Narwhal College Football Pick'em: Week 4

Week 3 Recap: Week 3 of the college football season led to some serious shake up in our pick’em standings. It’s a week I will try and block out of my memory (for a number of reasons), but one being that it dropped me from a first place tie to tied for fourth. Andrew remains ahead of the pack, but strong weeks from Banjo and Sam have them nipping at his heels. Here are the current standings heading into week 4.

Current standing:

• First Place: Andrew (15)
• Second Place (Tie): Sam, Banjo (14)
• Fourth Place (Tie): Tucker, Melissa, John (13)
• Seventh Place (Tie): Hicks, Natalie, Ben (12)
• Tenth Place: Jason, Don, Tom, Andrea

Week 4 matchups:

Washington vs California

Ben’s beloved Huskies play host to the Golden Bears of California in late night Pac-12 showdown. Both teams struggled to an 0-2 start but should have some knew found confidence after securing their first wins of the season. Which team will snap the opponents impressive one game win streak? The office likes Cal +7.5.

Oklahoma vs West Virginia

Andrea’s Sooners survived a close call at home last week against a pesky Nebraska team. Spencer Rattler and the OU offense was not impressive. At halftime, the Sooners had managed just 7 points, their lowest halftime total since 2017, but managed to do just enough to stay unbeaten. This week they play host to the mountain men of West Virginia. The betting world is giving West Virginia 16.5, but the office is still leaning OU.

Auburn vs Georgia State

From my quarantine hotel room on a Greek island at 2:40am local time, I watched nervously as the mighty War Eagles of Auburn met their first real test of the season in the Happy Valley. The highly anticipated matchup lived up to the hype, with both teams battling back and forth for four quarters. In the end, a few costly mistakes and a questionable play call that will undoubtedly be the centerpiece of my nightmares for weeks to come proved to be too much for the Tigers to overcome. This week Georgia State rolls into town and will look to catch the Tigers licking their wounds. Don Skola has faith that his alma mater can keep it within four scores, but I don’t think the 27-point spread will be enough, and the office largely agrees.

Georgia vs Vanderbilt

In spite of the quarterback controversy that my sources claim has been brewing in Athens, Melissa’s Bulldogs were able to look past the distraction and handle their business against a less than stellar South Carolina team last week. This week they will finally get a crack at the Commodores after the game was cancelled last year. The line is 34.5, but as Vanderbilt alum Jason Seeb said earlier this week, “I would consider it a win if Vandy scored a point.” Outside of trailblazer Don Skola, the office thinks this one will be ugly.

Clemson vs NC State

Don’s Clemson Tigers narrowly escaped from dreaded Bobby Dodd Stadium a week ago with a win. This week they are on the road again to face another ACC foe in NC State. Clemson has really struggled offensively so far this year and will have to be able to make some plays against a Wolfpack defense that has been solid through three weeks. The office likes Clemson to cover, but this will be an interesting one to watch.

Texas vs Texas Tech

Its hard to know what to make of the Longhorns this year. A seemingly impressive win to start the year was followed up by a beatdown curtesy of a future SEC foe. Now Texas kicks off big-12 play by welcoming a 3-0 Texas Tech team into Austin. The office sees this one being close with a 7-6 split leaning in favor of the Red Raiders.

Florida vs Tennessee

America’s team takes on a Florida team that is coming off a battle with top ranked Alabama. The Gators proved to be much more formidable than many expected and could make some noise in the east this year, but first have to get by Tennessee. The Vols had a tune up game against Tennessee the week before and should be heading into the Swamp with a little confidence as they try and pull off a big upset. I would take a monumental effort from first year head coach Josh Heupel and a Tennessee team that is still a few years away from competing for an SEC title, but crazier things have happened. It looks like the portfolio managers are backing Tom in this one, but the office still likes the Gators to cover, but its close.

Michigan vs Rutgers

The fighting Jim Harbaugh’s have been impressive this year, albeit against suspect competition (sorry Ben). Rutgers rolls into the Big House boasting a 3-0 record of their own, but without facing a quality opponent. Will Michigan get caught looking ahead to a matchup with Wisconsin? The office doesn’t think so.

TCU vs SMU

TCU has gotten off to a 2-0 start as Jonathan Hicks predicted, but the road will start to get tougher from here on out. Undefeated SMU isn’t a world beater by any means but should provide a good test for the Gary Patterson lead Frogs. Andrew and Andrea are the only two in the office that like SMU to keep it within 10.