College football week 4 afternoon window: First screen - 11 Southern Cal @ 18 Michigan (3:30 PM ET/2:30 PM CT, CBS)
Michigan is still barely hanging on to their ranking at this point. USC looks to be ascendant in the—uh, the Big 10, I guess.
Miller Moss, Zach Branch, Duce Robinson, and Lincoln Riley's entire crew have continued to look good down in LA after that impressive opening win over LSU. At least, I think it was impressive. What was impressive, without a doubt, was the solid defensive play—the kind we haven't seen out of a Lincoln Riley-coached squad in quite some time.
I've got the Trojans winning this one. I think Michigan really gets exposed this week—I have a lot of trouble seeing where they can match up with the Trojans. Give me USC, 35-10.
College football week 4 afternoon window: Second screen - 12 Utah @ 14 Oklahoma State (4 PM ET/3 PM CT, FOX)
In what many have dubbed the "get a job" bowl, due to both quarterbacks being in about their eleventh year in college, we've got an exciting one up in Stillwater. This one will have some pretty big Big 12 implications, as most have Utah as the favorite and OSU as a dark horse.
Unluckily for the host Pokes, star RB and erstwhile Heisman hopeful Ollie Gordon hasn't exactly been on fire on the ground so far. This isn't the opponent for a get-right game, either: Kyle Whittingham teams always play hard-nosed defense.
I think the Utes are too much for the Cowboys here. Give me the fighting Cam Risings, 33-24.
College football week 4 afternoon window: Bonus tiny phone screen - Arkansas @ Auburn (3:30 PM ET/2:30 PM CT, ESPN)
This one is bound to be wild. Hugh Freeze and Bobby Petrino in the same building? Talk about electricity! As far as the offensive football goes, I mean.
Arkansas failed their first road test. Auburn failed their first home test. It's time to settle once and for all who is better: Cal or Oklahoma State. I think it's probably the Pokes, so I'll go Arky 34-31.