2018 Week 4 Preview

Week 3 of 2018 has been the best so far. We got a couple big upsets and we saw Alabama look extremely terrifying and unbeatable. There are only two ranked vs ranked matchups this week, meaning we have a high possibility of upsets. Many teams will kick off their conference seasons this weekend and it won’t be pretty for some, but others will have the chance to prove they are here to fight. We are starting to learn the true identities of a lot of teams and not all are what we thought they would be. Let’s dive in to Week 4!

My Record: 3-3 last week, 11-7 overall

Notable Games
22Texas A&M at 1Alabama
Alabama is on a totally different level. Ole Miss scored on a 75-yard pass on the first play from scrimmage last week, but that was all the Rebels were able to do. The Tide rolled 62-7 and have scored at least 50 points in all 3 of their games. A&M has been strong this year and even nearly upset Clemson. This will be Alabama’s first real test of the season and I think they will pass it with flying colors. I’m not sure anyone will be able to top Alabama if they keep playing the way they are right now.
I am picking Alabama

7Stanford at 20Oregon
I think everyone is hoping this will be like the Stanford-Oregon games of a few years ago. I think it will be a good one. Both teams have looked good this season and should pose a significant threat to the other. Stanford’s defense has been impressive, giving up only 23 points in their three games this season. Oregon’s offense has shined this year, but last week’s game against SJSU was a tad worrisome (won 35-22). I think Stanford’s defense will be the deciding factor in this one. I expect them to give up some points, but not enough to lose. I think they will pull away in the second half for a good win over a good Oregon team.
I am picking Stanford

17TCU at Texas
Picking Texas games is hard. The Longhorns are up and down more than a roller coaster and you never know which team is showing up until the game starts. Texas was down early against USC but stormed back and won 37-14. TCU was competitive early against Ohio State, but the momentum shifted and the Buckeyes took over. I think TCU is the better team in this game and that is why I am picking them. Texas could come out strong and beat their second ranked team of the season or they could come out and lose like they did to Maryland. I wouldn’t be surprised either way.
I am picking TCU

18Wisconsin at Iowa
In one of the biggest upsets of the season so far, BYU beat 6th-ranked Wisconsin last week. Even if BYU ends up being a pretty good team, this loss has probably knocked the Badgers out of the CFP race. Doing just enough to win finally caught up to them. Iowa was able to get by Northern Iowa last week with no issues. I think this will be a very Big 10 game in the sense that it should be low scoring a little bit boring. Wisconsin is a talented team and I think they will bounce back this week. This is a huge game in the division race for these two. Iowa could come out smelling blood in the water and knock Wisconsin out of the rankings if the Badgers aren’t careful.
I am picking Wisconsin

Washington State at USC (Friday)
I am intrigued by this game. USC is coming off a weird loss to Texas and is 1-2 and Washington State is 3-0. The Cougars have coasted so far this season and haven’t really faced any challenges. I am interested to see how USC responds to the loss. They clearly have a couple issues that need fixing on offense and defense. The Trojans rushed for -5 yards against Texas last week. Hopefully this game will give us some insight. I think Washington State’s offense will be too much for USC.
I am picking Washington State

UNLV at Arkansas State
UNLV might be very good this season, or it might just seem that way because their last two games were against UTEP and Prairie View A&M. Arkansas State has looked alright, but cut it a little close last week against Tulsa. UNLV’s offense has been the key for them this season. This game should be a fun one and feature a lot of scoring. I am almost tempted to make the drive Jonesboro for this one to cheer on my Rebels. Almost.
I am picking UNLV

Arkansas at 9Auburn
I wish I could spin last week’s 17-44 loss to North Texas into something positive, but I can’t. There was no upside to that game for the Razorbacks. They need to figure something out quickly because they are one of the worst teams in the country right now. Not only are they getting beat by G5 teams, they don’t even seem to care. I left the game before halftime, something I get mad at other people for doing. But if they don’t care, why should I sit and get sweaty and sunburnt for 4 hours? Auburn is going to demolish Arkansas. The Tigers lost a heartbreaker to LSU last week and will probably be a little angry. I expect Auburn to cover the nearly 30-point spread and then some. Maybe Ty Storey can give some hope to the Razorbacks. Hopefully he will throw less than 6INTs on the Plains. I’ll always be a Razorback fan, but it is difficult right now.

Top 25
22Texas A&M at 1Alabama
2Georgia at Missouri
3Clemson at Georgia Tech
Tulane at 4Ohio State
Army at 5Oklahoma
Louisiana Tech at 6LSU
7Stanford at 20Oregon
8Notre Dame at Wake Forest
Arkansas at 9Auburn
10Penn State at Illinois (Friday)
Arizona State at 10Washington
Kansas State at 12West Virginia
13Virginia Tech at Old Dominion
14Mississippi State at Kentucky
Texas Tech at 15Oklahoma State
Florida Atlantic at 16UCF (Friday)
17TCU at Texas
18Wisconsin at Iowa
Nebraska at 19Michigan
Florida International at 21Miami
23Boston College at Purdue
24Michigan State at Indiana
McNeese at 25BYU

Other Games
Northern Illinois at Florida State
South Carolina at Vanderbilt
Florida at Tennessee