WEEK 4 NCAA Footall - late games
All times Eastern
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4:00 pm Michigan (-10, 52) at Purdue - The Wolverines are 3-0 and they've played solid teams - Florida, Cincinnati, and Air Force - but Purdue actually has a competitive squad this season.
After losing to Louisville, 35-28, the Boilermakers topped Ohio, 44-21 and crammed Missouri on the road, 35-3, an impressive effort. They're at home, getting points and they'll try to feature sophomore Tario Fuller out of the backfield. He's rushed for 261 yards and Purdue has a gang of other hungry backs looking to get carries.
The real story may be the Purdue defense, which showed its true colors last week. Low score, big upset.
Coin Flip: Purdue
Prediction: Boilermakers 17 Wolverines 14
7:00 pm Syracuse at LSU (-23, 56) - Don't be surprised if the Orange actually win this game.
LSU is in turmoil following their 37-7 beatdown at Mississippi State last week and while the offense may not be up to the test - as they were last week - the defense will be tested by the high-octane, no-huddle Syracuse attack.
Basically, no team that lost by 30 points the prior week should be 23 point favorites, unless they're playing Sister Mary's Nuns and Choir Boys.
Coin Flip: Syracuse
Prediction: Orange 34 Tigers 24
7:00 pm Mississippi State at Georgia (-5, 48 1/2) - Georgia's biggest win this season was their 20-19 win at Notre Dame, but wins over Appalachian State and Samford don't tell us much about the team.
Mississippi State is a known quantity after ripping LSU 37-7 last week. The Mississippis State Bulldogs rank sixth nationally in points allowed (9.3) and are tied for ninth in scoring with Oklahoma (47.7). Does anybody see why giving the Bulldogs points here may be a bad idea?
Georgia simply doesn't have enough offense to be competitive here.
Coin Flip: Georgia
Prediction: Mississippi State Bulldogs 34 Georgia Bulldogs 13
7:30 pm Florida (-3, 44) at Kentucky - The Wildcats are 3-0, but there is really nothing which stands out except the fact that they're well-coached and should be prepared or the incoming Gators.
The question is whether Florida will suffer an emotional letdown after their final-play win over Tennessee last week. They might, but it won't last. Even if they're not on their pest behavior, the Gators are probably a better team and should survive, though it may not be easy.
Coin Flip: Kentucky
Prediction: Gators 30 Wildcats 23
7:30 pm Penn State (-12 1/2, 52) at Iowa - Ranked #4, the 3-0 Nittany Lions have thumped the opposition by a combined score of 141-14, shutting out both Akron and Georgia State in the process.
Penn State has one of the most explosive offenses in the college ranks and the Hawkeyes, also 3-0, may have a tough time keeping them off the scoreboard consistently, witness the 44-41 overtime win at Iowa State as proof that Iowa's defense can be had.
Being at home, emotions will keep the Hawkeyes in the game through the first half, but Penn State should wear them down in the final two quarters and win going away.
Coin Flip: Iowa
Prediction: Nittany Lions 38 Hawkeyes 17
8:00 pm Notre Dame (-5, 54) at Michigan State - The Spartans suffered through a 3-9 season in 2016, but, heading down the stretch, they lost at home to Michigan,32-23, and to Ohio State, 17-16. They've started this year at 2-0, beating Bowling Green, 35-10, and Western Michigan, 28-14, so there are signs that they've turned a corner.
The Irish rocked Temple, 49-16, and Boston College, 49-20, but lost to Georgia, 20-19, in between. Of course, Notre Dame was just 4-8 last season, so they've got to put up or shut up here on the road.
Last season, these two met at Notre Dame, the Spartans coming away victorious, 36-28. Noting that, the Spartans may very well have the Fighting Irish in their sights and should prevail on home field.
Coin Flip: Notre Dame
Prediction: Spartans 28 Fighting Irish 24
10:00 pm Washington (-10 1/2, 50 1/2) at Colorado - This is a rematch of last season's PAC-12 championship, won by the Huskies, 41-10.
Both teams are 3-0 overall against inferior teams, but the Huskies are tied for 11th nationally in scoring, putting up an average of 47 points per outing. It's safe to say that Washington is a solid choice in this game and should win going away.
Coin Flip: Colorado
Prediction: Huskies 38 Buffaloes 17
10:30 pm UCLA at Stanford (-8, 63) - While the UCLA Bruins certainly have one of the best offensive groups in the conference (48.7 ppg, 8th), their defense leaves much to be desired.
Despite allowing 112 points in three games, they're still 2-1, the lone loss last week at Memphis, 48-45. In their opener, only the largest comeback in school history saved them from defeat.
After whipping it up against Rice, 62-7, in their season opener, the Cardinal has lost two straight, dropping a bomb, 42-24 at USC and letting San Diego State by with a 20-17 win.
They do not seem the caliber of a team competing for the conference title, but this is a huge game for both teams and eight points - even at home. UCLA's Josh Rosen is a threat from anywhere on the field and will likely keep this one close.
Coin Flip: Stanford
Prediction: Bruins 35 Cardinal 32
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