Week 4 Nevada College Pick'em Contest picks

Listed below are the lines and games you can pick from for Week 4, and the overall standings through the first three weeks of the contest. And unlike last week, two people went a perfect 8-0 last week. As for the leaderboard, 13 people are tied for first at 17-7.

Kentucky (+6.5) vs. Ole Miss

The line for this game is set at seven for the most part, but William Hill chooses to avoid ties, and didn't round up to 7.5 with the hook in this one. That definitely makes betting Kentucky +6.5 much riskier, but I still think the Wildcats stay within six points of the Rebels. I say that mostly because star running back Chris Rodriguez is back after missing the team's first four games due to suspension. Rodriguez rushed for over 1,000 yards last year and scored 13 total touchdowns, which should make things only easier for Will Levis and the Wildcats offense. Plus, Ole Miss allowed over 260 yards on the ground last week in a 32-27 win over Tulsa, and if that happens again this week, the Wildcats might even pull off the upset on the road and beat Ole Miss. 

Oklahoma vs. TCU (+6.5)

Oklahoma's easy nonconference schedule caught up to them last week against Kansas State, and don't be convinced they're going to bounce back just like that this week. Don't let the 41-34 score make you think it was close either, KSU took it to Oklahoma. The Sooners had no answer for the Wildcats' rushing attack and quarterback Dillon Gabriel missed a ton of open throws. And that can't happen against a team of TCU's caliber. TCU might be one of the bottom of the barrel teams still undefeated, but at home against a team with a historic program like the Sooners, expect the Horned Frogs to give them hell. TCU is averaging over 40 points a game, and I expect to see them to score at least 30 this week against an Oklahoma team that looked bad against the run a week ago. That should be enough to keep TCU within six of Oklahoma. 

Purdue vs. Minnesota (-12.5)

Sixth-year quarterback Aidan O'Connell didn't play last week for Purdue, and there's no guarantee he'll play this week against Minnesota. Even if he is able to go, how healthy will he actually be? Not 100%, that's for sure. You know what is for real, though? The Minnesota defense. The Gophers have allowed the second-fewest number of points in the nation, and have allowed the fewest number of yards in the nation. And it's not like the Gophers are bad offensively. Minnesota is averaging over 45 points a game, and they should have little trouble covering a 12-point spread at home against Purdue, regardless if O'Connell plays, after dominating Michigan State last week on the road in a 34-7 win. 

Iowa State vs. Kansas (+3.5)

Don't ask me why or how, but the 4-0 Jayhawks are home underdogs against 3-1 Iowa State. Kansas is ahead of them in the polls and has the better record, and yet, still underdogs. I know, I know. I don't get it either but it is what it is. It's definitely too early to say Kansas is a football school, and not a basketball school, but make no mistake about it, Lance Leipold and the Jayhawks are for real. The Jayhawks are averaging 47 points a game and quarterback Jalon Daniels isn't just the most underrated quarterback in the nation, he's a legit contender for the Heisman. No doubt Iowa State will be ready to play after losing a tight one to Baylor last week, but Kansas +3.5 on the spread is too good to pass up. 

Indiana (+5.5) vs. Nebraska

Nebraska is a dumpster fire, and until the Cornhuskers win a conference game, you should take the opposing team on the spread, and probably on the moneyline too each week. Scott Frost got fired after an embarrassing 45-42 loss to Georgia Southern nearly three weeks ago, and interim head coach Mickey Joseph fired defensive coordinator Erik Chandler shortly after getting stomped by Oklahoma, 49-14, nearly two weeks ago. Now sometime change is for the better, and well, sometimes change just means disfunction. And we think the latter of the two applies here. Nebraska is simply a disaster right now, and despite getting trounced by Cincinnati last week, Indiana +5.5 is the right play. The Hoosiers have respectable wins over Illinois and Western Kentucky, and probably beat Nebraska, let alone cover the spread, on Saturday. 

Colorado vs. Arizona (-17.5)

Two bad teams in the Pac-12 probably means some bad football, but that doesn't mean Arizona doesn't cover a three-score spread. Colorado has lost every game this season by at least 25 points, and despite beating the Wildcats last year, you simply can't trust the Buffaloes. Colorado is averaging under 12 points a game and have scored just five touchdowns in four games this season. Arizona is far from good, but they're no where near as bad. It might take the Wildcats till the fourth quarter to put Colorado away for good, but until the Buffaloes can stay within 20 points of anyone, you should bet against them every week. 

Arizona State vs. USC (-25.5)

Arizona State isn't nearly as big of a mess as Nebraska, but they've got a lot going on too. Herm Edwards "relinquished" his head coaching duties after an embarrassing 30-21 loss to Eastern Michigan nearly two weeks ago, and on top of that, the Sun Devils are currently being investigated by the NCAA for recruiting violations. And on top of that — as if it couldn't get any worse — ASU has to travel to the Coliseum to play undefeated USC. That's a tall task, and despite USC barely getting by Oregon State last week, expect the Trojans to bounce back offensively this week and put up 40+ points on ASU. 26 points is certainly a big cover, but USC should get back on track at home against an ASU team that has a lot of problems, on and off the field.

Stanford vs. Oregon (-16.5)

Oregon looked awful in its season opener against Georgia, but they've figured a lot of things out since. The Ducks have scored 40+ points in each of their last three games, and Stanford hasn't been within two scores of any PAC-12 team so far this season. Oregon can score, and score fast, and well, Stanford's defense has struggled in conference play so far. Don't expect that change this week, even if it takes the Ducks until the fourth quarter to cover the 17-point spread.