DK’s 2015 Week 4 CFB Game Picks
Good week last week. Week 3 had lots of the drama that keeps college football fans smiling all fall long. Some key road upsets in big games (hello, Ole Miss and Stanford), changed the complexion of the entire national landscape heading into Week 4. This is what it is all about, Folks. Now, on to this week’s picks.
All game times in Eastern Daylight Time.
Last Week: 7-2 (.778)
Season: 20-7 (.741)
DK’s 2015 Week 4 CFB Game Picks
Georgia Tech @ Duke (Saturday, September 26th, 12:00 p.m., ESPN2)
Georgia Tech’s vaunted offense was stifled last weekend in South Bend. Similarly, Duke struggled mightily against a Northwestern defense that has played lights-out so far this season, yielding just 16 points in three games. So, which offense shows up this weekend? Georgia Tech’s, with just enough juice to get a key ACC road win.
Pick: Georgia Tech 24, Duke 14
BYU @ Michigan (Saturday, September 26th, 12:00 p.m., BTN)
Michigan is favored at home in this matchup, by nearly a touchdown. With the home-field advantage afforded by the Big House, I get it, I guess. Still, this BYU squad is legit, and gave a Top 10 UCLA squad all it wanted last weekend in Pasadena. I like Tanner Mangum to resuscitate the magic and get the road win this Saturday.
Pick: BYU 31, Michigan 20
Oklahoma State @ Texas (Saturday, September 26th, 3:30 p.m., ESPN)
This one is kind of hard to call. Texas showed signs of life in storming back to (almost) tie Cal last weekend. Oklahoma State hasn’t been tested at all, but did successfully swallow its cupcakes during the first three weeks. Texas’ season is on the brink, and the Horns are playing for Coach Strong’s job. The sense of urgency will carry the day in this one.
Pick: Texas 24, Oklahoma State 21
TCU @ Texas Tech (Saturday, September 261h, 4:45 p.m., FOX)
Texas Tech is coming off a big, trash-talk-worthy win at Arkansas last week, and TCU has not quite looked like the dominant force that it was expected to be with Heisman candidate Trevone Boykin pulling the trigger. So, home upset for the Red Raiders, right? Wrong. TCU gets it together this week, to keep its CFP hopes alive.
Pick: TCU 45, Texas Tech 31
Texas A&M vs. Arkansas (Saturday, September 26th, 7:00 p.m., ESPN)
Arkansas is absolutely reeling early this season, suffering home losses to Toledo and Texas Tech. Not. Good. Texas A&M looks like an SEC West dark horse, with its vastly improved defense stewarded by the great John Chavis. The Aggies will add to Bret Bielema’s misery in Arlington this weekend.
Pick: Texas A&M 41, Arkansas 17
Missouri @ Kentucky (Saturday, September 26th, 7:30 p.m., SECN)
Missouri does not look like the defending SEC East champion that it is early in 2015. Kentucky, on the other hand, seems to be the team on the rise that we all expected to see. Patrick Towles is not yet a fully-formed FBS QB, but Maty Mauk seems to have regressed this season. Gimme the Wildcats at home.
Pick: Kentucky 31, Missouri 25
UCLA @ Arizona (Saturday, September 26th, 8:00 p.m., ABC)
UCLA got a scare from BYU at home last week. Was freshman phenom Josh Rosen guilty of looking past a good team in anticipation of the start of conference play in Tucson? Maybe. Growing pains were somewhat inevitable at some point, and the Cougars have a good defense. Arizona’s offense is potent and it’s at home. The Wildcats get the win in a critical PAC-12 South matchup.
Pick: Arizona 38, UCLA 28
Utah @ Oregon (Saturday, September 26th, 8:30 p.m. , FOX)
As late as Tuesday, the line in this game was a pick-‘em. The Vegas oddsmakers must’ve been really concerned about Vernon Adams’ index finger. Utah is solid, but even if Adams can’t go, it’s hard to pick against the Ducks’ Blur offense in Autzen stadium. The smart money says that the Quack Attack finds a way, no matter what.
Pick: Oregon 44, Utah 31
USC @ Arizona State (Saturday, September 26th, 10:30 p.m. ESPN)
This is a fascinating matchup between the two preseason PAC-12 South favorites, who have each stumbled once already in the young season. Both teams boast strong-armed, experienced QBs, and plenty of skill position talent to complement them. USC will be the more desperate team, Arizona State the more confident one. This one will come down to coaching and home-field advantage. Sparky gets the win.
Pick: Arizona State 45, USC 42
California @ Washington (Saturday, September 26th, 5:00 p.m. PAC12N)
One of these two teams is “next up” in the PAC-12 North pecking order after Oregon and Stanford. Which one, though? The Huskies have shown steady improvement since a rough first half in the season opener at Boise State. Cal has yet to lose, but was shaky down the stretch in Austin, nearly blowing a 21 point lead late. The Golden Bears have the best QB in the conference in Jared Goff, though, and he’ll lead his squad to a win on the road. Cal will remain a factor in the PAC-12 North race.
Pick: California 28, Washington 26
