College Football Picks Week 4: 10 Underdogs That Will Cover the Spread

Week 4 of the college football season is upon us, and it's time to break down the betting lines and find some good underdog sleepers to put our well-earned money on. You know, if gambling were legal.

I've dug through the lines and found 10 teams I'm willing to go out on a limb and back as an underdog that will cover this week, And when I say that I've gone out on a limb, I mean it, so get ready for some surprises in this piece.

If you agree or disagree, make sure to let it be known in the comments. If you have your own underdog you're supporting this week, I'd love to hear it.

No. 10: Bowling Green

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BOISE , ID - SEPTEMBER 13: Willie Geter #28 of the Bowling Green Falcons runs the ball against the Boise State Broncos at Bronco Stadium on September 13, 2008 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)

Bowling Green are 25-point underdogs at Michigan this week ,and I have to say, I'm kind of feeling them as a pick this week. 

Michigan wasn't impressive at all against UMass last week, and the Wolverines' defense looked like it can be exploited. The Falcons will by no means win this game, and with Denard Robinson suiting up for Michigan, there's always the chance that he goes off and just torches Bowling Green all day long.

However, I'm going out on a limb and saying that the Falcons keep this close enough to cover the spread.

No. 9: SMU

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DALLAS - NOVEMBER 29: Defensive end Justin Rogers #40 of the Southern Methodist University Mustangs on the field during the game against the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs on November 29, 2003 at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas, Texas. TCU won

The Mustangs are getting 17 points against TCU, and while you might think that should be no problem for the Horned Frogs to cover, I'm not sold on that just yet. 

SMU beat Washington State last week and, say whatever you want about the Cougars' program, it's still a BCS conference team. While TCU has been impressive this year, I think SMU can keep themselves in the game long enough to cover the spread.

I'm not going to bet the farm on it, but I'd be willing to take a small bet on it.

No. 8: Washington State

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SEATTLE - NOVEMBER 28: Quarterback Kevin Lopina #9 of the Washington State Cougars scrambles against Daniel Te'o-Nesheim #66 of the Washington Huskies on November 28, 2009 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. The Huskies defeated the Cougars 30-0. (P

Okay, I'm sure some of you are scratching your heads at this one, seeing as Washington State has been totally brutal this season. 

The Cougars are 1-2, having beaten only Montana State by one point. Yep, Montana State, by a point. Now that's one for the scrapbook. Other than that, Washington State got steamrolled by Oklahoma State and lost to SMU; now the Cougars have USC on the schedule.

USC has not impressed me at all this season, especially in struggling against teams like Virginia and Minnesota. I think that Washington State can cover a 22-point spread.

No. 7: Temple

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STATE COLLEGE, PA - SEPTEMBER 19: Quarterback Vaughn Charlton #12 of the Temple Owls throws a pass during a game against the Penn State Nittany Lions on September 19, 2009 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Ima

Again, I know it may be shocking to hear, but I think the Owls can cover at Penn State this weekend. The Nittany Lions have looked less than impressive this season and even though they housed Youngstown State in the season opener, I think Temple can keep it close. 

The fact that the line is 14 points tells you all you need to know about the state of Penn State football right now. The Nittany Lions just sort of went through the motions against Kent State and Temple is better than both of these teams and I think they'll compete with Penn State.

I'm going out on a limb, but I'm more secure in this than my other picks so far.

No. 6: UCLA

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PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 18: Flanker Ricky Marvay #10 of the UCLA Bruins carries the ball against the Houston Cougars at the Rose Bowl on September 18, 2010 in Pasadena, California. UCLA won 31-13. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

The Bruins are traveling to Texas this week to take on the seventh ranked Longhorns in Austin this weekend. While UCLA hasn't been the most impressive team this year, neither has Texas. 

The Longhorns haven't been blowing teams away and with the Bruins getting 16 points, I like their chances of being able to cover this spread. UCLA beat Houston last week and sure, the Bruins hurt two of the Cougars' quarterbacks, but a win is a win.

I'd take UCLA and the points and sit back and watch with a decent level of confidence.

No. 5: Kentucky

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LEXINGTON, KY - SEPTEMBER 18: Mike Hartline #5 of the Kentucky Wildcats throws a pass during the game against the Akron Zips at Commonwealth Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Another team who has been less than impressive this season is Florida and that's who Kentucky will take on this week. 

Florida is 14 point favorites and I think Kentucky can and will hang with the Gators. Kentucky may not end up covering, but this game will stay close with the Wildcats' running game dictating the pace of the game. I think that Kentucky will give Florida a strong fight and that's something that's common for the Gators this year.

John Brantley is still coming into his own and I think Kentucky will cover as a result.

No. 4: South Carolina

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COLUMBIA, SC - SEPTEMBER 11: Wide receiver Alshon Jeffery #1 of the South Carolina Gamecocks runs to the line of scrimmage before a play during the game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Williams-Brice Stadium on September 11, 2010 in Columbia, South Carol

I'm a big fan of this pick. South Carolina is traveling to Auburn to take on the 17th ranked Tigers. 

The Gamecocks are ranked 12th overall and are three point underdogs in this game. Auburn is coming off of a tough overtime win against Clemson which is a game they could have easily lost. I think South Carolina is going to go in and not only cover, but win this game.

I'd bet this game, but be nervous the entire time I watched. It's an SEC clash, it's going to be physical and a battle the entire way.

No. 3: Oregon State

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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 04: Safety Lance Mitchell #10 of the Oregon State Beavers at Cowboys Stadium on September 4, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Oregon State is under the primetime lights as they head to Boise to take on Boise State and the third-ranked Broncos on the Smurf Turf. 

For some reason, the Beavers are 17 point underdogs and maybe it's because Boise State must blow Oregon State out of the water to try and get into the national title game. Yes, the Broncos need to win, but they need to win big and send a statement to the nation that they belong in the title game after Virginia Tech's embarrassing loss to James Madison.

Oregon State hung tough with TCU and I think they will with Boise State too, as much as it pains me to say it because I want the Broncos in the national title game.

No. 2: West Virginia

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - JANUARY 01: Quarterback Jarrett Brown #16 of the West Virginia Mountaineers celebrates his first quarter touchdown run against the Florida State Seminoles during the Konica Minolta Gator Bowl on January 1, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida

This is a bit of a reach but I'm feeling like being bold today and that's what I'm doing with West Virginia. The Mountaineers are 10 point underdogs at LSU and while that isn't the best place to go try and win a road game, especially in an non-conference game, I think West Virginia can do this. 

The Big East has been awful against the other BCS conferences and not a lot of people are giving the Mountaineers a chance and are 10 point underdogs. I just think West Virginia can find room to move the ball against the Tigers and make this a closer game than people think.

Betting on a Big East team out of conference is a bit of a stretch but you won't get any reward if you don't take a risk.

No. 1: California

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BERKELEY, CA - SEPTEMBER 11: Keenan Allen #21 of the California Golden Bears can't catch a pass as Jalil Brown #23 of the Colorado Buffaloes defends at California Memorial Stadium on September 11, 2010 in Berkeley, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Gett

While Cal did just get blasted by Nevada in its last game, I think they're set up in prime position to cover the spread this week against Arizona. 

The Wildcats just upset Iowa last week and this week smells like a classic letdown game this week against the Golden Bears. Cal is a six and a half point underdog and I think that the Golden Bears will be embarrassed from last week and will try and get that taste out of their mouths.

There are a lot of tough lines to pick this week and you could tell that I'm going out on a limb with a lot of my picks but I like to believe in the letdown game and think it will happen this week.