NCAA Week 4 Early Games

All times Eastern

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3:30 pm Duke at Notre Dame (-21, 59 1/2) - Just for the benefit of fans from South Bend, we'll note that the Irish had a tough start to their season, having to play both Texas and Michigan State in their first three weeks. However, the Irish lost both of those games and are not presently a threat for the national championship.

The offense is solid, the defense, average, but Duke is in a down year, so Notre Dame should produce a rout.

Coin Flip: Duke

Prediction: Fighting Irish 45 Blue Devils 14

3:30 pm Florida at Tennessee (-6 1/2, 43 1/2) - Both teams are 3-0 heading into this key SEC clash, but the Gators sure don't look like nearly a touchdown underdog even though they are on the road.

Last year's meeting produced a 28-27 victory for the Gators. Despite all the hype surrounding Tennessee this year, they are probably another of a handful of very good college teams in the SEC, like Florida.

Coin Flip: Florida

Prediction: Gators 24 Vols 19

3:30 pm Pittsburgh at North Carolina (-7, 67 1/2) - Last week, Pitt was favored at Oklahoma State, but ended up on the wrong end of a shoot-out, losing 45-38, dropping them to 2-1.

After losing their opener to Georgia (nothing to be ashamed of), the Tar Heels bounced back for a pair of wins, showing off their offensive capabilities by scoring a combined 104 points in those two games. Carolina may be the real deal in the ACC, after Clemson, of course.

Coin Flip: North Carolina

Prediction: Tar Heels 45 Panthers 35

6:00 pm LSU (-3 1/2, 46 1/2) at Auburn - Already sporting losses to Clemson (19-13) and Texas A&M (29-16), the Auburn Tigers are up against it, hosting another Tiger team in LSU, 2-1 after consecutive wins, having dropped their opener to Wisconsin, 16-14.

Hard to think of the LSU Tigers as a favorite here, as rugged as road wins are to come by in the SEC, so taking sides with the home team may be prudential, considering the generous point spread.

Coin Flip: LSU

Prediction: Auburn Tigers 20 LSU Tigers 18

7:30 Nebraska (-7, 48) at Northwestern - The Wildcats should be getting more points than just a TD with the Cornhuskers coming to town. Northwestern has already posted losses to Western Michigan and Illinois State, beating Duke last week 24-13. That's not very good.

The 'Huskers are 3-0 having knocked off Oregon last week, 35-32, but are on the road. Despite this being their first road trip, they appear good enough to win just about anywhere.

Coin Flip: Northwestern

Prediction: Cornhuskers 41 Wildcats 21

7:30 pm Oklahoma State at Baylor (-7 1/2, 75 1/2) - Even though Oklahoma State won at home over Pitt last week, that does not put them in the same sentence with the Bears, who have outscored their opponents 133 to 30 in their three wins.

This has ROMP written all over the Big 12 scoreboard.

Coin Flip: Baylor

Prediction: Bears 56 Cowboys 27

8:00 pm Stanford (-3, 46) at UCLA - Stanford already beat one SoCal team, topping USC, last week, 27-10, but that was at home. The Cardinal is 2-0.

The Bruins lost their opener to Texas A&M, 31-24 in OT, but routed UNLV and just got by BYU last week, 17-14, and appear ready to deal with the Cardinal. Appearances can be deceiving, though, because Stanford may be ready to run off a string of 7 or 8 straight wins and cruise through the PAC-12. They may be that good.

Coin Flip: UCLA

Prediction: Cardinal 31 Bruins 21

9:00 pm Arkansas vs. Texas A&M (-5 1/2, 49) (Arlington, Texas) - The Aggies are as good as they come in the SEC, but don't feel Arkansas short. This is a huge game for both schools, both are ranked and both have wins over solid opponents (Aggies over UCLA; Razorbacks topped TCU).

Take the Razorbacks and the points because this one may go down to the wire.

Coin Flip: Arkansas

Prediction: Razorbacks 35 Aggies 34

10:30 pm Washington (-4 1/2, 53) at Arizona - The PAC-12 is loaded with talent and both of these teams have plenty to showcase. Washington, however, may be a real sleeper on the national championship scene, so look for a convincing Husky victory.

Coin Flip: Washington

Prediction: Huskies 38 Wildcats 28