College Football Week 4 Odds & Cheat Sheet: Schedule, Injuries, Weather, Betting Notes

College Football Archives |
Written By Road to CFB | Published at September 16, 2024
college football week 4 odds

College football Week 4 rolls on with another fresh slate of CFB odds. CFB betting sites posted lines for all the top matchups, including newfound conference matchups like Utah at Oklahoma State and Tennessee at Oklahoma. Other conference-defining matchups include NC State at Clemson and Illinois at Nebraska. Got caught up in all the goings on through three weeks? No worries – we've got you covered. Check out our full early-week college football betting guide below.

Included are the latest odds, notable line movement, matchup history, weather, injuries, trends, and much more. Dig in! Keep up with TheLines all week long for college football betting tools.

College Football Week 4 Odds

Browse college football Week 4 odds below. Click odds anywhere to place a bet.

Line Movement: College Football Week 4 Odds

Look-ahead lines for Week 4 were posted last week. Check out early movers from those and opening lines below:

Opening Lines from College Football Week 4 Odds

Note line movements through key figures of 3 and 7, like Virginia at Coastal Carolina and Ball State at Central Michigan.

Week 4 Coaching Notes & Matchup History

No. 24 Illinois at No. 22 Nebraska, Friday (8:00 p.m., FOX)

NC State at No. 21 Clemson, Saturday (12:00 p.m., ABC)

No. 11 USC at No. 18 Michigan, Saturday (3:30 p.m., CBS)

No. 12 Utah at No. 14 Oklahoma State, Saturday (4:00 p.m., FOX)

TCU at SMU, Saturday (5:00 p.m., The CW)

No. 6 Tennessee at No. 15 Oklahoma, Saturday (7:30 p.m., ABC)

Michigan State at Boston College, Saturday (8:00 p.m., ACC Network)

Impact Injuries On College Football Week 4 Odds

All kick times below are listed in ET.

Ball State at Central Michigan, Saturday (1:00 p.m., ESPN+)

QB Bert Emanuel Jr. has yet to play this season for Central Michigan due to injury. Top running back Marion Lukes left CMU's Week 3 loss to Illinois with a reported knee injury. Despite the injuries, CMU moved from a -6.5 home favorite to -7 at most books by Monday morning. The MAC releases injury reports, so expect midweek updates on these players.

No. 11 USC at No. 18 Michigan, Saturday (3:30 p.m., CBS)

Michigan lost All-America tight end Colston Loveland last week. Loveland existed a sloppy 28-18 win over Arkansas State and did not return. The Wolverines also reportedly expected to return veteran QB Jack Tuttle last week, but that didn't happen. Michigan's QB room has combined for 459 passing yards (65.4% completion) and four touchdowns to six picks (Davis Warren has 2:6 TD:INT). They are also missing All-America safety Rod Moore, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in the spring.

Conversely, USC has not dealt with many injuries. LB Mason Cobb sat out Week 2 but has had two weeks to recover.

Miami (OH) at No. 17 Notre Dame, Saturday (3:30 p.m., NBC)

A 66-7 win at Purdue proved to be costly for Notre Dame. Already thin on the offensive line, starting guard Billy Schrauth was carted off the field and later left the stadium on crutches. Standout defensive end Jordan Bothelo was also carted off after suffering a non-contact lower-body injury. Star tight end Mitchell Evans has yet to play 25 snaps in a game as he recovers from a 2023 season-ending injury. Finally, receiver Jordan Faison has not played either of the last two Irish games with a sprained ankle. Perhaps not a serious issue in Week 4, these injuries are significant for Notre Dame moving forward.

No. 12 Utah at No. 14 Oklahoma State, Saturday (4:00 p.m., FOX)

Oklahoma State is dealing with multiple injuries at linebacker, including star Collin Oliver (likely done for the year) and Justin Wright ("in the same boat" as Oliver). Starting right tackle Jake Springfield missed Week 3 with an injury, as well.

The big story around Utah is the availability of QB Cameron Rising. He suffered a "deep laceration" on his hand in Week 2 and did not play in Week 3. Kyle Whittingham said the plan is for Rising to play this week.

UTEP at Colorado State, Saturday (5:00 p.m., truTV/MAX)

Colorado State was largely without star receiver Tory Horton last week in a loss to Colorado. Horton played just 21 snaps, none in the second half. Running back Justin Marshall also went down with an injury in the game and did not return.

Cal at Florida State, Saturday (7:00 p.m., ESPN2)

Cal star running back Jaydn Ott missed last week's win over San Diego State with an injury. He left Week 2 against Auburn and did not return, although the Golden Bears were able to secure a win on the road. Cal turns back around this week and travels backwards three time zones without a bye (the second cross-country trek in three weeks). Without Ott, Cal managed to rush for 275 yards on the Aztecs last week.

ULM at No. 1 Texas, Saturday (8:00 p.m., ESPN+)

QB Quinn Ewers suffered an abdominal strain in Texas' Week 3 win over UTSA. Head coach Steve Sarkisian doesn't believe it to be serious, but it's likely Ewers sits against ULM. Backup QB Arch Manning completed 75% of his passes with four touchdowns in that win. Given the lopsided talent in this game – and the QB in waiting – Ewers absence has little to no effect on the spread or total here. RB Jaydon Blue also missed the game. While not a concern for Week 4, running back injuries are piling up at Texas.

Other Impact Injuries

Other Roster & Staff Impacts on Week 4 Odds

TCU at SMU, Saturday (5:00 p.m., The CW)

SMU made a change at quarterback after an 18-15 loss to BYU, from Preston Stone to Kevin Jennings. Stone suffered a serious leg injury late last year and hasn't appeared to fully recover from it yet. In his lone full game of action, Stone threw one touchdown and one interception against Nevada while completing just 59% of those passes. Since then, he has not attempted more than 10 passes in a game. He also added 10 rushes for 47 yards before the change was made.

Jennings features a vastly different style of play than Stone. Jennings has 15 rushes this year for 94 yards and a score. However, he's completed less than 57% of his passes on the season for 6.7 yards per attempt and just one touchdown (also one interception).

NC State at Clemson, Saturday (12:00 p.m., ABC)

Dave Doeren announced Monday that C.J. Bailey will start at QB. McCall left Week 3 with an injury and was only garnering 6.7 yards per attempt on the year (three TDs, two INTs). It is the true freshman's first career start.

Weather Impacts On College Football Week 4 Odds

Weekly college football weather reports will be released later this week as forecasts become more certain. But here’s a few spots to keep tabs on early in the week.

As the northern hemisphere transitions from summer to fall, more cold air invades the United States. And those bursts of cold weather interacting with existing warm weather causes storms. Two major troughs (or disturbances) are forecast to sweep through the Plains and Central U.S. this week – the latter of which could have serious impacts on college football from Nebraska to Indiana. Watch for games like Arkansas State at Iowa State, Iowa at Minnesota, and even Tennessee at Oklahoma as forecasts become more certain.

Remnants from a potential tropical cyclone off the Carolinas could also linger into Thursday, impacting South Alabama at Appalachian State. However, that system should dissipate heading into the weekend.

Highs in the 90s will linger across the central and southern U.S., as well. Illinois at Nebraska may dodge the storm system, but highs in the mid-90s are forecast for the weekend. Georgia Tech at Louisville and ULM at Texas will see highs soar above 90º this weekend.

Situational Spots To Watch With College Football Week 4 Odds

San Jose State at Washington State, Friday (10:00 p.m., The CW)

Washington State comes off a massive win over rival Washington last week. In Week 5, Wazzu plays at Boise State, a proven dangerous team. Between the two games sits a home date with 3-0 San Jose State. The Spartans head on bye next week and played at home in Week 3. Ken Niumatalolo has produced a strong defense for SJSU this season, ranking 51st in dropback EPA. They sit in an ideal letdown position against Wazzu and a look-ahead spot.

James Madison at North Carolina, Saturday (12:00 p.m., ACC Network)

Since losing starting QB Max Johnson to injury, North Carolina had time to regroup. Its last two opponents featured a thin Charlotte team and FCS NC Central – far from an exercise in talent. Next, UNC hosts 2-0 James Madison. Beyond JMU, the Tar Heels open up ACC play with arch-rival Duke just down the road. This could be an easy spot for double-digit favorite UNC to overlook James Madison after not having been tested for a couple of weeks.

The Dukes enter the game well-rested off a bye week.

Ohio at Kentucky, Saturday (12:45 p.m., SEC Network)

Kentucky comes off a near upset of No. 1 Georgia at home, missing the final field goal for a 13-12 final. That kind of effort and emotional letdown can have effects on the following games, especially when the next foe is a little ol' MAC team like Ohio. The Bobcats are 2-1 on the season, barely escaping with wins over South Alabama and Morgan State – far from stiff competition. But Ohio gets Kentucky in an advantageous situation and only travels three hours to the contest.

Next week for Kentucky: at No. 5 Ole Miss.

Rutgers at Virginia Tech, Saturday (3:30 p.m., ACC Network)

Virginia Tech took care of business against Old Dominion last week and returns home 2-1. On tap for the Hokies is Miami on a short week (played next Friday). In between sits Rutgers coming off a bye week – far from a pushover and a team likely to be taken pretty seriously. But with a conference king on tap and with one fewer day to prep? There's a good chance Pry is already putting some thought into Miami. Perhaps the team itself is, too.

Virginia Tech also lost its last five home games against non-league Power Conference foes (0-5 ATS, too). Expect a rock right in Blacksburg here with a real chance Rutgers moves to 3-0 on the year.

Youngstown State at Pitt, Saturday (3:30 p.m., ACCNX)

Pitt has the benefit of staying home after a thrilling win over arch-rival West Virginia in the Backyard Brawl. All that stands in the way between the 3-0 Panthers and a much-needed bye week (two comeback victories in a row) is FCS Youngstown State. For the casual eye, the Penguins shouldn't pose much of a threat to a Power Conference team like Pitt. But Y-Town is far from a pushover, ranked 18th in aggregated FCS power ratings and similar to a Middle Tennessee State or UTEP. While perhaps not a threat to win outright, the Penguins might keep this game closer than anticipated should the line come out at 21+.

Memphis at Navy, Saturday (3:30 p.m., CBSSN)

Coming off an upset win at Florida State, Memphis hits the road again to play Navy. Both FSU and Navy come off bye weeks while Memphis has not yet had its bye. The Tigers have taken the last five matchups in this series (since 2019) and are 3-2 ATS against the Midshipmen. But watch for back-to-back body-blow games, especially in Week 5 against Middle Tennessee.

Central Connecticut State at UMass (3:30 p.m., ESPN+)

UMass plays a stretch of four road games in five weeks. Games at Toledo and at Buffalo resulted in an 0-2 and a combined 72-26 deficit. After this brief home stint, the Minutemen again hit the road twice in a row at Miami (OH) and Northern Illinois – again conference opponents starting next year. Central Connecticut is one of the worst FCS teams annually. While the Blue Devils don't pose much of a talent threat, this is a nightmare situation for UMass in its lone home game, and some starters are banged up.

Cal at Florida State, Saturday (7:00 p.m., ESPN2)

Cal traveled two time zones and 2,400 miles to play Auburn. The Golden Bears escaped with a win but lost star RB Jaydn Ott to injury. Cal returned home (another 2,400 miles) and beat San Diego State without Ott. Now, Cal turns it back around, heads back three time zones at plays 0-3 Florida State 2,500 miles away. Such is life being a West Coast program playing in the so-called "Atlantic Coast" Conference. But that kind of travel strain on student-athletes is immense – remember, these aren't professionals.

No team offers a bigger disappointment this season than FSU. Cal sits at 3-0, but that kind of strain back and forth through time zones and thousands of miles is worth something to the point spread. Also, keep an eye on Ott's availability this weekend.

Bowling Green at No. 25 Texas A&M, Saturday (7:30 p.m., ESPN+)

Texas A&M returns home after thumping Florida on the road in Week 3. On the horizon for the Aggies is an annual rivalry with Arkansas (in Arlington, Texas) and the meat of their SEC schedule. Bowling Green sits squarely in the middle, coming off both a near-upset of Penn State and a bye week. The Falcons aren't likely to be taken as lightly as before the Penn State scare, but A&M could already be looking ahead to bigger games.

QB Conner Weigman did not play against Florida. While the A&M offense appeared to be better without him, Florida is on the verge of quitting on the season, and the coach (or already has) didn't pose much of a threat.

Michigan State at Boston College, Saturday (8:00 p.m., ACC Network)

Following a tight loss at No. 7 Missouri, Boston College returns home unranked. With a chance to get right and perhaps reclaim its ranking, the Eagles host 3-0 Michigan State. The Spartans have played in two one-score games and are the single-most penalized team in the FBS. Through three games, they've been flagged 33 times for 342 yards. And on tap for Michigan State? Back-to-back matchups vs. Ohio State and at Oregon.

It's a brutal stretch, and Boston College avoids the letdown spot. Michigan State has the potential to turn in a real stinker here.

Best of luck betting college football Week 4 odds.

Related News