Week 4 of college football promised a celebration with six matchups between AP Top 25 teams, but half of those high-stakes games got absolutely undercut by a ridiculous string of personal fouls and unsportsmanlike conduct calls. Seriously, what were they thinking out there? It’s the kind of boneheaded stuff that makes you scream at the TV, wondering if these guys even understand the moment.
The Foul Play That Cost Wins and Reputations
Let’s start with the No. 1 Texas Longhorns against No. 14 Tennessee. Texas edge rusher Colin Simmons set a school record, dropping back five sacks in their 20-17 victory. Five! That’s incredible. But then, in a moment of utter madness, he got flagged for an unsportsmanlike penalty for “simulating using the restroom.” I’m not making this up. Simmons apologized afterward, and thankfully it didn’t cost Texas the game. But No. 18 Michigan wasn’t so lucky. Cornerback Zeke Berry’s personal foul against No. 17 Iowa handed the Hawkeyes a first down. What happened next? A walk-off touchdown pass from Hank Brown to Reece Vander Zee, sealing a 20-19 Iowa victory. Berry’s penalty literally negated what would have been fourth-and-12 for Iowa. That foul killed any chance of another “Michigan Miracle,” and you just know that one stings.
Oregon’s Unsung Hero Rises from the Chaos
Then there was the ugly clash between No. 20 Oregon and No. 12 USC. Trojans linebacker Desman Stephens II absolutely blasted Ducks quarterback Dante Moore with a dirty hit, knocking him out of the game and getting himself ejected. The hit was bad, but Stephens’ reaction on the sideline? Even worse. You can’t make that stuff up. But in the face of that chaos, Oregon found their hero. Nebraska transfer Dylan Raiola stepped up with a fantastic performance, putting the Ducks right back in the Big Ten mix. He threw the go-ahead touchdown pass to Dakorien Moore with just 8:35 left in the fourth quarter. Then, on the very next drive, he converted a crucial fourth-and-3 with a 15-yard pass to Evan Stewart. Raiola, hitting 19 of 25 passes for 289 yards and two scores, confirmed what we already suspected: Dan Lanning still has USC’s number, and Lincoln Riley’s defense still can’t close out a game. Oregon grabbed their fifth straight win against the Trojans, leaving USC facing the same old questions for the rest of their Big Ten schedule.
LSU Bounces Back Hard
Not everyone let the Week 4 drama get to them. No. 10 LSU, coached by Lane Kiffin, showed zero emotional hangover from their loss last week. They roared back with a dominant 35-6 disposal of No. 23 Texas A&M at Tiger Stadium. This battle of one-loss SEC teams wasn’t even close! Quarterback Sam Leavitt, playing through injuries, was a beast, finishing with 312 passing yards, 22 rushing yards, and two touchdowns. His go-for-broke style is infectious. It’s the same kind of playmaking that helped Arizona State snag the Big 12 title and a College Football Playoff spot back in 2024. This win? Pure revenge for LSU, especially after their 49-25 loss to the Aggies back on October 25, 2025, which, by the way, led to the end of the Brian Kelly era the very next day. LSU looks a lot better, and honestly, a lot more likable with Leavitt at the helm. It’s gonna be wild to see what they do next.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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