The 2024 college football season rolls along into Week 4, which features four games between ranked teams. But if this week is anything like last week, rankings won’t matter. Georgia, the nation’s top team, was pushed to the brink by an unsuspecting Kentucky team. No. 15 Oklahoma and No. 16 LSU were also tested by unranked foes.

Week 4 is headlined by USC traveling to Michigan to play its first game as a member of the Big Ten, while Oklahoma welcomes Tennessee to Norman in a primetime showdown.

No. 22 Nebraska and No. 24 Illinois will kick off the slate on Friday night to see who emerges 4-0.

Last week, our ATS picks went 6-4. Let’s maintain a winning clip this week.

Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook

24 Illinois at 22 Nebraska (-8)

The Illini have an opportunity to knock off their second ranked opponent of the season when they travel to Lincoln on Friday. Illinois defeated Kansas 23-17 in Week 2 despite having a mediocre offensive showing, only scoring one offensive touchdown. Xavier Scott’s 30-yard pick six in the second quarter gave the Illini the lead after falling behind early. In their other two contests, Illinois has beaten Central Michigan and Eastern Illinois. Quarterback Luke Altmyer has had a brilliant start to the season, throwing for 647 yards, 6 touchdowns and no interceptions. In his previous three seasons, Altmyer threw for a combined 16 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

Dylan Raiola has been a game changer for the Huskers, who have struggled to figure out the quarterback position in recent years. Raiola has thrown for 670 yards, five touchdowns and one interception in three wins. Nebraska has allowed just 20 points all season, including holding Colorado’s dynamic offense scoreless in the first half and limiting them to 10 points on the night. The Huskers’ other two wins came against UTEP and Northern Iowa.

Even though the Illini are on the road in a hostile environment, they’re both more experienced and more tested than Nebraska. This is Raiola’s first Big Ten game with Nebraska, and Illinois is the best team he’s faced thus far. I like Nebraska to win the game outright, but I think it’ll be closer than expected.

Pick: Illinois +8

11 USC (-5) at 18 Michigan

Michigan announced this week that they’ll be benching Davis Warren in favor of Alex Orji. It’s always concerning when you’re almost four weeks into the season and you haven’t figured out the quarterback situation. The Wolverines beat Arkansas State 28-18 last week, but the game was closer than it needed to be. They had a 28-3 lead in the fourth quarter and gave up 15 unanswered points. Michigan is lucky the game ended there, or they might’ve entered Atlanta Falcons collapse territory.

USC is coming off of a bye week and should be well rested heading into their first Big Ten conference game. The Trojans defeated LSU as betting underdogs in Week 1 and trounced Utah State in Week 2. Miller Moss has been excellent in his first season as the starter, and he is spoiled with endless talent at wide receiver. So far, Zachariah Branch, Kyron Hudson and tight end Lake McCree have led the team in receiving. This game against Michigan is USC’s only road game against a ranked opponent this season. They will play both Penn State and Nebraska at home.

This game is at the Big House, and that’s just about all Michigan has working in their favor. USC looks like the more polished team, and unless Orji can suddenly revive the Wolverines’ offense, I don’t see them scoring enough points to compete with the Trojans.

Pick: USC -5

12 Utah at 14 Oklahoma State (-2.5)

Cameron Rising is expected to return to Utah’s starting lineup after missing last week’s game against Utah State with a hand injury. The senior has thrown for seven touchdowns in two games and is vital to the Utes’ success. Utah’s offense let them down for much of last season, but it has come to life in 2024. Running back Micah Bernard has surpassed 100 yards in back to back games.

Oklahoma State’s Alan Bowman has been the star of the offense as teams have been selling out to stop running back Ollie Gordon II. Gordon hasn’t been able to reach 50 rushing yards in the last two games, something he did ten times in 2023, where he often worked his way into triple digits on the ground. Bowman has picked up the slack, though, throwing for 962 yards and eight scores in three games. The Cowboys will need a balanced attack to beat a stout Utah defense.

Once again, I’m going to ride with the road team. I think this is Utah’s year in the Big 12 with an experienced quarterback, assuming he can stay healthy. I expect a close game and I’ll take the Utes to cover.

Pick: Utah +2.5

6 Tennessee (-6.5) at 15 Oklahoma

The first major SEC showdown of the season will take place in Norman for Oklahoma’s conference debut. The Sooners have struggled in their non-conference games, barely escaping with wins against Houston and Tulane. Oklahoma’s offense looked better in the first half against the Green Wave, but they nearly blew a 24-6 lead in part because of a pick six thrown by Jackson Arnold. Outside of Arnold’s rushing contributions, the Sooner run game has been nonexistent, which is extremely concerning. Oklahoma is also without much of their starting offensive line and receiving corps.

Tennessee has obliterated each of their opponents, including a 51-10 win over NC State, who was ranked 24th at the time. The Vols were briefly on 100-point watch last week as they hung 65 on Kent State in the first half. Nico Iamaleava and the offense have been unstoppable so far, and Oklahoma’s defense isn’t all that great. The Vols should have many opportunities to put points on the board in this game.

I’m taking Tennessee to beat Oklahoma, even with the game being in Norman. The Vols are a more proven team on both sides of the ball. I can see this being a shootout early, but I’m not sure OU has the firepower to hang around for a full 60 minutes.

Pick: Tennessee -6.5

Other Notable Games

Marshall at 3 Ohio State (-40)

Pick: Ohio State -40

NC State at 21 Clemson (-20.5)

Pick: Clemson -20.5

Georgia Tech at 19 Louisville (-10)

Pick: Georgia Tech +10

UCLA at 16 LSU (-24.5)

Pick: LSU -24.5

Vanderbilt at 7 Missouri (-21)

Pick: Missouri -21

8 Miami (-16.5) at South Florida

Pick: Miami -16.5

13 Kansas State (-6.5) at BYU

Pick: Kansas State -6.5