Week 3 gave fans more than expected, considering the on-paper expectations. The drama was created by Colorado/Colorado State double OT along with Florida extending their domination over Tennessee. Week 4 features a frenzy of ranked versus ranked marquee matchups so fasten your seatbelts and hold on for the ride.
#6 Ohio State vs. #9 Notre Dame: Talent for talent, the Buckeyes have the edge, but a few things stand out on the Notre Dame side. The Irish’s defense is among the top units in quarterback pressures, while the Buckeyes are breaking in two new tackles along with an inexperienced QB Kyle McCord. It does help the first-year quarterback has the best wide receiver in the county Marvin Harrison Jr. and a damn good running back room led by Treveyon Henderson. Notre Dame sports a top-flight QB under center in Sam Hartman and dynamic RB Audric Estime. The home field, revenge factor and the better QB by a wide margin lend itself to picking the home team.
The Pick: Notre Dame +3
#10 Oregon vs. #19 Colorado: Two-way star Travis Hunter is out for at least 3 weeks which is a massive hit to the Buffaloes chances of pulling off this upset. Coming off such a high from last week’s double overtime win over Colorado State, unfortunately for the Buffs sets up perfectly for a letdown. The Colorado must find a way to pass block better and find some semblance of a run game. Maybe the combination of Dylan Edwards and newly activated sophomore transfer RB Alton McCaskill can bang their way to positive yards. The Ducks needed a 20-point 4th quarter to rally against Texas Tech so it’s essential for CU to get off to a fast start. The over/under set at 70 lines up for a shootout but does Colorado have enough bullets without Hunter and poor rushing attack?
The Pick: Oregon wins, but Colorado +21 is the bet
#4 Florida State vs. Clemson: The Tigers have defeated FSU 7 times in a row heading into Saturday’s important ACC tilt. It’s been 8 straight games the Seminoles have scored at least 30 points a game. The Tigers may have to keep them below that number considering their struggles on the offensive side of the ball. FSU almost got caught slipping in week 3 barley beating Boston College. Clemson fumbled twice inside the 5-yard line along with two turn over on downs in a horrible loss to Duke. This College Football podcaster thinks Clemson would win maybe 8 times if they played Duke 10 times, but those are the breaks. Just how banged up is FSU QB Jordan Travis and could that question alone decide the outcome if he’s not healthy enough? Whichever team has the ball last will win this game.
The Pick: Clemson +2
#13 Alabama vs. #15 Ole Miss: Last week versus a bad South Florida club Alabama’s offense had its lowest output of 107 passing yards dating back to 2000. Hence the reason Coach Saban has gone back to his redshirt freshman signal caller.
Can the Crimson Tide protect QB Jalen Milroe? As it stands Alabama offensive line has one of the worst sack rates in the country while Ole Miss has produced 10 sacks thru 3 games. Look for Alabama to right the ship with a big win on the road. Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart looks improved from last year and now has a great opportunity to show us just how much better he is in 2023.
The Pick: Alabama wins, but officially Ole Miss +6.5
New Mexico State pulls off the upset as a slight +3 dog versus Hawaii.
#11 Utah vs. #22 UCLA: The stats say the Bruins can get after the quarterback 3 games in to the season but they haven’t faced an offensive line like Utah’s. Also, it appears stud QB Cameron Rising will return to action giving the Utes a much needed spark on offense. Let’s see how good UCLA’s QB Dante Moore is because he will defiantly need to make a few big plays for the Bruins to win.
The Pick: Utah -6
#14 Oregon State vs. #21 Washington State: Although Clemson transfer QB D.J. Uiagalelei has impressed thus far for the Beavers this College Football junkie favors Washington State’s QB Cameron Ward. A run-first versus pass-first style matchup makes for the perfect ingredients for a hardcore barnburner.
The Pick: Washington State +3
#24 Iowa +15 versus #7 Penn State
West Virginia +6 versus Texas Tech
Sam Houston +12 versus Houston
College Ball Show Link: https://www.blogtalkradio.com/ropeadoperadio/2023/09/19/college-ball-show-week-4-betting-lines-picks-6-ranked-vs-ranked-matchups
Quick Hits Recap
-LSU’s duo of QB Jayden Daniels and QR Malik Nabers put up crazy number in the first half against Mississippi State. Daniels had 255 passing yards and 2 TD’s while Nabers had 10 receptions for 188 yards and 2TD’s.
-The Georgia Bulldogs extended their winning ways making it 20 in a row which is the longest streak in the country.
-Week 4’s 6 ranked vs. ranked matchups last happened in September dating back to 2006. Back then it was 7 such matchups.
-The Clemson Tigers has won 13 out of the last 16 games against Florida State.
-Missouri kicker Harrison Mevis booted a 61-yard field goal to beat Kansas State making it the second longest walk-off FG in FBS history.
-Penn State has scored at least 30 points for 9 straight games so let’s see if the Iowa defense can slow the Nittany Lions down.
-Under coach Deion Sanders Colorado became just the 4th team in FBS history to start at season 3-0 after losing at least 11 games in the prior season.
-Alabama dropped out of the AP Top-10 poll for the first time in 128 weeks falling short of the Miami Hurricanes run of 137 from 1985-1993.
Written by Chris Carlson Host of The College Ball Show Podcast available at blogtalkradio.com/ropeadoperadio &
Follow on Twitter @RopeADopeRadio
21+ and present in VA. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.