3 Best College Football Bets for Week 4 (2026)

The Week 4 college football slate has a bunch of exciting matchups within the latest AP Top 25 rankings. It starts with  No. 1 Texas at No. 14 Tennessee, followed by No. 4 Ole Miss at No. 21 Florida as a +3.5-point underdog.

No. 17 Iowa takes on No. 18 Michigan in a Big 10 matchup with 2 elite defenses. Then, in prime time, we’ve got another rivalry between No. 20 Oregon vs. No. 12 USC, as the Trojans look to stay undefeated as a +3.0-point home underdog. No. 23 Texas A&M vs. No. 10 LSU and No. 19 Missouri vs. No. 24 Mississippi State also feature some of the top players in the country, like quarterbacks Sam Leavitt and Kamario Taylor.

My 3 Best College Football Bets for Week 3 (2026) settled 1-2. SMU +1.5 and LSU moneyline both went up in flames, while we cashed Under 51.5 in the Michigan State vs. Notre Dame game.

Let’s gear up for Week 4 with 3 best bets, each worth 1 unit, to place on some of Saturday’s biggest games. Follow me on X @Matt_MacKay for more college football betting analysis and free picks.

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College Football Week 4: Best Bets

(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)

Iowa (17) vs. Michigan (18)

Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz leads the Hawkeyes’ No. 1-ranked scoring defense into Ann Arbor when they take on the undefeated Michigan Wolverines. QB Bryce Underwood has had miscues in most of his starts this season, although his ability to lead the Wolverines’ offense in crucial moments has kept them 3-0.

While Iowa’s defense is undoubtedly its strength, RB Kamari Moulton leads the Hawkeyes offense. Moulton has a crisp 9.2 YPC, while Iowa’s backfield rotates carries between 4 other running backs and QB Hank Brown.

Brown’s thrown for 473 yards and 3 touchdowns, while committing zero turnovers and posting a 72 percent completion rate. He led Iowa to a tight win over a tough Iowa State defense, and now, he’ll have to replicate that performance in the Big House.

Michigan’s turnover issues are going to be exploited by a relentless Iowa defense. Let’s grab the points and bet on Iowa +5.5 as our first best bet on Saturday’s board.

Pick: Iowa +5.5 (-110)

South Carolina vs. Alabama (8)

Alabama is arguably the top team in the SEC so far based on its offensive outburst and ability to erase early deficits. The Crimson Tide offense has been picking apart opponents, scoring 47.7 points per game, led by QB Keelon Russell.

Russell and Alabama’s offense are averaging 5.0 YPC and 11 rushing touchdowns, while Russell just threw for a season-high 320 yards in an explosive 50-36 win over Florida State.

Now, Alabama returns to Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa to host South Carolina. The Gamecocks blew a 16-0 lead to No. 24 Mississippi State at home, surrendering 258 passing yards and 5 touchdowns to Kamario Taylor’s Bulldogs.

LaNorris Sellers doesn’t appear to be progressing in his third year as a starter in Shane Beamer’s program. The Gamecocks’ QB1 has a 62 percent completion rate for less than 700 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions.

Alabama’s defense has been an aggressive turnover machine under head coach Kalen DeBoer this year. The Crimson Tide have forced 7 turnovers, while Sellers and the Gamecocks offense have committed 4 turnovers in their past 2 games played.

This all equates to another blowout win for Alabama. Playing at home in prime time, against a turnover-prone South Carolina offense that had its momentum derailed by a late meltdown to Mississippi State, feeds right into Alabama as roughly a 2-touchdown betting favorite.

Place a wager on Alabama -12.5 for the second best bet in Week 4.

Pick: Alabama -12.5 (-110)

Oregon (20) vs. USC (12)

Dan Lanning’s Oregon Ducks punished Portland State (FCS) in an 84-0 rout during Week 3. It was predictable, considering their shocking road loss to Oklahoma State in Week 2.

Now, undefeated USC hosts Oregon, as the Trojans will look to snap a four-game losing skid against the Ducks. Oddsmakers have the total set at 61.5, implying this game will be a track meet.

USC QB Jayden Maiava has thrown for over 1,100 yards, 12 touchdowns, and only 1 interception so far this season. Lincoln Riley’s offense is humming, putting up at least 461 yards of offense and 39 points in all four wins.

Defense is where backing USC gets a bit nerve-wracking. The Trojans just gave up 35 points to winless Rutgers in Week 3, although that game was played on the road. USC also gave up 56 combined points to San Jose State and Louisiana.

Oregon’s defense isn’t nearly as dominant as it’s been in previous seasons under Lanning. The Ducks gave up roughly 500 yards and 5 passing touchdowns to Boise State and Oklahoma State, while allowing the Cowboys to post an impressive 5.9 YPC.

QB Dante Moore has yet to throw an interception, but the lack of depth in his backfield compared to last season has kept Oregon from shredding FBS opponents so far. The quarterback edge in this game goes to Maiava, who also benefits from playing on home field with Riley’s elite offensive mind.

Bet USC +3.0 before it moves down through this key number to +2.5.

Pick:  USC +3.0 (-110)

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