This season, Rivals.com's weekly college football predictions involve anyone on the national staff brave – or foolish – enough to risk embarrassment by making their picks against the spread. Here are the Week Four picks versus Wednesday's Vegas line, according to MGM Mirage.
LOCKS OF THE WEEK
ROB CASSIDY: Oklahoma State (-11.5) over TCU. "Took the Pokes in this space last week and will take them here again. TCU allowed SMU to score 36 points in Fort Worth last weekend. What’s gonna happen when they go to Stillwater? Cowboys by a million … again."
MIKE FARRELL: N.C. State (+12.5) against Florida State. "The Noles have been off and could be rusty as they start a new quarterback and the Wolfpack have some offensive talent. I see a high-scoring game with FSU winning, but nearly two touchdowns is too much."
ADAM FRIEDMAN: Florida State (-12.5) over N.C. State. "I'm out on a limb here a bit because the Seminole offense hasn't been tested without Deondre Francois under center yet. I'll take Florida State's playmakers any day of the week in this matchup and they should be able to create fireworks once they get the ball in their hands. The biggest question mark is whether the great N.C. State defensive front will be able to get to FSU quarterback James Blackman. Expect Florida State to lean on the running game and for its defense to make it difficult for the N.C. State offense to generate big plays."
ADAM GORNEY: West Virginia (-21.5) over Kansas."Here's my thinking: West Virginia is a good team that can score points. Kansas has lost by double digits to Central Michigan and Ohio in back-to-back weeks and given up 45 and 42 points, respectively, in those losses. The Mountaineers get it done early here. I also have a warning, though. My 'lock of the week' has not been great the last few weeks and I'm really, really disappointed in myself. Let's get back on track Saturday."
JOSH HELMHOLDT: Purdue (+10) against Michigan. "This seems strange to say with Jeff Brohm in Year 1 and Jim Harbaugh in Year 3, but Michigan's offense is still searching for its identity, while Purdue knows exactly who it is just three games in. I'll take the Boilermakers and 10 points at home."
DEREK SAMSON: West Virginia (-21.5) over Kansas. "The Jayhawks showed in the non-conference that they couldn't compete in the MAC. Now it's time to show they really can't compete in the Big 12. Although it should be noted that I'm mildly concerned to be choosing the same lock as Mr. Gorney."
BILL TROCCHI: Wake Forest (-4.5) over Appalachian State. "Wake has covered in seven of its last eight games dating back to last season. The Deacons have been sneaky good thus far, winning by an average of 34.7 points per game. App State beat Texas State by 7 last week. Wake rolls."
WOODY WOMMACK: Notre Dame (-3.5) over Michigan State. "This line continues to move in favor of Michigan State and I liked the way the Irish bounced back last week against Boston College. It's tough to go on the road and win in East Lansing but I like Notre Dame's chances."
FIVE SPOTLIGHT GAMES
Midweek lines according to MGM Mirage (all games Saturday & Eastern time):
- Alabama (-18.5) at Vanderbilt, 3:30 p.m.
- TCU (+11.5) at Oklahoma State, 3:30 p.m.
- Mississippi State (+6.5) at Georgia, 7 p.m.
- Penn State (-11) at Iowa, 7:30 p.m.
- Notre Dame (-4.5) at Michigan State, 8 p.m.
