Week 4 has the best slate of games so far. Take your pick – Alabama vs. Arkansas, Texas A&M vs. Oklahoma State, West Virginia vs. LSU, Oklahoma vs. Missouri, and even Michigan vs. San Diego State, with Brady Hoke facing his old team (if you haven’t heard). Make sure you grab Maddux Sports premium college football picks package to get the winning plays for the day.
Betting throughout the week has moved most of the spreads off the opening numbers. Navigate to Maddux Sports college football betting lines page to see the opening numbers, as well as where top sportsbooks are currently listing the games. Here’s a brief sampling of some of the bigger games.
Ohio State (- 16 ½) vs. Colorado – The Ohio State Buckeyes and all of their turmoil welcome the Colorado Buffalos to the Horseshoe this Saturday. OSU opened as 15 ½ point favorites, but that’s sitting at 16 ½ at most sites. Neither team has been impressive through three weeks of the season. The Buckeyes clearly have quarterback issues. The defense should play better at home, and also not having to deal with Miami-style speed will help. The Buffies can compete if they don’t turn the ball over and force OSU’s young quarterback to make plays.
Alabama (-11) vs. Arkansas – In my opinion, the best game of the day will take place in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The Tide opened as 14 point favorites against a talented Arkansas squad, but that was bet down to 11 a couple days ago, which is what books are still posting. Alabama’s defense and Arkansas’ offense get the press, but I think Alabama’s offense vs. Arkansas’ defense will decide the spread.
LSU (-5 ½) at West Virginia – The top nonconference game has to be LSU and their suffocating defense traveling to Morgantown to battle Dana Holgorsen’s much-ballyhooed offense. The Tigers opened as 6 point favorites, and while the line has wavered a half point each way, it hasn’t moved much. Most books are currently posting 5 ½. The Big East gets a chance to knock off the mighty SEC. We shall see.
Michigan (10 ½) vs. San Diego State – The Wolverines opened as 7 ½ point home favorites against the Aztecs of San Diego State, but sharps bet that up to 10 ½ early in the week, which is where the line stands. With two great offenses (especially a few special offensive players) and two uninspiring defenses, points might come in bunches. Of course, Brady Hoke against his former team has dominated the discussion and will continue to do so.
Notre Dame (-7) at Pittsburgh – The Irish are coming off a feel-good butt-kicking of Michigan State, while Pittsburgh is hoping to avoid a hangover from last week’s meltdown at Iowa. Notre Dame opened at -5 ½, but that’s been bet up to 7 at most sites. This game should be telling for the outlook of each team’s season.
Texas A&M (4 ½) vs. Oklahoma State – Arguably the best game of the day is a Big 12 clash between the conference’s second and third best teams. The question is, which team is which spot? A&M opened as 3 point favorites, but that has crawled up to 4 ½. The Aggies are a physical team that should really test the Okie State front seven. For the Cowboys to win, Brandon Weeden to Justin Blackmon has to happen over and over again.
Oklahoma (-19 ½) vs. Missouri – The Oklahoma Sooners hope to avoid a letdown this week after beating FSU in a much-anticipated nonconference game. Oklahoma started as 20 ½ point favorites against Mizzou, but that’s reversed back to 19 ½. This is a revenge game for the Sooners, who lost last year in Columbia. Missouri isn’t a bad team, and if the Sooners come out flat they could have trouble. But Mizzou (for whatever reason) has given Oklahoma bulletin board material, which might be Bob Stoop’s best friend in the whole world. The guy loves motivating his players with opponents’ disrespect.
