College football conference play is (mostly) underway and the stakes will be raised accordingly. The sport dips its toes this weekend with ranked matchups in the Big Ten, Big 12 and SEC featuring College Football Playoff favorites and some remaining question marks.

Let’s rank the top 10 games of Week 4, starting with a few honorable mentions and counting down.

Honorable Mention: JMU at North Carolina, Rutgers at Virginia Tech, Memphis at Navy, TCU at SMU, Iowa at Minnesota

(All point spreads come from BetMGM; click here for live odds. All kickoff times are Eastern and on Saturday unless otherwise noted.)

10. San Jose State (3-0) at Washington State (3-0), Friday, 10 p.m., The CW

What a win for Wazzu last week. It upset Washington in a new, strange rendition of the Apple Cup rivalry, secured by a dramatic goal-line stand by the Cougars. Quarterback John Mateer is a dual-threat firecracker, head coach Jake Dickert brought a celebratory cigar to the postgame news conference, and Washington State is one of the early feel-good teams. Now the Cougars have a different type of grudge match against San Jose State, which might feel scorned by WSU for helping lead the Pac-12’s poaching of the Mountain West. The Spartans haven’t faced anyone as good as Wazzu yet, but former Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo abandoned the triple option and has SJSU airing it out to an undefeated start, including a road win over Air Force.

Line: Washington State -11.5

Rough start for NC State. Following the 51-10 blowout loss to Tennessee, the Wolfpack lost starting quarterback Grayson McCall to injury in a 30-20 win over Louisiana Tech. True freshman backup CJ Bailey will start against Clemson and led the comeback over Lousiana Tech, but NC State hasn’t looked at all like a team deserving of its preseason Top 25 ranking. This will be an interesting test for Clemson, as well, coming off a bye following the blowout loss to Georgia and blowout win over App State. Are the Tigers still a legit threat in the ACC and Playoff race? The spread in this one suggests as much. Either way, Saturday’s result should get us a little closer to those answers.

Line: Clemson -20.5

8. Arkansas (2-1) at Auburn (2-1), 3:30 pm, ESPN

It’s tough to properly articulate in text, but this game just feels like leaf-changing college football in the fall. The game is on ESPN now instead of CBS, neither team is expected to be in the mix for the SEC title or CFP, Arkansas’ Sam Pittman is on the hot seat — but there’s an ineffable nostalgia hit with this matchup. It should be an interesting quarterback matchup between Arkansas’ dual-threat Taylen Green and Auburn redshirt freshman Hank Brown, who threw four touchdowns in his first start against New Mexico last week. Both teams have gantlet schedules ahead and could really use a win to keep fans from getting restless.

Line: Auburn -3

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How about Kenny Dillingham and the Sun Devils? The second-year head coach has ASU — picked dead last in the Big 12 preseason poll — off to an undefeated start with three solid wins, including a barnburner over Texas State last Thursday. Quarterback Sam Leavitt has been workmanlike, running back Cam Skattebo is a wrecking ball, and Dillingham’s commitment to recruiting Texas is already paying dividends. Whether ASU can make any noise in the Big 12 race remains to be seen, but it could start against a puzzling Texas Tech team that escaped in overtime against Abilene Christian, got smoked by Wazzu and then hung 66 on North Texas.

Line: Texas Tech -3

6. Georgia Tech (3-1) at No. 19 Louisville (2-0), 3:30 pm, ESPN2

Georgia Tech got right with a blowout over VMI following the close loss to Syracuse, and with a brief stay in the Top 25, it’s clear the Yellow Jackets are better than most anticipated this season. But Louisville is the team I’m more curious about. The Cardinals have climbed into the top 20 almost by default on the strength of easy wins over Austin Peay and Jacksonville State. Transfer quarterback Tyler Shough has impressed against inferior competition, but with a road trip to Notre Dame next week, this game should provide a much better sense of how viable an ACC and Playoff contender Louisville can be this season.

Line: Louisville -10.5

5. No. 8 Miami (3-0) at South Florida (2-1), 7 p.m., ESPN

Mario Cristobal’s year-three warpath makes an intriguing stop in Tampa. Quarterback Cam Ward has been spectacular for the Hurricanes, ranking second in FBS in passing yards, first in passing touchdowns, third in yards per attempt and fourth in QB rating, lifting Miami into the top 10. But now it has to face a USF squad that gave Alabama fits for 3 1/2 quarters. Bulls quarterback Byrum Brown has run the ball effectively but struggled through the air, and USF’s defense fissured late against the Tide, allowing 21 points over the final six minutes. A decisive road win, in prime time on ESPN, would shift the Miami hype train into high gear.

Line: Miami -16.5

Cam Ward transferred to Miami from Washington State in the offseason and is leading the Hurricanes toward their CFP hopes. (Sam Navarro / Imagn Images)

4. No. 24 Illinois (3-0) at No. 22 Nebraska (3-0), 8 p.m. Friday, Fox

The ranked Big Ten matchup you didn’t know you needed in your life. Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola and his Patrick Mahomes cosplay will get another turn in the spotlight Friday night against the undefeated Illini. Raiola has been impressive for a true freshman with heavy expectations and a fan base that is desperate to return to winning football. The Cornhuskers haven’t been to a bowl game in seven seasons, haven’t beaten a ranked team since 2016 and haven’t done so at home since 2011. Enter an Illinois team that is second in FBS with a plus-8 turnover margin. The Illini haven’t been elite in other areas thus far but are stout enough to keep the optimism in Lincoln on high alert.

Line: Nebraska -8.5

3. No. 11 USC (2-0) at No. 18 Michigan (2-1), 3:30 p.m., CBS

It’s Alex Orji time for Michigan. The speedy junior takes over at quarterback for Davis Warren, who threw six interceptions in three games at the helm of a dismal offense. Can Orji provide enough of a spark to turn things around? The Wolverines are a home underdog for the second time in three weeks. They got clobbered by Texas in Week 2 and now get USC coming off an idle week. The Trojans are surging in The Athletic’s Playoff projector after the opening-week win over LSU and with what looks to be a much improved defense under new coordinator D’Anton Lynn. A road victory over Michigan would further boost those CFP hopes, especially with a favorable schedule the rest of the way: no Ohio State, no Oregon, and Penn State, Nebraska and Notre Dame all at home.

Line: USC -6

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2. No. 12 Utah (3-0) at No. 14 Oklahoma State (3-0), 4 p.m., Fox

Utah quarterback Cam Rising is expected to play after suffering an injury to his throwing hand in the Week 2 win over Baylor. The Utes have been predictably strong on defense and remain the highest-ranked team in the Big 12 but are traveling into the thunderdome of Stillwater. The Pokes have been somewhat of an enigma. Doak Walker-winning running back Ollie Gordon II has been mostly held in check, averaging just 3.5 yards per carry, but seventh-year quarterback Alan Bowman has picked up the slack. Bowman is sixth in FBS in passing yards along with eight touchdowns and two interceptions. This is a crucial stretch for Oklahoma State, which travels to Kansas State next week and is still without star linebacker Collin Oliver. With Utah headed to Arizona next week, we should have a better handle on the top of the Big 12 by the end of the month.

Line: Utah -2.5

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1. No. 6 Tennessee (3-0) at No. 15 Oklahoma (3-0), 7:30 p.m., ABC

The big storyline is Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel returning to Oklahoma, where he quarterbacked the program to a national championship and was later fired as offensive coordinator. Joe Rexrode penned a great retrospective on how the reunion has unfolded for all involved (worked out for Tennessee!), as well as the stakes for a game Joe describes as an “early College Football Playoff clarifier.” The Vols look like a wagon, leading the FBS in points per game at 63.7. Quarterback Nico Iamaleava’s 10.4 yards per attempt ranks eighth among all quarterbacks and the offense is averaging 8.1 yards per play. The Sooners are on the other end of the spectrum, averaging just 4.9 yards per play under quarterback Jackson Arnold, who is averaging 5.6 yards per attempt and still trying to find his groove. (Potentially getting wide receivers Nic Anderson and Andrel Anthony back from injury could help on that front.) Brent Venables’ defense has been solid, but it’s Tennessee that is allowing 3.1 yards per play and 4.3 points per game, both in the top three in FBS. ESPN’s “College GameDay” heads to Norman to see if the Sooners can slow down Tennessee in the first SEC showdown for Oklahoma.

Line: Tennessee -7

(Top photo of Jackson Arnold: Aaron M. Sprecher / Getty Images)

Diana Taurasi, playing in her 20th WNBA season, didn’t officially announce her retirement Thursday night after the Phoenix Mercury’s regular season finale against the Seattle Storm. But the Mercury icon hinted the end may be imminent as she addressed the home crowd.

“If it is the last time, it felt like the first time,” Taurasi said as the crowd chanted, “one more year.”

“I love you guys.”

Taurasi played 18 minutes Thursday as the Mercury lost 89-70 to the Storm, where she scored nine points and tallied one rebound and two assists. With 3:11 remaining in the fourth quarter, fans at the Footprint Center got on their feet, urging Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts to sub Taurasi back into the game. The first-year coach obliged. Taurasi checked back into the game where she blew a kiss and clapped to the crowd, who showered her with cheers.

It was a 10-second curtain call for the Mercury fans to show their appreciation for a historic player in potentially her final home game. As Taurasi left the court, fans chanted, “One more year.”

Diana Taurasi checks back in and the crowd is lovin’ every second of it 🥹

SEA-PHX | League Pass 📱 pic.twitter.com/MIaFPkvB0g

— WNBA (@WNBA) September 20, 2024

When the game ended, the lights dimmed in the seating areas as the spotlight beamed on Taurasi at center court. Before she addressed the crowd, a tribute video for Taurasi played on the screen above. It was the same video that the Mercury social media account posted to X on Thursday afternoon, teasing a potential retirement announcement.

Taurasi thanked the city of Phoenix, a place she called “home.” She praised her teammates and coaches, along with the fans who supported her career.

Dear Dee –

Love,
All of Us pic.twitter.com/SnO1q10Fdp

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— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) September 19, 2024

“I want to thank every single coach, every single player, every single person that’s put on a WNBA jersey because it takes the village,” Taurasi said. “For everyone who played before this league is where it is now — we’re thankful for you guys and we’re thankful for the next generation.”

Several high-profile athletes and coaches attended Taurasi’s potential last game, including four-time WNBA champion Sue Bird, World Cup and Olympic champion Megan Rapinoe, UConn coach Geno Auriemma, UConn associate coach Chris Dailey, Phoenix Suns shooting guard Damion Lee, small forward Josh Okogie and Taurasi’s parents Mario and Lilliana.

If Thursday was the end of Taurasi’s WNBA career, she would leave the sport a jam-packed resume. Winning three championships, becoming the league’s all-time leading scorer, earning six gold medals with Team USA and making 11 WNBA All-Star Game appearances. Her records include being the first WNBA player to score 10,000 career points, becoming the oldest player in either the NBA or WNBA to score 40 points in a game and her overall point total (10,646 points).

For the Mercury, the team advanced to the playoffs after missing the postseason last year for the first time in a decade. But Thursday night was about Taurasi, her likely farewell and a chance for the Phoenix crowd to celebrate one of the franchise’s accomplished players.

Required reading

(Photo: Christian Petersen / Getty Images)

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Nick Saban, Lincoln Riley and Deion Sanders all wanted Alex Orji. But Orji wanted something else.

Orji, a quarterback whose athletic traits have captivated coaches at every step of his career, will make his first start Saturday when No. 18 Michigan faces No. 11 USC. The coach on the other sideline, Riley, personally offered Orji a scholarship when he was at Oklahoma, Orji’s father said. Saban also wanted Orji at Alabama, but there was a catch.

Willy Orji, Alex’s father, remembers a conversation with Saban that happened during a recruiting visit to Tuscaloosa. Saban told Alex he could have a scholarship offer from Alabama but only if he was open to switching positions. Alex looked at Saban, looked at his father, and explained that he’d worked too hard at becoming a quarterback to give up on the dream.

“There were a lot of people that talked to him,” said Red Behrens, Orji’s coach at Sachse High School in Texas. “I’m talking about big schools, all the head coaches. The thing that Alex wanted to hear from them was, ‘We’re going to give you a strong chance to be a quarterback.’”

Before college football fans were introduced to Coach Prime, Sanders tried to get Orji on his team, too. Sanders had a youth football program called Truth Sports in the Dallas metroplex, and Orji grew up playing on teams with Sanders’ sons, Shilo and Shedeur. Before he became the head coach at Jackson State, Sanders was on the staff at Trinity Christian Academy near Dallas, the school his sons attended.

Deion wanted Orji to play for Trinity Christian, Willy said, but there was one problem. Shedeur was the quarterback, and nobody was beating him out. To get on the field at Trinity, Orji would have had to play a different position. Instead, he decided to play at Sachse, where his quarterback highlights became the stuff of legend.

Mention one play in particular to Behrens, and he’ll describe it as if it happened yesterday. Orji got flushed out of the pocket and scrambled toward the end zone. All he had to do was lower his shoulder and plow through a defensive back, but he decided to take a different route, leaping up and over the defender with inches to spare.

“Athletically, he’s one in a million,” Behrens said.

With so many coaches salivating over Orji’s potential, it was only a matter of time before one of them figured out how to get him on the field. And yet, Orji’s debut as Michigan’s starter comes with more than a little trepidation. Three weeks ago, Michigan evaluated its quarterback competition and decided to go with Davis Warren. It was only after Warren threw six interceptions in three games that the Wolverines changed course and named Orji the starter.

The question with Orji is the same as it’s always been: Is he polished enough as a passer to play quarterback at the highest level?

“He’s got great arm strength,” coach Sherrone Moore said. “The accuracy has improved tremendously. It’s going to take great prep mentally, physically and spiritually this week to get him where we need to be, and I think he’ll do that.”

Orji was one of those high school athletes who could do a little bit of everything. He was a sprinter, a high jumper, a basketball player, a safety, a wide receiver, a linebacker and a punter. Early on, he didn’t see himself as a quarterback.

Orji has two older brothers, Alston and Anfernee, who played linebacker at Vanderbilt. Anfernee signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2023, spent last year on the practice squad and has appeared in both of the Saints games this season.

Orji is built like a linebacker at 6 feet 3 and 235 pounds, and it was natural to assume he’d follow his brothers’ footsteps on defense. When he was in middle school, he started training with Kevin Mathis, who played with Deion in Dallas and has coached with him throughout his career. Mathis, now the cornerbacks coach at Colorado, was the one who pitched Orji on playing quarterback.

“He kept trying to get him to do it,” Willy said. “Alex was comfortable with what he’d always done, being able to outrun kids, being able to push kids around.”

Orji started playing quarterback in middle school, but it wasn’t until his junior season at Sachse that his future at the position came into focus. He transferred to Sachse during the COVID-19 pandemic, and Behrens didn’t have many opportunities to evaluate him before the season started. Behrens put him at quarterback and quickly discovered he had a weapon.

“People that tried to grab him or arm tackle him, he broke through those and spun out of them and just kept rolling,” Behrens said. “Most high school kids didn’t like stepping in front of him.”

As a senior at Sachse, Orji rushed for more than 1,000 yards and threw for more than 2,000 while completing 51 percent of his passes. He was being recruited by a bunch of big-time schools, but most of them wanted him as an athlete, not a quarterback. One exception was Virginia Tech, which ran an offense similar to the one Orji played in at Sachse.

Orji committed to the Hokies as a three-star recruit in the Class of 2022. A few weeks before signing day, Virginia Tech fired Justin Fuente and he decided to reevaluate his options. He visited Michigan and met with coach Jim Harbaugh, who said it would be up to Orji to decide if and when he wanted to try another position. If Orji wanted to play quarterback, Michigan was committed to giving him the opportunity.

“As long as I’m here, we’re going to develop you and get you to where you need to be,” Willy remembers Harbaugh saying.

Michigan had a package of plays for Orji last season and used him in big moments, including the Rose Bowl and the Ohio State game. When Harbaugh left for the NFL and J.J. McCarthy declared for the draft, Michigan’s starting quarterback job was there for the taking. Orji didn’t win the job in the spring, but most signs pointed to him as the player who would take the first snap of Michigan’s season.

“Even if we’re on top of college football, I want to keep taking us higher,” Orji said in the spring. “Whoever goes out on Saturdays, whatever 11 take the field, I want to make sure I’m doing whatever I can to be selfless in my pursuit of excellence.”

By most accounts, Orji had a strong start to preseason camp. Midway through, he hit a rough patch and committed too many turnovers. Warren played better down the stretch and won the starting job.

Naturally, Willy wanted to know what happened. Did Orji let his foot off the gas? Was he overconfident? Did he not work hard enough? Orji chided his dad, reminding him that there were more important things than being the starter. Orji vowed to be a good teammate, support Warren however he could and keep working for his opportunity.

“When you’re a dad and your child is trying to teach you something, you listen,” Willy said.

Michigan’s first drive of the season ended with Orji throwing a 3-yard touchdown pass to Donovan Edwards. The Wolverines used him for a snap or two at a time as a change of pace, but Warren was the primary quarterback. Despite throwing two interceptions against Texas, Warren remained the starter against Arkansas State and took every snap of the first half. Late in the third quarter, after Warren’s third interception of the game, Michigan made the switch to Orji.

Moore was noncommittal after the game, but he arrived at his Monday news conference with an announcement: Orji was taking over as Michigan’s starting quarterback. The public announcement came as a surprise to some, including two Michigan players who met with reporters after Moore spoke. Moore made it clear that the job belonged to Orji and that he had the team’s full backing.

“We have a plan in place for Alex, and we’re ready to put it on display,” Moore said.

Disappointment would have been a natural reaction when Orji didn’t win the job in camp, despite being viewed as the front-runner for most of the offseason. If Orji was stung by the decision, his father didn’t see it. Moore said he saw no change in Orji’s confidence or demeanor after informing the quarterbacks that Warren would open the season as the starter.

“His attitude never wavered,” Moore said. “Obviously he was disappointed. He’s a competitor. He’s a kid who wants to be the starting guy. If I was a quarterback competing for the job, I’d want to do it, too. But the way he led, the way he acted, the way he presented himself, was no different than it is now.”

No one is sure how Orji’s first start is going to go. He has thrown seven passes in his career, and it’s still not clear how his athleticism will translate in the role of a full-time quarterback. The only way to answer that question is to put the ball in his hands and see what he can do.

For Michigan, the time to find out is now.

“There were a lot of schools, but they always seemed to go back to, ‘We’ll find somewhere for you to play,’” Behrens said. “He wanted to hear, ‘We’re going to give you a true shot at quarterback.’ Michigan gave him that opportunity.”

(Top photo: Rick Osentoski / Imagn Images)