5 college football busts who can change things around in Week 4 ft. DJ Uiagalelei

Joe Cox
FSU coach Mike Norvell will lean on DJ Uiagalelei to jump-start the Noles
FSU coach Mike Norvell will lean on DJ Uiagalelei to jump-start the Noles' season in Week 4. (Photo Credits: IMAGN)

If the early weeks of the college football season have been a disappointment, Week 4 offers a chance to flip the script. For a handful of underperforming stars, Week 4 offers some very real opportunities at redemption. Here are five college football standouts who have disappointed in 2024, but can right the ship today in Week 4.

5 college football busts who can turn it around in Week 4

Kansas QB Jalon Daniels has struggled but could jump-start the season in Week 4. (Photo Credit: IMAGN)
Kansas QB Jalon Daniels has struggled but could jump-start the season in Week 4. (Photo Credit: IMAGN)

5. Graham Mertz, Florida

The Gators are absolutely reeling and senior Mertz is at the heart of it. The Wisconsin transfer had a very solid season in 2023, but saw the Gators go 5-7 anyway.

In the team's 1-2 start to 2024, Mertz has thrown for 286 yards with a touchdown against two interceptions. He threw just three picks in 358 attempts last year.

Meanwhile, Florida looked best (admittedly against Sanford) with freshman DJ Lagway at the helm. But Mertz's experience and consistency could still be key to a Florida rally. FSU is a 6.5-point favorite at Mississippi State, and Mertz could help save the season.

4. Brock Vandagriff, Kentucky

Likewise, Kentucky is a disappointing 1-2. QB Brock Vandagriff transferred in from Georgia, but after a solid Week 1, has genuinely struggled. Vandagriff has completed just 53 percent of his passes for 5.7 yards per attempt with three touchdowns and two interceptions.

Kentucky did play a pair of ferocious defenses in South Carolina and Georgia and should get things right as a 19-point favorite today against Ohio. Getting Vandagriff on track would certainly help.

3. Alex Orji, Michigan

In Orji's defense, it's less that he's been a bust than that he's been absent for 2-1 Michigan. The Wolverines are 113th in FBS in pass efficiency and former walk-on Davis Warren has largely been the man at QB. Orji is 3 for 6 for 15 yards and a pair of touchdowns in red-zone QB action.

Orji has long been touted as a significant athlete, but the junior has thrown just seven total passes in his career. Today, Orji will get his first start and if he can be competent against No. 11 USC in the air, he and Michigan will go a long way toward fulfilling expectations.

2. Jalon Daniels, Kansas

Kansas was expected to contend for the Big 12 title, but they're just 1-2. Daniels, hyped as a possible Heisman candidate, has struggled. He has completed just under 55 percent of his pass attempts for only 6.2 yards per attempt. Worse yet, his three touchdowns are diminished by six interceptions.

Daniels and Kansas face an equally desperate 1-2 West Virginia team. The Jayhawks are a one-point road underdog, but they could right the season in a hurry in Week 4, particularly Daniels.

1. DJ Uiagalelei, Florida State

Expected to be the answer at QB for Florida State, Uiagalelei has been kind of meh. After three games, he does have 666 passing yards. But Uiagalelei has completed only 56.6 percent of his throws with one touchdown against two interceptions.

Still, unlike his freshman struggles at Clemson, Uiagalelei isn't chucking tons of damaging interceptions. Florida State has been awful at 0-3, but the Noles are still a 2.5-point favorite at home against Cal today.

Cal has been tenacious this season against the pass (nine interceptions to two TDs allowed) but FSU can still get some much-needed momentum.

Which struggling players do you think will get right in Week 4? Share your comments below!

Florida State Seminoles Fan? Check out the latest Seminoles depth chart, schedule, and roster updates all in one place.

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Edited by Akshay Saraswat
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