College Football Week 4 Predictions & Best Bets

Every Pick. The Sizzle.

Twelve games, twelve picks, and The Sizzle on every one of them — the play we like best in each matchup.

Let's get into it.

---

SATURDAY EARLY WINDOW

ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI @ #7 OHIO STATE BUCKEYES

Saturday, September 26 | 9:00 AM PT | FOX Line: Ohio State -27 | O/U: 53.5

Illinois presents a unique challenge to Ohio State to begin B1g conference play. The Illini have played sound football and Coach Brent Bielema emphasizes stout defense and simplified offensive strategies. While I think Ohio State will win by two scores, it wouldn't surprise me if Illinois kept this game tight.

PREDICTION: OHIO STATE 34, ILLINOIS 13

---

#1 TEXAS LONGHORNS @ #14 TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS

Saturday, September 26 | 9:00 AM PT | ABC Line: Texas -4.5 | O/U: 56

God I love the SEC. If Texas wants to prove they are the national title contender everyone thinks they are, then they'll need to knock off the Vols in a hostile environment. Neyland Stadium is gonna be rockin, as this game features two of the most hyped SEC QBs with Faizon Brandon for Tennessee and Arch Manning at UT. I'm banking on the more experienced QB. Texas in a nail biter.

PREDICTION: TEXAS 31, TENN 28

---

SATURDAY AFTERNOON

BOISE STATE BRONCOS @ WESTERN MICHIGAN BRONCOS

Saturday, September 26 | 12:30 PM PT | ESPN2 Line: Boise State -7 | O/U: 50

Major G6 playoff implications are on the line in this one. Western Michigan wasn't on anyone's radar until they nearly (should have counted as a win) beat Michigan until a second chance hail mary dashed their chances. While I think Boise State will win this should be a crazy and fun environment for the Western Michigan fan base.

PREDICTION: BOISE 24, WMU 17

---

#4 OLE MISS REBELS @ #21 FLORIDA GATORS

Saturday, September 26 | 12:30 PM PT | ABC Line: Florida -3.5 | O/U: 59

This line isn't as crazy as people think it is. Florida has been absolutely rolling and are actually PFF's 2nd rated team overall with a 97 (Georgia is #1). I think a lot of money will be going on Ole Miss (rightfully so) with this line. Usually if something is too good to be true in the world of sports betting, you're going to get burned. For that reason, I'm picking Florida.

PREDICTION: FLORIDA 33, OLE MISS 27

---

#17 IOWA HAWKEYES @ #18 MICHIGAN WOLVERINES

Saturday, September 26 | 12:30 PM PT | CBS Line: Michigan -5.5 | O/U: 38.5

If you don't like scoring, then boy do I have a game for you! In all honesty though, Iowa has put up a decent amount of points through their first three games. Meanwhile, Michigan's season has been full of controversy and sputtering offense that somehow still has the Wolverines at 3-0. I think that ends this week. Iowa plays smart and physical, and I think they're stubborn enough to play it safe and run the ball in obvious passing downs (something Oklahoma probably wishes they would have done) to play the field position game. This will be a defensive brawl. Give me the Hawkeyes to squeak out a game in the Big House.

PREDICTION: IOWA 16, MICHIGAN 14

---

OKLAHOMA SOONERS @ #2 GEORGIA BULLDOGS

Saturday, September 26 | 12:30 PM PT | ESPN / Disney+ Line: Georgia -14 | O/U: 44.5

We know Oklahoma has a defense. But, do they have an offense? Or does it just suck? It's starting to look more like the latter, especially after last weeks 14-6 dud vs New Mexico. Now, New Mexico is expected to win the MW, however, OU should have at least been able to score 20+ on em. Georgia meanwhile looks exactly how most people thought they would, and absolutely destroyed Arkansas on the road in Fayetteville last week. Unless Oklahoma finds a spark, this will be a long day for the Sooners. However, I do think that OU defense travels well, and will keep this game low scoring.

PREDICTION: GEORGIA 24, OKLAHOMA 7

---

SATURDAY NIGHT

OKLAHOMA STATE COWBOYS @ WEST VIRGINIA MOUNTAINEERS

Saturday, September 26 | 4:00 PM PT | FS1 Line: West Virginia -1.5 | O/U: 59.5

Oklahoma State would definitely be ranked if it weren't for their week one dud vs Tulsa. What a crazy couple weeks for Eric Morris and the Cowboys. Now, they get to face WVU in Morgantown, and all of a sudden this game could have major Big 12 title implications between two emerging contenders. West Virginia bullied the crap out of Virginia and has suddenly emerged as one of America's most physical teams. OK State better keep their heads on swivels, cause this Mountaineer team can hit.

PREDICTION: WVU 31, OK STATE 27

---

#23 TEXAS A&M AGGIES @ #10 LSU TIGERS

Saturday, September 26 | 4:30 PM PT | ABC Line: LSU -8.5 | O/U: 52

The Bayou Bengals get another tough test at home versus Texas A&M, who looks to rebound after last week's embarrassing loss at home versus Kentucky. If A&M doesn't fix their run defense quick, it could be a long night in Baton Rouge. The Tigers were almost able to complete the comeback versus Ole Miss in an instant classic. The hardest part will be to rebound and get motivated quickly versus a team who wants to prove their physicality. Luckily for the Tigers, this is a night game, so the crowd will be buzzin as always. LSU will try and stop the run to force Marcel Reed to beat them with his arm. It might be close at the half but then I expect LSU to separate themselves late.

PREDICTION: LSU 38, TEXAS A&M 24

---

#20 OREGON DUCKS @ #12 USC TROJANS

Saturday, September 26 | 4:30 PM PT | NBC Line: Oregon -3 | O/U: 62

GAME OF THE WEEK. Believe it or not youngins, these two teams used to battle it out in the Pac 12, pretty neat huh? This game hits me right in the nostalgia. I expect this to be a full blown Pac 12 style west coast shootout. Last years game in Eugene ended 42-27 and I don't expect this one to be short of points either, especially considering that USC doesn't have as much of a homefield advantage as Oregon. This game kinda reminds me of when Washington Huskies legend Michael Penix Jr battled it out with the Caleb Williams led Trojans a couple of years back. This should be one of the best games of the season.

PREDICTION: USC 38, OREGON 37

---

#19 MISSOURI TIGERS @ #24 MISSISSIPPI STATE BULLDOGS

Saturday, September 26 | 4:45 PM PT | SEC Network Line: Mississippi State -6.5 | O/U: 58.5

Mississippi State is becoming a problem. Kamario Taylor led the Bulldogs to an epic comeback in South Carolina last week, showing off his dynamic playmaking ability in a hostile environment. The week prior, he dismantled the Gophers in Minnesota. This dude needs to be considered a candidate for the Heisman. The Missouri defense might be in for a long night, as the Mississippi State crowd will be bringing the cowbell.

PREDICTION: MISSISSIPPI STATE 34, MISSOURI 20

---

AIR FORCE FALCONS @ NEVADA WOLF PACK

Saturday, September 26 | 7:30 PM PT | FS1 Line: Air Force -5.5 | O/U: 50

The Wolfpack look to bounce back versus a senior led Air Force team who is more than happy to play slow and keep the clock rolling. While Nevada's defense has been a bright spot for the pack this year, Air Force presents a whole new challenge. Like all academy schools, Air Force deploys the Wing T offense, whose sole purpose is to gain 3-4 yards at a time and control the time of possession. This type of offense can be extremely frustrating to deal with, especially if Nevadas offense isn't able to score or stay on the field. The task is simple, but i'm not sure if Nevada has enough discipline to pull out a victory.

PREDICTION: AIR FORCE 17, NEVADA 10

---

MINNESOTA GOLDEN GOPHERS @ WASHINGTON HUSKIES

Saturday, September 26 | 8:00 PM PT | FOX Line: Washington -10 | O/U: 45.5

The Gophers looked abysmal when they faced Kamario Taylor and the Mississippi State Bulldogs two weeks ago. Demond Williams presents a similar problem for them with his playmaking abilities. The Huskies have sort of sputtered to begin the year but were able to put up points versus Eastern Washington last week, which is a somewhat good sign. I expect the offense to perform well enough to walk away with a W.

PREDICTION: WASHINGTON 31, MINNESOTA 17

---