Rambling's 2013 Week 4 CFB Picks

Three weeks into the season and I'm sitting at 44-10 straight up and 32-20-2 against the spread. This weeks slate is a bit of a dud but there are some intriguing games that should tell us more about some of the darkhorses in the country. Enjoy week 4. 

Thursday, September 19th, 2013:

#3 Clemson at North Carolina State, 6:30 pm ESPN, The line on this game is 14 and that seems a bit low, which makes you think Vegas knows something we don't. I will say this though my set of numbers independent of my own thoughts bears out right around there as well. I think Clemson outpaces the Wolfpack and without the aid of a look ahead game on the schedule for Clemson this one should be pretty easy. Winner: Clemson ATS: Clemson -14

Friday, September 20th, 2013:

Boise State at Fresno State, 8:00 pm ESPN, The two best teams in the Mountain West meet up this week in what looks like a prequel to the conferences championship game in December. Fresno State comes in boastin an unblemished record and a win over a solid if unspectacular Rutgers team. Boise State got absolutely shelacked by Washington in week one, but the Huskies may be much better than most of us expected this season. Boise has followed that lone loss by putting the smackdown on teams they are expected too. This one has all the makings of a classic and Fresno State could use this matchup to show the country what they are about this season. Winner: Fresno State ATS: Fresno State -3

Saturday, September 21st, 2013:

Florida International at #7 Louisville, 11:00 am EPSN3, Louisville welcomes FIU this week to continue padding the win column without a challenge. Bridgewater and company look as good as advertised but we won't really see them tested much as we head into conference play. Winner: Louisville ATS: FIU +43
North Texas at #9 Georgia, 11:21 am ESPN3, Georgia welcomes North Texas to Athens where North Texas will get a nice paycheck and a loss. Not much to see here. Winner: Georgia ATS: Georgia -32.5
Tennessee at #19 Florida, 2:30 pm CBS, Tennessee travels to the Swamp for what figures to be one of the best line matchups of the year. The Vols have one of the best five man fronts in college football and Florida has recruited well up front and they are strong again this season. Winner: Florida ATS: Tennessee +17
Michigan State at #22 Notre Dame, 2:30 pm NBC, Expect a defensive slugfest and a really bad Spartans offense to make this look like 12 A.D. but Tommy Rees plus their defense should keep it close. Winner: Notre Dame ATS: Notre Dame -5
Purdue at #24 Wisconsin, 2:30 pm ABC/ESPN2, Purdue has caused fits the last couple of seasons for Notre Dame, Ohio State and Wisconsin. The Boliermakers come to Camp Randall off a close loss to ND and with Wisconsin still thinking about a controversial loss in Tempe. This one will be closer than expected but the Badgers run game is too strong for the Black and Gold. Winner: Wisconsin ATS: Purdue +24
ULM at #20 Baylor, 3:00 pm FOX Sports 1, ULM visits Baylor and the dynamic for this years game is a bit different. ULM isn't coming off a victory over a FBS opponent and Baylor's offense looks like it may be better than last years team, which is scary. ULM may keep it close early but that Baylor offense will get going in the second half and prove too much for the Warhawks. Winner: Baylor ATS: ULM +29
Colorado State at #1 Alabama, 6:00 pm ESPN2, Colorado State and head coach Jim McElwain comes back to Bama to take on his old boss, Nick Saban. It will be a bloodbath but good on Saban for playing former coaches. Winner: Alabama ATS: Colorado St. +40
#23 Arizona State at #5 Stanford, 6:00 pm FOX, This may be the most interesting game of the weekend if not the best game. Stanford hasn't played anyone this season but had a scare last week against Army. Arizona State had a controversial win versus Wisconsin but had trouble slowing down the running game and that could be trouble versus a strong Stanford front. Winner: Stanford ATS: Stanford - 6
SMU at #10 Texas A&M, 6:00 pm ESPNU, SMU travels to Texas A&M and this will be a blood bath. A&M has way too much firepower and SMU has struggled for a couple years now on offense. Winner: Texas A&M ATS: SMU +28.5
Texas State at #25 Texas Tech, 6:00 pm, Texas State heads to Texas Tech this week and although I think Tech wins pretty easily I think State is good enough to surprise some people and with the spread as big as it is, well, I'll take the points. Winner: Texas Tech ATS: Texas State +27.5
Auburn at #6 LSU, 6:45 pn ESPN, Auburn travels to LSU and although they are showing signs of improvement in Malzahn's first season as the Tigers head coach they don't have the horses up front to beat an excellent LSU defense. The LSU offesnse has shown strides especially in the passing game where Mettenberger has been efficient if not spectacular. Winner: LSU ATS: Auburn +17.5
#15 Michigan at Connecticut, 7:00 pm ABC, Michigan heads to UCONN after a disappointing showing against Akron but they won and head to take on the Huskies undefeated. The Huskies lost to Towson and Maryland so yeah. Winner: Michigan ATS: Michigan -18
New Mexico State at #13 UCLA, 9:30 Pac-12 Network, Coming off a big win on the road against Nebraska the Bruins may have a bit of a letdown versus the Aggies but they won't be anywhere close to losing. Winner: UCLA ATS: New Mexico State +43