Macho Rhino's College Football Picks for Week 4 of the 2010 Season

We’re back to some big games this weekend, some in-conference and others out. This should help eliminate some teams hoping to make the BCS.

While a loss this early can be overcome if you’re ranked high, if you’re out of the Top 10 and lose now, it’s a long way to climb back.

The weekend kicks off tonight with a great matchup with Miami playing at Pittsburgh. This game means a lot not just to both teams, but their entire conferences as well.

Both were my preseason picks to win their conferences, and with both conferences off to bad starts, they need this win on national television to reestablish some credibility.

I’m 62-12 (84 percent) on the season with my college football picks. Here’s how I see Week 4 of the 2010 college football season playing out.

1. Alabama at 12. Arkansas

Bobby Petrino’s biggest game during his short tenure as head of Razorbacks. He’s got the QB and playmakers, but can his defense rise to the occasion to keep Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson in check? Highly unlikely. Arkansas feeds off the crowd to stay in during the first quarter, but ‘Bama is going to wear them down and pull away. Alabama 38, Arkansas 24

2. Ohio State vs. Eastern Michigan

Ohio State has another cupcake before they get ready for Big Ten play. Ohio State 52, Eastern Michigan 10

3. Boise State vs. 22. Oregon State

Boise gets its second shot at a ranked team on national television this year as the Beavers come to the Blue Turf. Boise is nearly impossible to beat at home, and Oregon State doesn’t have the defense to slow them down. Boise makes another statement in this game. Boise State 42, Oregon State 21

4. Oregon at Arizona State

ASU played well at Wisconsin last weekend but is facing a Ducks squad that has scored more than a point a minute this season. That’s potent scoring. The Ducks are far too explosive for the Sun Devils to hang around for long. Oregon 38, Arizona State 17

5. TCU at SMU

Friday night TCU gets a chance to go on national TV again and make a statement to the BCS playing SMU. SMU is an improving team, but it's not ready for what TCU is doing these days. TCU 42, SMU 17

6. Texas vs. UCLA

UCLA will find out if it's got things figured out on offense when it collides with a strong Texas defense. UCLA doesn’t have what it takes to hang with the Horns. Texas 30, UCLA 10

7. Oklahoma vs. Cincinnati

Cincinnati misses Brian Kelly, it looks like. Their offense was one of the best in the country over the past few years, and now it hasn’t been able to muster over two touchdowns a game. The Sooners should win easily. Oklahoma 37, Cincinnati 14

8. Nebraska vs. South Dakota State

This won’t be one of those FCS schools stepping up and beating an FBS. Nebraska thrashes this team. Nebraska 56, South Dakota State 0

9. Florida vs. Kentucky

Kentucky rolls into the Swamp with dreams of an upset. The Gators have too much talent and will win, but it’s going to be tough. Florida 28, Kentucky 20

10. Arizona vs. California

Is there a letdown for the Cats after such a big win last week over Iowa? Cal is trying to rebound from getting dominated in the second half against Nevada. Arizona will struggle early but get it together in the second half behind Nick Foles Arizona 28, California 14

11. Miami at 21. Pittsburgh

Miami is hoping for a better performance on the road tonight than what Jacory Harris gave them a couple of weeks ago at Ohio State. With Greg Romeus injured for Pitt, Harris won’t see as strong of a pass rush and should be able to make some plays downfield. Miami 24, Pittsburgh 20

13. Utah vs. San Jose State

Utah’s a good team and should crush San Jose State regardless of who plays QB for the Utes. Utah 42, San Jose State 7

14. LSU vs. 20. West Virginia

Les Miles can put to sleep rumors he’ll lose his job at the end of the year for at least a month. The Tigers have been playing well and should be able to handle an overmatched Mountaineer team in Baton Rouge. LSU 24, West Virginia 14

15. Auburn vs. 17. South Carolina

This is a huge game for both teams. They each are hoping to win their division in the SEC and know that becomes a long shot if they lose this game. Auburn has had back-to-back tough games that have gone to the wire with them winning by three both times. South Carolina has played well, and it’s time to see just how good their freshmen are this week.

I think Auburn will be drained from the last couple of weeks, and South Carolina’s defense will contain Cam Newton enough to win a tight one. South Carolina 23, Auburn 20

16. Stanford at Notre Dame

Andrew Luck is outstanding and will light the Irish up this weekend. Even with one of his best receivers out, Luck should shred the Irish defense. Notre Dame’s only hope is the offense can play well enough to put together long drives that don’t let Luck get in rhythm. Stanford 30, Notre Dame 20

18. Iowa vs. Ball State

Iowa looks to tune up for Big Ten play with a cakewalk against Ball State. Iowa 41, Ball State 13

19. Wisconsin vs. Austin Peay

Wisconsin cruises against inferior competition. Wisconsin 35, Austin Peay 0

23. Penn State vs. Temple

Penn State should wrap up the MAC Championship this week. This is a game worth watching though to see how Temple does on the road against a good Big Ten team. Bernard Pierce could boost his Heisman case and NFL draft stock with a strong performance for the Owls. Penn State 24, Temple 14

24. Michigan vs. Bowling Green

Denard Robinson should go wild again this week and be up around 400 total yards, but the Michigan defense will give up their share of yards as well. Bowling Green will be in this game, but Michigan will outscore them in the end. Michigan 42, Bowling Green 28

25. Air Force at Wyoming

Wyoming is recovering from the beating Boise State gave them last week, and things don’t get much easier this week. You go from that spread attack of Boise to the option offense of Air Force. Another tough one for the Cowboys. Air Force 31, Wyoming 14

The three bonus picks for this weekend:

Nevada at BYU

The Cougars are beat up and inexperienced. They’ve played a tough schedule so far, while Nevada rolls into town undefeated riding high after a huge win over Cal last Friday night. The pistol offense of the Wolf Pack will be too much. Nevada 34, BYU 28

Georgia at Mississippi State

Georgia tried to make a comeback last week against Arkansas only to give up the winning score in the final seconds. Mississippi State has looked good at times this year and is trying to get back to being competitive in the SEC. Mark Richt’s team has to win this week and will. Georgia 27, Mississippi State 21

Virginia Tech at Boston College

Did VA Tech get back on track in the second half of last week’s game, or was that a fluke? I think they’ll show it was no fluke and beat a BC team that while they’ve won their games so far haven’t been impressive. The Hokies win. Virginia Tech 28, Boston College 17