As we dive into Week 4 of college football, the competitive landscape is heating up with conference play heating up, challenging voters in the AP Top 25 poll like never before. This week, we witnessed a dramatic reshaping of rankings as teams began to face off against higher-caliber opponents, revealing strengths and weaknesses that prior weeks couldn’t fully illustrate.

Michigan's slide out of the top 15 following an embarrassing Week 2 loss to Texas raised eyebrows, especially for fans who believed they were playoff contenders. However, with a strategic quarterback change and a dominant victory against USC this past weekend, the Wolverines have signaled that they deserve to be back in the conversation. Their hard-hitting, decisively assertive style of play has made the Big Ten take notice once again.

Voters now have to grapple with the dilemma of evaluating teams that have yet to face real competition versus those like Tennessee, who decisively defeated ranked NC State, and had an impactful road victory against Oklahoma. The Volunteers are now on the cusp of breaking into the top five as they continue to elevate their game week by week.

The tumbles of USC and Oklahoma after their losses add another layer of complexity; both teams showcased potential even in defeat, making their presence in the rankings a subject of debate amidst undefeated teams. This week, as teams gear up for more rivalry clashes, we will get an even better sense of the strength of each program.

Here’s the forecast for the new AP Top 25 poll following a riveting Week 4:

1. Texas (1):