College Football Picks: Week 4 Predictions for Every Game
So much action and excitement has been packed into the first three weeks of the 2016 college football season that it's hard to believe we're less than a quarter of the way through. It can't keep up the intensity, can it?
The Week 4 schedule says otherwise.
Of the 59 games on tap, 23 are conference matchups as teams set forth on their goal of winning a division or league title. The lineup also includes four games pitting ranked teams against each other and six contests featuring unbeaten opponents squaring off. And for those who love a good underdog story, seven more FCS schools get a chance to join the eight who have already knocked off an FBS foe in 2016.
We've made predictions for all of them, and we'll update with the score as games go final over the weekend. Think our picks are way off the mark? Let us know in the comments section and check back later to see how we did.
Last week: 53-14 (.791)
Season: 182-46 (.798)
Note: All team rankings are from the AP Top 25 poll.
Thursday Night's Game
1 of 6
No. 5 Clemson (3-0) at Georgia Tech (3-0, 1-0 ACC), 7:30 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Clemson beat Georgia Tech 43-24 last October.
Clemson hasn't won at Bobby Dodd Stadium since 2003, when Dabo Swinney was Tommy Bowden's recruiting coordinator. Deshaun Watson has some demons to exorcise since his torn ACL started as sprained ligaments from when the Tigers lost 28-6 at Georgia Tech in 2014.
Georgia Tech's triple-option put up 289 rushing yards against Vanderbilt last week but will be lucky to get half of that against Clemson's stout front seven. In addition, asking the Yellow Jackets to win with the pass is never a wise strategy.
Prediction: Clemson 26, Georgia Tech 19
FINAL: Clemson 26, Georgia Tech 7
Friday Night's Games
2 of 6
Wyoming (2-1) at Eastern Michigan (2-1), 7:30 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Eastern Michigan won 48-29 at Wyoming last September.
These teams went a combined 2-20 last season when not playing each other. One squad will head into league play with a lot of confidence that will probably just get wiped out after losing its conference opener.
Prediction: Eastern Michigan 34, Wyoming 30
FINAL: Eastern Michigan 27, Wyoming 24
TCU (2-1) at SMU (2-1), 8 p.m. ET
Last meeting: TCU beat SMU 56-37 last September.
Kenny Hill has looked a lot like his early-Texas A&M self, but he hasn't had to do it yet on the road. SMU is improved under head coach Chad Morris, but unless the Mustangs' bro fans have some defensive tips, the team won't triumph.
Prediction: TCU 43, SMU 30
FINAL: TCU 33, SMU 3
USC (1-2, 0-1 Pac-12) at No. 24 Utah (3-0), 9 p.m. ET
Last meeting: USC beat Utah 42-24 last October.
Clay Helton went 5-2 as USC's interim coach and has lost four of five as the permanent guy. Facing three ranked teams away from home in the first four weeks of 2016 hasn't helped, but the Trojans look like a mess and will falter again in front of Utah's MUSS.
Prediction: Utah 29, USC 17
FINAL: Utah 31, USC 27
Saturday's Early Games
3 of 6
Kent State (1-2) at No. 1 Alabama (3-0), noon ET
Last meeting: Alabama beat Kent State 48-7 in September 2011.
Nick Saban has fond memories of his days as a player and coach at Kent State in the 1970s, but that won't stop him from using the Golden Flashes as a test kitchen.
Prediction: Alabama 53, Kent State 7
FINAL: Alabama 48, Kent State 0
No. 11 Wisconsin (3-0) at No. 8 Michigan State (2-0), noon ET
Last meeting: Michigan State won 16-13 at Wisconsin in October 2012.
Wisconsin dipped in the polls after edging Georgia State, 23-17. The drop will continue as the Badgers open a hellacious Big Ten slate with the defending conference champs, who are fresh off a huge win at Notre Dame.
Prediction: Michigan State 23, Wisconsin 13
FINAL: Wisconsin 30, Michigan State 6
No. 12 Georgia (3-0, 1-0 SEC) at No. 23 Ole Miss (1-2, 0-1), noon ET
Last meeting: Georgia beat Ole Miss 37-10 in November 2012.
Ole Miss has already blown first-half leads of 22 and 21 points. The Rebels will try something different this time and fall behind by a bunch early before rallying late.
Prediction: Ole Miss 28, Georgia 24
FINAL: Ole Miss 45, Georgia 14
No. 13 Florida State (2-1) at South Florida (3-0), noon ET
Last meeting: Florida State beat South Florida 34-14 last September.
It's one thing to lose by 43 to Louisville, which looks like a legit national title contender. Falling to an in-state foe such as South Florida would be a major blow to Jimbo Fisher's reputation at Florida State.
Prediction: Florida State 30, South Florida 24
FINAL: Florida State 55, South Florida 35
Iowa (2-1) at Rutgers (2-1), noon ET
Last meeting: None
Rutgers might be good someday under new coach Chris Ash. But for now, the Scarlet Knights will be labeled as a "breather" for the Hawkeyes after Iowa lost last week to FCS powerhouse North Dakota State, 23-21.
Prediction: Iowa 28, Rutgers 17
FINAL: Iowa 14, Rutgers 7
Nevada (2-1) at Purdue (1-1), noon ET
Last meeting: None
Darrell Hazell's Purdue tenure has gone so poorly that his 5-9 non-Big Ten record is among his highlights. Nevada's second trip to Indiana in three weeks (it lost 39-10 at Notre Dame) will go only slightly better.
Prediction: Purdue 34, Nevada 20
FINAL: Purdue 24, Nevada 14
San Jose State (1-2) at Iowa State (0-3), noon ET
Last meeting: Iowa State beat San Jose State 27-6 in September 1980.
This is first-year coach Matt Campbell's best chance to pick up a win until Iowa State visits Kansas in November. The Cyclones will avoid their first 0-4 start since 1997.
Prediction: Iowa State 40, San Jose State 24
FINAL: Iowa State 44, San Jose State 10
Colorado State (2-1) at Minnesota (2-0), noon ET
Last meeting: Minnesota beat Colorado State 23-20 in overtime last September.
Colorado State has started three different quarterbacks, while Minnesota has turned to Mitch Leidner the last 26 games.
Prediction: Minnesota 27, Colorado State 16
FINAL: Minnesota 31, Colorado State 24
Charlotte (1-2) at Temple (1-2), noon ET
Last meeting: Temple won 37-3 at Charlotte last October.
Temple has gone 4-6 since starting last season 7-0. Charlotte has one win against an FBS school since moving up in 2015.
Prediction: Temple 43, Charlotte 17
FINAL: Temple 48, Charlotte 20
East Carolina (2-1) at Virginia Tech (2-1), 12:30 p.m. ET
Last meeting: East Carolina beat Virginia Tech 35-28 last September.
East Carolina wanted in to the Big 12 but might as well be an honorary ACC member with six straight wins against the league. Virginia Tech will end that streak as long as it doesn't add to its FBS-worst nine fumbles.
Prediction: Virginia Tech 33, East Carolina 20
FINAL: Virginia Tech 54, East Carolina 17
Central Michigan (3-0) at Virginia (0-3), 12:30 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Virginia beat Central Michigan 55-21 in September 1996.
A reminder: Bronco Mendenhall voluntarily left a good thing at BYU to coach an ACC team that's a home dog to a Mid-American squad. Last to complete a Hail Mary wins it.
Prediction: Virginia 27, Central Michigan 24
FINAL: Virginia 49, Central Michigan 35
Syracuse (1-2) at Connecticut (2-1), 1 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Connecticut beat Syracuse 40-10 in October 2012.
Dino Babers' Syracuse squad has run an FBS-high 279 plays in three games, or 3.44 per point scored. That's still better than what Bob Diaco's Huskies have managed (3.25) at a far slower pace.
Prediction: Syracuse 27, Connecticut 26
FINAL: Syracuse 31, Connecticut 24
Wagner (2-0) at Boston College (1-2), 1 p.m. ET
Last meeting: None
Boston College scored 100 points against two FCS schools to open last season. It has managed 146 in the 13 games since, having been shut out three times. Get those points while you can, Eagle dudes.
Prediction: Boston College 43, Wagner 13
FINAL: Boston College 42, Wagner 10
Gardner-Webb (1-2) at Ohio (1-2), 2 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Ohio beat Gardner-Webb 30-3 in September 2011.
Ohio quarterback Greg Windham, 14th in FBS in total offense at 337.3 yards per game, should run and throw all over an FCS school that gave up 419 rushing yards in its last loss.
Prediction: Ohio 51, Gardner-Webb 21
FINAL: Ohio 37, Gardner-Webb 21
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Saturday's Mid-Afternoon Games
4 of 6
No. 19 Florida (3-0, 1-0 SEC) at No. 14 Tennessee (3-0), 3:30 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Florida beat Tennessee 28-27 last September.
Tennessee's seniors were in fourth grade the last time the Volunteers knocked off Florida back in 2004. A victory should be celebrated accordingly, with a pizza party and ice cream sandwiches.
Prediction: Tennessee 26, Florida 21
FINAL: Tennessee 38, Florida 28
Penn State (2-1) at No. 4 Michigan (3-0), 3:30 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Michigan won 28-16 at Penn State last November.
Penn State has lost six straight road games and hasn't won in the Big House since 2009. The Wolverines will be far enough ahead in the fourth quarter for Jim Harbaugh to fire off a few choice tweets.
Prediction: Michigan 38, Penn State 14
FINAL: Michigan 49, Penn State 10
Pittsburgh (2-1) at North Carolina (2-1), 3:30 p.m. ET
Last meeting: North Carolina won 26-19 at Pittsburgh last October.
Defense hasn't been a strong suit for either team so far, which means we'll get a high-scoring shootout unless one or the other suddenly figured out how to make stops. Either way, the Tar Heels will defend their turf.
Prediction: North Carolina 30, Pittsburgh 24
FINAL: North Carolina 37, Pittsburgh 36
Wake Forest (3-0) at Indiana (2-0), 3:30 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Indiana won 31-24 at Wake Forest last September.
Whoever saw this as a battle of unbeatens before the season, raise your hand. Then put it down, because you're lying—Wake Forest hasn't started this good since 2008.
Prediction: Indiana 29, Wake Forest 19
FINAL: Wake Forest 33, Indiana 28
BYU (1-2) vs. West Virginia (2-0) in Landover, Maryland, 3:30 p.m. ET
Last meeting: None
BYU remains in the hunt for Big 12 inclusion and could either help or hurt its chances based on how it plays against the Mountaineers. The Cougars will get West Virginia's vote after it plays victim.
Prediction: West Virginia 28, BYU 17
FINAL: West Virginia 35, BYU 32
Duke (1-2) at Notre Dame (1-2), 3:30 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Notre Dame beat Duke 28-7 in November 2007.
Duke's Midwest field trip started poorly with a loss at winless Northwestern and will only get worse. Notre Dame is out of the playoff hunt with two losses and needs someone to lash out against.
Prediction: Notre Dame 34, Duke 21
FINAL: Duke 38, Notre Dame 35
Mississippi State (1-2) at Massachusetts (1-2), 3:30 p.m. ET
Last meeting: None
Playing at South Alabama and Southern Miss in past years was strange enough for Mississippi State, but a random game in New England takes the cake. At least the Bulldogs get some Patriots-inspired uniforms to commemorate the trip.
Prediction: Mississippi State 33, Massachusetts 19
FINAL: Mississippi State 45, Massachusetts 37
Boise State (2-0) at Oregon State (1-1), 3:30 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Oregon State beat Boise State 38-23 in the 2013 Hawaii Bowl.
Boise State should lobby for an invitation to the Pac-12 after it beats a second North Division team (it knocked off Washington State on Sept. 10) in three weeks.
Prediction: Boise State 27, Oregon State 17
FINAL: Boise State 38, Oregon State 24
UTSA (1-2) at Old Dominion (1-2), 3:30 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Old Dominion won 36-31 at UTSA last November.
As teams in their fifth (ODU) and third years of FBS play (UTSA), they have zero bowl appearances between them. At least one gets to start Conference USA play with a win.
Prediction: Old Dominion 37, UTSA 27
FINAL: Old Dominion 33, UTSA 19
Miami, Ohio (0-3) at Cincinnati (2-1), 3:30 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Cincinnati won 37-33 at Miami last September.
Cincinnati's 11th straight Victory Bell win should come easier than in recent years, unless it throws a few more pick-sixes like last week against Houston.
Prediction: Cincinnati 41, Miami 21
FINAL: Cincinnati 27, Miami 20
Appalachian State (1-2) at Akron (2-1), 3:30 p.m. ET
Last meeting: None
Appalachian State's blowout home loss isn't the best appetizer before hitting the road to play a team that just scored 65 points. Longtime doormat Akron will win its eighth game in nine tries since November.
Prediction: Akron 31, Appalachian State 24
FINAL: Appalachian State 45, Akron 38
Western Illinois (2-0) at Northern Illinois (0-3), 3:30 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Northern Illinois beat Western Illinois 41-7 in September 2009.
Northern Illinois is a shell of the squad that has won six straight Mid-American West Division titles. But it's still good enough to beat the 13th-best FCS team and avoid its first 0-4 start in 17 years.
Prediction: Northern Illinois 34, Western Illinois 17
FINAL: Western Illinois 28, Northern Illinois 23
Delaware State (0-2) at Missouri (1-2), 4 p.m. ET
Last meeting: None
Drew Lock's nine touchdown passes in three games are one fewer than Missouri threw in all of 2015. The Tigers are apt to put up their second 60-point performance of the season this week.
Prediction: Missouri 62, Delaware State 16
FINAL: Missouri 79, Delaware State 0
Vanderbilt (1-2) at Western Kentucky (2-1), 4:30 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Western Kentucky won 14-12 at Vanderbilt last September.
Vandy just gave up 222 passing yards to triple-option Georgia Tech and now has to face the No. 14 pass offense in FBS. Commodores coach Derek Mason can't be a fan of whoever makes his nonconference schedule.
Prediction: Western Kentucky 27, Vanderbilt 20
FINAL: Vanderbilt 31, Western Kentucky 30 (OT)
Tulsa (2-1) at Fresno State (1-2), 4:30 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Tulsa beat Fresno State 27-26 in September 2012.
Did you know Fresno and Tulsa were once part of college football's largest conference, the 16-team Western Athletic, from 1996 to 1998? If only this current matchup were as interesting as their history.
Prediction: Tulsa 30, Fresno State 23
FINAL: Tulsa 48, Fresno State 41 (2 OT)
Colorado (2-1) at Oregon (2-1), 5:30 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Oregon won 41-24 at Colorado last October.
Colorado is 5-40 since joining the Pac-12 in 2011, yet three of those wins have been on the road. Not in Eugene, though, where it's been outscored 114-24 as Oregon's league mate.
Prediction: Oregon 41, Colorado 24
FINAL: Colorado 41, Oregon 38
Saturday's Early-Evening Games
5 of 6
No. 18 LSU (2-1, 1-0 SEC) at Auburn (1-2, 0-1), 6 p.m. ET
Last meeting: LSU beat Auburn 45-21 last September.
The fan forums during and afterward will be almost as entertaining as this mutual must-win game. The losing coach could seal his own fate, while the winner might only be prolonging the inevitable.
Prediction: Auburn 23, LSU 21
FINAL: Auburn 18, LSU 13
North Texas (1-2) at Rice (0-3, 0-1 C-USA), 6 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Rice won 38-24 at North Texas last September.
Rice was Conference USA champion, and North Texas won a bowl game in 2013. Seems like a decade ago instead of less than three years.
Prediction: Rice 33, North Texas 24
FINAL: North Texas 42, Rice 35 (2 OT)
Ball State (2-1) at Florida Atlantic (1-2), 6 p.m. ET
Last meeting: None
Even a team like Florida Atlantic, with the eighth-worst offense and 12th-worst defense, can have a good day. At 7-20 early in his third season, coach Charlie Partridge needs one.
Prediction: Florida Atlantic 27, Ball State 22
FINAL: Ball State 31, Florida Atlantic 27
No. 6 Houston (3-0) at Texas State (1-1), 7 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Houston beat Texas State 59-14 last September.
Houston quarterback Greg Ward Jr., who is dealing with an injured right shoulder, will play. But he might not need to for long, as Texas State has allowed 96 points and 6.73 yards per play in two games.
Prediction: Houston 43, Texas State 21
FINAL: Houston 64, Texas State 3
Louisiana Tech (1-2) at Middle Tennessee (2-1), 7 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Louisiana Tech beat Middle Tennessee 45-16 last October.
Louisiana Tech just gave up 470 yards and five touchdowns to Texas Tech's Patrick Mahomes—numbers that Middle Tennessee's Brent Stockstill will come close to posting in this Conference USA opener.
Prediction: Middle Tennessee 44, Louisiana Tech 31
FINAL: Middle Tennessee 38, Louisiana Tech 34
New Mexico State (1-2) at Troy (2-1), 7 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Troy won 52-7 at New Mexico State last October.
Transitive property game of the week: Troy beat Southern Mississippi, which won at Kentucky, which scored 62 against New Mexico State.
Prediction: Troy 48, New Mexico State 26
FINAL: Troy 52, New Mexico State 6
Georgia Southern (3-0) at Western Michigan (3-0), 7 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Georgia Southern beat Western Michigan 43-17 last September.
You'll have to go online to watch Georgia Southern's potent option attack against P.J. Fleck's unofficial Big Ten West Division champion. This game will be tougher for Western Michigan than its wins at Northwestern and Illinois.
Prediction: Western Michigan 27, Georgia Southern 23
FINAL: Western Michigan 49, Georgia Southern 31
UCF (1-2) at Florida International (0-3), 7 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Florida International won 15-14 at UCF last September.
A combined minus-nine turnover margin means this could more closely resemble a game of hot potato than football. UCF has at least managed to move the ball when it's held on to it.
Prediction: UCF 23, Florida International 19
FINAL: UCF 53, Florida International 14
Army (3-0) at Buffalo (0-2), 7 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Army beat Buffalo 47-39 in September 2014.
Army's best start since 1996 has been fueled by 367 rushing yards per game, second-best in FBS. Buffalo allowed 352 on the ground last week at Nevada.
Prediction: Army 37, Buffalo 25
FINAL: Buffalo 23, Army 20 (OT)
Central Arkansas (2-1) at Arkansas State (0-3), 7 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Arkansas State beat Central Arkansas 53-24 in September 2011.
Getting outscored 116-44 by Auburn, Toledo and Utah State has Arkansas State off to its worst start since 2004. The Red Wolves will respond by beating up on their in-state FCS foe.
Prediction: Arkansas State 51, Central Arkansas 21
FINAL: Central Arkansas 28, Arkansas State 23
Nicholls (1-1) at South Alabama (1-2), 7 p.m. ET
Last meeting: South Alabama beat Nicholls 9-3 in September 2012.
Nicholls pushed Georgia to the limit two weeks ago, while South Alabama has lost two straight since shocking Mississippi State on the road. This is the FCS' best shot at pulling another upset this week, but the Colonels will fall short once again.
Prediction: South Alabama 27, Nicholls 20
FINAL: South Alabama 41, Nicholls 40 (OT)
Missouri State (2-0) at Kansas State (1-1), 7:10 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Kansas State beat Missouri State 51-9 in September 2012.
Missouri State lost 63-7 at Memphis and 70-7 at Arkansas State last season. Kansas State won't be as brutal to the Bears, but they'll still get a nice handwritten apology note from Wildcats coach Bill Snyder afterward.
Prediction: Kansas State 44, Missouri State 10
FINAL: Kansas State 35, Missouri State 0
No. 20 Nebraska (3-0) at Northwestern (1-2), 7:30 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Northwestern won 30-28 at Nebraska last October.
Rising teams are usually most vulnerable after a breakthrough win, which Nebraska's victory over Oregon qualifies as. Northwestern has looked listless on offense but still has the talent to play spoiler.
Prediction: Northwestern 21, Nebraska 19
FINAL: Nebraska 24, Northwestern 13
Oklahoma State (2-1) at No. 16 Baylor (3-0), 7:30 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Baylor won 45-35 at Oklahoma State last November.
Jim Grobe's influence on the Baylor defense is hard to ignore, as it's allowed only 30 points in three games. Yet it will be the Bears' explosive offense that paces their Big 12-opening win, just like old times.
Prediction: Baylor 47, Oklahoma State 26
FINAL: Baylor 35, Oklahoma State 24
South Carolina (2-1, 1-1 SEC) at Kentucky (1-2, 0-1), 7:30 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Kentucky won 26-22 at South Carolina last September.
The bottom half of the SEC East, in a nutshell: Kentucky is one of three teams in FBS to allow 40-plus points in every game this season; South Carolina is one of eight that have yet to score more than 20.
Prediction: Kentucky 27, South Carolina 24
FINAL: Kentucky 17, South Carolina 10
Saturday's Night Games
6 of 6
No. 7 Stanford (2-0, 1-0 Pac-12) at UCLA (2-1), 8 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Stanford beat UCLA 56-35 last October.
Stanford has owned UCLA for so long—eight straight wins—it should get to pick the Bruins' uniform combo. Another prime-time opportunity for Christian McCaffrey to help his Heisman campaign.
Prediction: Stanford 33, UCLA 22
FINAL: Stanford 22, UCLA 13
No. 3 Louisville (3-0) at Marshall (1-1), 8 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Marshall won 17-13 at Louisville in October 2011.
If Lamar Jackson hasn't already locked up the September Heisman, playing a Marshall team that gave up 65 points at home to Akron will put him over the top.
Prediction: Louisville 54, Marshall 20
FINAL: Louisville 59, Marshall 28
Southern Mississippi (2-1) at UTEP (1-2), 8 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Southern Mississippi beat UTEP 34-13 last October.
Nick Mullens is one of four quarterbacks with six interceptions this season, but UTEP is one of 14 schools yet to pick off a pass.
Prediction: Southern Mississippi 34, UTEP 23
FINAL: Southern Mississippi 34, UTEP 7
Bowling Green (1-2) at Memphis (2-0), 8 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Memphis won 44-41 at Bowling Green last October.
Dino Babers and Justin Fuente gave us a barnburner last year. This time, Mike Norvell will hand fellow first-year coach Mike Jinks another lopsided loss.
Prediction: Memphis 47, Bowling Green 21
FINAL: Memphis 77, Bowling Green 3
Louisiana-Lafayette (2-1) at Tulane (1-2), 8 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Louisiana-Lafayette beat Tulane 24-21 in the 2013 New Orleans Bowl.
Anthony Jennings has more games completing 60 percent of his passes with Louisiana-Lafayette (three) than in three seasons at LSU (two). Tulane has yet to throw for a touchdown.
Prediction: Louisiana-Lafayette 27, Tulane 21
FINAL: Tulane 41, Louisiana-Lafayette 39 (4 OT)
No. 17 Arkansas (3-0) vs. No. 10 Texas A&M (3-0, 1-0 SEC) in Arlington, Texas, 9 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Texas A&M beat Arkansas 28-21 in overtime last September.
Might as well just start this one after regulation, since 60 minutes hasn't been enough the last two games. Bret Bielema already warmed up for the inevitable overtime two weeks ago at TCU.
Prediction: Arkansas 31, Texas A&M 28
FINAL: Texas A&M 45, Arkansas 24
Idaho (1-2) at UNLV (1-2), 9 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Idaho beat UNLV 30-7 in September 2010.
Take out their respective wins over FCS schools, and these teams have been outscored 201-62. UNLV has been the less bad of the two, for what it's worth.
Prediction: UNLV 45, Idaho 20
FINAL: Idaho 33, UNLV 30 (OT)
California (2-1) at Arizona State (3-0), 10 p.m. ET
Last meeting: California beat Arizona State 48-46 last November.
The second-best pass offense (California) vs. the worst pass defense (Arizona State). ASU's Kalen Ballage has nine rushing touchdowns on 37 carries; Cal has allowed seven runs of 30-plus yards. This has #Pac12AfterDark wackiness written all over it.
Prediction: Arizona State 49, California 44
FINAL: Arizona State 51, California 41
Air Force (2-0) at Utah State (2-1), 10:15 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Air Force beat Utah State 35-28 last November.
Two of the last three Mountain West Mountain Division champs are among the top rushing teams in the country. Air Force is the best, at 432.5 yards per game.
Prediction: Air Force 28, Utah State 23
FINAL: Air Force 27, Utah State 20
No. 9 Washington (3-0) at Arizona (2-1), 10:30 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Washington beat Arizona 49-3 last October.
Washington's schedule so far would look easy to many junior college teams. Arizona has beaten a Top 15 team at home every season under Rich Rodriguez but trailed at halftime to Grambling two weeks ago.
Prediction: Washington 29, Arizona 26
FINAL: Washington 35, Arizona 28 (OT)
All statistics courtesy of CFBStats.com, unless otherwise noted. All series history information courtesy of CFBDataWarehouse.com, unless otherwise noted. Odds provided by Odds Shark. Follow Brian J. Pedersen on Twitter at @realBJP.
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