Week 4 of the college football season is here, and it features three big matchups between ranked teams.
No. 11 Michigan and No. 13 Wisconsin meet at noon in a Big Ten battle at FOX. No. 8 Auburn travels to No. 17 Texas A&M at 3:30 p.m. on CBS, which will be followed by the main even when No. 7 Notre Dame travels to face No. 3 Georgia. Those are among the toughest games to pick in Week 4.
MORE: Week 3 picks, straight up
Here is a look at our picks after Week 3:
Straight up: 60-9, .870 (20-3 last week)
Against the spread: 40-29, .580 (13-10 last week)
Upset picks: 1-2, .333 (1-0 last week)
With that in mind, here is a look at the dates, times, TV and odds (provided courtesy of Sportsbook Review as of 3 p.m. ET Monday, Sept. 9) for every top-25 matchup in Week 4:
Friday, Sept. 20
No. 10 Utah (-3.5) at USC
9 p.m., Fox Sports 1
The Utes have never won at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, but this is their chance to take control of the Pac-12 South and put the Trojans’ season in a tailspin. Utah is 1-2 against the spread as a favorite this season, but the one they covered was fewer than 10 points.
Utah wins 28-23 and COVERS the spread.
Air Force at No. 20 Boise State (-9.5)
9 p.m., ESPN2
The Falcons have taken three of the last five meetings with the Broncos, and Donald Hammond III commanded the offense well in a 30-23 victory against Colorado. Boise State is 1-1 against the spread, and this one feels like a tight Mountain West Conference battle.
Boise State wins 23-17 but FAILS TO COVER the spread.
Saturday, Sept. 21
Southern Mississippi at No. 2 Alabama (-38)
Noon, ESPN2
The Crimson Tide haven’t covered the last two weeks, and it’s another large spread. Part of the reason for that is the pull-up — New Mexico State and South Carolina combined to tie Alabama 13-13 in the fourth quarter. Southern Miss averages 33 per game, but they also give up 30.
Alabama wins 58-14 and COVERS the spread.
No. 4 LSU (-22) at Vanderbilt
Noon, SEC Network
LSU takes its new-look offense on the road in SEC play, and the Commodores had a bye week to prepare. Vandy hasn’t scored more than 10 points in a game against LSU since 1991. The Tigers continue their impressive start, but don’t cover.
LSU wins 40-19 but FAILS TO COVER the spread.
Tennessee at No. 9 Florida (-14)
Noon, ESPN
This used to be the SEC’s marquee matchup in September. Now, it’s about seeing if the Gators will be able to compete with new quarterback Kyle Trask. Tennessee hasn’t won at The Swamp since 2003. This one will be ugly, but the Gators emerge in the second half.
Florida wins 24-12 but FAILS TO COVER the spread.
MORE: Week 4 bowl projections
No. 11 Michigan at No. 13 Wisconsin (-3)
Noon, FOX
Both teams had an extra week to prepare, and the pressure will be on the Wolverines to win a road game against a ranked team. That hasn’t come easy under Jim Harbaugh. Michigan, however, slows down Jonathan Taylor just enough to win a wild win in the fourth quarter.
Michigan wins 29-27 in an UPSET.
No. 23 Cal (-1.5) at Ole Miss
12 p.m., ESPNU
Cal is winning with a defense that hasn’t allowed opponents to reach 20 points in a game this season — and that includes wins against Washington and North Texas. The cross-country gives us some pause, but the Golden Bears’ defense comes through in the end.
Cal wins 27-24 and COVERS the spread.
Miami (Ohio) at No. 6 Ohio State (-38)
3:30 p.m., Big Ten Network
Miami covered as a 25-point underdog at Iowa in Week 1, but Ohio State easily covered the last two weeks and has a defense to match this season. Justin Fields continues his efficient play, and the Buckeyes have their way against a defense that allows 173.7 rushing yards per game.
Ohio State wins 49-13 and FAILS TO COVER the spread.
No. 8 Auburn at No. 17 Texas A&M (-4)
3:30 p.m., CBS
Kellen Mond and Isaiah Spiller have been rolling for the Aggies, but how difficult can the defense make life for Auburn freshman quarterback Bo Nix in his first true road start? This one will be fun in the fourth quarter.
Texas A&M wins 31-24 and COVERS the spread.
No. 15 UCF (-10) at Pitt
3:30 p.m., ABC/ESPN2
The Knights are 3-0 against the spread and churning on offense, and they catch a Pitt team coming off a tough loss against Penn State. The Knights can make their last regular-season statement against a Power 5 school here — and they will.
UCF wins 34-20 and COVERS the spread.
MORE: Week 4 Playoff predictions
No. 22 Washington (-6.5) at BYU
3:30 p.m., ABC/ESPN2
BYU will try to knock off another big-time opponent, and if this one goes into overtime it would be hard not to take the Cougars, given their victories against Tennessee and USC the last two weeks. Washington, however, recalibrated last week and will get the job done on the road.
Washington wins 30-20 and COVERS the spread.
SMU vs. No. 25 TCU (-9.5)
3:30 p.m., FS1
The Mustangs are 3-0, and Shane Buechele has settled in at quarterback. The Horned Frogs are ranked again, and they have won the last seven meetings in the Battle for the Iron Skillet.
TCU wins 33-27 but FAILS TO COVER the spread.
No. 16 Oregon (-8.5) at Stanford
7 p.m., ESPN
Stanford’s season is off the rails, and the Ducks have regrouped with an offense that averages 44.3 points per game around quarterback Justin Herbert. The Cardinal have won the last three meetings, but Oregon breaks that trend.
Oregon wins 34-24 and COVERS the spread.
Old Dominion at No. 21 Virginia (-30)
7 p.m., ESPN2
The Monarchs lost by two touchdowns to Virginia Tech and had an extra week to prepare for the Cavaliers, who are coming off an emotional victory against Florida State. Virginia will control this one, but Old Dominion gets a back-door cover.
Virginia wins 38-14 but FAILS TO COVER the spread.
Charlotte at No. 1 Clemson (-41)
7:30 p.m., ACC Network
The 49ers average 47.3 points per game under new coach Will Healy, and maybe they get a few scores against a Clemson defense that has allowed 14 points or fewer in their three games this season. It really comes down to one or two touchdowns whether the Tigers cover. Look for Clemson to put this one away early.
Clemson wins 59-14 and COVERS the spread.
MORE: 10 questions for Week 4’s top games
Oklahoma State at No. 12 Texas (-7)
7:30 p.m., ABC
Oklahoma State has won the last four meetings, but three have been decided by eight points or fewer. The Cowboys have the nation’s leading rusher and receiver in Chuba Hubbard and Tylan Wallace, respectively. Texas, however, finds a way at home in a thriller behind Sam Ehlinger.
Texas wins 38-34 but FAILS TO COVER the spread.
No. 7 Notre Dame at No. 3 Georgia (-12)
8 p.m., CBS
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It’s a battle of two teams with tremendous offensive lines. This is a chance for Jake Fromm and Ian Book to give their teams a big piece of the College Football Playoff puzzle. Georgia’s running game will wear on the Irish, and Fromm will make the plays in crunch time like he did two years ago in South Bend.
Georgia wins 28-24 but FAILS TO COVER the spread.
Colorado at No. 24 Arizona State (-7)
10 p.m., Pac-12 Network
Arizona State beat Michigan State last year, made the top 25, then lost 28-21 to San Diego State the following week. Look for Herm Edwards to preach that message all week. It should get through — albeit in a nail-biter — against a desperate Colorado team.
Arizona State wins 28-27 but FAILS TO COVER the spread.
UCLA at No. 19 Washington State (-17)
10:30 p.m., ESPN
The Cougars played a close one at Houston, and are 1-2 against the spread with the Bruins coming to town. UCLA has not been consistent under Chip Kelly to make us believe this will be close in the second half.
Washington State wins 42-21 and COVERS the spread.