College football coaches love to see how their teams perform against the best, a barometer of value after early-season success may have been a result of playing inferior competition. Several nationally-ranked teams -- Clemson and Tennessee included -- and unbeatens outside of the top 25 will endure that in Week 4, programs we're guaranteed to learn more about as the first month of the season nears conclusion. 

Look at North Carolina and coach Mack Brown as an example. The Tar Heels' win at Appalachian State in Week 2 looks better and better as the season progresses, but there are noticeable holes with this team that must be corrected ahead of Saturday's tilt with Notre Dame. Brown said this week that while he's proud of the Tar Heels' 3-0 start, his players must learn to "handle momentum better" and step on the gas when it comes to putting teams away.

If that happens this weekend, the Tar Heels could become the latest ACC team that's ranked in the national polls.

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Here are 10 teams on our radar that we'll know more about after this weekend's action:

Week 4 opponent: at SMU (2-1)

After blowout wins over Colorado and lower-division Tarleton State to open for first-year coach Sonny Dykes, Saturday's game at SMU marks the first time the unbeaten Horned Frogs will face a team with a pulse this fall. In a perfect world, TCU finds it WR1 against the Mustangs and Kendre Miller has holes to run through thanks to solid offensive line play. SMU has won back-to-back games in the rivalry series after TCU had run off seven straight under Gary Patterson from the 2012 season through 2018.

Week 4 opponent: No. 15 Oregon (2-1)

Those wondering about a potential letdown for Washington State coming off the win at Wisconsin were quickly silenced after Cameron Ward tossed three of his four touchdown passes in the first quarter of last week's win over Colorado State. Ward has eight touchdown passes and three interceptions this season after coming over from Incarnate Word via the transfer portal. Washington State could jump from unranked into the top 20 this week if the Cougars are able to topple nationally-ranked Oregon. This will mark the first time all season the Cougars' secondary is tested, and we'll know more about this team's placement in the upper-tier of the Pac-12 depending on what transpires in Pullman.

Week 4 opponent: at No. 21 Wake Forest (3-0)

Dabo Swinney put much of the blame on his defense last week for its play over the last two games. The Tigers haven't played with a full deck of pass rushers since the season opener against Georgia Tech, but an inability to get off the field at times against Furman and Louisiana Tech is concerning for the unbeaten ACC favorites. They'll certainly be tested this weekend against, arguably, the best offense Clemson will face all season in the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. Wake Forest quarterback Sam Hartman hasn't beaten Clemson in his career and is itching for the opportunity to finally wear the crown of taming the Tigers.

Week 4 opponent: Notre Dame (1-2)

The Tar Heels are 3-0 and not ranked despite a win over Appalachian State. Why is that the case? Well, it's the defense and Gene Chizik is making no excuses for his unit's lack of execution on his side of the football this season. UNC is giving up yards in chunks and there's been a plethora of breakdowns at the second level. Quarterback Drake Maye has covered many of the Tar Heels' faults this fall with his conference-leading touchdown total, but points may come at a premium this weekend against the Fighting Irish.

Tennessee fans are cautiously optimistic this week that Saturday night's game against the Gators goes according to plan and ends with a not-so-close victory over a hated rival. Why the nervousness for an offense clicking on all cylinders ahead of the SEC opener? Florida has won five straight in the SEC East series and in many of those games, the Volunteers have shot themselves in the foot at inopportune times. This is the biggest stage of the season thus far for Josh Heupel in Year 2 and Tennessee needs to come through in this pressure spot.

Week 4 opponent: at Texas Tech (2-1)

Texas showed resiliency in last week's win over UTSA after trailing by 10 points early in the game. Perhaps the slow start can be attributed to the emotional high coming off the Alabama game, but at any rate, the real season begins now for the Longhorns in their quest to win a Big 12 championship. It hasn't happened in a long time at Texas and certainly would be difficult this season with a loss on the road to Texas Tech this weekend. It'll be interesting to see if Quinn Ewers returns to action at quarterback. He's a difference-maker in the passing game when he's out there.

Week 4 opponent: at No. 4 Michigan (3-0)

Will the real Maryland Terrapins please stand up? We'll know quickly against the Wolverines if Mike Locksley's 3-0 start this season holds water when there's a pass rush and strength in the trenches against Taulia Tagovailoa and true freshman standout ballcarrier Roman Hemby. Michigan has smothered Maryland in six consecutive meetings, the last couple being embarrassing for the Terrapins. Last week's win over SMU was Maryland's best of the campaign up to this point, but the depth and talent level the Terrapins are going to see at the line of scrimmage this week is not comparable.

Week 4 opponent: at Michigan State (2-1)

Minnesota either fades into relative obscurity until November with a loss in East Lansing or jumps into the top 25 at 4-0 after this weekend. There's a lot on the line for both teams actually, considering the Spartans' abrupt face-plant last week at Washington. Minnesota ranks near the top of college football in several defensive categories and has only given up 17 points in three games — Georgia-esque from the Golden Gophers. Michigan State running back Jalen Berger is the best player Minnesota will have faced in the month of September and keeping him in check is a top priority.

After a 77-point outburst against Toledo, Ohio State's unstoppable offense has finally arrived this season. Or maybe not? Wisconsin poses defensive issues for every opponent it plays and the Badgers' plan to slow down the game and keep the Buckeyes in mud is an obvious ploy in this one. This is a great test for Jim Knowles' new-look defense and most importantly, another opportunity for the Buckeyes to show they've improved in the physicality department off the snap. Lots of AP voters are going to be swayed by this weekend's result in Columbus one way or another.

Jim Harbaugh's had the luxury of tinkering with his quarterbacks for almost a month now against one of the softest non-conference schedules in college football. That ends with the Big Ten opener and Maryland coming to the Big House. The Terrapins' passing game with Tagovailoa in charge will test a secondary that has not seen too many deep balls yet, and Maryland's rushing attack is one of the conference's biggest surprises early. Michigan has jumped out to sizable leads in every game this season, and we haven't seen what happens when another team delivers a body blow or two in the first quarter.

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