College football Week 4 predictions: Best bets, picks against the spread

It is easy to be down on the Ducks. Oregon entered this month as a national title favorite, returning a potential No.1 NFL draft pick at quarterback (Dante Moore), one of the nation’s best defenses, and a head coach (Dan Lanning) who was 48-8 all time and coming off a playoff semifinal appearance. After a near-upset to Boise State and an unthinkable upset to Oklahoma State, the Ducks are no longer favored to even make the postseason tournament (-240 to miss).

Still, there is reason to believe in the talent, the coaching, the infrastructure and recent history. USC has a tougher case to make. This is the fourth time in Lincoln Riley’s five seasons at USC that the Trojans have started at least 4-0.The previous three times, USC suffered its first loss in its first meeting against a ranked team. Under Riley, the Trojans are 6-13 against ranked teams.

USC hasn’t finished a season inside the top 20 since 2022.Riley hasn’t reached the playoff since 2019 and has never won a playoff game despite coaching a combined seven seasons with three Heisman winners/future No.

1 picks (Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray, Caleb Williams) and a future Super Bowl MVP (Jalen Hurts). Any hope that new defensive coordinator Gary Patterson would transform USC’s defensive identity was torched when the Trojans gave up 35 points at Rutgers, one week after allowing 30 to Louisiana. Oregon (-3) — which has averaged 39 points in Lanning’s two wins over Riley, including a 42-27 win last season — might soon be considered a contender again.USC has provided no evidence it will be one anytime soon. Chip Kelly left Oregon nearly 14 years ago.

It is past time to stop believing he will spark change wherever he lands, even after the Wildcats’ 41-point outburst against Colorado.Back the best coach in the country (Curt Cignetti), whose defense has posted back-to-back shutouts and held QB Aidan Chiles’ offenses under 14 points in consecutive years. Don’t be scared.

Illini coach Bre...