AL.com college football staff picks for Week 4 of 2023
It’s what the kids call a banger of a week in college football, and AL.com’s college football staff picks are here to weigh in on the biggest games.
For the first time this season, all six of our in-state FBS teams are in action against FBS competition. Alabama and Auburn face major tests against SEC West opponents.
Week 3 wasn’t great for our picks panel, as none finished better than 5-5 against the spread. We’ll endeavor to do better this time
Scroll along below to find out how various AL.com sports staffers see this week’s games playing out. We’ve also given predicted scores for this week’s Alabama and Auburn games.
A reminder that these picks are AGAINST THE SPREAD. That means that each person’s selection doesn’t necessarily mean he or she thinks that team will win outright, just that it will cover the point spread.
On with this week’s picks (all times Central and all games Saturday unless noted):
Florida State running back Trey Benson (3) runs for a touchdown in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game against Southern Mississippi Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Tallahassee, Fla. FSU won 66-13. (AP Photo/Phil Sears)AP
Florida State (-2.5) at Clemson, 11 a.m., ABC
Michael Casagrande: Florida State
Matt Cohen: Florida State
Evan Dudley: Florida State
Ben Flanagan: Florida State
Patrick Greenfield: Florida State
Andrew Hammond: Clemson
Mark Inabinett: Clemson
Ainslee Lee: Clemson
Creg Stephenson: Florida State
Oregon quarterback Bo Nix (10) runs the ball as Hawaii defensive back Peter Manuma looks to stop him during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Eugene, Ore.AP Photo/Andy Nelson
Colorado (+21.5) at Oregon, 2:30 p.m., ABC
Michael Casagrande: Colorado
Matt Cohen: Colorado
Evan Dudley: Colorado
Ben Flanagan: Colorado
Patrick Greenfield: Colorado
Andrew Hammond: Oregon
Mark Inabinett: Colorado
Ainslee Lee: Colorado
Creg Stephenson: Colorado
Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson plays against Western Kentucky during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)AP
Ohio State (-3.5) at Notre Dame, 6:30 p.m., NBC
Michael Casagrande: Ohio State
Matt Cohen: Notre Dame
Evan Dudley: Ohio State
Ben Flanagan: Ohio State
Patrick Greenfield: Ohio State
Andrew Hammond: Ohio State
Mark Inabinett: Notre Dame
Ainslee Lee: Notre Dame
Creg Stephenson: Notre Dame
Penn State tight end Tyler Warren catches a touchdown pass from running back Trey Potts during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Champaign, Ill. Penn State won 30-13. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)AP
Iowa (+14.5) at Penn State, 6:30 p.m., CBS
Michael Casagrande: Penn State
Matt Cohen: Iowa
Evan Dudley: Penn State
Ben Flanagan: Iowa
Patrick Greenfield: Penn State
Andrew Hammond: Iowa
Mark Inabinett: Iowa
Ainslee Lee: Penn State
Creg Stephenson: Penn State
UAB head coach Trent Dilfer shows approval during the Blazers’ 41-21 loss to Louisiana, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, at Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Ala. (UAB Athletics)
UAB (+41.5) at Georgia, 6:30 p.m., ESPN2
Michael Casagrande: Georgia
Matt Cohen: Georgia
Evan Dudley: Georgia
Ben Flanagan: Georgia
Patrick Greenfield: UAB
Andrew Hammond: Georgia
Mark Inabinett: UAB
Ainslee Lee: UAB
Creg Stephenson: Georgia
Troy wide receiver Devonte Ross celebrates a touchdown against James Madison during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Troy, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)AP
Western Kentucky (+3.5) at Troy, 11 a.m., ESPNU
Michael Casagrande: Troy
Matt Cohen: Western Kentucky
Evan Dudley: Western Kentucky
Ben Flanagan: Troy
Patrick Greenfield: Troy
Andrew Hammond: Troy
Mark Inabinett: Troy
Ainslee Lee: Troy
Creg Stephenson: Western Kentucky
South Alabama’s Marquise Robinson (7) returns an interception vs. Oklahoma State, Saturday, September 16, 2023, in Stillwater, Okla. (Scott Donaldson/South Alabama athletics)Scott Donaldson/South Alabama At
Central Michigan (+14.5) at South Alabama, 4 p.m., ESPN+
Michael Casagrande: South Alabama
Matt Cohen: South Alabama
Evan Dudley: South Alabama
Ben Flanagan: Central Michigan
Patrick Greenfield: South Alabama
Andrew Hammond: South Alabama
Mark Inabinett: Central Michigan
Ainslee Lee: South Alabama
Creg Stephenson: South Alabama
Jacksonville State’s Malik Jackson carries the ball vs. Coastal Carolina at Brooks Stadium in Conway, S.C., on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (Brandon Phillips/Jacksonville State athletics)
Eastern Michigan (+6.5) at Jacksonville State, 4 p.m., ESPN+
Michael Casagrande: Jacksonville State
Matt Cohen: Jacksonville State
Evan Dudley: Jacksonville State
Ben Flanagan: Jacksonville State
Patrick Greenfield: Jacksonville State
Andrew Hammond: Jacksonville State
Mark Inabinett: Eastern Michigan
Ainslee Lee: Jacksonville State
Creg Stephenson: Jacksonville State
Auburn running back Brian Battie (21) carries the ball against Samford during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)AP
Auburn (+7.5) at Texas A&M, 11 a.m., ESPN
Michael Casagrande: Texas A&M 28, Auburn 27
Matt Cohen: Texas A&M 30, Auburn 21
Evan Dudley: Texas A&M 35, Auburn 24
Ben Flanagan: Texas A&M 27, Auburn 19
Patrick Greenfield: Auburn 17, Texas A&M 16
Andrew Hammond: Auburn 28, Texas A&M 24
Mark Inabinett: Texas A&M 28, Auburn 24
Ainslee Lee: Auburn 28, Texas A&M 24
Creg Stephenson: Texas A&M 24, Auburn 20
Alabama defensive lineman James Smith (47) celebrates after recovering a fumble by South Florida during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Tampa, Fla. Looking on is defensive back Caleb Downs (2) and defensive lineman Tim Keenan III (96). (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)AP
Ole Miss (+7) at Alabama, 2:30 p.m., CBS
Michael Casagrande: Alabama 24, Ole Miss 21
Matt Cohen: Alabama 33, Ole Miss 28
Evan Dudley: Alabama 38, Ole Miss 28
Ben Flanagan: Alabama 30, Ole Miss 27
Patrick Greenfield: Alabama 28, Ole Miss 24
Andrew Hammond: Alabama 35, Ole Miss 31
Mark Inabinett: Alabama 27, Ole Miss 21
Ainslee Lee: Alabama 34, Ole Miss 21
Creg Stephenson: Ole Miss 28, Alabama 26
The Oregon Ducks, center, joins the student section in a cheer during an NCAA college football game against Monday Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Chris Pietsch)
Standings after Week 3
| Name | Record |
|---|---|
| Mark Inabinett | 18-12 |
| Patrick Greenfield | 14-16 |
| Ainslee Lee | 14-16 |
| Creg Stephenson | 13-17 |
| Michael Casagrande | 12-18 |
| Evan Dudley | 11-19 |
| Ben Flanagan | 10-20 |
| Andrew Hammond | 10-20 |
| Matt Cohen | 6-24 |