Week 4 Predictions

Week 4 Predictions

Many college football fans had their eyes set on College Station in Week 3 for the epic rematch from last season of Texas A&M and Alabama. Alabama couldn't have asked for a worse start falling behind 14-0 early but the Tide would rise and respond down the stretch and hold off a late Aggie rally to survive a thrilling 49-42 shootout. Johnny Manziel had an overall solid game but threw two costly interceptions both leading directly to Alabama touchdowns that ultimately proved to be the difference maker. South Carolina held off the visiting Commodores, Ole Miss thumped Texas (see ya later, Mack Brown) and both Auburn and Texas Tech picked up conference wins and head into Week 4 undefeated. Clemson and Georgia were on their bye weeks and will look to stay in the win column this week as they take on North Carolina State and North Texas, respectively.

Week 4 Predictions: Take Your Pick 

Auburn @ #6 LSU 

Gus Malzhan has Auburn at 3-0 and ready to gain back some respect for a program that has seen better days since winning the BCS title in 2010. If Auburn can find a way to get it done in Tiger Stadium, watch out for the (Auburn) Tigers...this could be their rebound year. LSU is also 3-0 and coming off two blowout wins and will be tested against a much improved Auburn squad. Auburn will have a good season this year and might steal a win or two in conference play, but not this week. Always tough to knock off LSU at home. 

The Pick: LSU  

Texas State @ #25 Texas Tech

Kliff Kingsbury is off to a good start as head coach at his alma mater as the Red Raiders enter week 4 undefeated at 3-0. They cracked the top 25 with their win over TCU this weekend and will again take care of business this week against the Bobcats. Texas Tech easily moves to 4-0 this weekend and the Red Raider nation slowly but surely feel better about letting Chad Morris slip through the cracks. It is way too early to tell, but Kingsbury appears to be a great fit back at Texas Tech. 

                                                                                     The Pick: Texas Tech

#9 Georgia vs North Texas

A well rested Georgia team welcomes North Texas to town as a warm-up for another crucial SEC showdown next weekend when LSU comes to Athens for battle. Coming off the bye week and win over South Carolina I anticipate the Dawgs to pick up right where they left out and cruise to an easy victory over North Texas. With LSU looming next week, this is another case of jump out to an early lead, get your reserves in the game and most importantly, stay healthy.

The Pick: Georgia 

#8 Florida State vs Bethune Cookman

For the second straight week Florida State squares off against another inferior opponent at home and for the second straight week they will prove they are they are on their back to college football's elite. Jamies Winston will push the Noles closer to an epic potential top five showdown in Death Valley against the Tigers on October 19th. Seminoles put this one away early and prepare for ACC play on the road in Chestnut Hill against Boston College next weekend. 

                                                                                    The Pick: Florida State

Bonus Pick of the Week

North Carolina vs Georgia Tech

These two Coastal division foes meet up for an important ACC match-up giving the winner a small step ahead of the pack as conference play begins to heat up. North Carolina's Bryn Renner has thrown for over 500 yards so far this season and has only 1 interception. They win a close one this week over the yellow jackets. 

The Pick: North Carolina

And last but not least...... 

Christopher's Game of the Week

#3 Clemson @ North Carolina State

Preview:

Clemson fans would like to forget what happened the last time the Tigers made the trip to Carter-Finley Stadium. The Tigers rolled into Raleigh ranked #7 and got absolutely blasted by the Wolfpack and fell 37-13. However, things will be much different this time around and this team is better in nearly every aspect of the game. Going on the road on a Thursday night is not a easy task for anyone but the Tigers, coming off their bye week, should be loaded and ready to fire away when they take the field Thursday night. 

Players to Watch: 

Clemson- QB Tajh Boyd, WR Sammy Watkins, WR Gerome Hopper, RB Roderick McDowell 

North Carolina State- QB Pete Thomas, RB Matt Dayes, NC State Defense.

My Thoughts: 

I've had this game circled on my calendar since the schedule was released. I told a few friends of mine in the off season I was more worried about this week than I was about week 1 against Georgia. The Tigers know very well that if they don't show up ready to play they will and can get knocked off by the Wolfpack. This game will be nothing like the shootout we saw last season in Death Valley, but NC State is capable of making this game a bit "too interesting" if you are a Tiger fan. If the Tigers want to prove they are the real deal and a National title contender, this is a game where you have to make a statement. I haven't heard of anyone calling for an upset but it has to be in the back of everyone's mind. Will the Tigers "pull a Clemson" this year and if so, when? 

Bottom Line:

The Tiger defense is improving and North Carolina State has yet to even put up a touchdown through the air. That's good news for a Clemson secondary that is still suspect. If the Tigers show up and play to the level they are capable of, we'll see Cole Stoudt and Chad Kelly in the game as early as the 3rd quarter. However if Clemson comes out flat and ill-prepared, it could be a rough night in Raleigh. All that being said, Clemson is the better team here and will prove it on the field. The spread is 13 in favor of the Tigers and I think they cover it and then some. Even if the defense is shaky, the Offense will put up more than enough points to secure the victory. Clemson picks up its first conference win of the season in convincing fashion. 

The Pick: Clemson 47 North Carolina State 21