NCAA College Football 2007 Week 4 Picks late games

NCAA College Football 2007 Week 4 Picks - late games

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Fearless Rick's College Football Week 4 Picks - Late Games

Rick Gagliano | September 18, 2007

All times Eastern - Click here for early games.

Check back on Tuesday, September 18 for complete picks.

Saturday, September 22

3:30 pm South Carolina at LSU (-16 1/2, 46) - OK, will the old ball coach, Steve Spurrier, spring some surprises against the best defense in the nation. Maybe, but probably not. This game will hinge almost entirely on defense, as the Gamecocks can put the stop on just about anybody. Georgia found that out when they were stuffed by Carolina 16-12.

The Gamecocks are allowing just under 10 points per game, but LSU has only allowed one TD in 3 games. That's pretty impressive, but Spurrier's squads are among the best-coached in the SEC and they won't be intimidated down in the Bayou. Though SC probably won't win this one, they might, and LSU will have to generate offense and not turn the ball over if they expect to win. A tight one is in the offing.

Prediction: Tigers 16 Gamecocks 13

3:30 pm Penn State (-3, 47 1/2) at Michigan - Dream on if Lloyd Carr thinks he's got anything on Joe Paterno's club in this one. Sure, the game is at the Big House, but Michigan's already lost 2 games there this season and last week's 38-0 win over Notre Dame isn't impressing anyone. The Irish look like a weak division 1-AA school, and Michigan simply had bigger, better players.

This week the Wolverines have to play a real Big 10 team, and possibly one that will be in the Rose Bowl or better. This line is a joke. Penn State will pound these guys.

Prediction: Nittany Lions 38 Wolverines 17

3:30 pm Kentucky at Arkansas (-6 1/2, 67 1/2) - Bring some extra chips and dip for this one because the balls will be flying around all afternoon. Kentucky has to try to avoid a letdown after their impressive upset of Louisville last week, and Arkansas is smarting from their loss at Alabama. The trouble with the Razorbacks is that they cannot play defense and against Kentucky QB Andre Woodson, a legitimate Heisman candidate, that's trouble. Sure, Darren McFadden can do it all for the Razorbacks, but this isn't a showcase, it's a football game and the 3-0 Wildcats were predicted by many to be much improved and they're proving it.

Prediction: Wildcats 41 Razorbacks 30

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7:45 pm Georgia at Alabama (-3 1/2, 48 1/2) - If Nick Saban can get some of his talented defensive players to buy into the 3-4 scheme, the Crimson Tide will be trouble for every other SEC team. Note here that 'Bama is favored over previously ranked Georgia, so it could signal an early out for the Bulldogs from the national picture. The Georgia defense is very inexperienced and likely to be exploited by QB John Parker Wilson and running back Terry Grant, who is averaging 134 yards rushing per game.

Prediction: Crimson Tide 35 Bulldogs 27

8:00 pm Washington State at USC (-24 1/2, 64 1/2) - The Trojans were impressive opening monster holes in a very suspect Nebraska line last week, but the 2-1 Cougars can play a little football. Their only loss was a 42-21 defeat at the hands of Wisconsin, and now they have to travel south for another tough road game. It may be foolhardy to lay against USC, but they don't seem to be all that they're supposed to be. This one may turn out to be more exciting than planned, as QB Alex Brink will move the ball with some effectiveness. USC has yet to prove they can throw effectively and WSU may come up with a few interceptions here.

Prediction: Trojans 45 Cougars 28

8:00 pm Iowa at Wisconsin (-7 1/2, 45) - The Badgers are 3-0 and ranked in the Top 10, but their performance on defense in last week's 45-31 home win over Citadel last week left much to be desired. Wisconsin allowed 377 yards of offense to a team that shouldn't have been on the same field with them. If they allow the Hawkeyes to hang around here, they may find themselves in a much tighter game than they'd like.

Iowa doesn't possess much in the way of offense, however, and since this is the Big 10 opener for both clubs and the Badgers are at home, a more disciplined defense should appear on the field for Wisconsin and they will roll.

Prediction: Badgers 41 Hawkeyes 23

10:15 pm Washington at UCLA (-7, 47 1/2) - The Bruins have no excuses for their 44-6 thumping at the hands of Utah last week, and the Huskies will make amends for their loss to Ohio State - a game which hinged on a couple of key plays at the start of the second half. The Huskies are likely the better team here, despite having to play on the Bruins' home turf. Last season, UCLA won 29-19, but Washington has freshman Jake Locker at QB, and he's a good one. Don't expect him to throw 3 INTs, as he did against the Buckeyes last week because he was pressing in a come-from-behind situation. UCLA has some serious deficiencies on defense and an inconsistent offense as well. Rack up a win for Washington.

Prediction: Huskies 31 Bruins 24

All times Eastern - Click here for early games

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