College football betting: What we learned in Week 4

This week I think we are into exclusively conference action so the season takes another twist. The opportunities for those headline upsets will become rarer — see the SEC where Alabama beat Vanderbilt 55-3. 

Here are some of the things we think we learned from Week 4:

Utah Might Be the Pac-12's Best

I began the week thinking that was USC for sure, but after watching the Trojans struggle to get past Oregon State on the road and Utah dominate in their win it is hard not to think the Utes are truly the best program in the conference this season (even though they have a loss). They are definitely the most balanced. Washington won with ease and Oregon won in a furious comeback at Wazzu so there is going to be a lot of strength at the top of the league this year.

Betting takeaway: The haves at the top of the league are going to be hard to fade. 

Big 12 Might Get Wacky

Instead of proving their Big 12 dominance with a home win over Kansas State, Oklahoma lost. So did Texas on the road against Texas Tech and Iowa State at home against Baylor. There are three undefeated teams in the conference right now, TCU, Oklahoma State, and Kansas. That can't be right can it? With the Jayhawks no longer a free space it is hard to predict who is going to win and where (and by how much) in the league right now.
 
Betting Takeway:  Just take the points?

Big Ten Looks Way Down

Ohio State dominated Wisconsin and Minnesota did the same to Michigan State last week. Beyond that, it was hard to find a Big Ten team that really impressed last week. Miami of Ohio even went to Northwestern and got a win, proving that plucky program is not going to offer much resistance this season. There is a big gap between the Buckeyes and the Golden Gophers but that looks like the most likely Big Ten title game matchup.

Betting Takeaway: Beyond those top teams it is hard to be comfortable. It is hard to tell where the middle of the league starts and ends. 

Georgia Tech — Worst Power 5 Team in the Country?

I have been thinking of this for a while and with Kansas perfect and Vanderbilt having 3 wins so far, there are just a couple of teams that qualify for this terrible title, Georgia Tech, and Colorado. Colorado is definitely not good but their schedule has been tough. GT has one win against an FCS team and they just seem to have no clue what they want to do out there. Geoff Collins has to be the next coach fired, right?

Betting Takeaway: Fade these teams in every situation. 

Clemson, Anybody's Guess 

I thought Wake Forest might be a tricky spot for Clemson, but never did I imagine the Demon Deacons would force them to score 50+ points to get the win. Some of those points came in OT but it showed that the Tigers can beat teams another way. For the first time in a while, the quarterback did not hold them back, though it does not always look pretty with him.

Betting Takeaway: Clemson might be building to something special this season, there are going to be some scalps along the way.