The Week 4 edition of picks against the spread ATS is highlighted by a key game in the Big Ten West as Wisconsin hits the road to play Iowa. Elsewhere, West Virginia and Kansas State get together in Morgantown for the Big 12 opener for both teams, and Wake Forest hosts undefeated Notre Dame in Winston-Salem. Here are 10 predictions for games against the spread. BYU rushed for 191 yards on a 6. And in its previous game, BYU rushed for only 91 yards 2. Iowa has a reputation as being one of the top rushing teams in the Big Ten, but the Hawkeyes rank 11th in the league through three games and have not finished higher than eighth in the league in rushing since 2015. Despite the recent struggles, Iowa is still committed to the running game; the Hawkeyes are averaging 44. Iowa 24, Wisconsin 21 West Virginia -16 over Kansas State Kansas State leaves Manhattan for the first time in the 2018 season and will face a well-rested West Virginia team that did not play last week due to the hurricane. West Virginia 37, Kansas State 20 Wake Forest +7. Wake has committed at least two turnovers in each game and is minus-4 for the season. If the Deacs can protect the ball, which is a big ask with a true freshman at quarterback assuming Sam Hartman gets the start again , they should be able to score some points on Notre Dame. Notre Dame hits the road for the first time after opening with wins over Michigan, Ball State and Vanderbilt by similar scores of 24—17, 24—16 and 22—17. The Irish have been strong on defense though Vanderbilt gained 420 yards but have struggled on offense, specifically in the passing game. Pass was benched last Saturday in a closer-than-expected win over Western Kentucky, and Bobby Petrino announced on Monday that redshirt freshman Malik Cunningham will get the start in Charlottesville this weekend. Petrino is trying to jumpstart an offense that is averaging only 307. Sure, playing Alabama contributed to those anemic averages, but the Cards have also played Indiana State and Western Kentucky. Bryce Perkins has done a nice job at quarterback, showing the ability to run 100-plus yards vs. Richmond and Indiana and pass 379 yards vs. Virginia 33, Louisville 27 Ball State -3 over Western Kentucky Ball State is 0—2 against FBS competition, with a 24—16 loss at Notre Dame and a 38—10 loss at Indiana, but this is a much-improved team from a year ago — due in part to better health after the 2017 team was ravaged by injuries. Western Kentucky is 0—3, and despite a respectable 20—17 loss last weekend at Louisville, the Hilltoppers are trending in the wrong direction under second-year coach Mike Sanford. They lost in Week 2 to Maine at home and have lost eight of their last nine games overall dating back to last season. Ben Hicks, who started 25 games the past two seasons, was benched in favor of true freshman William Brown during the loss at Michigan. This is a big game for Navy, which lost badly to Hawaii and was very fortunate to beat Memphis in Week 2. The Midshipmen need to win this game and look good doing so. Navy 38, SMU 23 Georgia -14. Well, you can make a good argument that Missouri is the second-best team in the division, and Georgia is a two-touchdown favorite against the Tigers in Columbia. Missouri has the firepower to test the retooled Georgia defense — yet still a defense that leads the SEC in yards allowed per game — but the Tigers will have a tough time stopping a Georgia offense that averages 7. The Bulldogs have so many options and so many different ways to beat you. The Bearcats are 3—0, highlighted by a 26—17 win at UCLA and a 21—0 shutout victory over Miami Ohio. Luke Fickell is recruiting very well. And it appears he can coach too. Ohio has been a bit of a disappointment through two games. The Bobcats had to rally to beat Howard in Week 1 and then lost to Virginia 45—21 in Nashville last Saturday. Cincinnati 27, Ohio 17 Iowa State -18. And while the Zips were no doubt aided by some turnovers — Northwestern committed three — they actually outgained the Wildcats on a per-play basis 5. This was not a fluke. Iowa State is still searching for its first win of the season, having lost to Iowa 13—3 and Oklahoma 37—27. The offense, shut down at Iowa, showed signs of life against Oklahoma though the running game is still an issue. It looks like Zeb Noland will get the start at QB for at least one more week with Kyle Kempt still sidelined with an injury. The spread is a bit high, but the Cyclones are due for a big win. Iowa State 38, Akron 17 Western Michigan -7 over Georgia State Western Michigan is averaging 574 yards of offense in its two games vs. Syracuse and Delaware State in which it has not played Michigan, one of the top defensive teams in the nation. Georgia State is 1—2 overall, with a comeback win over FCS foe Kennesaw State and lopsided losses to NC State and Memphis. The Panthers gave up more than 400 yards passing vs. NC State and more than 400 yards rushing against Memphis. They will have a tough time slowing down the WMU attack. Western Michigan 44, Georgia State 24 Last week: 3—7 Season: 11—19 Athlonsports. Copyright law, as well as other applicable federal and state laws, the content on this website may not be reproduced, distributed, displayed, transmitted, cached, or otherwise used, without the prior, express, and written permission of Athlon Media Group.
