NCAAF Week 4 Preview

By Owen Pannell | KZA Sports

Week 4 is a good one, they got College Gameday wrong for sure, but it’s still going to be lit. Here is your week 4 preview:

Biggest Games

1. Illinois at Indiana (-6.5) - 7:30 pm ET

This is a huge Big Ten conference game, whoever wins this is a clear contender for the conference. Illinois will have a challenge going to Bloomington where the Hoosiers are favored by a touchdown, but they are a good experienced team, and they will make it a great game.

2. Texas Tech at Utah (-3.5) - 12:00 pm ET

Another very important conference game, these 2 are among the top Big 12 teams. Whoever wins will be the favorite in my opinion, but going into SLC is never easy. I love this Red Raider team, but it’ll be a close call.

3. Auburn at Oklahoma (-7.5) - 3:30 pm ET

Both teams are looking to start off 4-0 and 1-0 in conference play. The Sooners have looked elite so far, but the Tigers have been pretty dang good as well. It'll be a good one in Norman.

4. Florida at Miami (-9.5) - 7:30 pm ET

I don’t see how Gameday chose this game when I just named 3 games clearly better, but this is always a fun one. Florida looks very shaky, and Miami has been great. Anything could happen, but I see this game going a certain way.

5. Michigan (-1.5) at Nebraska - 3:30 pm ET

Both teams need this win in my opinion. The Wolverines have a slight edge on paper, but Lincoln will be rocking. Bryce Underwood vs Dylan Raiola will be very intriguing, both young QBs who got thrown into the fire right away. 

Upset Alert

1. Tulane at Ole Miss (-13.5) - 3:30 pm ET

Ole Miss is coming off 2 tough SEC games, and this Tulane team could definitely catch them off guard. If Austin Simmons doesn’t play again, this could certainly be an upset, and I might pick it that way.

2. Michigan State at USC (-18.5) - 11:00 pm ET

The Trojans might come into this game thinking they got the win, but that is very dangerous. They didn’t look amazing vs Purdue last weekend, and Michigan State is a better team than the Boilers. I don’t know if it will happen, but there’s definitely a shot.

3. Washington (-20.5) at Washington State - 7:30 pm ET

This is the least likely out of the 3 in my opinion, but going on the road in this rivalry could be trouble. The Huskies far outmatch the Cougs, but I wouldn’t be shocked if this happened.

Biggest Storylines

- Who is the top team in the Big 12?

This conference could go in so many ways, but I think after this week we’ll have a solid idea of who is at the top. Texas Tech-Utah, ASU-Baylor, and SUM-TCU will all give us great info on top teams.

- Heisman?

The Heisman race is very interesting so far, and with a bunch of the contenders in solid games, it’ll be cool to see how it changes.

- Who is the top G6 team?

Tulane, South Florida, Memphis, and UNLV are leading this group in my opinion, and with 2 of those teams in big games, a clear frontrunner could emerge after this week.

Players to watch

- Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza

Against a good Fighting Illini defense, Mendoza needs to continue to be good to win this game. If he plays poorly, I don’t see a probable outcome where the Hoosiers win.

- Utah DE John Henry Daley

Daley has been ELITE so far for the Utes, and against a great Red Raider offense he needs to be a disrupter. He already has 5 sacks on the year, and he needs to get a couple more in this game.

- Auburn RB Jeremiah Cobb

Oklahoma’s defensive line is no joke, and for a team that relies heavily on the run game, Jeremiah Cobb is going to need to have a great game.

- Michigan QB Bryce Underwood

In his 2nd road start, we need to see a lot of improvement from Underwood. It will be tough, but I think he can have a good game.

Friday Night Football

- Tulsa at Oklahoma State (-11.5) - 7:30 pm ET

Tulsa has a real shot to win this and become the middle child in Oklahoma. OSU needs this win, not only for their win total but losing this game to who is supposed to be the worst team in the state would be detrimental.

- Iowa (-2.5) at Rutgers - 8:00 pm ET

Rutgers could get a very solid win at home to become 4-0, but the Hawks need this win badly. Mark Gronowski has been mid at best, so if he comes out with a good performance that would be huge.

Game Predictions

- Tulsa at Oklahoma State (-11.5): Tulsa

I honestly think that Oklahoma State is so bad, that they can lose to this Tulsa team who isn’t terrible.

- Iowa (-2.5) at Rutgers: Rutgers

In a defensive battle, I think Rutgers gets a good home win on Friday night.

- Auburn at Oklahoma (-7.5): Oklahoma

Auburn is just outmatched by the Sooners, OU will cover here.

- Texas Tech at Utah (-3.5): Texas Tech

In a very tight game, Texas Tech will pull out  massive win.

- Arkansas (-7.5) at Memphis: Arkansas

As much as I like Memphis, they aren’t on the same level as this SEC team.

- Syracuse at Clemson (-16.5): Clemson

The Tigers need a huge game here, I don’t think they cover but they will get the win.

- SMU at TCU (-6.5): TCU

In a rivalry game, the Horned Frogs will come out on top. I predict a shootout.

- Tulane at Ole Miss (-13.5): Ole Miss

The Rebels will come into this beat up and overlooking the GReen Wave. That’s a mistake. I think Ole Miss will win, but on the back of a 4th quarter comeback.

- Michigan (-1.5) at Nebraska: Michigan

This’ll be a great game, but the Wolverines are just a bit better than the Huskers.

- UNC at UCF (-7.5): UNC

The Tar Heels need this win badly, and I think Belichick will have them ready.

- NC State at Duke (-2.5): Duke

As disappointing as they’ve been, I still think Duke is good enough to get this solid win.

- West Virginia at Kansas (-12.5): Kansas

This spread is pretty big, but the Jayhawks will still win, and not cover.

- South Carolina at Missouri (-9.5): South Carolina

The Gamecocks will bounce back big after a very disappointing loss to Vandy, over an overrated Missouri team.

- Florida at Miami (-9.5): Miami

Florida is not a good team, and Miami is. It’s that simple.

- Illinois at Indiana (-6.5): Illinois

I like this Illinois team a lot, and I think they’re good enough to get this great road win.

- Washington (-20.5) at Washington State: Washington

The Huskies will win this if they don’t absolutely give it away.

- Arizona State at Baylor (-2.5): Arizona State

Baylor has looked very good, but the Sun Devils are very talented and I’ve got them in a close one.

- Michigan State at USC (-18.5): Michigan State

The Spartans will pull off a huge ranked win, great for the program. USC won’t be as prepared as they should be.

- Maryland at Wisconsin (-9.5): Wisconsin

I don’t think the Badgers will cover, but I do think they get this.

- UNLV (-2.5) at Miami Ohio: UNLV

Trying to make a playoff birth, UNLV can’t lose this.

- North Texas (-1.5) at Army: North Texas

The Mean Green looked great last week vs Wazzu, and I think it carries over.

- Purdue at Notre Dame (-24.5): Notre Dame

I’ve got the Irish getting their first win of the season over the Boilermakers. A tougher game than the spread says though.

- BYU (-6.5) at East Carolina: BYU

BYU should definitely win this, but an upset is a possibility.

- Oregon State at Oregon (-34.5): Oregon

35 is a lot of points, I don’t know about a cover. The Ducks will win though.

- Troy at Buffalo (-6.5): Troy

Following a tough loss, Troy will get a nice bounce back win over Buffalo.

Every week I’ll pick 25 games and keep track of my record, as well as my score in the #KZACFBpicks challenge. If you want to play along, all you have to do is pick 25 games each week (you can use mine or choose your own), post them on X/Twitter with #KZACFBpicks, and the weekly winner gets a cash prize! The scoring system is at the bottom of this article.

KZACFBpicks scoring system:

-35+ = 0.5 points

-21.5-34.5 = 1 point

-15.5-21 = 1.5 points

-11-15 = 2 points

-7-10.5 = 2.5 points

-3.5-6.5 = 3 points

-0.5-3 = 3.5 points

+0.5-3 = 4.5 points

+3.5-6.5 = 5 points

+7-10.5 = 5.5 points

+11-15 = 6 points

+15.5-21 = 6.5 points

+21.5-34.5 = 7.5 points

+35+ = 10 points

You can find Owen Pannell on X here.

Shop our collegiate apparel here.