After a fantastic Week 3, the games slow down a little bit with some teams being on bye. The Non-Conference slate is not near as tough last week.
Conference play does begin for some teams and those two matchups look very intriguing. West Virginia and Kansas looked like two completely different teams.
Texas is looking for Revenge after their trip to Stillwater last year was spoiled.
UL Monroe vs. Iowa State 12 PM EST FS1
The trajectory of the UL Monroe program has been consistent. Just not good enough. The program have consistently been staying home in December as they’ve only been to one bowl game within the past 33 years.
One player that could be an issue is RB Josh Johnson. Through the first two games, the Junior has exploded for 299 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns.
Josh Johnson will be the main issue for this stout Iowa State front 7.
For Iowa State, this is a more important game than Cyclone fans would’ve expected. Iowa State suffered an emotional loss that included two players colliding into one another. With traveling to Waco next week, Iowa State can’t overlook ULM.
Iowa State hasn’t looked fantastic so far and have clearly struggled offensively. Without David Montgomery and Hakeem Butler, skill players need to step up.
I believe Iowa State will get back on track and separate themselves from ULM. But I wouldn’t pick the over on this game.
Iowa State 30, ULM 10
SMU vs. #25 TCU 3:30 EST FS1
The fact that the line on this game is -9 favoring TCU shows you Vegas really likes SMU. And there is good reason for that. Texas Transfer Shane Buchele has the offense humming and averaging 45 PPG. SMU defeated a good North Texas team with a great QB in Mason Fine.
However, this will be the first test of 2019. SMU travels a mere 40 miles to face the Horned Frogs.
TCU has had to rely on the RB position to make big plays. The QB battle has not been solved yet and throwing the ball can be an issue. Defensively, this will test TCU.
SMU is known for grabbing Power 5 transfers and making them part of their system.
Recent history shows this game isn’t much of a rivalry. That still doesn’t show that these two teams don’t like each other.
I believe this game will be close for a half, but TCU pulls away in the 4th quarter.
TCU 38, SMU 24
West Virginia at. Kansas 4:30 EST ESPN+
Just one week ago, this game looked like a dud of a matchup. One week later, this matchup looks much more interesting.
Both schools picked up big wins over Power 5 teams. Kansas won their first road game against a Power 5 since 2008. Not only did they win, but they were dominant against Boston College.
For West Virginia, they also won against a ACC foe in NC State. Although the ACC does look pretty bad, impressive nonetheless.
The true bright spot to the offense has not been Pooka Williams. It’s the guy he shares carries with in Khalil Herbert. Herbert is averaging an astounding 9.9 yards per carry on 36 carries.
That duo can give a West Virginia run defense that is awful some serious trouble. For West Virginia to win this game, they absolutely have to establish the run game.
Kennedy McKoy has just 78 yards and no one else has more than 50 yards. Kansas’ front 7 isn’t impressive, but West Virginia cannot be one-dimensional. If they are, Kansas could take advantage of it. I believe Kansas continues to hot streak and pulls off another “upset”.
Kansas 35, West Virginia 30
Baylor at. Rice 7 PM EST
Baylor is #1 in the nation in Points Per Game. No, we are not living in 2014. However, the competition has been pretty bad. The worse part is that it doesn’t get any better with Rice.
Rice looked promising, competing with Army and came up just short 21-14. Since then, they have gotten blown out by Wake Forest and Texas in Houston.
The one thing I’m looking forward to is if Baylor can create turnovers. They’ve only forced 2 turnovers so far. Baylor has only played their starters for a half, but being able to create turnovers is huge.
I do not expect this game to be close as Rice is one of the worst FBS teams.
Baylor 52, Rice 13
Oklahoma State at. #12 Texas 7:30 EST ABC
The prime time game of Week 4 lies in Austin. This game has so many layers to it and some history to it.
It’s not easy to forget what happened last season in Stillwater. Tylan Wallace exploded for 222 yards and 2 Touchdowns. Of course, the infamous Mike Gundy-Tom Herman yelling match toward the end of the game.
That game was a big blow to Texas confidence wise and should motivate them for this year.
Spencer Sanders has done everything you can ask a true freshman to do. However, the defenses he played were awful. Texas is by far the best defense so far, and maybe the best one they play in conference play.
For Texas, they return back home after taking their frustrations out last week against Rice. With last year and returning home since LSU, Texas will come out angry.
Spencer Sanders is impressive, and Tylan Wallace will have a 100+ yard game. I do not believe Oklahoma State’s defense will be able to handle Sam Ehlinger this time around. The same defense that gave up 36 points to Oregon State.
I don’t expect this game to be a blowout, but I think the current line is about right.
Texas 38, Oklahoma State 24
Predictions record: 18-8
Image Credit: https://kckingdom.com/2019/09/14/kansas-football-win-boston-college-hopefully-glimpse-future/
