That was a pretty great week of College Football last week given a very weak slate. Week 4 is going to be awesome with so many good games in every window. Let’s get into it.
The Seminoles barely survived an upset from an undisciplined Boston College team and now face their biggest test of the season. The Tigers have been winning with good defense while the offense continues to find its footing. This could be a preview of the ACC title game.
PREDICTION: I said at the beginning that the Noles would lose this game and beat Clemson in the ACC Championship. I’m gonna stick to it. I’m picking Clemson at home to win this game in the upset.
College Station, TX
NOON on ESPN
LINE: (A&M -7.5)
This is a good test to see if the Aggies can get back on track against a quality opponent. It’s also a good test for Auburn to see if their undefeated season hasn’t been a fluke so far. The fact that it’s the first conference game for both teams makes this matchup really exciting.
PREDICTION: I like the Aggies but I do think Auburn’s defense will play a great game. So I will take Auburn +7.5 in the line but A&M wins the game.
Cincinnati, OH
NOON on FOX
LINE: (OKLA -14.5)
The Sooners are rounding into form as the potential team to challenge Texas in the BIG 12. Their conference opener takes them to Cincinnati, where the Bearcats make their BIG 12 debut in front of their home crowd and look to bounce back from a bad loss to Miami (Ohio) last week.
PREDICTION: I think Oklahoma will win because Cincinnati’s offense can’t do much right now. Back to back games of just about 25 points on offense, and that is not gonna get it done against Oklahoma. So give me the Sooners by 13 points.
Eugene, OR
3:30pm on ABC
LINE: (ORE -21)
The magical train ride for Colorado will be taking one of two different tracks the next couple weeks. It will either be smooth sailing, or the train falls off the tracks. This is a big test for Colorado when they journey up to Autzen to take on Oregon, an experienced team that has been firing on all cylinders so far. Should be an electric atmosphere in Eugene on Saturday.
PREDICTION: The loss of Travis Hunter might be a problem for the Buffs, but this is more abut how powerful Oregon is in the trenches. I think the Ducks will be stout at the line of scrimmage and dominate the Buffs by 17 points. Colorado will cover the 21 point spread.
Salt Lake City, UT
3:30pm on FOX
LINE: (UTAH -4.5)
This is a great game in the PAC 12. UCLA is on the rise and Chip Kelly has a team that is playing with physicality and excellent run game. Utah is struggling on offense and Cam Rising is still in question to return for games to come. Can the Utes pull it together for a critical conference matchup with the Bruins?
PREDICTION: I just think that Utah has been tested with games against Florida and Baylor and I need to see more out of UCLA’s offense on the road. I’m gonna take Utah to win by a field goal at home.
Tuscaloosa, AL
3:30pm on CBS
LINE: (ALA -7)
This is the game that will determine if Alabama’s run as an SEC favorite is over. Texas put a lot of questions into Nick Saban’s head two weeks ago and it didn’t seem like any of those questions were answered last week in Tampa. The Tide turn back to Jalen Milroe at QB and he’ll be facing off against Jackson Dart, who has been a one man show for the Rebels offense. Ole Miss has also been tested, so walking into Tuscaloosa shouldn’t be too hard for the Rebels right?
PREDICTION: UPSET OF THE WEEK: I have more confidence and answers with Ole Miss than Alabama. Jackson Dart will ball out and the rebels defense will get it done. Rebels get the upset.
Lawrence, KS
3:30pm on ESPN
LINE: (KU -9)
Another good BIG 12 opener in Lawrence. BYU’s great run defense against a very balanced Kansas offense. Don’t sleep on the Jayhawks right now. I think they’re starting to catch a little fire and could become a sleeper team in the BIG 12. Can they get past the Cougars at home?
PREDICTION: BYU is great AGAINST the run, they can’t run the ball at all on offense. In this game, you go with the more consistent team. Give me the Jayhawks at home by a touchdown.
Morgantown, WV
3:30pm on ESPN+
LINE: (TTU -6)
This feels like an early must win game for Texas Tech. Going 1-2 in a favorable nonconference schedule doesn’t exactly make experts believe in this team as BIG 12 contenders yet. Going into Morgantown is tough, but can the Mountaineers reset and get ready for this game after embarrassing Pitt in the Backyard Brawl last week?
PREDICTION: I think the Raiders will win the game, but something in my gut tells me the Mountaineers will cover. So I’ll take WVU and the points to keep it close, but Tech wins the game straight up.
Pullman, WA
7pm on FOX
LINE: (ORST -3)
Sleeper game of the week in the PAC 12. The Beavers are off to one of their best starts in franchise history while the Cougs have been playing ball on offense. Playing in Pullman is tough for any visiting team, but the Beavers bring in something that a lot of PAC 12 teams don’t have: defense and physicality. That’ll have to be key against Cam Ward and the high flying Wazzu offense.
PREDICTION: Washington State gives up almost 100 yards per game on the ground. I think that plays into Oregon State’s gameplan. I’m gonna ride with the Beavers on the road in a tight game because of their balance on offense. Beavers win by four.
Waco, TX
7:30pm on ABC
LINE: (TEX -15)
You have to think this is a must win game for Dave Aranda, the head coach at Baylor, on Saturday night. The Bears went 1-2 in nonconference play with their lone win coming against LIU. Texas has looked like they’re officially back, and now it’s time to build off some great wins by continuing their winning ways the next few weeks before going to Dallas soon to face-off with Oklahoma
PREDICTION: I’m not sure what this Baylor team is right now but I know that they cannot stop the run. I think Texas’s defense will show up motivated and the Longhorns get it done. I’m taking Texas to win by 14 points
State College, PA
7:30pm on CBS
LINE: (PSU -14.5)
Drew Allar makes his BIG 10 debut for Penn State in front of the white-out crowd in Happy Valley on Saturday night. He’ll get a challenge from Iowa’s great defense and former Michigan Quarterback Cade McNamara coming to town in what should be a great game on Saturday night. Will the Hawks find a way to shut down the Lions offense?
PREDICTION: I think Iowa’s defense will play a magnificent game, but I don’t think they have enough offense in the passing game to get the win. I’m gonna pick Penn State to win the game, but Iowa will cover the 14.5 point spread
Notre Dame Stadium
South Bend, IN
7:30pm on NBC
LINE: (OSU -3)
This is the game that most CFB experts have been talking about since the offseason. This is the game that will determine if Ohio State is back to form with a new QB, is Sam Hartman the right guy for the Irish who have been lacking a QB for the last couple years, and if this a potential CFP knockout game. This will be fun to watch.
PREDICTION: Man, this is tough. I just think because Notre Dame is at home and this is Kyle McCord’s first time on the road in a tough environment against a good defense, I’m gonna ride with the Irish at home in an upset because of Sam Hartman. Irish get the upset