By John Sarianides

It is week four and there are some intriguing games on the schedule for this weekend. Here are my picks.

UTAH (-3.5) AT ARIZONA: The Utes are flying under the radar per usual but they face a stiff test on Friday night when they travel to Tuscon to battle Rich Rod and the Wildcats. Arizona’s uptempo offense gives defenses problems because of the speed they play at. Utah will be no different. Despite that, I am putting my money on the Utes as a road favorite. The number is fair for a road favorite. 

TCU AT OKLAHOMA STATE (-11): Now we will find out just how good Mason Rudolph and the Cowboys really are. TCU will provide a stiff for both the Cowboys offense and their defense. I think this will be a shootout. I buy Oklahoma State but -11 is a big number in my opinion. I think TCU can hang with them and make this a game. Gary Patterson’s defense travels. I am putting my cash on the Frogs as a road dog.

MISSISSIPPI STATE AT GEORGIA (-5): It’s the battle of the Bulldogs in Athens. Every three years, Dan Mullen has a good team at Mississippi State that can contend for an SEC West title. This year’s team is pretty good as evident by their 30-7 thrashing of LSU last weekend. Georgia provides similar problems as LSU does because of their running game. I think this will be a back and forth affair but it is hard to pick against Georgia at Sanford Stadium. I’m laying the cake on the home Dawgs.

NC STATE AT FLORIDA STATE (-12): The last time we saw Florida State, quarterback Deondre Francois got hurt against Alabama. That was three weeks ago. After a a three week layoff thanks to a bye week and Hurricane Irma, the Noles are back at it at home against a talented but underachieving N.C State team. The Pack lost their opener to South Carolina and they have not looked as good as advertised thus far. Despite that, I think they will make this game. Florida State’s quarterback situation is in flux and the Pack plays good enough defense to keep this game close. I am putting my money on the Pack as a road dog. Florida State will win but N.C State will take it to the wire.

ALABAMA (-18.5) AT VANDERBILT: Vandy’s win over Kansas State was awesome last week but Alabama is a step above the Wildcats. Sure, Vanderbilt fans can chant “We Want Bama” all they want but the fact of the matter is, they are not in Alabama’s class. The Tide is at another level. I think Vandy can keep this close for a half but Bama will pull away in the second half and win by three scores. I am putting my money on the Tide in this one.

USC (-17) AT CALIFORNIA: Justin Wilcox goes up against a former employer in USC this weekend. The Bears are coming off of a mild upset last week over Ole Miss and will look to really shock the football world this weekend by knocking off the Trojans. It won’t be easy as Sam Darnold and the Trojans will be chomping at the bit to atone for last week’s lackluster performance against Texas. I think this will be a close game for a half but I don’t see an upset here. I just don’t think Cal has enough juice to get it done.

PENN STATE (-12.5) AT IOWA: I am putting my money on Iowa in this one as a home dog. Look, Penn State has been impressive to start the season but this is their first road test of the season and winning in Iowa City is never easy. Kirk Ferentz’s team always plays well at home, especially against conference foes. I think the Hawkeyes defense will rise to the occasion and give the Nittany Lions fits. Penn State will win this game, but only by a field goal.

FLORIDA (-2.5) AT KENTUCKY: I am taking the Gators as a road favorite. It hasn’t been pretty for Jim McElwain’s team thus far this season but last week’s last second win against Tennessee will serve as a turning point for them. Kentucky gets up for this game every year and always plays Florida tough at home. I think that will be the case once again this year but Florida just has too much talent for the Wildcats to pull off the upset. I like the Gators in this one.

WASHINGTON (-10.5) AT COLORADO: The Buffaloes are another team that is flying under the radar but is dangerous at home. -10.5 is a decent number if you are thinking about taking the Huskies as a road favorite. I like the number, therefore, I am putting my money on Jake Browning and company.