Well, Notre Dame ended up covering last week. By many times over. The rest of the week’s picks from 18 Stripes, let’s just say it wasn’t one to look back on fondly. Hopefully we can get back on track in week 4.
2024 Betting Record
ATS: 13-13-0
SU: 20-6-0
I did say last week was a mental health break! Vegas swooped in and took me for everything. Yes, I went 0-8 against the spread in week 3 in maybe the worst set of picks in my life. Oh well, live and learn. I did go 7-1 straight up for a consolation prize.
The Kansas upset loss to UNLV was the only incorrect pick straight up.
Week 4 Games to Watch
All times are Eastern. Rankings are from the AP Poll.
#24 Illinois [+7.5] at #22 Nebraska
Friday, September 20th, 8:00 PM, Fox
We’ve got a real quality Friday night game here. Both teams have looked pretty good so far giving us a ranked vs. ranked matchup according to the AP Poll. This is a huge game for Nebraska especially who will move into a soft part of their schedule after this and could keep inching their way up the rankings until a visit to Columbus later in the fall. The Corn defending home field feels like the smart bet, but don’t expect a ton of offense.
Nebraska 23
Illinois 19
NC State [+20] at #21 ClemsonÂ
Saturday, September 20th, 12:00 PM, ABC
This was the #37 game to watch for this season in our off-season countdown. With a re-ranking now it wouldn’t make the list as NC State’s offense has been downright putrid and they’ve been ripped to pieces by Tennessee already. Also, Clemson’s offense looked like it rebounded well against Appalachian State and they’ll be well rested coming off a bye week. I don’t love nearly 3 touchdowns here and will take the points, though.
Clemson 29
NC State 13
Florida [-6] at Mississippi State
Saturday, September 20th, 12:00 PM ESPN
Our Sicko’s game of the week. Florida being this big of a favorite, in the SEC, right now seems impossible. Enter, the Bulldogs of Mississippi who were just beaten by 24 points by Toledo. The Jeff Lebby era is off to a rough start! I’m pretty sure if Florida loses this game Billy Napier won’t be the coach anymore. There are already reports that Gator boosters have lined up enough money to pay his buyout. Let’s go with the upset for the chaos.
Mississippi State 23
Florida 21
Georgia Tech [+10.5] at #19 Louisville
Saturday, September 20th, 3:30 PM, ESPN2
Is Louisville good good or just kinda good?
This is an important game for Notre Dame’s dwindling strength of schedule. If Louisville wins we’re going to get a high profile matchup next weekend. If Georgia Tech wins, then maybe the game later in the season will have some meaning. The Cardinals have played a couple creampuffs so far and this will be their first test of 2024. I expect a lot of offense.
Louisville 48
Georgia Tech 41
UCLA [+24] at #16 LSU
Saturday, September 21st, 3:40 PM, ABC
Another game that made my Top 50 games to watch at #41 that wouldn’t make the list today. I probably don’t need to include it this week although LSU messing around against a Bruins team that looks to be on the struggle bus could be high comedy. I can’t quite get there–DeShaun Foster looks like an abysmal hire for UCLA–and will stay conservative.
LSU 44
UCLA 17
#11 USC [-6] at #18 Michigan
Saturday, September 21st, 3:30 PM, CBS
I think this might be the game where people start discussing if USC can win the Big Ten this season. They don’t face Ohio State in the regular season, by the way. You know who isn’t anywhere close to the best in the Big Ten? Michigan, you losers.
USC 35
Michigan 21
#12 Utah [-2] at #14 Oklahoma State
Saturday, September 21st, 4:00 PM, Fox
The battle of the incredibly old quarterbacks. The combined ages of Cam Rising and Alan Bowman is 49 freaking years old! This should be a fun matchup and I wish it was on at night for us in the Eastern time zone. They’ve only faced each other once in series history with this being the first ever meeting in modern times. The winner here should jump into Big 12 favorite spot for the playoff bye.
Oklahoma State 31
Utah 27
#6 Tennessee [-7] at #15 Oklahoma
Saturday, September 21st, 7:30 PM, ABC
Vols have been cooking.
Tennessee all-world quarterback recruit Nico Iamaleava has looked pretty good in his redshirt freshman season but it’s the Vols’ ground game (already over 1,000 yards in 3 games and averaging nearly 7 yards per carry) that is looking sensational. Oklahoma is undefeated, although their offense lacks their usual explosiveness so far in 2024. So it makes sense that the Sooners are home dogs in their first-ever big SEC test. I think it’ll be really close, though.
Tennessee 34
Oklahoma 30
Got their asses.