The college football betting season is rolling into Week 4, and while there are lots of interesting games in the SEC, Big Ten, and Big 12, there are also some really important games in the Pac-12 and the ACC which we want to focus on here:
USC Trojans vs. Oregon State Beavers Odds by BetAnySports
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USC | -5½ ( -110 ) | 70½ ( -110 ) | -220 |  |
| Oregon | +5½ ( -110 ) | 70½ ( -110 ) | +180 | |
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This is a big, big test for the new-look USC Trojans. They aren’t giving up tons of points, but they are giving up lots of yards. USC’s red-zone defense has produced a lot of takeaways and stops, but teams are moving the ball against the Trojans. USC is playing with thin margins. That is a real concern for head coach Lincoln Riley in his first year at the helm. On the other hand, Oregon State is missing star tight end Luke Musgrave, one of quarterback Chance Nolan’s favorite targets.
Oregon State does not have its full complement of offensive players. USC’s defense and Oregon State’s offense are both a little more limited than each side would prefer, which is why this game is so fascinating. Ultimately, USC’s defensive weaknesses are likely to keep this game close enough that Oregon State can cover the spread on Saturday.
Pick: Oregon State +6.5
College Football Clemson Tigers vs. Wake Forest Odds by BetAnySports
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clemson | -7½ ( EV ) | 55½ ( -110 ) | -280 | |
| Wake Forest | +7½ ( -120 ) | 55½ ( -110 ) | +240 | |
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Wake Forest won the ACC Atlantic Division championship last year, but the Demon Deacons were pounded by Clemson in a decisive loss to the Tigers. Clemson is a team which has consistently throttled Wake Forest even when the Demon Deacons have been relatively good. It’s a problem connected to the fact that Clemson is stronger, bigger, and more powerful in the trenches. However, Clemson is still entering this game unsure of whether starting quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei will be able to answer the call and play at a top level.
He struggled a lot last year, and he hasn’t been especially crisp in the early part of this 2022 season. If he does not play well, Wake Forest and veteran quarterback Sam Hartman should be able to keep the game close. You will notice that Clemson is a 7.5-point favorite. At that line, Wake makes sense as the ATS pick. If the line drops to 6.5, then it’s a different question and one might consider going with Clemson. At this line, however, Wake is more likely to cover.
Pick: Wake Forest +7.5
Oregon Ducks vs. Washington State Odds by BetAnySports
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | -7 ( EV ) | 57½ ( -110 ) | -260 | |
| Washington | +7 ( -120 ) | 57½ ( -110 ) | +220 | |
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This is a fascinating game mostly because it’s a battle of Pac-12 title contenders, but also because Oregon is coming off a big win over BYU. Will the Ducks be able to win big games in back-to-back weeks, or did the BYU win take a lot out of them? Oregon played BYU when BYU was coming off a huge win over Baylor. The Baylor game might have weakened BYU. Oregon could now experience the same fate as the team it just defeated.
The Ducks might wish they had an easier game this week and could play Washington State next week … but that’s not how the schedule has worked out. Washington State is a flawed team, but it played a relatively easy game last week versus Colorado State. The Cougars might not win outright, but they could be fresh enough to keep this game close.
Pick: Washington State +7
