2026 College Football Week 4 Best Bets: 11 picks for Sept 26 including LSU vs Texas A&M, Oregon vs USC

Nairavoice | Sep 26, 2026 2h ago 92 0 7 min read

2026 College Football Week 4 Best Bets: 11 picks for Sept 26 including LSU vs Texas A&M, Oregon vs USC

Happy Week 4! After a 1-2 last night and 8-1 Week 3, I am looking to keep to stay warm, but it’s a little hard with the Nor’Easter storm hitting home. However, while being locked on the couch all day because of weather, I can make money off of people who have to play in the weather. Genius, right? Let’s take a look at my favorite bets based on the storm and a few night games worth getting involved in.

Game odds are courtesy of DraftKings. Here are my five best bets for Saturday of the Week 4 slate in College Football. Best of luck!

Virginia Tech (-14) at Boston College: O/U 45.5

This will be an ugly game. There’s going to be rain throughout and winds over 20 mph. The total has already dropped from 53.5 to 45.5, so there’s not as much meat on the bone there and the same goes with the first half. However, the first quarter is still fair game as they can’t move that line too much. I am going Under 9.5 points and hoping for one or fewer scores in the first quarter. V-Tech stayed under this last week and will be playing back-to-back road games. Boston College struggled with Rutgers and Maine over the last six quarters, so I don’t expect them to light it up either.

I am going Under on both quarterbacks passing props. Ethan Grunkemeyer has thrown for at least 224 passing yards in all three games and they’re hanging a 215.5 on us — that’s bait to the Over. I am going Under and the same with Mason Mckenzie. The BC quarterback has at least 174 passing yards in all three games and his line is at 165.5. Go Under.

Picks: 1Q Under 9.5 (1 unit), Ethan Grunkemeyer Under 215.5 Passing Yards (1.5 units), Mason McKenzie Under 165.5 Passing Yards (1.5 units)

UCLA (-1.5) at Maryland: O/U 56.5

The total for this game opened at 51.5 and was bet up to 56.5, but I am going to buy back on that movement. There are winds reaching 16-17 mph and while the game will have clear skies at points, there is a 53% chance of rain and 65% humidity from the storm. The passing game could be affected at points and if it does rain, that will throw a wrinkle into this game. I am going Under 56.5 points and also dabbling on both quarterbacks to go Under their passing props.

Malik Washington has been slinging in the last two games. He’s thrown for 347 and 359 yards on 41 and 43 attempts. On the season, he’s thrown at least 31 times, so his line being at 289.5 is no surprise. However, windy weather could affect some deep balls and if there’s rain, well, you already know drops become a factor.

Nico Iamaleava will face a Maryland team ranks 6th by PFF for pressure. On the year, Iamaleava threw for 184, 151, and a season-high 276 yards on Purdue last week. It’s time to fade him. He is 4-2 to the Under on the road at 194.5 yards since joining UCLA going over against Purdue and USC — two soft pass defenses. I am going Under for both.

Picks: Under 56.5 (1 unit), Malik Washington Under 289.5 Passing Yards (1 unit), Nico Iamaleava Under 194.5 Passing Yards (1 unit)

NBC Sports is your home for all the latest updates on this matchup, featuring live odds, player news, expert analysis, and predictions

James Madison (-6.5) at Old Dominion: O/U 44.5

Some of the highest wind gusts of the day are coming in this game. There are projected winds that will hit over 21 mph with over 70% humidity at 65 degrees — that’s going to affect the pass game a bit.

On the season, James Madison averages 172.0 rushing yards per game and Old Dominion 151.5, so I am betting on both to go Over their averages here in a competitive game. Granted, the weather is baked in to this line, both teams will have no option but to rely on the run at times. Old Dominion ran for 180 yards against East Carolina last week and James Madison had 171 on San Diego State. Both teams are ready to ground and pound today. I am going Over their team rushing totals at 175.5 for ODU and 176.5 for JMU.

Picks: Old Dominion Team Over 175.5 Rushing Yards (1 unit), James Madison Team Over 176.5 Rushing Yards (1 unit)

#20 Oregon (-3) at USC: O/U 61.5

Everyone is focusing on the game total of 61.5 or whether to follow the line movement from Oregon +1.5 to Oregon -3 and back the Ducks. Well, I am headed to the prop market and targeting Jayden Maiava. Last year, Maiava threw for 306 yards at Oregon on 43 pass attempts with three touchdowns and two picks.
Oregon won 42-27 and it was 28-21 midway through the third quarter.

This year, I’d expect another big outing for Maiava because if not, USC is cooked. The Ducks gave up 317 passing yards to Oklahoma State and 181 yards (3 TDs) to Boise State. The Ducks cover grades rank 44th in the nation per PFF, but that’s after the 84-0 beatdown on FCS Portland State. Maiava can take advantage of the Oregon defense and go Over his 263.5 passing yards line. With Trent Mosley, Kayden Dixon-Wyatt, and King Miller — Maiava has threats in the passing game and he’s a quarterback that can throw his guys open.

Pick: Jayden Maiava Over 263.5 Passing Yards (1 unit)

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Texas A&M at LSU (-8.5): O/U 51.5

We know Lane Kiffin is a one of the best first quarter coaches in the country. He always has a game plan for coming out swinging early and playing a night game at Death Valley coming off a loss to his former team (Ole Miss), I’d expect nothing less. Of course, Texas A&M is coming off a 31-21 home loss to Kentucky, so this is a big spot for the Aggies with a lot of pressure.

Texas A&M didn’t score in the first quarter versus Kentucky and this is not the same team as last year when A&M won 49-25. LSU got off to a slow start at Ole Miss and Kiffin will want to correct that. I’ll take LSU to cover the first quarter -2.5 at -122 odds. Their first quarter team total is -185 for the Tigers to score at least seven early.

Pick: LSU 1Q -2.5 (1 unit)

Minnesota at Washington (-10): O/U 45.5

Minnesota gave up 14 points at home to Mississippi State in their only P4 game this season and 479 yards of offense. This is a late kickoff and road game starting at 11 PM Eastern, so internally Minnesota will be off a little and could be sluggish.

Minnesota went West two times last year and allowed Cal (7) and Oregon (14) to score in the first quarter. They went West once in 2024 and UCLA scored seven in the first quarter as well. The Huskies scored 3 total first quarter points versus Washington State and Utah State before 14 last week against FCS Eastern Washington this season. Washington’s main focus will be getting off to a good start and with Demond Williams at QB, it’s very possible. I like Washington to do the same and go Over their team total of 6.5 in the first quarter at -135 odds.

Pick: Washington 1Q Team Total Over 6.5 (1 unit)

Week 4 Picks

1.5 units: Mason McKenzie Under 165.5 Passing Yards (-114)
1.5 units: Ethan Grunkemeyer Under 215.5 Passing (-114)
1 unit: Virginia Tech vs Boston College 1Q Under 9.5 (-105)
1 unit: Malik Washington Under 289.5 Passing Yards (-114)
1 unit:Nico Iamaleava Under 194.5 Passing Yards (-114)
1 unit: Maryland vs UCLA Under 56.5 (-115)
1 unit: Old Dominion Team Over 175.5 Rushing Yards (-114)
1 unit: James Madison Team Over 176.5 Rushing Yards (-114)
1 unit: Jayden Maiava Over 263.5 Passing Yards (-114)
1 unit: LSU 1Q -2.5 (-122)
1 unit: Washington 1Q Team Total Over 6.5 (-135)