CFB: Week 4 Slate

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Conference Play is here! After watching Alabama beat up on teams like UL Monroe we finally get to see them have a real test like Vanderbilt. In all seriousness, conference play is the time of year where chaos normally ensues. Let’s dive into the action and pick some winners.

Not sure why, but this play is even more magical because it's App State. Thank you Michigan for creating a monster!

Friday Night Lights:

Virginia vs Syracuse (-9.5)

Syracuse just might be good this year. They are led by Junior QB Garrett Shrader who has the Cuse offense humming. He has thrown 8 touchdowns and no picks and hasn’t had a game of under 30 points thus far. On the flip side Virginia barely scraped by Old Dominion last week and got stomped by Illinois 24-3 two weeks ago. In Virginia’s first real test they were dogwalked and they could only put up 16 points against a non power 5 team last weekend. I expect the Syracuse offense to keep rolling and for Virginia to have a tough time putting points on the board, Give me the Orange. Cuse -9.5.

ELITE college football player AND Bills insider for BlackBook Sports, Carl Jones.

“BIG” Ten:

Wisconsin Vs Ohio State (-19.5)

I’m not sure I should even put this matchup in here, but Wisconsin is traditionally good so I guess this classifies as a big game. Braelon Allen has been an absolute monster for Wisconsin so far, he is averaging 6.4 yards per carry and has 5 rushing touchdowns through three games. Unfortunately Braelon’s squad is going up against the best Quarterback in the country. CJ Stroud has thrown 11 touchdowns and no picks in his first three games and might have the best group of pass catchers in college football at his disposal. This isn’t a very good matchup for Wisconsin, they are a running team going up against a rush defense that is allowing under 100 rush yards per game early on. The spread is large but I think Ohio State cruises against the Badgers in their conference opener. THE Ohio State -19.5.

Big 12 Battles

Baylor Vs Iowa State (-2.5)

The last time Iowa St played a real team, they had a barn burner against Iowa which they lost 10-7. This week they get a tough home Matchup against the 2-1 Baylor Bears. Both of these teams should feel like Big 12 contenders and this game provides a chance for both sides to make a statement. Baylor’s rushing attack has been dominant through three games. They are gaining 234 yards per game on the ground this season. Iowa State wins with their defense and passing attack. Xavier Hucthinson has been a standout at Wide Receiver and will be a nightmare for the Baylor secondary to deal with. This game is truly a coin flip and should be one of the best in week 4. I’ll go with Baylor here, I think Dave Aranda will have his guys ready to go into Ames and get a hard earned W. Baylor ML.

Texas(-7.0) Vs Texas Tech

The Longhorns are headed to Lubbock this week to play the Red Raiders. While there’s no Colt Mccoy and Michael Crabtree in this one, a ranked Texas squad is also on upset alert this year. Tech has beaten Houston, and hung tough with NC State last Saturday. Bijan Robinson is running all over everybody with 311 yards and 5 touchdowns in 3 games. Slowing him down and making Hudson Card throw will be key to Texas Tech getting a huge win in front of their home crowd. Their Rush Defense should be up to the test, they’ve only allowed 82 rush yars per game so far, while playing good competition. While I don’t think they’ll have enough offensively to win, I do like Tech to cover. Red Raiders +7.

The only photo ever worth associating with this matchup. Damn, Crab was a beast.

THE PAC IS BACK!

Oregon (-6.5) Vs Washington ST

This is a disgusting game and I hate both of these institutions with a passion. That being said, they both have good football squads this year. Bo Nix proved me wrong and dominated BYU last weekend. Oregon seems to be rounding into form after being utterly embarrassed by Georgia’s junior NFL team week 1. The Wazzu defense has been great giving up a shade under 13 points a game in their first three. Oregon’s offense has rebounded nicely and they are now gaining 452 yards per game. That is good, but I still don’t believe in Bo Nix, he wasn’t good at Auburn, he looked awful against Georgia and I know the real Bo Nix will show himself again this season. I’m betting it’s this week, I’ll ride with the Cougs. Wazzu +6.5, sprinkle ML.

USC (-6.0) Vs Oregon St:

At first glance I was going to be all over Oregon State. This seems like the classic trap game where USC either sweats it out or loses in Corvallis after being hyped for three straight weeks.Then I saw all of you rats (I’m a rat too) betting on Oregon State and I’ve completely flipped. Both of these offenses have been electric. USC is scoring 50 points per game and Oregon St is averaging 45.7. The total is 70.5 for this one and that may not be high enough. I’m looking forward to Caleb Williams and Chance Nolan getting into a shootout and giving the people their first Pac 12 after dark of the season. The Oregon St spread has been bet more than any single side in week 3 of the NFL. Don’t fall for the rat trap. Trojans -6.

Don't be a rat. Be a man.

Games of the Week:

Clemson (-7) Vs Wake Forest

This matchup is absolutely massive for Clemson’s playoff chances. They only have three currently ranked teams on their schedule so this game provides a chance to make a statement that last year was simply a fluke. Wake Forest’s offense has lived up to expectations during this young season. Sam Hartman has been tearing it up so far with 7 passing touchdowns through 3 games. Both squads are averaging over 40 points a game albeit playing weaker schools. Clemson has an insane amount of talent all over the field, but I still have not been impressed with D.J. Uiagalelei despite solid numbers in his first three games. I think this will be tight throughout, mostly because D.J. holds back this Clemson offense and football team. Wake Forest +7.

Arkansas Vs Texas A&M (-2.0)

I could not have been more wrong about Texas A&M last weekend. They showed why the SEC still reigns supreme, dominating the Miami Offense. Now they face an even tougher test with Arkansas coming into College Station. Arkansas is one of my personal favorite teams to watch this year. The duo of KJ Jefferson at QB and Raheim Sanders at running back is probably the most electric in the nation. KJ has accounted for 939 total yards through three games and Raheim Sanders is averaging 155 rush yards per game himself. The A&M defense is loaded and will make it tough on any offense, but I question if they’ll be able to hold up throughout the course of 4 quarters against an Arkansas offense that figures to be on the field a lot more than A&M’s. I understand respecting the home team, but I’m pretty excited to get Arkansas as a dog here. Woo Pig Sooie, Arkansas +2 and ML.

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