J. Harris, Boston Mountain Publishing
Friday, September 23, 2022, 1:19 PM
Week 4, Top Matchups of the Weekend: Preview and Predictions
Week 4 is setting up to be one of the best weeks we're going to have all season. There are Top 25 matchups, there are players who have come out of nowhere and have the opportunity to shine against bigger programs, and there are coaches on the hot seat and fighting for their jobs. Week 4 is where we may find out who is legit and who is not. Big weekend ahead, and exciting matchups to watch.
Clemson (6) @ Wake Forest - 12/11(c) ABC
I have a feeling this game is going to give us everything we could have imagined. Early ACC Championships are on the line here and even potential playoff spots are going to be lost in this matchup. There has been some early season QB controversy at Clemson and they will get a test against a talented Wake Forest Defense who is top 40 in the nation. For Sam Hartman and the Demon Deacons, they will have a chance to take down the Tigers at home and ruin the Tigers season before it really even gets started.
Prediction: Wake Forest
Arkansas (8) vs Texas A&M (19) - 7/6(c) ESPN
The Southwest Classic returns for another year to Arlington, Texas (Dallas Cowboy Stadium) after Arkansas snapped a 9-game losing streak against a Top 10 Aggie team last season. That game officially gave Arkansas the title of being back. A&M has struggled offensively this year as they are dead last in the SEC in points per game this season. As for Arkansas, they are top 40 offensvley in the country and towards the top of the SEC in that department, but when it comes to the defensive side of the ball, Arkansas statistically has the worst pass defense in Division 1 football. As Max Johnson continues to start for A&M, this is going to be a great game to see if they can finally move the ball effectively through the air. Currently, Arkansas' defensive front is one of the best in the nation so the Aggies will need to throw the ball. Side note: This is the first year that Arkansas has outsold Texas A&M in tickets.
Prediction: Arkansas
Florida @ Tennessee (11) - 3:30/2:30(c) CBS
Tennessee has looked unbeatable to start off the year. Hendon Hooker and the Tennessee offense has been unstoppable. It does not look like they're going to be stopped anytime soon. Florida's Anthony Richardson is really talented, but when it comes to his on-field weapons, the receivers hurt them when they played Kentucky. Defensively, the Gators are stacked and will be looking to make this one a low scoring game if they want a chance to knock off the Volunteers on Rocky Top.
Prediction: Tennessee
Wisconsin @ Ohio State (5) - 7:30/6:30(c) ABC
After Ohio State's Week 1 win over Notre Dame, everyone kind of overreacted because it looked like it was a great win. After Notre Dame struggled to find one win, it doesn't look great and it's safe to say this is going to be Ohio State's first real test this year. Wisconsin has a stud at running back in Braelen Allen, and they're going to look to get him involved which will open up the pass. If they can open up the the receiving lanes, they will have a chance to take down the Buckeyes. If Ohio State can shut down the run, they will be fine. When it comes to Ohio State being on offense, they will be looking to tire the Badgers down and eventually make them crumble.
Prediction: Ohio State
Sleeper games
Sleeper Game of the Week
Texas (24) @ Texas Tech - 3:30/2:30(c) ESPN
Ever since the Week 2 close game with Alabama, Texas is being viewed as a top team in the country. Texas Tech will have a chance this weekend to shut all of that down and end the hype in upset fashion. In what's already a heated rivalry, it's always better when your team is the underdog as the rival is coming into your house. Jones Stadium in Lubbock will be loud, and the atmosphere will be amazing. I'm thinking this will be a low scoring game and the key for both sides will be, who is going to win the defensive battle?
Prediction: Texas Tech
Upset pick of the week
Oregon (21) @ Washington State - 4/3(c) FOX
Last week Oregon came up with a huge win over BYU, a game where many were picking the Cougars to easily take down the Ducks. Oregon never gave BYU a chance once the ball was kicked off. The challenge for Oregon this week is that they will have to face a Washington State team on the road who is playing really good ball this year. The Cougars already have one upset win at Wisconsin this year, and I think they'll make it two as they will take down Oregon who is overlooking Washington State.
Prediction: Washington State
Check out this week's team rankings here:
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