SEC college football picks, odds in Week 4: Texas A&M handles Arkansas, LSU gets revenge vs. Mississippi State

Week 4 of the faculty soccer season is when issues actually get going within the SEC. There are six convention video games, together with a big-time battle between No. 7 Texas A&M and No. 16 Arkansas within the SEC on CBS Sport of the Week. The Aggies have fought by way of a large early-season harm to beginning quarterback Haynes King to maneuver to 3-0 for the primary time beneath coach Jimbo Fisher. The Razorbacks have been a pleasing shock, throttling Texas two weeks in the past and dispatching of Georgia Southern with relative ease final week. 

There are different large video games on the slate as properly. First up, LSU is searching for revenge vs. Mississippi State after final season’s debacle in Baton Rouge. Tennessee will even rekindle its rivalry with No. 11 Florida, whereas No. 2 Georgia squares off towards 1-2 Vanderbilt.

Let’s break down the highest storylines and make picks for Week 4 within the SEC:

Appetizer: LSU should get floor recreation going

LSU’s 2021 season began out as a sizzling mess when it fell to UCLA, however a fast repair to the operating recreation might salvage the season. The Tigers rank one hundred and twentieth within the nation at 86.7 speeding yards per recreation and 119th at 3.09 speeding yards per carry. That will not minimize it beneath regular circumstances, a lot much less for a staff like LSU that has a comparatively skilled offensive line and gifted operating again room.

Granted, presumed starter John Emery Jr. will miss the season attributable to an eligibility subject, however Corey Kiner and Tyrion Davis-Price ought to be capable of choose up the slack. Kiner leads the staff with 129 yards and two touchdowns, however will nonetheless function a backup in what ought to be a committee method.

“Tyrion Davis-Value continues to be our starter, however we are going to use a three-man and four-man rotation,” coach Ed Orgeron said. “You will notice Armoni Goodwin this week and hopefully Tre Bradford can get eligible. We now have not discovered something but, however he’s working towards, and as quickly as he’s eligible we are going to play him, too.”

Essential course: KJ Jefferson must ball out

Jefferson, the beginning quarterback for the upstart Razorbacks, would be the key issue towards Texas A&M in Jerry World. The twin-threat sophomore has been a weapon within the multi-dimensional speeding assault, however ranks seventh within the SEC in passing yards per recreation (210.7) and is tied for eleventh in landing passes (4).

He’ll must be simpler together with his arm to beat Texas A&M’s protection. 

The Aggies defensive entrance, led by junior DeMarvin Leal, is likely one of the deepest and most versatile teams within the nation. Certain, Arkansas’ operating backs will get their touches, however it’s unlikely that Trelon Smith and Co. will be capable of run everywhere in the Aggies like they did towards Texas.

Jefferson ranks sixth within the SEC with 9 passing performs of 20 or extra, which has been ok by way of three video games. Nevertheless, he must have the most effective recreation of his profession by way of the air on Saturday to maintain the Texas A&M protection trustworthy. 

Dessert: Daniels finds his groove

Georgia’s offense did not actually hearth on all cylinders till Week 3 towards South Carolina. The Bulldogs have been stagnant within the opener vs. Clemson, and backup quarterback Stetson Bennett began vs. UAB in Week 2 instead of injured starter JT Daniels. Returning final Saturday, Daniels confirmed as soon as once more why he is a star, finishing 74.2% of his passes for 303 yards — at almost 10 yards per try — and three touchdowns. Certain, it is one recreation, however the downfield passing assault was the one lingering query about this Georgia offense.

Daniels has that lined because the Bulldogs put together for the Commodores. He performed the position of game-manager towards the Tigers in a battle managed by protection. After a short stint on the sideline, he returned to full effectiveness final week. That signifies he is good and does not put himself, or his staff, in unnecessarily dangerous conditions that might upend the season.

Be careful, Georgia may be essentially the most full staff within the convention at this level. 

SEC picks, Week 4

Straight up: 34-5 | Towards the unfold: 16-13
Odds through Caesars Sportsbook

No. 2 Georgia at Vanderbilt

The Bulldogs can play dial-a-score towards Vanderbilt, which has the worst offense within the SEC at 4.46 yards per play and 353.7 yards per recreation. Georgia’s defensive entrance, led by monster nostril guard Jordan Davis, goes to feast. Vandy might be fortunate to achieve the top zone and Georgia’s offense will need to ensure it is tuned up with Arkansas and Auburn developing. Choose: Georgia (-34.5)

LSU at Mississippi State

Newest Odds:

LSU Tigers
-2.5

I received burned by LSU towards UCLA, however I’ll run it again and belief the Tigers yet one more time. Coach O received embarrassed by the Bulldogs in 2020, and there isn’t any probability he will let Mike Leach and his Air Raid offense repeat that feat. As unhealthy as LSU has been on the bottom, Mississippi State has worse (45.33 YPG). The operating recreation is not an enormous a part of Leach’s offense, however I discover it exhausting to consider that Oregron will sit in man protection all afternoon like he did final season. Choose: LSU (-2.5)

Missouri at Boston College

Newest Odds:

Missouri Tigers
-2

Can we speak about Connor Bazelak for a second? The Tigers’ second-year beginning quarterback has quietly put up stable numbers with 299 yards per recreation, 9 touchdowns and just one interception in an offense averaging 7.1 yards per play. It’s going to be power vs. power going towards an Eagles protection that ranks second within the ACC in go protection (153 YPG). This ought to be a enjoyable one, however since a discipline objective nets a Missouri cowl, I am going to facet with Eli Drinkwitz’ crew. Choose: Missouri (-2.5)

No. 7 Texas A&M at No. 16 Arkansas 

Newest Odds:

Arkansas Razorbacks
+5.5

This one will come all the way down to Jefferson, however he will not have sufficient juice within the passing recreation to tug off the upset. Arkansas has to determine the run as a way to arrange the go and Texas A&M’s monstrous entrance seven will do sufficient to stop it from getting downhill on a constant foundation. In the meantime, Fisher discovered rather a lot about quarterback Zach Calzada within the New Mexico recreation and can permit Calzada to unfold the ball round. Arkansas simply does not have the pace on protection to maintain up. Choose: Texas A&M (-5.5)

Georgia State at No. 23 Auburn (-27)

Newest Odds:

Auburn Tigers
-27

After what occurred final week within the loss to Penn State, a 3rd straight dwelling recreation that includes not less than 60 factors may be within the playing cards for Auburn. Coach Bryan Harsin has to discover a method to change into extra balanced, so anticipate quarterback Bo Nix to mild up a Georgia State protection that has but to file an interception.. Choose: Auburn (-27)

Tennessee at No. 11 Florida

Newest Odds:

Florida Gators
-19.5

Florida confirmed up in its shut loss to Alabama, which makes this a major letdown spot. Tennessee has discovered an offensive id with quarterback Hendon Hooker, and its protection seemed robust within the shutout over Tennessee Tech. There is not any doubt the Vols can deal with Florida’s zone-read assault and hold this a two-touchdown recreation. Florida might be in management, it simply will not cowl. Choose: Tennessee (+20)

Kentucky at South Carolina

Newest Odds:

Kentucky Wildcats
-5

The Wildcats seemed like they have been sleepwalking towards Chattanooga. That has to alter in an evening recreation on the always-wild Williams Brice Stadium. It should. Quarterback Will Levis will make the most of a porous Gamecocks go protection and submit his second 300-plus yard passing efficiency in 4 video games. That may open up the operating recreation for Kentucky’s gifted operating backs to tear off chunk performs in a double-digit win. Choose: Kentucky (-5.5)

Southern Miss at No. 1 Alabama 

Alabama coach Nick Saban received the luxurious of yelling at his staff all week after it struggled to carry off Florida. The Crimson Tide will take it out on a Golden Eagles staff that ranks 126th nationally on offense at simply 4 yards per play. Southern Miss will not get to double digits on the scoreboard and Saban will hold his foot on the fuel deep into the second half. The Tide rating 60 factors, straightforward. Choose: Alabama (-44.5)

Which college football picks are you able to make with confidence in Week 4, and which Prime 25 favourite goes down exhausting? Visit SportsLine to see which teams will win and cover the spread — all from a confirmed laptop mannequin that has returned nearly $3,000 in revenue over the previous five-plus season — and discover out.