2024 College Football Week 4 Odds and Predictions

Unlike Week 2 of the 2024 college football season, Week 3 was a bit more stable. All of the top ten teams in the country that played on Saturday were winners. Luckily, Georgia was able to fend off the upset bid by Kentucky, beating the Wildcats 13-12. The Bulldogs got a fourth quarter touchdown from Branson Robinson to go up 13-9 and then held on for the win. Coupled with the Texas Longhorns big win over UTSA, Georgia dropped to No. 2 in the latest AP poll. The Longhorns are now No. 1.

As we head into Week 4 of the college football season, we begin to see more conference matchups. There are some big ones this weekend. We have four matchups of ranked opponents on Saturday. All four games are conference games. It all starts with a Friday night matchup of newly ranked Illinois (No. 24) and Nebraska (No. 22). A second Big Ten showdown featuring ranked teams takes place on Saturday at the Big House. No. 18 Michigan hosts No. 11 USC.

No. 12 Utah plays at No. 14 Oklahoma State on Saturday afternoon. At night, we get the first big SEC matchup of the season when No. 6 Tennessee travels to Norman to face No. 15 Oklahoma. The Scores & Stats college football experts have been waiting for this weekend. Once again, we will provide you with in-depth analysis and unique insight on this week’s key matchups. We will continue to do so all the way through the 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship.

College Football Week 4 Odds

Keep an eye on the latest College Football Odds and monitor how the lines change throughout the week.

Week 4 will provide college football fans and bettors with some clarification on a number of teams. Is USC for real? The Trojans got a huge win over LSU in their season opener and then blew out Utah State 48-0 in Week 2. After a bye week, head coach Lincoln Riley’s team encounters its first Big Ten opponent – Michigan.

We may also get some answers about the Wolverines. The defense is still for real, but can the Wolverines move the football and score points on offense? Quarterback Davis Warren threw three picks last week against Arkansas State. He now has six on the season.

The first big SEC battle of the season takes place on Saturday night. The Tennessee offense has been reminiscent of the one Hendon Hooker guided to 525.5 total yards and 46.1 points per game in 2022. Both numbers led the nation. Through three games in 2024, the Volunteers lead the nation in scoring once again with a ridiculous 63.7 points per game. They are only No. 2 in total offense, averaging 639.3 yards of offense per game. Ole Miss is No. 1 at 692.0 yards a game.

There are still a handful of non-conference games in Week 4. Kent State finds itself a 49-point underdog to No. 10 Penn State. That’s one week after the Golden Flashes got drilled 71-0 by Tennessee as a 49.5-point underdog. If you like big numbers, No. 1 Texas is a 44.5-point favorite over UL-Monroe and Ohio State is a 39.5-point chalk against Marshall.

College Football Week 4 Schedule

With over 65 College Football games scheduled for Week 4, the following is a list of the featured games of the week:

College Football Week 4 Predictions

Let’s take a look at the featured College Football Week 4 games and make our spread, total, and moneyline NCAAF picks for each game.

Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers Odds

These two programs have struggled through some lean years recently. Now, both find themselves ranked in the AP Top 25. Illinois has won three of the past four meetings, but Nebraska owns the lifetime series – 14-6-1. Both teams will focus on trying to run the football. What’s interesting is that over the last eight seasons, the team that has held the advantage in rushing yards has won the game.

Illinois has been a solid road team under head coach Bret Bielema. The Illini are 11-3 ATS in their last 14 road games. They are also 4-1 ATS in the last five against Nebraska. The Cornhuskers are 4-2 SU in the last six against Illinois at home. Both teams rely on very good defenses. That is reflected in their records in game totals.

All six games played by these two teams so far this season have gone Under the total. Nebraska has seen the Under cash in five of their last six games overall, each of their last five home games, and in six of the last nine against Illinois. The Under has cashed in four of Illinois’ last five games.

Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers Predictions

In his second season in Lincoln, head coach Matt Rhule’s program is starting to come together. Freshman QB Dylan Raiola is the real deal so far. He’s completed 73.8 percent of his passes and the Cornhuskers have established that they can run the football.

Illinois RB Kaden Feagin is a 6-3, 250-pound load. Bielema will waste no time trying to establish Feagin and the running game on Friday night. QB Luke Altmeyer is completing nearly 65 percent of his passes and he has yet to throw an interception.

It’s a recipe that works for both teams. Run the football. Don’t make mistakes on offense and play great defense. Illinois has allowed just 26 points in three games. Nebraska’s defense has been even better, allowing just 20. We should see a low-scoring, run-heavy battle. The Cornhuskers get the home field advantage, but covering a touchdown-plus will be difficult against a team like Illinois.

Bet: Nebraska -315, Illinois +8.5 (-115), Under 43.5 (-110)

USC Trojans vs. Michigan Wolverines Odds

It’s the first meeting between USC and Michigan as Big Ten opponents. Saturday’s game brings back some memories of year’s past when the Wolverines and Trojans played each other in the Rose Bowl. From 1970 to 2007, the two teams met in seven Rose Bowls. USC won six of them. The Rose Bowl at the end of the 2006 season was the last time these two college football powers met.

This season, USC is off to a 2-0 SU and ATS start. The Trojans are now 4-1 ATS in their last five games. They have won 10 of their last 15 overall. USC has not been strong against the number when playing Big Ten opponents. In their last eight games against the Big Ten, USC is 0-8 ATS.

Michigan has failed to cover in each of its first three games. The Wolverines are 17-1 SU in their last 18 games after last week’s 28-18 win over Arkansas State. Michigan is 19-1 SU in its last 20 at home. The loss, of course, came to No. 1 Texas in Week 2. The Wolverines have won 20 straight Big Ten conference home games.

USC Trojans vs. Michigan Wolverines Predictions

The USC offense has been outstanding. They rank in the Top 20 in both total offense (497.5 yards per game) and points (37.5 points per game). QB Miller Moss is completing 72.7 percent of his passes for over 300 yards per game. Moss has yet to throw an interception. It’s no secret that the Trojans’ Air Raid offense lives and dies by the pass. USC ranks in the Top 20 in pass offense (336 yards per game) as well.

Moss gives the Trojans a distinct advantage at the quarterback position. Davis Warren threw three interceptions last week against Arkansas State. He now has six on the season. The Wolverines have to be able to run the ball to have success on offense. That may be easier said than done. USC’s defense was awful last season, but the Trojans have played much better in their first two games this season. Alex Orji will start at quarterback this week.

Moss and USC have not seen a defense like this. Texas was able to have success against the Wolverines because Michigan turned the ball over three times. The Maize and Blue will have to avoid those turnovers this week. Michigan did turn the ball over three times last week too, but Arkansas State was not able to take advantage like the Longhorns did. USC may find a way to win, because they are the better offensive football team, but it’s going to be a close one.

Bet: ML Michigan +184, Michigan +5.5 (-115), Over 45.5 (-110)

Utah Utes vs. Oklahoma State Cowboys Odds

Utah QB Cam Rising hurt his hand after running into a water cooler during Utah’s Week 2 win over Baylor. Rising did not play last week, but is expected to play on Saturday against Oklahoma State. With that news, expect a potential line move in favor of the Utes, who failed to cover the spread in their last two games. Utah is now just 1-5 ATS in its last six games overall.

The Utes are 4-1 SU in their last five and they have typically done well early in seasons. Utah is 8-1 SU in their last nine games played in the month of September. The Utes have also won five of their last six games against Big 12 opponents.

Oklahoma State is off to a 3-0 SU start (2-1 ATS) which makes the Cowboys 6-1 SU in their last seven games. Oklahoma State has won each of its last seven home games and, like Utah, the Cowboys do very well early in a season. Head coach Mike Gundy’s team is 14-2 SU in its last 16 games played in September. The Cowboys are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 games.

This will be the first meeting ever between these two schools. That is, unless you count the 1945 matchup when Oklahoma State was known as Oklahoma A&M. The Aggies of Oklahoma A&M beat Utah 46-6 and would finish that season 9-0 with a win in the Sugar Bowl.

Utah Utes vs. Oklahoma State Cowboys Predictions

The status of Rising looms large in this one. The seventh-year quarterback did not play against Utah State last week. Isaac Wilson, the younger brother of former BYU star and NFL first-round draft pick Zach, got the start last week for the Utes and performed admirably. He went 20-for-33 for 239 yards and three touchdowns, leading Utah to a 38-21 victory.

With Rising expected to be in the lineup, the Utah mindset will be different. Rising is a leader and his teammates feed off of him. Without Rising, going on the road to a hostile environment in Stillwater would have been very difficult. With him, the Utes will be right in this one. Utah’s ground game will pick on the Oklahoma State defense. So will Rising. The Cowboys rank dead last in the country against the pass and 102nd against the run. The success of Utah’s running game will allow the Utes to keep the ball away from OSU and RB Ollie Gordon.

Gordon was the leading rusher in the nation last year. He’s only averaging 3.5 yards per carry this season and he has 216 yards in the Cowboys’ three games. Oklahoma State plays well at home, but they might not be able to hang with Utah. In a low-scoring tight battle, the better defense and running game comes out on top.

Bet: Utah -118, Utah -1.5 (-110), Under 52.5 (-110)

Tennessee Volunteers vs. Oklahoma Sooners Odds

If you haven’t seen Tennessee’s offense, you’re going to want to see it. The Vols lead the nation in scoring, averaging over 63 points per game. Can they score 63 on the Sooners? It’s not likely against a Sooners defense that is among the best in the country. Under head coach Brent Venables, the Sooners have been outstanding defensively. That’s why they are 6-1 SU and 4-3 ATS in their last seven games.

The Sooners and Volunteers have only played each other four times in the history of college football. Oklahoma has won three of those, including the two most recent meetings in 2014 and 2015. The Sooners covered the spread in both of those games as well.

Tennessee has won its last five games overall and the Vols are 4-1 ATS in those games. Tennessee has struggled against the number on the road, going 2-5 ATS in the last five away games. One of the more profitable trends in college football involves Tennessee and the first half point spread. Josh Heupel coached teams are now 43-17-2 ATS in the first half after leading 65-0 at the half last week against Kent State. Scores & Stats experts will be monitoring this week’s Tennessee-Oklahoma first half spread. Heupel-coached teams cover the first half spread over 75 percent of the time when playing on the road.

Tennessee Volunteers vs. Oklahoma Sooners Predictions

Nico Iamaleava is the real deal for Tennessee. He has completed 71.6 percent of his passes so far this season and has six touchdowns. The Vols offense is up-tempo and it’s exciting. What Tennessee has not seen yet is a defense like Oklahoma. The Sooners are allowing just 11.3 points per game and allow opponents to complete just 59.3 percent of their passes. Tennessee will have to face some adversity on Saturday night unlike any they have faced this season.

The question for the Sooners is whether or not they can score. Oklahoma is by no means an offensive juggernaut. They managed just 16 points against Houston and they rank just 93rd in total offense so far this season. If the Sooners give up some points, can they keep up with Tennessee? Oklahoma just doesn’t have the playmakers that Tennessee does.

Oklahoma does have the home field advantage, but what many may not realize is that Tennessee is a pretty good defensive football in its own right. The Vols actually rank No. 1 in the country in total defense allowing just 127.5 yards of offense per game. While the opponents haven’t been great, the Vols have limited their three foes to just 5.0 points per game. That ranks third in the nation. In the end, Tennessee is simply the better team. Oklahoma’s only chance is to slow the game down by running the football. The Vols rank No. 6 (46.0 yards per game) in rushing defense.

Bet: ML pass, Tennessee -7.5 (-104), Over 58.5 (-110)

Kansas State Wildcats vs. BYU Cougars Odds

Both BYU and Kansas State are off to strong starts in the 2024 college football season. The Wildcats let everyone know they are for real with last Friday night’s 31-7 win over previously 20th-ranked Arizona. BYU was a 34-14 winner over Wyoming. Both teams are now 3-0 SU and BYU is 3-0 ATS. K-State has only covered once so far this season and that was in last week’s win over Arizona.

Playing at LaVell Edwards Stadium at night is something opponents should take very cautiously. The Cougars are pretty good in games that start at 6:00 p.m. or later at home. Since 2021, BYU is 26-3 SU in home games at night. The home crowd will be jacked since the Cougars are playing a Big 12 ranked opponent. BYU Is 16-2 SU in its last 18 games played in the month of September.

Kansas State is now 6-1 SU in its last seven games. They are just 3-4 ATS in those seven games, but they have had success against the spread in conference games. Kansas State is 9-3 ATS in its last 12 games against Big 12 opposition.

Kansas State Wildcats vs. BYU Cougars Predictions

Kansas State is coming off a huge primetime win over Arizona last week. The Wildcats had the luxury of playing at home in that one. In their road game at Tulane, head coach Chris Klieman’s team struggled. In a hostile environment at night in Provo, KSU is going to have its hands full with the Cougars.

BYU went 5-7 this season and before the 2024 college football campaign kicked off, the Cougars win total was set at 4.5. It looks like they will hit that. Can they do it on Saturday night? Absolutely and they can do it with defense. Both of these teams are very strong on defense. BYU has given up 14 points per game and KSU has allowed 13.3.

The Cougars held a pretty prolific SMU offense to 15 points in Week 2. Kansas State shut down one of the best wide receivers in the country – Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan – last week and held Arizona to just seven points. With BYU’s history of success in home night games, it’s definitely worth a shot on the moneyline. The Cougars should keep this one close too.

Bet: BYU +215, BYU +7.5 (-120), Under 47.5

NC State Wolfpack vs. Clemson Tigers Odds

It’s an ACC matchup at Clemson as the Tigers host the Wolfpack on Saturday in Week 3 of the college football season. NC State enters this game 2-1 while Clemson is 1-1. Each has an ugly loss early in 2024. Clemson, of course, got trounced by then-No. 1 Georgia, 34-3, in the season opener. The Wolfpack wound up on the wrong end of a 51-10 loss to No. 6 Tennessee.

NC State won last year’s meeting between the two ACC rivals and the Wolfpack has actually won two of the last three games against the Tigers. Prior to the past three seasons, Clemson had won eight straight against NC State, winning all eight games by at least seven points.

Clemson is now 6-1 SU and 5-2 ATS in its last seven games. The Tigers are 5-0 SU in their last five games at Frank Howard Memorial Stadium, affectionately known as “Death Valley.” Clemson has beaten NC State each of the last nine times the Wolfpack have visited.

NC State is 7-2 SU in its last nine games, but the Wolfpack have had some trouble against the number recently. Over their last five games, head coach Dave Doeren’s team is 1-4 ATS. The Wolfpack has covered in their last five straight ACC games, but they are just 3-16 SU in the last 19 games against Clemson.

NC State Wolfpack vs. Clemson Tigers Predictions

The big news in this matchup is the injury to NC State starting quarterback Grayson McCall. McCall, who had great success at Coastal Carolina and then transferred to NC State for his final season, has an undisclosed injury, but he will not start this Saturday. That means true freshman CJ Bailey will start for the Wolfpack.

Bailey went 13-for-20 for 156 yards in last week’s win over Louisiana Tech. Bailey had a rushing touchdown. The Clemson defense is for real and will likely serve up several blitzes for Bailey to take away any confidence he may have. It won’t be anything like playing against Louisiana Tech. Clemson also had a week off to prepare for this game. Since 2015, Clemson is 16-3 SU (84.2%) in games where they own a rest advantage. The Tigers will be too much for NC State and its backup quarterback this week.

Bet: ML pass, Clemson -19.5 (-115), Under 48.5

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets vs. Louisville Cardinals Odds

Georgia Tech was flying under the radar until the Yellow Jackets pulled off the upset of Florida State in their season opener in Dublin, Ireland. Since that opener, Georgia Tech has an ACC loss to Syracuse and two relatively easy wins over Georgia State and VMI. Louisville is now ranked No. 19 and is one team that we just don’t hear enough about.

The Cardinals are 13-4 SU in their last 17 games. They have also won 13 of the last 14 at home and eight of their last 10 conference games. Louisville beat Georgia Tech last year 39-34 but did not cover the 7-point spread. The two ACC opponents have only played each other three times with Georgia Tech owning a 2-1 SU advantage. The Yellow Jackets have covered in all three games.

Georgia Tech is 4-1 SU in its last five games and they are 6-1 ATS in their last seven. The Yellow Jackets have played well on the road and in ACC games. Georgia Tech is 6-3 ATS in their last nine road games and 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games in conference play.

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets vs. Louisville Cardinals Predictions

Louisville entered the 2024 season coming off a 10-4 mark last year. The Cardinals actually lost their last three games of the season in 2023 – a 38-31 loss to in-state rival Kentucky in the season finale, a 16-6 loss to Florida State in the ACC championship game, and a 42-28 loss to USC with a skeleton roster in the Holiday Bowl.

Head coach Jeff Brohm got former Texas Tech QB Tyler Shough to step in and run the offense. He’s done well so far, completing over 68 percent of his passes for 581 yards and six touchdowns. Shough has not thrown an interception yet this season.

The Louisville defense has only given up 14 points, but the Cardinals haven’t faced an opponent like Georgia Tech yet this season. The Yellow Jackets will challenge Louisville. QB Haynes King completes over 76 percent of his passes and the running game is solid. Georgia Tech will have to have some success on the ground in order to compete with Louisville.

The Cardinals defense will continue to have success. Louisville had six returning starters from last year’s team and the Cards are off to a strong start this season. Playing at home gives Louisville an edge, though Georgia Tech should be able to keep this one close, just as they did a year ago.

Bet: ML pass, Georgia Tech +10.5 (-105), Over 57.5 (-110)

Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers Odds

If you like old-school football where two teams grind it out and try to out-physical the other, you’re in luck this Saturday. Iowa and Minnesota battle for the annual Floyd of Rosedale trophy. The Golden Gophers grabbed the trophy last year with a days-of-yore-esque 12-10 victory. Iowa had won the previous eight.

Minnesota lost its season opener to North Carolina when the Gophers missed a field goal on the game’s final play. Head coach PJ Fleck’s team is 2-1 after shutout wins over Rhode Island and Nevada. Iowa lost to in-state rival Iowa State in Week 2 then rebounded with a 38-21 win over Troy last week.

The Hawkeyes are 13-5 SU in their last 18 games and 8-1 SU in the last nine against Minnesota. Iowa is only 1-4 ATS in its last five games, but has covered seven of the last eight against the Golden Gophers. Minnesota is 2-0-1 ATS so far this season. The Gophers are 1-4 ATS in their last five Big Ten games and 1-5 ATS in their last six at home against Iowa.

Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers Predictions

Both of these teams are going to dig in, run the football, and play defense. It should be a slower-paced game, but there will be some opportunities for some shots. Fleck is not afraid to take his. Kirk Ferentz, on the other hand, likes to play football the old-school way. It has worked and continues to, though the Hawkeyes offense has scored 29.5 points per game so far this season.

Iowa has owned this series, but Minnesota won last year and is now at home on Saturday. In ten of their last 14 home games, the Under has cashed a winning ticket. Look for the Gophers to play some solid defense again against Iowa. Minnesota has only allowed 74.3 rushing yards per game. Last year, they held Iowa to 11 rushing yards. If they do that again, look out.

The Hawkeyes defense is equally as strong. Minnesota is not a dynamic offense and Fleck likes to establish the run. Iowa has the advantage at quarterback with veteran Cade McNamara back after an injury forced him to miss most of last season. Playing at home gives the Gophers somewhat of an advantage. In the end, this game is essentially a pick ‘em. The last three have been decided by 2, 3, and 5 points. Roll with the home team.

Bet: Minnesota +112, Minnesota +2.5 (-110), Under 36.5

Best Bets for College Football Week 4

The Scores & Stats college football wizards had to sort through a myriad of games to come up with our best bets for Week 4. Here is what our experts came up with for Week 4.

• Rutgers +3.5 vs. Virginia Tech
• Tennessee (1Q) -3.5 vs. Oklahoma

There are some metrics called “Havoc” and “Havoc Allowed” that our Scores & Stats experts take into account when analyzing games. Rutgers is actually the No. 1 team in the nation in Havoc Allowed, which essentially means that the Scarlet Knights avoid the things that kill an offense – interceptions, fumbles, etc.

Rutgers also has a head coach who excels when given some extra time to prepare for an opponent. Rutgers (2-0) was off last week and with at least 10 days off between games, Schiano-coached teams are 17-8-1 ATS

Our experts are coming back to Tennessee, which has a strong history of covering first-half spreads. It’s actually head coach Josh Heupel who has the history. He spent three years at UCF before coming to Tennessee. After last week’s 71-0 shellacking of Kent State, Heupel-coached teams are now 43-17-2 ATS in the first half.

Both of our best bets are offering -110 odds right now. We can wager $110 on each and win $200 ($100 on each bet) if we are correct. We can also pair these bets together in a college football parlay and get +264 odds. In that case, our $100 wager payout is $264!