes flexed on their new conference.