College football picks: Week four

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The Crew dropping knowledge on y’all

With the 2014 College football season off and running, there have been quite a few games that have gone down to the wire, multiple upsets, and overall an extremely exciting start to the season. Last week a couple games stumped the experts, including the controversial Georgia vs. South Carolina matchup. The decision not to feed Gurley inside the ten yard line late in the fourth will haunt the Bulldogs for the rest of the season. USC also dropped their game against Boston College, and many now question how good the Trojans really are. Another notable game from the weekend was Kentucky- Florida in the swamp, where Florida finished off the Wildcats in three overtimes. It looks as Kentucky will have to wait next year to attempt to end their 28 game losing streak to the Gators. Now let’s get into the week four matchups.

Primetime Game- (5) Auburn vs. (20) Kansas State

DH: The Auburn Tigers are looking at their first real challenge of the season, traveling to Bill Snyder Stadium in Kansas to take on the Wildcats of Kansas State. So far in the young season, the Tigers have mostly impressed. Lead so far by their runningback Cameron Artis-Payne and quarterback Nick Marshall, the Tigers look to go on the road and make a statement on Thursday Night Football. In their way is Bill Snyder, and this historic coach not only has the home stadium named after him, but he also finds a way to make an average team into a competitor. Kansas State doesn’t have the “eye-opening” players like Auburn does, but the Wildcats play hard and should give Auburn their money’s worth. In the end, however, I like Auburn to win by 10, and showcase that they truly are one of the best teams in college football.

JG: Auburn has way too much firepower for K State. Nick Marshall is my player of the game. Marshall along with Tre Mason carried the Tigers last year now, it’s his turn to lead them. Marshall has flourished under the Auburn offense with Gus Malazhn. Kansas State is a good team, but not Auburn good, they may hang around for the first half but look for Auburn to win by 13 or more.

Upset Alert? – (1) Florida State vs. (22) Clemson

DH: Ah here we are, starting quarterback out for the first half, media down Florida State and Coach Jimbo Fisher’s pants, Clemson should be in perfect position to upset their rival, right!? Like the legendary Lee Corso says, “Not so fast, my friend.” I think Florida State should be alright in this one. Sure, Jameis Winston is not very smart, and his constant off the field issues are really taking a toll on this Seminole team, but the team is not revolved Winston. Clemson may make the game interesting, and may even be winning by halftime, but I think at Doak, with thousands of fans screaming the infamous war chant, the Tigers may get flashes of the last time they played FSU, an absolute beat down by the Seminoles in Clemson’s own stadium. In each of the last three seasons, the winner of this game wins the ACC, and Clemson being stuck in a somewhat of a “rebuilding” year, I see the Seminoles cruising by at least two touchdowns.

JG: This game is a lot bigger than most seem. Florida State is going to be very vulnerable. If Clemson can take a lead into halftime, I like their chances. Why? Because Florida State for one, is not even close to being as good as last year. They haven’t been as good this year as people have expected. Winston hasn’t played as good either with the loss of his favorite target, Kelvin Benjamin. This is in Tallahassee but, if Clemson takes the lead at half. Clemson would be my favorite. However, I don’t think Jameis Winston lets the halftime suspension hurt his team, Seminoles win by 10.

Cincinnati vs. Miami (OH)

DH: After Gunnar Kiel’s explosive debut, throwing for six touchdown passes against Toledo, the Bearcats look to continue their domination in the Battle of the Victory Bell against Miami. The “Battle for the Bell” is the oldest non-conference rivalry in college football, and when the two play in Paul Brown Stadium Saturday, it will be the 119th meeting. The Bearcats have won eight straight games against Miami, but Miami holds the all-time record 59-52-7. In the last eight games, the Bearcats have outscored Miami 291- 70, and I expect Saturday’s showdown to be no different. Cincinnati should roll in this one, and we’ll see their first real challenge next week when they take on Ohio State in the horseshoe.

JG: Gunner Kiel is the next best thing since Tony Pike and the Bearcats glory days. Kiel has the ability to bring the Cats to national attention. Now I’m not going to get ahead of myself, they have a lot of work on the defensive side of the ball. Miami (OH) has a terrible offense, and they are rebuilding with a new quarterback, new coach and brand new system. UC will roll by 21 plus with the high caliber offense. As long as the Cats don’t get ahead of themselves and look toward the big game next week against Ohio State, I like UC to roll in Paul Brown Stadium.