College Football Picks & Predictions: Friday (Week 4)

Friday’s Week 4 college football slate features five games for us to watch and wager. There are some interesting matchups, including No. 5 Indiana hosting undefeated Northwestern in a Big 10 conference opener in prime time.

Other games include a couple of American Athletic Conference matchups between Army and Temple and Navy vs. UAB. Howard takes on 0-3 Rutgers, then there’s an ACC tilt between Clemson vs. California that is a Friday nightcap with a 10:30 p.m. ET kickoff.

I’ve got 3 best bets to place on Friday’s 5-game college football slate. Follow me on X @Matt_MacKay for more college football betting analysis and free picks.

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College Football Picks & Predictions Week 4: Friday Best Bets 

(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)

Navy vs. UAB

Navy has had a week to prepare for their road trip against UAB. The Blazers’ offense has struggled a bit in 2026, failing to surpass 26 points, while failing to record more than 1 passing and rushing touchdown in all three games played.

The Midshipmen’s defense has been torched in the pass game, giving up 7 receiving touchdowns, including 386 passing yards to FAU during a 38-30 loss in Week 2. However, Navy’s run defense is stout with 1.3 YPC and zero rushing touchdowns allowed.

Since opening, the lines have moved from UAB +11.5 to UAB +6.5 as home underdogs. The point total has also dipped from 53.5 to 51.5.

Without an imposing passing attack and Navy’s preferred run-centric triple-option offense, Under 51.5 is my best bet to place in this AAC matchup.

Pick: Under 51.5 (-112)

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Northwestern vs. Indiana (5)

Josh Hoover and the No. 5 Indiana Hoosiers host a 2-0 Northwestern team that just steamrolled Colorado 41-7. The Wildcats’ offense has outscored opponents 75-25, although facing an FCS opponent and a struggling Buffaloes offense isn’t a difficult test.

Indiana has posted back-to-back shutouts and will now play a fourth straight game from Bloomington. After a slow start against a struggling opponent in Western Kentucky last weekend, the Hoosiers rallied for a 38-0 win over the Hilltoppers.

Curt Cignetti’s defense has only allowed 1 total touchdown in 2026. They have a +2 turnover margin and are limiting opponents to just 3.5 yards per play and 2.5 YPC.

Northwestern’s defense is playing equally tough. The Wildcats have allowed 2 total touchdowns, while forcing four turnovers against Colorado during their last game played. Indiana’s offense is still trying to find its rhythm with new personnel, which is why lines have moved from -23.5 to -20.5.

The point total has moved up from 47.5 to 49.5. We’re now through a key number of 49, so let’s take advantage and bet Under 49.5 in this Big 10 clash between Northwestern and Indiana.

Pick: Under 49.5 (-108)

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Clemson vs. California

Clemson’s late rally to avoid an upset against UNC in Week 3 has given Dabo Swinney’s team some momentum heading into Friday’s West Coast road trip against Cal.

The Bears have bounced back from a 45-24 home loss to UCLA in Week 1, going into Syracuse to grind out a 21-18 win, while routing Wagner (FCS) 49-7 last weekend. Cal leans on its passing attack, with a pedestrian 2.8 YPC and 1 total rushing touchdown against FBS opponents.

Clemson’s defense is legit. It’s the strength of their team, limiting its previous 2 opponents to 3 total touchdowns and each under 350 total yards of offense.

The Tigers’ switch to freshman QB Tait Reynolds could pay off against a Cal defense that gave up 277 rushing yards to UCLA in Week 1 and 319 passing yards to Syracuse in Week 2.

Clemson’s has bounced from +1.5 to -1.5 repeatedly in this matchup. I’m siding with Swinney’s Tigers to post a win and betting on Clemson’s moneyline at -115 odds as a marginal road favorite.

Pick: Clemson Moneyline (-115)

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