Week 4 College Football Betting Preview (With Free Picks)

Each Week at RTHH we will run through some important games on the schedule. We will give reasons each team can cover. We also will release a RTHH Free pick as well as at least one free pick from a Hot Handicapper.

Week 4 College Football Betting Preview (With Free Pick)

Wisconsin

Last Week: Wisconsin had a considerable amount of trouble against winless FCS school Georgia St. The Badgers were down 17-13 in the 4th quarter before scoring the last 10 points winning 23-17. The Badgers failed to cover the 35.5 point spread and the total went UNDER 51.5.

This Season: Wisconsin is 3-0 straight up and 2-1 against the spread. The total is 1-2.

Why Wisconsin Can Cover

1. Michigan St is stout on the defensive line and have very good linebackers. Notre Dame couldn’t move the ball until they spread them out and attacked through the air. Although not usually known of as a passing team, Wisconsin senior quarterback Bart Scott is having a good season. He can take advantage of the Spartan corners throwing it to receivers Robert Wheelwright and Jazz Peavy.
2. DEFENSE! Wisconsin has one of the best and most disciplined defenses in the country. They aren’t going to give up big chunk plays like Notre Dame did. They held LSU to 14 points opening week and have only allowed 41 points through 3 games.

Michigan St.

Last Week: Michigan St. went into South Bend to face a desperate Notre Dame team. The Spartans played fantastic for 3 quarters holding a 36-14 lead after 3. They withstood ND’s comeback attempt and won 36-28 covering as 7.5 point favorites. The total went OVER 50.

This Season: Michigan St is 2-0 straight up and 1-1 against the spread. The total is 1-1.

Why Michigan St Can Cover

1. If Wisconsin does have a weakness on defense it’s in the Secondary. Neither of their first 3 opponents were able to effectively get the passing game going. It could be a lot different against Michigan St QB Tyler O’Connor. O’Connor has the skills to throw on anyone. Look for Michigan St to throw early and often to try and open up running room for their beast of a running back LJ Scott
2. The way to attack Michigan St is on the outside. Because the middle of their defense is nasty! Nose tackle Malik McDowell, Linebackers Riley Bullough and John Reschke and safeties Montae Nicholson and Demetrious Cox makes anything run or thrown in the middle of the field is treacherous waters. This defensive is capable of creating a bunch of turnovers.

RTHH LEAN: Wisconsin +5.5

Florida

Last Week: Florida took on North Texas and shutout The Mean Green 32-0. They failed to cover the 34 points and the total went UNDER 52.5.

This Season: Florida is 3-0 straight up and 1-2 against the spread. The total is 1-2.

Why Florida Can Cover The Spread

1. RUN THE BALL! Tennessee hasn’t proven they can stop the run as both Appalachian St and Virginia Tech ran all over them. Florida has a stable of talented running backs in Jordan Scarlett, Mark Thompson and Lamical Perine. All 3 will get carries and can do damage.
2. Florida may have one of the best defenses in the country. Obviously we’ll know a lot more after Saturday but they look downright scary. The Gators have only given up 14 points in 3 games

Tennessee

Last Week: Tennessee took on the Ohio Bobcats and had more trouble than most people thought winning 28-19. They failed to cover the 27 point spread and the total went UNDER 57.5

This Season: Tennessee is 3-0 straight up and 1-2 against the spread. The total is 1-1.

Why Tennessee Can Cover The Spread

1. Florida will be starting a backup quarterback. Austin Appleby will get his first start as a Gator after starter Luke Del Rio was injured last week on an illegal hit. Appleby has had starts in his career with Purdue but he was an interception machine and only completed around 50 percent of his passes.
2. Neyland Stadium is going to be more hostile than ever. The Florida Gators have beaten The Vols 12 straight times. This is arguably Tennessee’s best team since the streak started and Florida has a backup QB. It’s Just Time!

Final Analysis and RideTheHotHand Free Pick: The Florida Gators own the Volunteers. They are in Tennessee’s head some may say with some of the crazy ways they’ve won this game in the past few seasons. Florida’s defense has also been lights out. With all that said we are backing Tennessee to win this game and cover the 6.5 point spread. Florida has played all 3 games at home against AWFUL teams so their defensive numbers are a little inflated and Neyland Stadium will not be kind to their offense. If Florida was coming into this game with Luke Del Rio under center we would still like The Volunteers but with Austin Appleby under center we really like Tennessee. Appleby was awful at Purdue throwing for 18 TD’s 19 picks and sacked 23 times in 2 years. He obviously couldn’t beat out Del Rio for the starting job so those problems probably still exist. This is Tennessee’s year to end the streak. THE PICK: Tennessee -6.5

Louisville

Last Week: Louisville had the biggest win of the weekend, smacking Florida St 63-20 as 2 point favorites, the total went OVER 65

This Season: Louisville is 3-0 straight up and 3-0 against the spread. The total is 3-0

Marshall

Last Week: Marshall took on Akron at home and was crushed 65-38, failing to cover as 17.5 point favorites. The total went OVER 55.5

This Season: Marshall is 1-1 straight up and 1-1 against the spread. The total is 2-0

Free Pick By Handicapper Sean Higgs