College Football Betting Odds Week 4: Picks Against the Spread for Top 25 Schedule
Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Nico Iamaleava has been one of the breakout stars of the early 2024 college football season.
The first-year starter has led the Vols to three 50-plus point performances in the opening three weeks of the season.
Iamaleava's talent will be tested starting on Saturday when the Vols embark on SEC play against the Oklahoma Sooners.
Oklahoma has plenty to prove after two lackluster showings ahead of its SEC debut, but it is listed as an underdog and is clearly in the third tier of SEC teams ahead of conference play.
The Big 12 has an even bigger game on tap on Saturday, when the Utah Utes visit the Oklahoma State Cowboys.
The point spread has fluctuated between the two programs throughout the week due to the status of Utes quarterback Cam Rising, who is expected to play after missing Week 3 with a hand injury.
Week 4 Top 25 Schedule and Odds
1 of 3
Friday, September 21
No. 24 Illinois at No. 22 Nebraska (-8) (8 p.m. ET, Fox)
Saturday, September 22
Marshall at No. 3 Ohio State (-40) (Noon ET, Fox)
NC State at No. 21 Clemson (-19) (Noon ET, ABC)
Arkansas State at No. 20 Iowa State (-21) (2 p.m. ET, ESPN+)
Kent State at No. 10 Penn State (-49) (3:30 p.m. ET, BTN)
No. 11 USC (-5) at No. 18 Michigan (3:30 p.m. ET, CBS)
Miami (Ohio) at No. 17 Notre Dame (-27.5) (3:30 p.m. ET, NBC)
Georgia Tech at No. 19 Louisville (-11) (3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2)
Buffalo at No. 23 Northern Illinois (-14) (3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+)
UCLA at No. 16 LSU (-22.5) (3:40 p.m. ET, ABC)
No. 12 Utah at No. 14 Oklahoma State (-2.5) (4 p.m. ET, Fox)
Vanderbilt at No. 7 Missouri (-20) (4:15 p.m. ET, SEC Network)
No. 8 Miami (-17) at South Florida (7 p.m. ET, ESPN)
No. 6 Tennessee (-7) at No. 15 Oklahoma (7:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
Bowling Green at No. 25 Texas A&M (-23.5) (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+)
Georgia Southern at No. 5 Ole Miss (-36.5) (7:45 p.m. ET, SEC Network)
UL-Monroe at No. 1 Texas (-44) (8 p.m. ET, ESPN+)
No. 13 Kansas State (-6.5) at BYU (10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
No. 6 Tennessee (-7) at No. 15 Oklahoma
2 of 3
Nico Iamaleava and the Tennessee offense played so well to start the season that the first-teamers barely saw the fourth quarter in two of their three games.
The Volunteers quarterback only has 689 passing yards because of that, a number that is almost 500 yards off the FBS leader in passing yards.
The 20-year-old will now face the toughest defensive unit he's seen all season. Oklahoma allowed 187 passing yards per game.
The Sooners held the Temple Owls, Houston Cougars and Tulane Green Wave to a combined 34 points, but none of those opponents has a dynamic thrower like Iamaleava.
Oklahoma's offense may not be able to keep up with the Vols if he continues to thrive in the pocket.
Jackson Arnold has not thrown for over 200 yards in a game yet this season, and he's been sacked three times in each start.
Tennessee has one of the more ferocious pass-rushers in the country in James Pearce, who could be more of a difference-maker than Iamaleava on Saturday if the Sooners can't move the ball consistently.
The Vols are deservingly a touchdown favorite, and while Oklahoma shouldn't be counted out completely, Saturday's visiting team has had a more complete start to the season and should be trusted more.
No. 12 Utah at No. 14 Oklahoma State (-2.5)
3 of 3
Much of the buildup ahead of Utah-Oklahoma State has been about Cam Rising's status.
The Utes quarterback was held out of last week's win over the Utah State Aggies with a clear intention to play on Saturday. Head coach Kyle Whittingham told the Deseret News that was "the plan" all along.
Whether Rising will be effective is another question. The veteran signal-caller has a long injury history and could be affected by a finger injury even if he plays.
Oklahoma State might be hoping to face Rising's replacement because of how poor its defense has played through three games. The Cowboys have allowed the 10th most total yards per game (462.7) in the FBS.
They are one of eight FBS programs to average a concession of 300 yards per game.
Mike Gundy's team needs to either reverse its defensive fortunes or have its veteran-laden offense outscore Utah. The latter is the more likely outcome given what we've seen in three games.
Running back Ollie Gordon is the notable name on the roster, but OK State has three wide receivers with over 170 receiving yards and a veteran QB in Alan Bowman, who threw for over 300 yards in two home games versus Top 25 foes last season.
The OK State passing attack should make the difference and allow the Cowboys to go into Week 5's battle with the Kansas State Wildcats as one of two top teams in the Big 12.
Gambling problem? Call (877-8-HOPENY) or text HOPENY (467369).
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/MI/NJ/PA/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/NH), 888-789-7777/visiting ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), 1-877-770-STOP (7867) (LA), visiting OPGR.org (OR), or calling/texting TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) or 1-888-532-3500 (VA).
Odds and lines subject to change. 21+ (18+ NH/WY). AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/LA/MI/NH/NJ/NY/OR/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Eligibility restrictions apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for full terms and conditions.
.jpg?w=600 "New Peter Schrager Mock Draft 📝")
.jpg?w=600 "Allen Wanted to Keep Bone 😅")
