College Football Picks Week 4: Predicting Winners for Every Blockbuster Matchup

Finally, the college football season is getting really interesting, as Week 4 features four games pitting Top 25 teams against one another. 

The rankings are going to look very different after this weekend, which makes this Saturday so important. 

There are some good noon games, but once 3:30 p.m. ET rolls around the top teams will be battling it out to prove they're the best. And of course the night games will not disappoint. 

Here are my predictions on how the top matchups of Week 4 will go down. 

No. 14 Arkansas at No. 3 Alabama

The SEC West is by far the toughest division in all of college football, and these two teams will prove that this weekend. The Razorbacks had a good chance a year ago, but with the departure of Ryan Mallett and the loss of Knile Davis, Bobby Petrino's squad will have a tough time beating the Crimson Tide.

Nick Saban once again has one of if not the best defense in the country, and because this is a home game for Alabama they should have no troubles.

The only worry here is if Saban continues to go back and forth with his quarterbacks. The clear-cut starter should emerge in this game, and the Crimson Tide need not make any changes afterward. Defense is the key here, and Alabama is too good to lose at home. 

Alabama 28, Arkansas 17

No. 7 Oklahoma State at No. 8 Texas A&M 

 The Cowboys won by three points a year ago, and even though this will be their first true road test of the year, they will still find the end zone early and often. 

Brandon Weeden and Justin Blackmon are a little better than Ryan Tannehill and Jeff Fuller, and while the Aggies have the edge at running back with Cyrus Gray, the Cowboys big-play ability will be too much to handle.

Expect a big shootout here, with Oklahoma State winning in the final minutes of the fourth quarter.

Oklahoma State 48, Texas A&M 40

No. 11 Florida State at No. 21 Clemson 

The Seminoles are coming off a tough loss to the No. 1 team in the country, and now they must hit the road for an ACC showdown. Clemson's confidence is sky high after a big win over Auburn, but they're about to take on a much tougher defense. 

The Tigers have some big play-makers on offense, but the Seminoles defense will be able to keep them in check. E.J. Manuel did not practice on Wednesday, but he has yet to be ruled out for Saturday's game.

Florida State would prefer to have him, but backup quarterback Clint Trickett did a solid job filling in for him against the Sooners a week ago. The son of the offensive line coach, Trickett knows the offense very well, but on the road in Death Valley will be a tough game for this redshirt freshman, should Manuel be out.

Florida Sate 24, Clemson 21

No. 2 LSU at No. 16 West Virginia 

The Tigers rival the Crimson Tide for the best defense in the country, and they will have their hands full against Geno Smith and the Mountaineers. 

West Virginia loves to attack, but because this LSU defense has gained a lot of experience in the first three weeks they will be ready to shut the Mountaineers down. 

The No. 2 team in the country should be No. 1 right now, but they will be after an impressive win in Morgantown. The key for LSU is to not turn the ball over and let the ground-and-pound go to work. And of course, just let the defense do their thing. 

LSU 34, West Virginia 24