Top NCAAF Pick: Clemson +2.5 (-105) at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
Key conference rivalries that will impact the College Football Playoffs are part of Week 4’s NCAAF odds board, and we’ve got our best bets for the Florida State-Clemson and UCLA-Utah collisions.
Florida State Seminoles vs. Clemson Tigers
Saturday, September 23, 2023 – 12:00 PM EDT at Memorial Stadium
Let’s boot Week 4 free college football picks with a huge clash in the ACC where the Clemson Tigers are hosting the Florida State Seminoles, the matchup many circled to begin the season as the most crucial to the ACC standings now that the old divisional format is gone.
Tigers Seeking 8th-Straight in Rivalry
Florida State went out -2.5, but the spread dropped to -1.5 at some shops by Monday morning, and scoreboard punters are looking at 55 for their decision.
Clemson has won the last seven meetings, and Florida State still holds a healthy 20-15 advantage in the rivalry. It has been 10 years since Jimbo Fisher coached the Seminoles past Dabo Swinney and the Tigers in Memorial Stadium, and Clemson has won the last four on its home turf.
Last year’s 34-28 final in Tallahassee came with Clemson backers laying 4.5, giving the Tigers their 5th-straight cover in the series. Totals have split three ways most recently in Clemson (1-1-1 O/U/P).
Were ‘Noles Caught Looking Ahead in Week 3?
Florida State sidestepped a disaster last Saturday at Boston College where the Eagles put a scare into the Seminoles. Favored by 25.5, the Seminoles struggled offensively and defensively against an Eagles team that shot itself in the foot with a school-record 18 penalties.
Clemson built a 34-zip halftime lead before coasting to a 48-14 win and cover over Florida Atlantic. The Tigers forced 4 turnovers in the mismatch.
Give me the points and the home team in what should be an instant classic.
NCAAF Pick: Clemson +2.5 (-105) at BetOnline
UCLA Bruins vs. Utah Utes
Saturday, September 23, 2023 – 03:30 PM EDT at Rice-Eccles Stadium
Next up, we jump out west to Salt Lake City where UCLA and Utah kick at 1:30 local time in Salt Lake City, a strange start time for the Bruins and the Utes to adjust to in this ranked battle of PAC-12 concern.
Utah Dealing with Several Key Injuries
Utah is giving up 5-5.5 at the best sportsbooks and that spread is very capable of moving one way or another once an injury update on Utes QB Cameron Rising (knee) is available. Saturday’s total is 51.5.
Given a chance, this might have grown into a decent rivalry in the PAC-12, one the Utes lead 7-4 since they joined the conference in 2011. The Bruins hold current bragging rights, however, after a mild 42-32 upset in Los Angeles, last October.
UCLA was getting 3.5 in that one, the victory ending a string of 5-straight Utah wins and covers. Scoreboard results are 2-2-1 O/U/P in the last five matchups in Salt Lake City.
Both Sides Off Wins Vs. FCS Squads
This matchup pits two of the eight PAC-12 teams sporting 3-0 records entering Week 4. The Bruins routed North Carolina Central of the MEAC with a 59-7 final, and those 59 points were scored in just 56 snaps from scrimmage while averaging almost 11 yards per play.
Utah didn’t go up against much tougher competition in a 31-7 bashing of Weber State. While it wasn’t quite enough to cover the 26.5 for Utes’ bettors, it really was no contest as the Utah defense limited the Wildcats to 127 yards of offense and a measly 5 first downs.
Play the Bruins in an outright upset, UCLA wins it 28-23.
NCAAF Pick: UCLA ML (+165) at Bovada (visit our Bovada Review)
Buffalo Bulls vs. Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns
Saturday, September 23, 2023 – 07:30 PM EDT at Cajun Field
After a couple of marquee matches on the Week 4 NCAAF odds card, we’ll scale back a bit to close the day with a MAC-Sun Belt skirmish down on the bayou where Louisiana-Lafayette hosts Buffalo in the first-ever meeting between the Bulls and Ragin’ Cajuns.
The Ragin’ Cajuns are favored by 10 with 58.5 for the total.
Bulls’ Poor D vs. Cajuns’ Strong O
Victory once again eluded the Bulls in Week 3, this time a 55-27 whipping at the hands of Liberty. Buffalo was getting 2.5 on its own field and fell behind early by a 24-0 count which proved far too great to overcome.
It was quite the opposite for Louisiana as the Ragin’ Cajuns went into the locker room up 24-0 on their way to a 41-21 win as small underdogs at UAB. It was 41-3 in the fourth before the Blazers finally found the end zone against Louisiana’s reserves.
Louisiana ranks 29th in the country tallying 465 yards of offense a game, and is scoring at better than a 38 PPG clip. Buffalo is 131st in the nation – 3rd from last – in total defense and scoring defense. Any questions?
NCAAF Pick: Louisiana -10 (-108) at Heritage Sports (visit our Heritage Sports Review)
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
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