Vote for Athlon’s College Football Awards: Standouts and Upsets Galore

On paper, the Week 4 college football schedule looked like one for the books. And in practice, the games did not disappoint.

Almost a third of the top-25 teams went down, including No. 4 Ole Miss. There’s a lot to process as we hit the one-quarter mark of the season. We now have the data to make more informed opinions about the landscape, but every Saturday promises still more surprises. That’s the beauty of this chaotic sport.

Some of those surprises made it into the fourth iteration of Athlon Sports’ weekly college football awards. There are three entries each for Most Surprising Result and Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week. And once again, we need your help to pick a winner for each! Be sure to vote below.

Offensive Player of the Week

Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith was outstanding — even by his high standards — in No. 7 Ohio State’s Big Ten opener. He caught all four of quarterback Julian Sayin’s passing touchdowns in the Buckeyes’ 42-19 win over Illinois. Those four scores set a new career-high, as did his 12 receptions and 217 yards. It was utter domination from the new Heisman Trophy favorite.

Running back Jadan Baugh tacked on three more touchdowns and 142 rushing yards in No. 21 Florida’s 52-28 statement win over No. 4 Ole Miss. It was his third hat trick of the season and fifth consecutive game with 100-plus rushing yards, putting him in elite company with Emmitt Smith and Fred Taylor as the only Gators to do that.

Quarterback Drew Mestemaker was excellent in Oklahoma State’s 41-24 win over West Virginia. The Cowboys have now won three straight games and could be bound for a spot in the top 25. Mestemaker is rounding into form. He completed 20-of-27 passes for 389 passing yards, three touchdowns and an interception.

Defensive Player of the Week

Defensive end Colin Simmons was an absolute force in No. 1 Texas’ 20-17 triumph against No. 14 Tennessee. He tied a Longhorns record with five sacks. Simmons lived in the backfield against the Volunteers, finishing with eight total tackles and a forced fumble.

Linebacker Austin Romaine came into Week 4 witho zero touchdowns across his four-year career. Then he scored on back-to-back plays on pick-sixes in No. 11 Texas Tech’s 49-14 win over Sam Houston. Romaine’s scores helped the Red Raiders break the game open, and he led his team with eight tackles.

Linebacker Raylen Wilson was everywhere for No. 2 Georgia in a dominant all-around performance against Oklahoma. The Bulldogs beat the Sooners 41-13, and Wilson set a new career-high with 11 total tackles, including a sack, and he forced a fumble.

Most Surprising Result of the Week

Wisconsin stunned No. 13 Penn State 24-20 on Saturday to pick up its first win in Happy Valley since 2003. The Badgers closed as 9.5-point underdogs and trailed 20-10 with less than four minutes remaining. But they patched together two quick scoring drives to pull off the upset and notch their third consecutive win.

Wake Forest knocked Louisville off its pedestal a week after the Cardinals scored a big win of their own over SMU. The Demon Deacons were 11.5-point underdogs, but they held on for a 30-27 win. The game was close throughout and further complicates the ACC hierarchy behind juggernaut Miami.

The fact that UCLA beat Maryland in and of itself is not that shocking. The Bruins were 2.5-point underdogs in their cross-country trip to face the Terrapins. That UCLA won 54-3 in a game that was never really competitive is quite surprising. And it could be what ultimately spurs a coaching change in College Park.

Related: Jeremiah Smith, the Actually ‘Generational’ NFL Draft Prospect

Related: Analysis: Are College Football Blowouts Bigger This Season? Yes, Actually.

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Sep 27, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.