Fearless predictions: Week 4
Spotlight game
No. 1 Alabama at No. 10 Arkansas (+7): Will No. 1 fall on the final Saturday of September? Ryan Mallett can certainly cause problems for an Alabama defense with nine new starters. Plus, the Razorbacks will have energy from the home crowd. The game will likely be close in the second half. But the Alabama offensive combo of Greg McElroy, Mark Ingram, Trent Richardson and Julio Jones will prove to be too much for upset-minded Bobby Petrino and Co. The pick: Alabama 31, Arkansas 23
The rest of the lineup
Virginia Tech at Boston College (+4): Virginia Tech finally got a win last week. But there are still questions about the Hokies’ defense. Ryan Williams is also sitting out this week with a hamstring injury. The Eagles are always tough at home. The pick: Boston College 23, Virginia Tech 20
UCLA at No. 7 Texas (-15): UCLA looked pretty bad in its first two games, then got a much-needed win last week against Houston. Texas showed a lot by going on the road and beating Texas Tech in Lubbock, a place that’s been a tough venue for the Longhorns recently. Garrett Gilbert shook off a shaky first half and played much better over the final two quarters against the Red Raiders. The pick: Texas 33, UCLA 13
BYU at Nevada (-4): BYU has given up 69 points in its last two games. Nevada is fourth in the country in scoring (50.7 per game). The Cougars won’t be able to slow down a Nevada offense that’s averaging 560 yards a game. The pick: Nevada 38, BYU 23
No. 24 Oregon State at No. 3 Boise State (-17.5): Showcase game for the Broncos. It’s primetime on ABC for the whole country to see. A win puts Boise State in position to run the table during the regular season and convince the powers that be that it belongs in the national title game. Oregon State has talent with Jacquizz and James Rodgers, but this game means too much for Boise State. The pick: Boise State 34, Oregon State 20
No. 16 Stanford at Notre Dame (+4): Notre Dame has lost two straight. The Irish had leads in the fourth quarter of both games. Could Brian Kelly see his first three-game losing streak with the Irish? Yes. Notre Dame is still likely stinging from the stunning fake field goal Michigan State pulled off in overtime last week. Stanford is clicking on offense with quarterback Andrew Luck. The pick: Stanford 34, Notre Dame 30
California at No. 14 Arizona (-6.5): Expect a let down as Arizona will still be in a celebratory mood after upsetting Iowa last week. Once the emotions settle down, the Wildcats will pull away with tough defense and the steady hand of Nick Foles. The pick: Arizona 38, California 20
No. 12 South Carolina at No. 17 Auburn (-3): Tough one to call. Auburn got a tough road win at Mississippi State a few weeks ago and then rallied from 17 points down to beat Clemson in overtime last week. Those wins have the Tigers ready for a game against South Carolina. But the Gamecocks continue to impress with the hard running of true freshman Marcus Lattimore and a very good defense. The pick: South Carolina 24, Auburn 17.
No. 22 West Virginia at No. 15 LSU (-10): West Virginia will be carrying the entire Big East conference, which can’t seem to notch a big non-conference win this season, on it shoulders. Geno Smith and Noel Devine have been impressive. But the Tigers are playing at home and Jordan Jefferson is due for a big game. The pick: LSU 27, West Virginia 24.
No. 5 Oregon at Arizona State (+11): Can anybody stop Oregon? The Ducks are first in the country in scoring (63 per game) and first in the country in points allowed (4.3 per game). Arizona State showed something last week by going on the road and coming up just a point short at Wisconsin. Steven Threet has also played well for the Sun Devils. This game will likely be close for a stretch, but Oregon just has too much talent on offense. The Ducks will explode at some point. The pick: Oregon 38, Arizona State 17.
