Week Four College Football Picks: LSU-Auburn Edition

Eleven more games on tap for this week. 

It gets started with an interesting Thursday night matchup. 

West Virginia at Colorado (Upset Special)

The Buffs have only allowed 118 rushing yards in two games.  I don’t trust Pat White’s arm, and ECU—much like USF has in the past two years—showed that West Virginia’s speed can be held in check. 

Heading out west won’t be easy for the Mountaineers either.

Colorado notches another big win in the Dan Hawkins era.

Winner: Colorado, 24-21

And on to Saturday’s games.

East Carolina at NC State

ECU picks on another ACC team, handing the Wolfpack yet another loss—but Tom O’Brien’s club starts to show improvement. 

Winner: ECU, 24-17

Iowa at Pittsburgh

Part of me feels bad for Dave Wannstedt, but a bigger part of me sort of likes watching him lose.  Don’t look now, but the Hawkeyes are nearly bowling already!

Ferentz’s boys keep the momentum going with a thriller. 

Winner: Iowa, 21-20

Mississippi State at Georgia Tech

The Bulldogs have a defense as always, but the Yellow Jackets’ offense will occasionally give them fits—and that should be enough to get the win, especially considering the Bulldogs simply can’t move the ball. 

Sly Croom loses another heartbreaker. 

Winner: Georgia Tech, 17-13

Virginia Tech at North Carolina

Yes, the Tar Heels looked good last week.  But the Hokies know how to handle conference games, and Tyrod Taylor—he of one redshirted game fame—gives them the added dimension they need. 

Winner: Virginia Tech, 27-24

Alabama at Arkansas

On paper this looks like an easy Bama win. 

Make fun of Arkansas all you want: They are still 2-0, and Casey Dick has showed poise.  I’m not saying this will be a nail-biter, but the Hogs will make the folks in Tuscaloosa nervous for at least a little while. 

Winner: Alabama, 31-21

Florida at Tennessee

Florida has dominated this series as of late, but games in Knoxville always add a different element.  Realistically, not much is known about either team right now. 

Tennessee looked awful against UCLA and then only put up 35 on UAB.  Meanwhile, Florida went from the rush-happy team against Hawaii to the can’t-rush team against Miami.

I see both teams finding some balance on offense, with Florida’s playmakers and Crompton’s mistakes being the difference. 

Winner: Florida, 37-27

Notre Dame at Michigan State

Let’s just hope Charlie stays in the press box for this one. 

Winner: Michigan State, 34-21

Wake Forest at FSU

How in the world are the Seminoles ranked?  I guess two wins over Bowl Subdivision teams convinced voters to rank last year’s 7-6 'Nole squad. 

This is a must-win game for the Florida State, though, as a third straight loss to Wake would be devastating—and would likely be the start to a poor season. 

Bobby’s boys will put up a fight, but in the end, the ranking doesn’t last long. 

Jim Grobe’s Wake Forest team pushes ahead in its mission to claim the ACC title. 

Winner: Wake Forest, 31-27

Georgia at Arizona State

After watching Chris Smelley and the inept Gamecock offense pass for 271 yards on Georgia, it seems logical to think that Rudy Carpenter will get some numbers, particularly if Georgia only rushes three again. 

In fact, if the Bulldogs don’t get to Carpenter often, they might just leave the West Coast with a loss.   

Georgia does their homework this week and takes care of business, even though it’s another close one. 

Winner: Georgia, 31-27

Game of the Week: LSU at Auburn

Tough call on this game. 

Both teams have question marks, but both are extremely dangerous.  This game is usually a slugfest, and I can’t see that changing.

In the end, LSU’s playmakers give the Tigers the edge in yet another close game.     

Winner: LSU, 17-14