The first three weeks of college football season brought a few big matchups, but as Week 4 dawns, it’s time to start separating the contenders from the pretenders in the major conferences and in the national championship picture. Several games between ranked teams highlight the schedule as late September arrives with supremacy in the sport up for grabs.

Headlining the schedule is a battle between heavyweight brands as No. 6 Ohio State travels to No. 9 Notre Dame for the first time since 1996 in a top-10 matchup for the second consecutive year. It will be just the eighth all-time game between two of the sport’s most storied programs after the Buckeyes defeated the Fighting Irish 21-10 last season in Columbus, Ohio.

That game is just the beginning of what could be the best week of the season’s first month. Another top-15 matchup is on tap as No. 13 Alabama hosts No. 15 Ole Miss in a showdown with major SEC West implications. Rebels coach Lane Kiffin is looking to become the latest former Nick Saban assistant to take down the Crimson Tide. 

Week 4 lines are out, so let’s take a look at what oddsmakers are thinking as we look ahead. 

Odds via SportsLine consensus

The big games

No. 4 Florida State -2.5 at Clemson: Florida State found a way to survive and win 31-29 at upset-minded Boston College on Saturday. The Seminoles’ sluggish play against the Eagles raises questions over whether they are ready to snap a seven-game losing streak to Clemson. This is Clemson’s first time as a home underdog since 2016 and the Tigers will be eager to defend their home field.

No. 19 Colorado at No. 10 Oregon -19.5: This is a massive spread for a game between top-20 foes, especially considering Colorado already has a Week 1 road victory against a TCU team that…