It’s Week 4 of the 2024 college football season and in AL.com’s college football staff picks, and we’re starting to get into the meat of the schedule.
There are several early-season conference battles around the country, including some involving in-state teams. Both South Alabama and Auburn begin league play this week.
Two of our other in-state favorites — Alabama and UAB — have the first of two byes this week. Jacksonville State stays out of conference, while Troy plays an FCS opponent (there’s no line on that game as most sports books, which is why it’s not listed here).
Scroll along below to find out how various AL.com sports staffers see this week’s games playing out. We’ve also given predicted scores for this week’s Auburn game.
A reminder that these picks are AGAINST THE SPREAD. That means that each person’s selection doesn’t necessarily mean he or she thinks that team will win outright, just that it will cover the point spread.
On with this week’s picks (all times Central and all games Saturday unless noted):
South Alabama running back Fluff Bothwell gets past Northwestern State safety Cam Hardy to score in the first half of a NCAA football game Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Ala. (Mike Kittrell/AL.com) Mike Kittrell/AL.com
South Alabama (+7.5) at Appalachian State, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, ESPN
Thomas Ashworth: Appalachian State
Michael Casagrande: Appalachian State
Patrick Greenfield: South Alabama
Andrew Hammond: South Alabama
Mark Inabinett: South Alabama
Nick Kelly: Appalachian State
Peter Rauterkus: Appalachian State
Creg Stephenson: South Alabama
Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola (15) passes the ball against Colorado during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)AP
Illinois (+8.5) at Nebraska, 7 p.m. Friday, Fox
Thomas Ashworth: Nebraska
Michael Casagrande: Nebraska
Patrick Greenfield: Nebraska
Andrew Hammond: Illinois
Mark Inabinett: Illinois
Nick Kelly: Nebraska
Peter Rauterkus: Nebraska
Creg Stephenson: Nebraska
Florida quarterback Graham Mertz, left, looks for receiver tight end Hayden Hansen (89) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Texas A&M, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)AP
Florida (-4.5) at Mississippi State, 11 a.m., ESPN
Thomas Ashworth: Mississippi State
Michael Casagrande: Florida
Patrick Greenfield: Mississippi State
Andrew Hammond: Florida
Mark Inabinett: Mississippi State
Nick Kelly: Mississippi State
Peter Rauterkus: Florida
Creg Stephenson: Florida
Southern California running back Quinten Joyner runs the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Utah State, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)AP
USC (-6) at Michigan, 2:30 p.m., CBS
Thomas Ashworth: Michigan
Michael Casagrande: USC
Patrick Greenfield: USC
Andrew Hammond: USC
Mark Inabinett: Michigan
Nick Kelly: USC
Peter Rauterkus: USC
Creg Stephenson: USC
Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough (9) hands the ball off to running back Isaac Brown (25) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Jacksonville State in Louisville, Ky., Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)AP
Georgia Tech (+10) at Louisville, 2:30 p.m., ESPN2
Thomas Ashworth: Louisville
Michael Casagrande: Louisville
Patrick Greenfield: Louisville
Andrew Hammond: Georgia Tech
Mark Inabinett: Louisville
Nick Kelly: Georgia Tech
Peter Rauterkus: Georgia Tech
Creg Stephenson: Georgia Tech
Oklahoma State’s De’Zhaun Stribling (1) catches a pass while Tulsa’s Keuan Parker (5) looks on during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Tulsa, Okla. (AP Photo/Garett Fisbeck)AP
Utah (+3) at Oklahoma State, 3 p.m., Fox
Thomas Ashworth: Oklahoma State
Michael Casagrande: Oklahoma State
Patrick Greenfield: Oklahoma State
Andrew Hammond: Utah
Mark Inabinett: Utah
Nick Kelly: Oklahoma State
Peter Rauterkus: Oklahoma State
Creg Stephenson: Utah
Florida State mascot Osceola rides Renegade to plant the spear at midfield for the start of the NCAA college football game against Memphis, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Colin Hackley)AP
California (+2.5) at Florida State, 6 p.m., ESPN2
Thomas Ashworth: Florida State
Michael Casagrande: Florida State
Patrick Greenfield: Florida State
Andrew Hammond: California
Mark Inabinett: Florida State
Nick Kelly: Florida State
Peter Rauterkus: California
Creg Stephenson: California
Tennessee wide receiver Dont’e Thornton Jr., right, makes a catch past Kent State safety Nick Cuva (36) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)AP
Tennessee (-7.5) at Oklahoma, 6:30 p.m., ABC
Thomas Ashworth: Tennessee
Michael Casagrande: Tennessee
Patrick Greenfield: Tennessee
Andrew Hammond: Tennessee
Mark Inabinett: Oklahoma
Nick Kelly: Tennessee
Peter Rauterkus: Oklahoma
Creg Stephenson: Tennessee
Jacksonville State fell to 0-3 after a double-overtime loss to Eastern Michigan.Brandon Phillips, Jax State Photo
Southern Miss (+6.5) at Jacksonville State, 2 p.m., ESPN+
Thomas Ashworth: Jacksonville State
Michael Casagrande: Jacksonville State
Patrick Greenfield: Jacksonville State
Andrew Hammond: Jacksonville State
Mark Inabinett: Southern Miss
Nick Kelly: Jacksonville State
Peter Rauterkus: Jacksonville State
Creg Stephenson: Southern Miss
Auburn running back Jarquez Hunter kneels after scoring a touchdown against New Mexico during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)AP
Arkansas (+4) at Auburn, 2:30 p.m., ESPN
Thomas Ashworth: Arkansas 27, Auburn 24
Michael Casagrande: Auburn 21, Arkansas 18
Patrick Greenfield: Arkansas 24, Auburn 17
Andrew Hammond: Auburn 20, Arkansas 17
Mark Inabinett: Auburn 30, Arkansas 27
Nick Kelly: Auburn 23, Arkansas 17
Peter Rauterkus: Arkansas 31, Auburn 28
Creg Stephenson: Auburn 28, Arkansas State 23
Southern California Trojan mascot Traveler IX takes the field prior to an NCAA college football game between Southern California and Utah State, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)AP
Standings after Week 3
Nick Kelly — 18-12 (5-5 last week)
Peter Rauterkus — 18-12 (6-4 last week)
Thomas Ashworth — 16-14 (7-3 last week)
Patrick Greenfield — 15-15 (5-5 last week)
Andrew Hammond — 15-15 (6-4 last week)
Mark Inabinett — 15-15 (6-4 last week)
Michael Casagrande — 14-16 (6-4 last week)
Creg Stephenson — 13-17 (6-4 last week)
