Week 3 of the 2025 college football season delivered everything we love about fall Saturdays, including chaos, upsets and unforgettable finishes. The headline moment came from Atlanta, when Georgia Tech shocked Clemson 24-21 with a walk-off field goal, sending the Yellow Jackets faithful into delirium.
The two matchups I highlighted last week also lived up to the billing. Georgia came storming back on the road to edge out Tennessee 44-41 in a thriller, while Texas A&M stunned last year’s National Championship runner-up Notre Dame 41-40, handing the Irish an 0-2 start to their campaign.
With those fireworks fresh in mind, attention now shifts to Week 4. For many teams, conference play begins and the stakes, narratives and devy storylines are only getting juicier.
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2025 College Football Week 4 Preview: Best Bets & Devy Fantasy Football Storylines
Week 4 Games of the Week & Devy Storylines to Watch
Florida Gators @ Miami Hurricanes (No. 4)
Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Gardens, FL) — Saturday, Sept. 21
Betting Odds: Miami −7.5 | Total: 52.5
The Florida Gators once again find themselves under the microscope, though not for the right reasons. Their 20-10 loss to LSU in Week 3 was overshadowed by the nightmare performance of sophomore QB DJ Lagway, who threw five interceptions in a game that went viral in a bad way.
Context matters here. DJ Lagway was forced into action last season when Graham Mertz went down injured, but he saw limited first-team reps. This summer, injuries kept him sidelined for much of camp, resulting in a supremely talented former five-star recruit still playing catch-up on development. Progression isn’t linear, and patience should be afforded. However, this is not the week they want to be lining up against a red-hot in-state rival.
Miami, on the other hand, is flying. The Hurricanes crushed USF 49-12 last weekend, the same Bulls team that handed the Gators their Week 2 embarrassment. QB Carson Beck was sharp again, completing 23 of 28 passes for 340 yards and three touchdowns, albeit with two picks. The senior’s hot streak has vaulted him into the national spotlight, with sportsbooks now giving him the shortest Heisman odds in the country.
Further helping Beck’s rise is a balanced run game. Mark Fletcher, Miami’s 2026 draft-eligible back, rumbled for 120 yards on 16 carries while adding 25 yards as a receiver. Dynasty managers should keep Fletcher on their radar. Stacking consistent performances in a running back class currently lacking breakout stars could make him an intriguing mid-round rookie draft option next year, and this state rivalry will be a battle to watch.
My Picks
Spread: Miami -7.5
Carson Beck: Over 2.5 Passing TDs
Michigan Wolverines (No. 21) @ Nebraska Cornhuskers
Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Neb. — Saturday, Sept. 21
Betting Odds: Michigan −1.5 | Total: 44.5
This clash features two of the brightest young quarterbacks in college football.
For Nebraska, sophomore QB Dylan Raiola has started to look the part after a turbulent freshman campaign. The only elite five-star recruit in his class to start from Day 1, Raiola endured growing pains in 2024, but enters Week 4 with an impressive 829 yards, eight TDs and zero interceptions through three games. He’s playing efficient, smart football and his growth has gone under the radar while the spotlight has burned brighter (and harsher) on Arch Manning and DJ Lagway.
Now will come the true test with Big Ten play. Michigan’s new Defensive Coordinator Wink Martindale is a master at disguising pressures and throwing exotic looks at young quarterbacks. How Raiola handles that chess match will reveal a great deal about his trajectory.
For Michigan, their own prized recruit is beginning to show flashes. Bryce Underwood, the nation’s No. 1 overall recruit, has been steady against weaker opposition but stumbled in his one major test against Oklahoma. Last week against Central Michigan, though, he reminded us of his dual-threat upside, running for 114 yards and two touchdowns. If Underwood can pair that rushing threat with consistency as a passer, his devy stock could skyrocket.
My Picks
Spread: Michigan -1.5
Total: Under 44.5
Illinois Fighting Illini (No. 9) @ Indiana Hoosiers (No. 19)
Memorial Stadium, Bloomington, Ind. — Saturday, Sept. 21
Betting Odds: Indiana −4.5 | Total: 52.5
This will be a top-25 showdown in the Big Ten, highlighting two quarterbacks worth watching from a dynasty perspective.
Illinois’ Luke Altmyer has quietly been building his résumé into that of a potential Day 2 NFL Draft selection. Currently projected in the Round 3–4 range, Altmyer has the tools to climb higher with continued consistency against quality opposition.
For Indiana, it’s all about Fernando Mendoza. The Cal transfer has settled in seamlessly, showcasing why draft analysts are penciling him in as a potential first-rounder. Facing Illinois’ defense will be his toughest assignment yet, and one that could cement his rising draft stock.
My Picks
Spread: Illinois +4.5
Total: Under 52.5
Fernando Mendoza: Over 0.5 interceptions.
Auburn Tigers @ Oklahoma Sooners
Honorable Mention
John Mateer has Oklahoma buzzing after the Sooners’ statement win over Michigan. Auburn’s defensive front will try to slow him down, but it feels like another showcase spot for one of the game’s most exciting dual-threat quarterbacks.
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Devy Spotlight
Carnell Tate (WR, Ohio State Buckeyes)
Ohio State’s long pipeline of NFL-ready receivers continues with Carnell Tate, who steps into 2025 as the Buckeyes’ No. 2 option behind Jeremiah Smith. It’s a familiar developmental path, much like Emeka Egbuka, who maximized limited reps before becoming a polished pro contributor in Tampa.
At 6’ 3”, Tate offers alignment versatility across X, Z or slot. His game is defined by smooth route running, excellent football IQ and a large catch radius. He’s particularly effective against off coverage, using tempo-controlled releases and savvy stems to attack leverage. Against zone, his awareness allows him to settle into soft spots or stack vertically for back-shoulder throws. Reliable hands and strong body control make him a quarterback-friendly option in the intermediate game.
The drawback is Tate’s speed; he isn’t a burner, and his struggles to separate vertically cap his explosive upside. Post-catch, defenders can close space quickly. Still, his technician skillset and timing make him an ideal fit in timing-based or West Coast systems where precision outweighs raw athleticism.
Think Chris Olave more than Garrett Wilson. Carnell Tate can develop into a professional route-runner with polish and toughness, likely profiling as a high-floor Z receiver who moves chains and thrives in the 10–20 yard window.
Dante Moore (QB, Oregon Ducks)
A former five-star, Dante Moore endured a rocky start at UCLA before transferring to Oregon. Sitting behind Dillon Gabriel in 2024 helped and his pocket presence, pre-snap command and processing speed are all sharper now that he’s Oregon’s QB1.
Moore’s quick release and arm strength allow him to attack tight windows and drive throws with confidence. His intermediate accuracy is reliable, particularly against zone, and his deep ball touch flashes as a legitimate weapon when protected. Teammates gravitate to him, and his leadership and resilience shine in big moments.
The weaknesses is that Moore lacks rushing upside, and his short passing accuracy remains inconsistent. Without dual-threat ability, his margin for error is slimmer than many of today’s NFL quarterback prospects. He profiles best in pocket-passing systems with solid protection and defined reads, where his timing and arm talent can shine.
If he continues trending upward, Dante Moore projects as a system-dependent but serviceable NFL starter. He’s more than talented enough to carve out a role, but unlikely to transcend poor situations. This week’s civil war against Oregon State gives him another chance to stack confidence against a struggling rival.
Chris Bell (WR, Louisville Cardinals)
One of the more intriguing sleepers in Devy circles, Chris Bell brings a rare build at 6’ 2” and 225 lbs. He combines muscle with surprising fluidity, making him tough to press and dangerous after the catch.
Bell’s developed release package lets him beat press corners and stack vertically. He wins on comebacks and curls using his physicality and deceleration, while his speed keeps defenses honest. Though not twitchy in short areas, he can erase pursuit angles once in stride, and his dense frame makes him a nightmare to tackle in space.
At the catch point, Bell is fearless. He tracks the ball well and thrives through contact, consistently finishing contested grabs. While he’s not yet a consistent deep separator, his acceleration and ability to gain yards after the catch create chunk plays that flip field position.
Chris Bell will likely be a top-75 talent in the 2026 class with upside to climb. He profiles as a powerful, explosive receiver who can generate big plays on schemed touches or downfield targets, which makes him a potential steal for devy managers in later rounds of depleted rookie drafts.
2025 Heisman Trophy Outlook
- Carson Beck (QB, Miami) | +800
- John Mateer (QB, Oklahoma) | +900
- Gunner Stockton (QB, Georgia) | +1100
- Jeremiah Smith (WR, Ohio State) | +1300
- Dante Moore (QB, Oregon) +1300
When Gunner Stockton first entered the top five back in Week 2, the question was whether he was simply the beneficiary of wearing Georgia’s helmet. Last weekend at Tennessee, he emphatically answered that challenge. Stockton delivered a road win in spectacular fashion, throwing for 304 yards and two touchdowns while adding another score on the ground. It was the type of all-around performance that forces oddsmakers to take notice, and his Heisman stock is firmly on the rise.
Meanwhile, Carson Beck heads into Week 4 as the bookmakers’ favorite. Each week, he looks more confident commanding Miami’s offense, and his Heisman odds have shortened accordingly. With the Hurricanes facing their in-state rival Florida Gators on Saturday, another polished performance could see his numbers cut again. If you believe Beck’s momentum is more than hype, now might be the last chance to get value before the market shifts.
Jeremiah Smith also reenters the conversation at +1300 after dominating Ohio last weekend. He’s the clear outlier in this group as the only non-quarterback with a realistic path to contention; the next closest skill player, Jeremiyah Love, is all the way down at +8000. For Jeremiah Smith to truly push for the award, though, last week must serve as the springboard to a stretch of sustained, high-volume production.
Thanks for reading my article on “2025 College Football Week 4 Preview: Best Bets & Devy Fantasy Football Storylines”. For more Devy and College Fantasy Football content, follow me on Twitter/X @PoshplaysFF.
*Photo Credit: Troy Wayrynen – USA TODAY Sports*
