NCAA Football Beating the Spread Week 4

Friday, Sept. 21

FAU at No. 16 UCF (-13.5)
8 p.m., ESPN

This could be one of the most exciting games of the entire weekend, which means it won’t disappoint. I think the Knights are just an overall more complete football team and McKenzie Milton is one of the best quarterbacks in the nation. I think the Knights win this game and cover.

Knights 38 Owls 21

No. 10 Penn State (-28) at Illinois
9 p.m., Fox Sports 1

28 points is a lot of points to give on the road, but ever since the rough opening win against Appalachian State the Nittany Lions offense has started to click behind quarterback Trace McSorley. The only question in this game will be can Illinois score enough points to cover the spread?

Nittany Lions 41  Illinois 17

Saturday, Sept. 22

No. 2 Georgia (-14.5) at Missouri
Noon, ESPN 

Missouri quarterback Drew Lock has looked special so far this season and with the Tigers being at home I think they can cover the spread in this game.

Bulldogs 34  Tigers 24

No. 8 Notre Dame (-7.5) at Wake Forest
Noon, ABC  

The Demon Deacons are at home, but defensively they have allowed well over 300 yards passing per game. While I realize the Irish have struggled so far, I think they will cover this spread.

Irish 34  Demon Deacons 23

Nebraska at No. 19 Michigan (-18.5)
Noon, FS1 

This would be a great game if this was 20 years ago, but it’s not! I think the Wolverines will run away with this game but will not cover.

Wolverines 34  Cornhuskers 13

No. 23 Boston College (-6.5) at Purdue
Noon, ESPN2  

Purdue is much better than their record indicates and I have big-time questions about the Eagles. Take the Boilermakers at home and the points.

Boilers 31  Eagles 28

No. 22 Texas A&M at No. 1 Alabama (-27)
3:30 p.m., CBS 

Texas A&M will be by far the best opponent that the Tide have faced yet. With that being said, the Tide will still roll, they just won’t cover.

Tide 41 Aggies 20

No. 3 Clemson (-17) at Georgia Tech
3:30 p.m., ABC 

The Yellow Jackets triple option should not worry the Tigers since they have already faced two triple option teams. Take Clemson and give the points.

Tigers 34 Tech 13

Tulane at No. 4 Ohio State (-35.5)
3:30 p.m., Big Ten Network

No need to discuss this game too much. Take the Buckeyes and give the points.

Buckeyes 55  Tulane 10

No. 13 Virginia Tech (-27.5) at Old Dominion
3:30 p.m., CBS Sports Network

Complete and utter mismatch.

Hokies 52 Monarchs 14

Kansas State at No. 12 West Virginia (-16)
3:30 p.m., ESPN

Heisman hopeful Will Grier will lead the Mountaineers at home to a convincing win. Look for the Mountaineers to pull away in the third quarter.

Mountaineers 41  Wildcats 20

FIU at No. 21 Miami (-26.5)
3:30 p.m., ESPN2

Miami, in my opinion, was overrated coming into this season and LSU exposed the Canes. FIU is a decent team but look for the Canes to get the running game going and blow out FIU. FIU will cover, however.

Canes 44 FIU 20

No. 17 TCU (-3) at Texas 
4:30 p.m., FOX

I look for TCU to have an Ohio State hangover early on in this game and Texas will stay with the Frogs the entire game.

Frogs 31  Longhorns 30

Army at No. 5 Oklahoma (-31.5)
7 p.m., PPV

Look for Army’s triple-option offense to cause the Sooners trouble early on. Then look for a second-half rout to cover for the Sooners.

Sooners 48  Army 14

Louisiana Tech at No. 6 LSU (-20.5)
7 p.m., TBD 

Tech is a solid team. I look for LSU to have a let down after last week’s emotional win. LSU will not cover here.

Tigers 30  Tech 13

No. 14 Mississippi State (-10) at Kentucky
7 p.m., ESPN2

This should be one of the better games of the weekend and ten points is too much to give in this one.

Bulldogs 30  Wildcats 24

Texas Tech at No. 15 Oklahoma State (-13)
7 p.m., FS1

Oklahoma State is coming off an impressive win over the Boise State Broncos and I look for them to roll here also.

Cowboys 38  Red Raiders 20

No. 24 Michigan State (-4.5) at Indiana
7:30 p.m., BTN

Are the Hoosiers for real? I think they are and they will prove it this weekend.

Hoosiers 30  Spartans 28

Arkansas at No. 9 Auburn (-29.5)
7:30 p.m., SEC Network

The Razorbacks are about to meet a pissed off group of Tigers and it won’t end well for the Razorbacks.

Tigers 45  Razorbacks 13

No. 7 Stanford (-2) at No. 20 Oregon
8 p.m., ABC

Bryce Love is expected to return for this game and while Oregon is at home, I think Stanford is just the better team.

Cardinal 27  Ducks 21

No. 18 Wisconsin (-3.5) at Iowa
8:30 p.m., FOX

Iowa will host the Badgers in a game that can give them control in the west. I think the defense of the Hawkeyes will get it done.

Hawkeyes 17  Badgers 16

Arizona State at No. 10 Washington (-17.5)
10:30 p.m., ESPN

The Huskies are too strong for the Devils, but the Devils should be strong enough to cover.

Huskies 37  Sun Devils 23